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MarylandSB 05082026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Somerset County Board of Education - Alterations

Sponsored By: Mary Beth Carozza (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education - Local BillsCommittee ChangesCounty CommissionersEducation, Boards ofElectionsEmergency BillsLocal Government MandatesMeetings -see also- Hearings; Open GovernmentOpen GovernmentPublic InformationPublic Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchSalaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesScholarships and Student Financial AidSecondary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public SchSomerset CountyStudentsTime

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Higher pay for Somerset school board

The board chair now earns $6,000 a year. Each other member earns $5,000 a year. Members also get up to $500 a year for in‑county official duties and reimbursement for out‑of‑county duties. These pay rules apply to terms that start after April 14, 2026. They also apply to anyone appointed or elected after that date to fill an unexpired term.

Student seats added, no $5,000 scholarship

Each public high school now has one nonvoting student member on the county board. The student must be a 12th grader, elected by students at that school, and serves for 1 year starting July 1. Student members cannot attend closed sessions unless a majority of the board votes to invite them. The $5,000 scholarship for completing a student term is repealed. These rules take effect April 14, 2026.

New rules for meetings and vacancies

County Commissioners now fill any vacancy on the school board for the rest of the term, until a successor is elected. The board may take some actions in closed session under state open‑meetings law, but final actions must be taken in public. The board must keep a formal record of each public meeting. These rules take effect April 14, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mary Beth Carozza

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 167 • No: 1

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 128 • No: 1 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 151

    4/14/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/10/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (128-1)

    4/10/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/10/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Ways and Means

    4/10/2026House

  6. Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/23/2026House

  7. Referred Ways and Means

    3/21/2026House

  8. Third Reading Passed (39-0)

    3/20/2026Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments {543228/1 Adopted

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/19/2026Senate

  12. Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/10/2026Senate

  13. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/19/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/2/2026

    PDF

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