The MACo staff gave testimony this week on the following bills:

January 29, 2013:

• SB 28: Real Property – Blighted Property – Nuisance Abatement Testimony

MACo supported a narrowed tool, suggesting bill amendments, to enable local governments (at their discretion) better target blighted properties. More explanation here.

• SB 47: Procurement – Maryland Buy American Steel and Manufactured Goods Act Testimony

MACo opposed the state mandate, arguing that limiting purchasing options would create higher costs and administrative burdens, without reasonable exception provisions.

• SB 140: State Finance and Procurement – Retention of Percentage of Contract – Security Testimony

MACo opposed limiting contractor retainage, citing concerns it could lessen leverage to ensure that publicly-funded projects are completed in a timely and appropriate fashion.

January 31, 2013:

• SB 117: Crimes – Sale of Drug Paraphernalia to a Minor – Local Law Authorizing Business License Revocation for a Second or Subsequent Violation Testimony

MACo supported the local option enabling counties to, alongside other existing public safety remedies, withhold local business licenses as a tool to combat illegal sales to minors.

• HB 70: State Government – Access to Public Records in Electronic Formats – Termination Date Testimony

MACo supported the extension of state laws providing reasonable electronic access to public documents without placing burdens on custodians to recreate or reformat the information.

To see online versions of MACo’s written testimony from the 2013 legislative session, click here.