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SB0397 • 2026

Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Appointment of Majors

Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Appointment of Majors

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Anne Arundel County Senators
Last action
2026-05-12
Official status
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 566
Effective date
2026-10-01

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide information on whether this law changes how the Sheriff hires other deputies besides the three majors.

Sheriff's Appointment of Majors in Anne Arundel County

This law requires the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County to appoint three majors at a salary set by the County Council.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County to appoint three majors.
  • Sets the salaries for these majors based on what the County Council decides.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Sheriff of Anne Arundel County
  • Anne Arundel County Council

Terms To Know

Sheriff
A law enforcement officer in charge of a county who is elected to their position.
County Council
The group that makes decisions about how money is spent and laws are made for a county.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify the current number of majors in Anne Arundel County.
  • Does not explain why three majors need to be appointed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-12 Post Passage

    Approved by the Governor - Chapter 566

  2. 2026-04-02 House

    Favorable Report by Judiciary

  3. 2026-03-18 Senate

    Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

  4. 2026-03-18 House

    Third Reading Passed (120-0)

  5. 2026-03-17 House

    Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

  6. 2026-03-17 Senate

    Returned Passed

  7. 2026-03-07 House

    Referred Judiciary

  8. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Third Reading Passed (45-0)

  9. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Favorable Adopted

  10. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Second Reading Passed

  11. 2026-02-09 Senate

    Hearing canceled

  12. 2026-02-09 Senate

    Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.

  13. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.

  14. 2026-01-28 Senate

    First Reading Judicial Proceedings

  15. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - First - Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Appointment of Majors

  16. Maryland General Assembly

    Vote - Senate - Committee - Judicial Proceedings

  17. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Third - Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Appointment of Majors

  18. Maryland General Assembly

    Vote - House - Committee - Judiciary

  19. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Chapter - Anne Arundel County - Sheriff - Appointment of Majors

Official Summary Text

Requiring the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County to appoint three majors at a salary determined by the County Council of Anne Arundel County.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0397*

SENATE BILL 397
D2 6lr1605
CF HB 11
By: Anne Arundel County Senators
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2026
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
Committee Report: Favorable
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 2, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Anne Arundel County – Sheriff – Appointment of Majors 2

FOR the purpose of requiring that the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County appoint a certain 3
number of majors at a salary determined by the County Council of Anne Arundel 4
County; and generally relating to the Office of the Sheriff of Anne Arundel County. 5

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 7
Section 2–315(a) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 12
Section 2–315(c) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17

Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 18

2–315. 19

2 SENATE BILL 397

(a) This section applies only in Anne Arundel County. 1

(c) (1) The Sheriff shall appoint deputies at a salary as provided by the County 2
Council of Anne Arundel County. 3

(2) The Sheriff may appoint a chief deputy who shall serve at the pleasure 4
of the Sheriff. 5

(3) THE SHERIFF SHALL APPOINT THREE MAJORS AT A SALARY AS 6
PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. 7

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 8
October 1, 2026. 9

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.