Bill > HB841

This bill repeals the Charles County Gaming Permit Review Board and transfers its existing powers and duties to the Charles County Attorney. Currently, the board is a seven-member body responsible for overseeing gaming activities in Charles County, including reviewing gaming permit applications, maintaining records of approved gaming devices and permits, and making recommendations to county commissioners. Under the new legislation, the County Attorney will now handle tasks previously performed by the board, such as reviewing gaming permit applications, recommending approval or denial of permits, maintaining records, and providing oversight of gaming events conducted by fundraising organizations. The bill eliminates the detailed membership requirements, term lengths, and administrative structure of the existing board, instead centralizing these gaming-related responsibilities with the County Attorney. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025, and also involve renumbering subsequent sections of the Criminal Law article to maintain the code's continuity. This streamlining appears intended to simplify the administrative process for gaming permits and reduce the bureaucratic overhead associated with the current review board.