Cecil County, MD Article II Board of Electrical Examiners

§ 191-6 Membership; terms; vacancies.

A. In accordance with the Charter, the County Executive shall appoint a board which shall be known as the "Board of Electrical Examiners," consisting of seven persons for the purpose of examining the qualifications and capabilities of all persons who are engaged in, or desire to engage in, the business of master electrician or limited electrician as defined in this chapter.

[Amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]

B. The County Executive, in accordance with the Charter, shall appoint seven members. All members shall be residents of Cecil County. The Board so appointed shall consist of at least four persons, who are competent practical Cecil County master electricians who have been duly licensed as master electricians for at least three consecutive years prior to the appointment. One member shall be a person whose name appears on a list of candidates recommended by the Cecil County Fireman's Association, if such a list is furnished to the County Executive. The remaining member or members shall be persons selected by the County Executive, as may be deemed appropriate, who may or may not be from the building industry, a utility company or the general public.

[Amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12; 5-6-2014 by Bill No. 2014-09]

C. Two of the members appointed shall serve a term of one year, three of the members appointed shall serve terms of two years, and two of the members appointed shall serve terms of three years. All appointments for successors to the members appointed shall be for a period of three years.

D. If a vacancy occurs for any cause during the term of a Board member as herein provided for, the County Executive shall appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of said Board member. In the case of a vacancy from among the practical electrician Board members, the Board of Electrical Examiners shall submit to the County Executive a list of three names of potential replacements, and such appointment shall occur within 60 days.

E. The Board of Electrical Examiners shall continue to serve at the pleasure of the County Executive and shall be designated with the duties as enumerated in § 191-10 of this chapter.

§ 191-7 Officers.

[Amended 5-6-2014 by Bill No. 2014-09]

The Board shall, at their annual November meeting, elect a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and any other officers. The Vice Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson, assume all duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson. Any sitting officers may be elected to consecutive terms.

§ 191-8 Salaries and compensation.

Each member of said Board shall receive compensation at a rate the County determines for attending meetings and other expenses incurred in connection with his/her official duties. Any compensation and expenses of said Board shall be paid out of the budget of the Department of Permits and Inspections.

§ 191-9 Meetings and quorum.

The Board shall meet at least quarterly in each year in Cecil County and shall hold special meetings as frequently as the proper and efficient discharge of its business requires. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of doing business. In all proceedings of the Board, a majority of all members thereof shall be necessary to bind the Board.

§ 191-10 Powers and duties.

The Board of Electrical Examiners shall advise the County and aid in the supervision and enforcement of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to the authority of the code and Maryland law. The Board shall act as an appeals board concerning matters arising under the adopted code and any licensing provisions; the Board is authorized to adopt rules of procedure. The Board shall perform other functions as delegated from time to time by the County and shall be designated with the following duties and powers:

A. To recommend changes in this chapter setting up licensing regulations.

B. To prepare and administer electrical licensing examinations.

C. To make recommendations for the changes in codes pertaining to electrical work in Cecil County.

D. To aid in the conducting of hearings as determined necessary by the County on electrical regulations and business.

E. To approve reciprocal licensing agreements with other municipalities and local governments with similar regulations.

F. To recommend enforcement procedures as may be desirable and necessary to assist the Department of Permits and Inspections from time to time as it pertains to electrical inspections or specific issues or violations.

G. Under the hand of the President of the Board, to subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, and the Board may also require the production of papers or documents in any case involving the revocation of a license or a charge of practicing or offering to practice without a license. If any person refuses to obey a subpoena so issued or refuses to testify or produce said papers or documentation, the Board shall present its petition to the Circuit Court of Cecil County setting forth the facts.

H. Through the Department of Permits and Inspections, the Board of Electrical Examiners shall maintain minutes of its meetings. The Department of Permits and Inspections shall maintain appropriate records relating to licensing of electricians, permits and hearings.

I. The Board of Electrical Examiners shall review applications and recommend to the County approved electrical inspection agencies.

J. The Board of Electrical Examiners shall establish the quantity, quality and manner of performance of the continuing education requirements.

K. The Board of Electrical Examiners shall advise the County on other functions considered helpful in the control and conduct of electrical business and installations within Cecil County.

§ 191-11 Legal advice and assistance.

[Amended 5-6-2014 by Bill No. 2014-09]

The County Attorney and/or designee shall act as legal advisor to the Board of Electrical Examiners and render such legal assistance as the Board may request from time to time. The County Attorney and/or designee shall represent the County and assist in any prosecution of violations of this chapter.

§ 191-12 Appeals.

A. Any person affected by any decision made in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this code, or of a regulation adopted pursuant to this code, may request and may be granted a hearing before the Board of Electrical Examiners in a manner as prescribed by this code.

B. The appellant shall apply for a hearing within 15 days of the order, notice or decision by which he/she is affected or which he/she feels was unreasonable. The appellant in any matter shall have the burden of proof and shall also be responsible for any cost incurred as established by the County Council.

C. Any decision of the Board of Electrical Examiners may be appealed to the Circuit Court of Maryland in accordance with the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

§ 191-13 Annual report.

The Board of Electrical Examiners shall, through the Department of Permits and Inspections, submit an annual report to the County, before the first Tuesday of August of each year, containing a detailed statement of all activities pertaining to licenses, examinations and violations handled by the Board during the preceding fiscal year. The Board shall submit to the County minutes of any meetings.