Conduit Street

Frederick Moves Forward on Green Infrastructure Plan

Frederick County is moving ahead with a long-range planning effort aimed at protecting natural resources, improving resilience, and shaping how growth and conservation work together over time. The County Council is set to begin reviewing the county’s Green Infrastructure Plan, a policy framework focused on preserving and connecting environmental, agricultural, and recreational assets across Frederick County. While the title may sound technical, the larger question behind the plan is straightforward: "How should the county protect…

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April 9, 2026

Read more about the article Utility RELIEF Act Takes Center Stage, Counties Call For State-Local Coordination, Adequate Public Safety Standards

Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Utility RELIEF Act Takes Center Stage, Counties Call For State-Local Coordination, Adequate Public Safety Standards

On March 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of HB 1532 – Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act with amendments. The Utility RELIEF Act continues the momentum of the 2025 and 2026 "Sessions of Energy" by directing wide-ranging changes to Maryland’s energy policy. The bill modifies utility rate structures and cost recovery, adjusts requirements for large energy users and…

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April 2, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Parks and Recreation

Baltimore County Expands Senior Services in Jacksonville

Baltimore County is making a significant investment in services for older adults, breaking ground on a new Jacksonville Senior Center designed to better meet the needs of its growing and active senior population. The new facility will replace the current center with a space that is three times larger, giving the county more room to expand programming, improve accessibility, and support a wider range of activities and services. County officials say the project was shaped…

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April 2, 2026

County Government and Structure / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again

Two bills introduced and heard in the House of Delegates dealing with "structure of local government" matters appear to have been passed over for the 2026 session. One would have required all counties to adopt full executive/council charter government, and the other would have removed county review/approval of proposed municipal incorporations. With the "crossover" deadline now behind us, legislation that has not received approval from its original committee appears more likely to be defeated this…

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March 24, 2026

Finance and Procurement / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

2026 Housing Package Takes Shape and Advances

In a session marked for widespread interest in advancing policies promoting affordable and attainable housing across Maryland, multiple bills appear to be heading toward enactment. Here's a rundown of the bills that are moving, and one high profile offering among the several that aren't part of the "package" receiving support this session. With a well-documented shortage of housing units across Maryland, stakeholders and interest groups advanced multiple bills to change the game for residential building.…

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March 24, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Significant Legal, Policy Consequences of Tying Public Engagement to Development Approvals

On March 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 1517 – Land Use - Qualified Project - Retaliatory Downzoning. This bill would require, in certain circumstances, that if a local elected official acknowledges or responds to constituent concerns regarding a development project, the local government may then be compelled to approve that project and allow a higher residential…

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March 18, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Ecosystem Value Fees Undermine Local Land Use Authority, Threaten Housing Development

On March 11, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1560 – Forest Conservation - Incentives - Pilot Program and Fund. This bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to assess a new ecosystem value impact fee to support forest conservation programs. It also preempts local governments from adopting ordinances or regulations that are inconsistent with the requirements of an ecosystem value-oriented forest management…

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March 18, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Counties Flag Infrastructure Capacity Concerns With Mandated Density Expansion in Single-Family Zones

On March 13, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 1538 – Land Use - Accessory Dwelling Units - Requirements and Prohibitions (Maryland Generational Housing Act of 2026). This bill requires local governments to allow both an internal and external accessory dwelling unit on single-family lots regardless of density limits. Additionally, it lowers construction barriers by restricting new parking requirements and allowing these units…

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March 18, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Advancing Fire Department Preparedness For Utility-Scale Battery Incidents

On March 13, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 1459 – Public Safety - Stationary Energy Storage Systems with amendments. This bill would require owners of stationary energy storage systems to fund specialized training and equipment for the local fire departments responsible for emergency response. Counties recognize that utility-scale battery storage facilities can present unique fire and hazardous materials challenges and support efforts to…

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March 18, 2026

Energy / Environment / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Counties Offer Local Perspective On Large-Load Energy Facility Integration

On March 12, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on SB 992 – Public Utilities - Large Load Customers - Registration and Demand Response Program. This bill would establish a framework for requiring large load customers, primarily data centers, to provide certain information to the Public Service Commission (PSC) before interconnecting in Maryland. While regulation of electric interconnection largely falls outside local…

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March 18, 2026