LEGISLATIVE SESSION MINUTES
April 8, 2008
Present: John W. Cole, President
Roger L. Layton, Vice President
Charles
C. Cawley,
At 9:11 a.m., on motion by Mr.
Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the County Commissioners unanimously
adjourned Regular Session and convened in Legislative Session for the third
reading and proposed enactment of Legislative Bills: #2008-1, Repeal of the County Ethics Code and Enactment of New County
Ethics Code; and #2008-2, Senior Homeowners Property Tax Credit.
LEGISLATIVE BILL #2008-1, REPEAL OF THE
COUNTY ETHICS CODE AND ENACTMENT OF NEW COUNTY ETHICS CODE – FOR THE
PURPOSE OF deleting current provisions of Chapter 33 of the Code of Public
Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland, and amending Chapter 33 of the Code of
Public Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland, by adding new provisions in
replacement thereof; providing for certain definitions; providing for the creation
of a new and expanded Ethics Commission and for the duties, powers, and
operations thereof; providing for certain prohibited conduct and interests;
providing for certain restrictions on employment, financial interests, and
affiliations; providing for certain restrictions on certain activities and
conduct; providing for restrictions on gifts;
providing for financial disclosures in certain circumstances; providing
for registration and for certain restrictions with respect to lobbying
activities; providing or providing for rules and regulations with respect to
all of the foregoing; providing that this title be deemed a fair summary of
this public local law for all purposes; and relating generally to matters of
ethics in County government in Caroline County, Maryland.
The Bill was introduced on March 19,
2008 and an advertised public hearing and second reading held on April 1, 2008,
during which no opposition was expressed.
County Attorney Ernie Crofoot stated that, upon review of the draft
Bill, the State Ethics Commission recommended the following two amendments:
removing the allowance of honoraria; and expanding and clarifying the list of
persons required to file an annual disclosure statements to include the County
Engineer; all Department Heads; all Purchasing Agents; and all elected
officials subject to the Ethics Chapter by State or Local Law; and delete the
County Planning and Codes Administrator; and the Roads Superintendent (as these
are covered by the broader terms listed above).
Therefore, after the third reading, on individual motions by Mr. Ghrist,
seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously
approved the recommended amendments and enacted and signed into law Legislative
Bill #2008-1, Repeal of the
LEGISLATIVE BILL #2008-2, SENIOR HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX CREDIT -
FOR THE
PURPOSE OF amending Chapter 166 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Caroline County,
Maryland; providing a local supplement to the Maryland Homeowners Property Tax
Credit Program; establishing the local eligibility requirements for the local
tax credit; providing that this title be deemed a fair summary of this public
local law for all purposes; and relating generally to development of a local
tax credit program for eligible senior citizens in Caroline County, Maryland.
The Bill was introduced on March 19, 2008 and an advertised public hearing and second reading held on April 1, 2008, during which no opposition was expressed. Therefore, after the third reading, on a motion by Mr. Layton and seconded by Mr. Ghrist, the Commissioners unanimously enacted and signed into law Legislative Bill #2008-2, Senior Homeowners Property Tax Credit. The Bill will be effective forty-five days after signature, on May 24, 2008.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned Legislative Session and reconvened in Regular Session at approximately 9:18 a.m.
Preparation of Minutes by: ________________________
Amy L. Kreiner