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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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, including data centers. Economic development projects often begin long before any public announcement, as businesses quietly evaluate…

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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…

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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…

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March 11, 2026
Read more about the article Strengthening Local Oversight of Disaster Mitigation Services and Recovery
Business Affairs / MACo Testimony
Strengthening Local Oversight of Disaster Mitigation Services and Recovery

On March 4, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1351 - Home Improvement Contractors - Disaster Mitigation Services - Regulation and Prohibition.  This bill authorizes counties to impose limitations on in-person solicitation of disaster victims by contractors offering these services, including limits on the hours and areas where solicitation may occur. In the aftermath of a fire, flood, or other emergency, homeowners are often forced to…

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March 9, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Flag Operational Challenges With Proposed Pesticide Notification Registry
MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation
Counties Flag Operational Challenges With Proposed Pesticide Notification Registry

On March 4, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1237 - Pesticide Applications - Subscription Contract Requirements and Registry Establishment.  This bill establishes the Residential Pollinator Protection and Neighbor Notification Registry within the Department of Agriculture for individuals to receive advance notification of pesticide applications on neighboring properties. Counties already follow strict pesticide safety regulations and public…

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March 9, 2026
Read more about the article Building Maryland’s Economic Future Through Strategic Investment
Economic Development / MACo Testimony
Building Maryland’s Economic Future Through Strategic Investment

On March 3, Executive Director Michael Sanderson delivered in-person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1473 - Economic Development - Maryland's Future Board - Establishment.  This bill establishes the Maryland’s Future Board within the Department of Commerce and creates the Maryland’s Future Fund to support implementation of a long-term, visionary economic development strategy. As Maryland continues to compete in an increasingly dynamic federal and global economy,…

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March 5, 2026
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