Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area.
Maryland’s 447th legislative session was defined by one of the most challenging budget environments in over a decade — with a $3.3 billion shortfall driving proposals for aggressive cost shifts, spending cuts, and tax changes. Despite these unprecedented fiscal pressures, counties worked together through MACo to protect essential services, limit unfunded mandates, and advance good policy reforms.
MACo’s legislative committee guided the Association’s positions on hundreds of bills, yielding many productive compromises and gains spanning counties’ uniquely broad portfolio. With the 2025 session over, it’s time to take stock.
As always, MACo’s advocacy led to more positive outcomes for its members. Bills that MACo supported were more likely to pass, while bills MACo opposed had a greater tendency to fail. MACo also helped improve many pieces of legislation by articulating county positions in amendments and will continue to work with State partners in several areas of ongoing administrative improvement.
Some of the big wins for the 2025 session include avoiding the most severe cost shifts proposed in the original budget reconciliation plan — including a complete transfer of teacher pension cost increases and the elimination of State support for local economic development tools like Enterprise Zones and land preservation funding for Program Open Space. Counties also successfully advocated for additional revenue flexibility and a one-time enhancement to Disparity Grants for less affluent jurisdictions, raising the cap from 75% to 90% for counties already at the maximum local income tax rate.
In addition, MACo advanced amendments that protect local autonomy in energy siting, accessory dwelling unit permitting, housing, and other proposals that sought to override local authority. These changes ensure counties retain control over land use and growth decisions directly affecting their communities and residents.
MACo also secured critical timing and implementation changes to new State programs with major local impacts — including Maryland’s paid family and medical leave insurance system. These changes give counties more time to prepare, build capacity, and budget responsibly rather than rushing compliance under unrealistic timelines. At every turn, MACo emphasized practical governance, fiscal responsibility, and the importance of strong partnerships.
While MACo successfully guarded against costly mandates and preemptive regulations, MACo also improved several bills by securing amendments to protect county resources and defend local autonomy.
MACo’s legislative initiatives, priorities, and positions are directed by its membership. Elected representatives from the 23 counties and Baltimore City sit on MACo’s Legislative Committee.
The “one county, one vote” system of deciding the Association’s legislative strategies ensures that all counties have an equal voice. All 24 jurisdictions participated in weekly virtual and in-person meetings throughout the legislative session, where they also engaged with policy leaders and advocates who joined the meetings to address county leadership.
The MACo policy staff has compiled updates and results on all of the bills the Legislative Committee decided to take action on this year.
For the 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up for each subject MACo covers, click below:
Employee Benefits and Relations
Government Liability and Courts
Housing and Community Development
Transportation and Public Works
Questions about MACo’s legislative positions or successes? Contact Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally.
