The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on finance policy in the 2024 General Assembly.
Maryland’s 446th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for many services at every level of government. Despite the budgetary limitations, many policy issues received a full debate, with many resolutions arising from the 90-day annual process. MACo’s legislative committee guided the association’s positions on hundreds of bills, yielding many productive compromises and gains spanning counties’ uniquely broad portfolio.
Follow these links for more coverage on our Conduit Street blog and Legislative Database.
Finance
MACo supported HB 418/SB 459- Grant Applications and Reporting – Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council – Alterations. This bill contemplates a State Grants Ombudsperson to collect and disseminate federal, state, and local grant opportunities, which would benefit county governments and, in turn, shared constituents. This bill passed the Maryland General Assembly.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo opposed HB 165/SB 747—Local Government—Annual Audit Reporting Requirements—Alterations as it represents an unwarranted overreaction to a decidedly narrow policy concern. As introduced, HB 165 represented a broad and sweeping new process that would potentially jeopardize county and municipal revenues in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The General Assembly amended the bill to be far more reasonable regarding the timeline for local governments to submit their annual audit reports to the State and passed the Maryland General Assembly.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 1319/SB 603- Internet Gaming – Authorization and Implementation with amendments.
This bill would have authorized the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (SLGCC) to license video lottery operators to conduct and operate internet gaming in the state. MACo sought an amendment to guard existing revenue streams from brick-and-mortar casinos – upon which local governments have relied for several years to support critical services and infrastructure — and increase the local share of internet gaming revenues to support schools. This bill did not pass in the 2024 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 491- State Department of Assessments and Taxation and Department of General Services – Property Appraisal Aids – Geographic Images with amendments. This bill aimed to equip the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) with valuable visual data that can enhance property assessments’ accuracy, efficiency, and fairness. MACo sought amendments to guard against unwarranted costs and awkward implementation. This bill did not pass in the 2024 session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
More information on finance-related legislation tracked by MACo during the 2024 legislative session.
