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Delegation approves HOCO 14‑26 to update economic development code, removes obsolete ex‑officio post
Summary
HOCO 14‑26, a housekeeping bill to modernize the county economic‑development code — including changing meeting frequency rules and removing an outdated ex‑officio board role — passed the Howard County delegation on Feb. 25.
The Howard County delegation voted Feb. 25 to approve HOCO 14‑26, legislation that updates the county economic‑development governing code and removes an outdated ex‑officio board role.
Jennifer Jones, introduced by the chair, testified that the code dates to 1993 and has not been comprehensively updated. "One thing it does is it implements a board‑approved change to meeting frequency," Jones said, explaining the bill would permit the board to meet every other month while preserving the chair's authority to call additional meetings.
Jones also said the bill removes a defunct ex‑officio board position tied to an organization that no longer exists. Delegate Hill and other members questioned whether the change required state action; Jones said the language originated at the state level and the bill corrects that mismatch.
After brief questions from delegates and a request that county staff review a related provision, the clerk called the roll and the chair announced HOCO 14‑26 passes.
The bill is procedural in nature and was presented as a clarification and cleanup of outdated statutory language rather than a substantive program change.
