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

March 25, 2014:

• HB308: Public Safety – Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board – Established testimony

MACo supported its initiative bill, creating a public safety radio governance board – on its way toward passage.

• HB349: Education – Maintenance of Effort – Lease Payment Exclusion testimony

MACo supported a study (after House amendments) to evaluate private and alternative school financing options.

• HB867: Maryland False Claims Act testimony

MACo supported legislation creating a “whistleblower” style law to guard government programs against costly false claims.

• HB1312: Program Open Space Sites – Public Access testimony

MACo supported clarifications to Program Open Space laws, encouraging and enabling better public access.

• SB436: Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights – Show Cause Order – Appropriate Relief letter

MACo withdrew its previous opposition to troubling legislation, following an agreement and amendments supported by law enforcement and police representatives.

• SB600: Regional Institution Strategic Enterprise Zone Program testimony

MACo asked for changes to far-reaching legislation designed to create tax incentive zones around colleges and large related institutions.

March 26, 2014:

• HB427: Education – Maryland Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Act testimony

MACo supported a narrowed bill to require better notice for schools and recreation programs regarding sudden hart issues arising from exercise-related stress.

• HB863: Property Tax – Exemption – Community-Managed Open Space testimony

MACo supported an amended bill, creating a county option tax credit for certain nonprofit community organizations.

• SB781: Environment – Recycling – Special Events letter

MACo withdrew previous opposition to a far-reaching recycling bill, and indicated its continued willingness to remain engaged on recycling mandates and incentives.

March 27, 2014:

• HB727: Procurement – Prevailing Wage – Applicability testimony

MACo opposed dramatically lowering the threshold over which state prevailing wage laws would apply to mostly locally-funded school construction projects.

• HB918: Business Regulation – Automated Purchasing Machines – Licensing of Buyers and Required Records testimony

MACo supported an amended bill creating state regulation for “cash-for-phone” machines, which retained county authority to ban their use through local laws.

• SB350: Speed Monitoring Systems Reform Act of 2014 testimony

MACo supported broad reform and accountability measures for local speed camera systems, while raising concerns with specific Senate amendments.

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