On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Election Committee in opposition to HB 190 – Constitutional Amendment – Form of County Government – Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule.
This bill would repeal Maryland’s historic reliance on self-determination by county residents and instead mandate that every county conforms to a single governance structure – a full two-branch charter government.
Through the constitutional principle of home rule, residents have chosen governance models that reflect their unique communities, needs, and priorities for generations. “Voters in every count have the option, and process, to do this if they want to,” said Mr. Sanderson in testimony.
HB 190 would reverse that longstanding tradition, replacing it with a statewide mandate requiring every county to adopt a single, uniform form of two-chamber charter government. Decisions about local governance belong to the voters directly affected — not to a statewide majority that may override the clearly expressed preferences of individual counties.
The advent of “home rule,” adopted by popular vote of county residents, grants
multiple pathways to more independent self-governance, through either adoption of Code Home Rule powers, or through the formation and voter approval of a county charter, which serves a role analogous to a constitution. Of Maryland’s 24 subdivisions, 18 have adopted home rule through these processes, with the guidance and approval of their voters – resulting in multiple structures and styles to serve local needs. Guidance by local voters is the hallmark of this structure – but that is upended by HB 190.
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