Read more about the article Counties Resist Duplicative, One-Size-Fits-All Animal Control Mandate
Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
Counties Resist Duplicative, One-Size-Fits-All Animal Control Mandate

On March 12, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson before the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 1568 – Local Government - Animal Control - Dogs At Large (Dog Leash Laws).  This bill would require local governments to adopt a law prohibiting dogs from being “at large” and to establish corresponding impoundment and penalty protocols. Counties strongly support responsible pet ownership, which is why every Maryland jurisdiction…

Comments Off on Counties Resist Duplicative, One-Size-Fits-All Animal Control Mandate
March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Finance Committee in support of SB 804 – Labor and Employment - Occupational Safety and Health - Revisions to Heat Stress Standards with amendments.  This bill codifies and clarifies requirements governing workplace heat stress protections that were previously adopted through Maryland Occupational Safety and Health regulations. SB 804 requires employers, including counties, to develop heat stress prevention plans, acclimatization plans, high-heat procedures,…

Comments Off on Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation
March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 366 – Workers' Compensation - Exemption From Exclusivity of Remedy - Action for Wrongful Death by Nondependent Child.  This bill would allow non-dependent children of an employee, including adult children, to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against an employer in court outside of the workers’ compensation system. As such, it would allow claims for damages not available…

Comments Off on Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System
March 16, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 346 – Workers' Compensation - Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Retroactive Compensation.  This bill requires an employer or insurer to continue paying temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for up to 60 days after an injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI) if there is a delay before vocational rehabilitation services begin. Known as the “gap period,” this timeframe…

Comments Off on MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”
March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Important Considerations for Sustainable Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Screening Implementation
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Important Considerations for Sustainable Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Screening Implementation

On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted a letter of information to the Finance Committee on SB 579 – Counties - No-Cost Preventive Cancer Screenings for Volunteer Firefighters. This bill mandates that counties provide no-cost preventive cancer screenings to each firefighter who volunteers with a volunteer fire company. Screenings must align with the latest guidelines issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Counties may satisfy this requirement by either providing a…

Comments Off on Important Considerations for Sustainable Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Screening Implementation
March 13, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Raise Fiscal, Liability Concerns Over Workers’ Compensation Expansion
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Testimony
Counties Raise Fiscal, Liability Concerns Over Workers’ Compensation Expansion

On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Finance Committee in opposition to SB 90 – Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension.  This bill would significantly expand existing workers’ compensation presumptions for paid firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics diagnosed with hypertension. Specifically, the legislation would presume not only that the condition is work-related, but also that it results in disablement, eliminating the need to demonstrate an inability to perform…

Comments Off on Counties Raise Fiscal, Liability Concerns Over Workers’ Compensation Expansion
March 13, 2026
Read more about the article Community Choice Aggregation: A New Pathway for Flexible Energy Procurement
Business Affairs / MACo Testimony
Community Choice Aggregation: A New Pathway for Flexible Energy Procurement

On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Environment and Transportation in support of HB 1442 – Community Choice Aggregation Pilot Program - Definition, Application, and Workgroup - Modifications.  This bill authorizes counties to form a community choice aggregator program, providing a new local option to procure electric generation services on behalf of residential and small commercial customers. As energy markets evolve and communities look for ways to manage costs and advance…

Comments Off on Community Choice Aggregation: A New Pathway for Flexible Energy Procurement
March 13, 2026
Read more about the article NDA Confidentiality Agreements a Critical Tool To Protect Economic Development
Economic Development / MACo Testimony
NDA Confidentiality Agreements a Critical Tool To Protect Economic Development

On March 5, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 853 - Economic Development Activity - Nondisclosure Agreements.  This bill would prohibit an individual, governing body, legislator, or employee from entering into a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with a person involved in an economic development activity. Economic development projects often begin long before any public announcement, as businesses quietly evaluate potential locations and…

Comments Off on NDA Confidentiality Agreements a Critical Tool To Protect Economic Development
March 11, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Raise Legal, Operational Concerns Over Proposed Limits on Public Employer Authority
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Testimony
Counties Raise Legal, Operational Concerns Over Proposed Limits on Public Employer Authority

On March 5, Associate Policy Director testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 1356 - Labor and Employment - Civic and Related Activities - Protection (Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act).  This bill imposes unreasonable restrictions on counties as employers by prohibiting adverse action against any employee who engages in broadly defined “political activity,” “civic activity,” or “lawful expression.” While counties support employees’ constitutional rights to free…

Comments Off on Counties Raise Legal, Operational Concerns Over Proposed Limits on Public Employer Authority
March 11, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Embraces Enhanced State-Local TIF Partnership, Strengthening the Financing Framework for Major Economic Initiatives
Economic Development / MACo Testimony
MACo Embraces Enhanced State-Local TIF Partnership, Strengthening the Financing Framework for Major Economic Initiatives

On March 5, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1580 - Economic Development - Maryland Enhanced Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts.  This bill authorizes the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), with approval of the Board of Public Works, to issue bonds for the development of a Maryland Enhanced Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in areas where a…

Comments Off on MACo Embraces Enhanced State-Local TIF Partnership, Strengthening the Financing Framework for Major Economic Initiatives
March 11, 2026
Older Posts