On February 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 235 – Housing and Community Development – Neighborhood Business Development Program – Local Approval Requirement. 

This bill would eliminate the longstanding requirement for local government consent before the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) may approve financing under the Neighborhood Business Development Program.

While counties strongly support the goals of the Neighborhood Business Development Program and value the State’s partnership in revitalizing communities and strengthening small businesses, this legislation would eliminate an effective safeguard requiring local government consent before project financing is approved.

The current framework ensures coordination between DHCD and local jurisdictions, aligns investments with adopted plans and infrastructure capacity, and preserves meaningful community input. HB 235 would unnecessarily remove that collaborative step, weakening local oversight without evidence that the existing process is failing.

From MACo Testimony: 

Counties view this as a concerning erosion of local authority over development occurring within their own communities. If the Department seeks to make this process more efficient or address administrative obstacles in the current approval process, MACo urges the Department and the General Assembly to work collaboratively with counties to identify targeted solutions to any concerns. Eliminating local approval authority altogether is unnecessary and undermines the value of local and community input in development decisions.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog