Cecil County - Orphans' Court Judges - Compensation
HB 713 increases compensation for the judges of the Orphans’ Court for Cecil County beginning in fiscal year 2027. Instead of the fixed salary schedule currently in law, each judge’s salary would be set by the Cecil County Council, but it could not be less than $11,000 annually. The bill also gives the Chief Judge additional compensation, to be set by the County Council but not less than $1,500 per year.
The bill further revises the travel allowance for each judge. Rather than a fixed statutory amount, the allowance would be determined by the County Council, subject to a minimum of $1,500 annually, paid quarterly by the county. The act is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, but the compensation changes would apply only at the start of the next term of office, consistent with Maryland constitutional limits on changing judicial compensation mid-term.
This bill amends Estates and Trusts § 2-108(i) to update the compensation structure for Cecil County Orphans’ Court judges. It shifts authority from a fixed statewide statutory schedule to the Cecil County Council, while preserving minimum compensation floors for regular judges, the Chief Judge, and travel expenses. The bill affects only Cecil County Orphans’ Court judges and the county government responsible for setting and paying these amounts.
The available legislative history suggests the bill was generally favorable and noncontroversial. It received a favorable committee report in the House and was adopted there, indicating support for the compensation adjustment. No committee transcript or recorded vote details are provided, so there is no evidence of significant opposition in the materials supplied.
The main policy issue is local control versus fixed statutory compensation. Supporters appear to favor allowing the Cecil County Council to set pay and travel allowances within minimum limits, likely to better match local needs and budgeting. Any potential concern would be the increase in public compensation and the delegation of discretion to the county council, but the provided record does not show organized opposition or specific objections.