On February 24, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 739 – Climate Change, Homeowner’s Insurance, and Emergency Management – Study.

This bill advances a top priority identified by county emergency managers by directing the University System of Maryland to evaluate Maryland’s emergency management funding structure and develop recommendations for sustainable, long-term funding.

County governments serve on the front lines of emergency management, maintaining readiness across prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. As federal disaster funding grows more unpredictable — with fluctuating reimbursement timelines and evolving administrative requirements — counties must continue to fund staffing, training, communications systems, and coordination capacity without interruption.

From MACo Testimony:

Federal disaster funding continues to fluctuate, with reimbursement timelines remaining uncertain and new administrative conditions complicating local budgeting and planning. Counties must sustain staffing, training, communications systems, and coordination capacity regardless of federal instability.

SB 739’s cross-file, HB 1219, was heard on March 4 in the Environment and Transportation Committee. Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein testified in support of this bill.

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