New “late filed” legislation filed by Howard County Councilmembers Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby would raise the minimum wage in Howard County to $16 per hour by 2024 for Howard County Government employees, 2025 (for Employers with 15 or more employees) and 2026 (Employers 14 or fewer employees).
The legislation (CB81-2021): AN ACT establishing a local minimum wage for employees working in Howard County; and generally relating to Howard County minimum wage requirements.
This legislation was brought forward on October 4th at the County Council Legislative Session and a motion to “Suspend the Rules to Allow Introduction” failed by a vote of 3 to 2:
So the Legislation Status is now “Failed”. I am guessing it can be refiled as is next month (I have reached out for confirmation on that).
You can watch the video of the meeting on October 4th here: https://howardcounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=4747
The vote starts at the 3:46 mark of the video
Here is how things would change if this legislation is passed as written today:
EMPLOYERS:
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022, $14 PER HOUR;
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023, $15 PER HOUR;
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, $16 PER HOUR;
SMALL EMPLOYERS:
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022, $13 PER HOUR;
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023, $14 PER HOUR;
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024, $15 PER HOUR;
- EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026, $16 PER HOUR;
HOWARD COUNTY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
- EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022, $15 PER HOUR;
- EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024, $16 PER HOUR;
Read the full details here: CB81-2021
In Maryland: The state’s general assembly voted to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of the Maryland minimum wage increase. The Maryland minimum wage for 2021 is $11.75 for larger businesses and $11.60 for small businesses.
As part of the bill that was passed, the state minimum wage will gradually increase over time. The Maryland minimum wage is $15 per hour in 2025 for businesses with 15 or more employees, and in 2026 it will raise to $15 for businesses with 14 or fewer employees. The Maryland minimum wage increase schedule is as follows:
| Date | Employers with 15 or more | Employers 14 or fewer |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2021 | $11.75 | $11.60 |
| January 1, 2022 | $12.50 | $12.20 |
| January 1, 2023 | $13.25 | $12.80 |
| January 1, 2024 | $14.00 | $13.40 |
| January 1, 2025 | $15.00 | $14.00 |
| July 1, 2026 | NA | $15.00 |
This would change in Howard County in this way if the legislation is passed as written today (side by side look with the state):
In Montgomery County: In July of 2021 the County’s minimum wage rose to $15 for employers with 51 or more employees and $14 for employers with 50 or fewer employees; a small employer, with 10 or fewer employees, is required to pay $13.50 hourly. See informational notice here.
Here are some really good information resources for this article:
Howard County Council: https://apps.howardcountymd.gov/olis/LegislationDetail.aspx?LegislationID=12878
Square: https://squareup.com/us/en/townsquare/guide-to-maryland-minimum-wage
MinimumWage.org: https://www.minimum-wage.org/maryland
Maryland Association of Counties: https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2021/06/29/montgomery-countys-minimum-wage-increases-july-1/
Vox.com: https://www.vox.com/2019/3/28/18285346/maryland-passes-15-minimum-wage
The Washington Informer: https://www.washingtoninformer.com/maryland-minimum-wage-set-to-increase-friday/
Montgomery County Government: https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=36638
WBAL: https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-minimum-wage-increase-takes-effect-january-1-2021/35098311
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If I get additional details I will update this article (or create a new one if necessary).
Scott E
