Updated: 2 Councilmen Offer Dueling Bills over Jones' Seat

This article was updated with corrected information on the hearing date for the two bills.

Two pieces of legislation were proposed Monday that would resolve the same issue: both would vacate Councilman Daryl Jones’ District 1 seat a few days before he enters federal prison.

Jones was , beginning in January, after being convicted of failing to file his taxes over a six-year period.

Both Councilmen Jamie Benoit (D-4^th District) of Crownsville, and John Grasso (R-2^nd District) of Glen Burnie, proposed bills that focused on vacating Jones’s District 1 chair. The only difference is the timing.

Benoit’s resolution is labeled an emergency, meaning it can move quicker than standard legislation and also requires five of the seven council members to approve it.

No discussion was given to either bill on Monday. But after the council's meeting, Benoit said that he hoped his resolution would clear up the issue.

Failing that, Grasso said his resolution could sweep in and resolve the situation. Grasso openly opposed Jones retaining his seat.

“What we have here is a wrong situation,” Grasso said. “If we do nothing, it would tarnish the council."

Either bill would settle a debate, going on internally since Jones' conviction, about how his district would be represented while he is imprisoned. The county’s charter does not have any provision for replacing him unless he moves out of his district.

If either measure passes, the council will have 30 days to appoint a replacement for District 1.

Both bills were introduced on Monday, but won’t come up for a vote until  Jan. 17.

The bills weren't the only things bringing the trio closer together.

Benoit's chair on the council was moved at the beginning of this meeting, after Derek Fink was named chairman at the last meeting. Benoit now sits  next to Grasso, who in turn sits next to Jones.

Despite the proximity, the three councilmen have been the definition of professional since swapping seats.