On February 25, Policy Fellow Charlotte Fleckenstein testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1061 – State-Owned Property – Inventory and Disposition – Housing and Solar Energy Production. 

This bill requires the State to assess excess land in its inventory and determine if any of these properties are suitable for affordable housing or solar development.

Two of the most prominent issues in a historic number of complex generational challenges facing the Maryland General Assembly in 2025 are the state’s rising costs in both energy and housing. This is smart and innovative legislation that seeks to convert wasted surplus into strong assets by decreasing maintenance burdens and further supporting solutions toward these two complex challenges. 

From MACo Testimony: 

This commonsense bill requires the Department of Planning to assess State-owned lands for their suitability for affordable housing or solar energy. This is an innovative, outside-the-box approach which could decrease the maintenance burdens on the State and further solutions toward two of Maryland’s most vexing dilemmas.

HB 1061 was heard in the opposite chamber, the Budget and Taxation Committee, on March 27. MACo submitted written testimony in support of this bill.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2025 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2025 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog