Dominic Butchko, Author at Conduit Street

Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony

Safeguarding MD’s Housing Supply Against Hedge Funds, Wall Street-Backed Firms

On March 5, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1188 - Excess Ownership of Single-Family Residences Excise Tax (End Hedge Fund Control of Maryland Homes Act of 2026). This bill seeks to establish commonsense guardrails on large hedge funds and other Wall Street-backed firms from purchasing a disproportionate amount of any county’s housing supply. As Maryland continues to grapple with housing affordability…

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March 11, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Autonomous Vehicles Raise Important Questions for Local Infrastructure

On March 4, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Judicial Proceedings Committee on SB 909 - Vehicle Laws - Fully Autonomous Vehicles. This bill would establish a framework to allow fully autonomous vehicles to operate in Maryland. As Maryland policymakers explore a framework for fully autonomous vehicles, counties are highlighting the practical realities of implementing this emerging technology on local roads. As counties maintain the majority of Maryland’s…

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March 6, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Tightening Regulatory Permitting Framework Adds Cost and Complexity To Local Infrastructure Projects

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 781 - Environmental Permits - Requirements for Burden Analysis, Issuance and Renewal, and Public Participation (Cumulative Harms for Environmental Restoration for Improving Shared Health - CHERISH Our Communities Act). The bill establishes new, more stringent regulatory standards for county infrastructure that receive certain state permits. In effect, it would impose sweeping new regulatory…

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March 5, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Restrictive Stormwater Management Practices Jeopardize Watershed Restoration Efforts

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 688 - Environment - Stream and Floodplain Restoration Projects - Requirements and Limitations. This legislation would sharply restrict the use of stream restoration as a compliance and watershed management tool by effectively prohibiting the core techniques counties rely on for watershed implementation planning, specifically those using heavy equipment to reshape or stabilize stream…

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March 5, 2026

Bill Hearing / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Counties Warn Against Binding State Flood Determinations Over Local Land Use Authority

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 687 - Environment - Flood Risk Review Process - Establishment. This bill would require the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to establish a new “flood risk review process” for areas identified as being at risk of tidal or nontidal flooding, apply that process to MDE’s review of plans and permits, and then…

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March 5, 2026

Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

MACo Advocates For Local Inclusion in State Energy Streamlining Efforts

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 1532 - Continuing the Next Generation Energy Act with amendments. This bill, while largely outside of the purview of county governments, directs the Power Plant Research Program to produce a study on streamlining energy zoning and permitting. County/community input and coordination should be a component of the visioning process in the bill. Recent…

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March 5, 2026

Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Statewide Solar Permitting Overhaul Undermines Local Systems and Safety Standards

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1104 - Residential Solar Energy Systems - Local Inspections and Permitting. This bill would require counties to implement a highly prescriptive “solar permitting software” by August 1, 2027, mandate remote inspections (by recorded video or photograph) for projects permitted through that software, prohibit any manual review at any point in the permitting or…

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March 5, 2026

Agriculture / Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Practical Clarification Necessary To Balance Solar Energy Growth and Farmland Preservation

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 683 - Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Siting (Solar Siting and Preservation Credit Act of 2026). This bill would clarify that solar projects located on certain sites within a Priority Preservation Area (PPA) count toward the five percent ground-mounted solar cap established under the Renewable Energy Certainty Act…

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March 4, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Balancing Short-Term Rental Flexibility With Local Oversight and Long-Term Housing Goals

On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Economic Matters Committee on HB 993 - Real Property - Short-Term Rentals. MACo submits this Letter of Information on legislation clarifying that tenants may offer a leased property as a short-term rental, while reaffirming local authority to regulate these uses and prevent abusive practices such as “AirBnB arbitrage.” As counties and the General Assembly continue advancing major housing initiatives—including…

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March 3, 2026

Higher Education / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Statewide Zoning Mandate Threatens Smart Growth And Local Planning Authority

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters committee in opposition to HB 778 - Land Use - Middle Housing Options - Requirements. This bill would effectively eliminate single-family zoning in every corner of Maryland, drastically upending Maryland’s commitment to smart growth principles and challenging counties’ ability to balance new development with other state and local priorities. While counties share the State’s commitment to expanding affordable housing—and have helped…

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March 3, 2026