On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 1128 – Land Bank Authorities – Powers and Authority.
This bill provides additional tools for county-established land banks, including new abilities to use in rem foreclosures to acquire vacant and abandoned properties.
Land Banks often work in coordination with counties, developers, and community organizations to ensure that land is used in ways that align with long-term community needs and planning goals. Maryland counties have been hesitant to establish land banks, largely due to the intensive initial capital costs. Only Prince George’s County has formally created a land bank, and they are still in the process standing up the entity.
Counties thank the sponsor for introducing HB 1128, which seeks to give additional tools to county-established land banks, including new abilities to use in rem foreclosures to acquire vacant and abandoned properties. With affordable housing and a statewide sluggish economy both proving to be incredibly vexing challenges for both state and county leaders, smart outside-the-box solutions and additional tools are needed to meet the current moment.
HB 1128 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, on March 20. MACo submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
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