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Joint committee removes broad CAO 'catchall' discretion from LPA bill
Summary
Committee members voted unanimously to strike a catchall clause that would have given the chief administrative officer broad discretion to require labor peace agreements in unspecified situations, citing concerns about clarity and potential overreach.
Committee members focused early discussion on a subparagraph (known in the packet as subparagraph F) that would have allowed the chief administrative officer (CAO) broad discretion to require labor peace agreements when the county had a "significant and ongoing economic and non regulatory interest."
Councilmember Friesen said the language was too vague and proposed striking the paragraph to avoid creating uncertainty. "I would suggest that we strike it," Friesen said. The motion to strike was seconded, and the joint committees voted unanimously to remove the subparagraph.
Proponents of retaining the language argued similar catchall provisions exist in Baltimore City, Prince George's County and the District of Columbia, but several members said specificity was preferable. After the vote the committee moved on to other clarifying amendments.
