MACo Legal and Policy Counsel, Les Knapp, testified in opposition to HB 1086, Speed Monitoring Systems- Local Designees- Hearing and Approval, to the House Environment and Transportation Committee on March 5, 2015. This bill would require that the designation of a speed camera program “ombudsman” be subject to the approval of the governing body of the local jurisdiction following a public hearing. Requirements like this intrude on local government personnel decisions; in fact, similar provisions like these have been rejected by the general assemble.

The written testimony states:

As a general principle, MACo believes that local governments should be able to make their own personnel decisions, including hiring and designation processes. There is no compelling reason for the State to enact an arbitrary process requirement in this instance.

For more on MACo’s 2015 legislation, visit the Legislative Database.