Caroline County commissioners introduced Legislative Bill 2025-005 on April 22, seeking to eliminate fixed term limits for members of the county planning commission and to amend language on suspension and removal to conform to the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Stuart Barrell, a county staff member, told the board the bill "is to repeal and reenact with amendments those two subsections" of chapter 175, article 19, subsection c and e, which govern terms and removal of planning commission members. He said the change would allow the board of commissioners discretion to reappoint members rather than being constrained by a two-term limit. Barrell also said the bill is being treated as an emergency bill and outlined the schedule for publication and readings.

Under the schedule presented, a notice of public hearing will be published in the Star Democrat on May 10, the public hearing and second reading are set for May 13, and the third reading is scheduled for May 20. If enacted as an emergency measure, the bill would take effect on the date of passage.

A commissioner moved to proceed with the proposed schedule and to set the second-reading public hearing as presented; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with "ayes" from those present.

The staff presentation noted the county’s current statutory term is five years, and the bill would remove the local two-term limit previously adopted by the county, aligning planning commission reappointments with the board’s discretion and conforming removal language to state statute.

The introduction and scheduling constitute first reading only; no final action on the ordinance was taken at the April 22 meeting. The board will consider public comment at the May 13 hearing before deciding on second and third readings.