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

March 5, 2013:

• SB 436: Recordation Taxes – Exemptions testimony

MACo opposed legislation greatly expanding a recordation tax loophole for indemnity deeds of trust and other commercial financing instruments.

• SB 641: Statewide Container Recycling Incentive Program testimony

MACo opposed the “bottle bill,” citing widespread cost concerns and the detrimental impact on current single-stream curbside recycling efforts.

• SB 799: Energy – Landfill Diversion – Municipal Solid Waste Portfolio Standard testimony

MACo opposed legislation to mandate potentially unreachable recycling mandates, and landfill limits, backed up by substantial compliance penalties.

• HB 929: Motor Vehicles – Speed Monitoring Systems – Local Jurisdictions testimony

MACo supported refining amendments to improve and clarify speed camera progams.

March 6, 2013:

• SB 645: Homestead Property Tax Credit – Principal Residency – Information from Motor Vehicle Administration and Counties testimony

MACo supported better cross-agency information to track principal residences to oversee tax credit eligibility.

• SB 689: Property Tax Credit – Retail Service Stations – Alternate Power Sources testimony

MACo opposed a state-mandated tax credit against local property taxes, raising concerns about accountability and fiscal losses.

• SB 826: Open Meetings Act – Violations and Penalties testimony

MACo offered amendments to provide greater public accountability for open meetings violations without undue penalties and burdens on public bodies.

March 7, 2013:

• SB 750: Public Safety – Maryland Building Performance Standards – Local Wind Design and Wind-Borne Debris Standards testimony

MACo opposed a state mandate eliminating local code adoption.

• SB 885: State Retirement and Pension System – Board of Trustees – County Representation testimony

MACo supported legislation to add a county “seat at the table” for state pension oversight.

• HB 965: Homestead Tax Credit – Eligibility – Definition of Legal Interest testimony

MACo opposed broadening this homeowner tax credit to a wide range of trust arrangements, potentially creating new tax avoidance vehicles.

• HB 1008: Real Property – Foreclosure – Mortgage Foreclosure Property Values Protection Act of 2013 testimony

MACo supported provisions to encourage that post-foreclosure property continue to be properly maintained and accountable for taxes.

• HB 1190: County Property Tax – Personal Property Rate testimony

MACo supported its initiative bill to partially “decouple” counties’ personal property tax rates

• HB 1209: Recordation Taxes – Exemptions testimony

MACo opposed legislation greatly expanding a recordation tax loophole for indemnity deeds of trust and other commercial financing instruments.

• HB 1236: Recordation and Transfer Taxes – Low Income Housing Projects – Controlling Interest testimony

MACo sought clarifications to tax provisions dealing with low-income housing projects in transition.

March 8, 2013:

• SB 916: Task Force to Study Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements for Electricians testimony

MACo sought to reframe the charge and membership of a group tasked to evaluate licensing schemes.

• HB 409: Land Use – Local Governments – Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Cycles testimony

MACo supported its initiative bill to create a census-based cycle for comprehensive plan adoption.

• HB 1085: Statewide Container Recycling Incentive Program testimony

MACo opposed the “bottle bill,” citing widespread cost concerns and the detrimental impact on current single-stream curbside recycling efforts.

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