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

February 5, 2014:

• HB85: Business Regulation – Automated Purchasing Machines – Requirements and Records testimony

• HB338: Business Regulation – Automated Purchasing Machines – Licensing of Operators and Required Records testimony

MACo supported two bills seeking to regulate “cash for phone” machines in a manner similar to pawnshops and secondhand dealers, and sought to avoid pre-emption of jurisdictions who may seek to ban or further regulate these machines or their operators.

February 6, 2014:

• HB227: Homestead Tax Credit – Eligibility – Definition of Legal Interest testimony

MACo suggested that a proposed modification to Homestead Tax Credit eligibility be made only prospectively, rather than retroactively.

• HB240: Environment – Solid Waste Management Practices – Maryland Recycling and Landfill Diversion Task Force testimony

MACo suggested that a “Zero Waste” Task Force could be viable if its charge were less directive, and if enforcement penalties were not prescribed within the initiating legislation.

• HB245: Property Tax – Exemption for Property Owned by Affordable Housing Land Trust testimony

MACo supported a procedural change to grant broader flexibility for jurisdictions creating tax incentives for Affordable Housing Land Trusts.

• HB263: Elections – Early Voting Centers – Sunday Voting testimony

• SB200: Elections – Early Voting Centers – Days of Operation testimony

MACo opposed two bills suggesting changes in the timing of early voting, which would present serious costs and administrative burdens for local election administration.

• SB247: Civil Actions – Personal Injury or Death Caused by Dog – Rebuttable Presumption testimony

MACo supported a resolution to the “dangerous dog” liability issue, while joining law enforcement in supporting an exemption for properly trained police dogs.

To see online versions of MACo’s written testimony from the 2014 legislative session, click here.