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SB 1032

An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing for limited wineries.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Boscola and 3 co-sponsors

SB 1032 shifts Wicomico BOE to seven district elections, adds a nonvoting student member, and lets County Council set higher salaries; effective 2026 election with reimbursements.

Referred to Law & Justice
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Bill Summary · SB 1032

Summary — SB 1032

Wicomico County Board of Education — Election of Members, Student Member, and Compensation

Status: First Reading — Senate Rules (introduced Jan 31 / Feb 9, 2025)
Companion: HB 1524 (Wicomico County Delegation)
Effective date in bill text: October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

SB 1032 changes how members of the Wicomico County Board of Education are selected, adds a nonvoting student member, and authorizes the county council to set board member salaries (above existing statutory minimums). The bill is intended to align board membership with a proposed seven‑district county council map and to formalize student representation and expense reimbursement.

Key provisions

  • Board composition
    • Retains seven nonpartisan elected, voting members.
    • Adds one nonvoting student member (new).
  • Election districts (effective beginning with the 2026 general election)
    • Requires each of the seven elected members to be elected from one of the seven Wicomico County councilmanic districts.
    • Eliminates the two at‑large seats (current law: five district members + two at‑large).
    • The fiscal note assumes a seven‑district council map will be in place prior to the 2026 election (Wicomico has proposed a seven‑district map pursuant to a consent decree).
  • Student member
    • Selection method: established by county board procedures.
    • Eligibility: 11th or 12th grade student in good standing enrolled in Wicomico County Public Schools.
    • Term: one year beginning July 1 after selection.
    • Role: nonvoting adviser on student perspectives; may not attend closed sessions unless invited by affirmative majority vote of the elected members.
    • Compensation: not entitled to pay beyond reimbursement for expenses incurred on official duties.
  • Compensation and reimbursements
    • Chair is entitled to the greater of $4,000 annually or a salary set by the Wicomico County Council.
    • Vice chair and other elected members are entitled to the greater of $3,700 annually or a salary set by the county council.
    • Elected members and the student member may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses upon submission of vouchers under board rules and the county board budget.
  • Technical and conforming changes to the Education Article and related statutes.

Who is affected

  • Wicomico County voters and candidates (district‑based elections instead of at‑large seats).
  • Current and future Wicomico County Board of Education members.
  • Wicomico County Council (gains authority to set higher board salaries).
  • Wicomico County Public Schools students (formal student member representation).
  • County budget and Board of Education finances if the council raises salaries.

Fiscal impact (per Department of Legislative Services fiscal note)

  • State: none.
  • Local: Potential increase in Board of Education salary expenditures if the Wicomico County Council elects to set salaries above current statutory amounts ($3,700 per member; $4,000 chair). Reimbursements for vouchers are expected to be minimal and absorbable in existing board resources. Board of Elections can implement election changes with existing resources.

Procedural / timing notes

  • The bill specifies that the new election scheme applies beginning with the 2026 general election (assuming a seven‑district council map is in place).
  • Bill text includes an explicit effective date (October 1, 2025).
  • Companion HB 1524 filed in the House.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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