Read more about the article MACo to MGA: Give Counties Their Fair Share of Cannabis Revenue
Business Affairs / MACo Testimony
MACo to MGA: Give Counties Their Fair Share of Cannabis Revenue

On March 31, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 1008 – Alcohol and Cannabis - Cannabinoid Beverages Off-Premises Sales Permit - Establishment with amendments.  This bill authorizes the sale of cannabinoid beverages through holders of alcoholic beverage licenses with off-sale privileges, contingent on approval from local licensing boards, and establishes a distribution framework through licensed wholesalers. While MACo has no concern about the intent to establish a…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article Rural Readiness Program Advancing through General Assembly
County News / Economic Development / MACo Testimony
Rural Readiness Program Advancing through General Assembly

The Rural Readiness Program bill is advancing this session. The bill, supported by MACo, aims to strengthen rural economic development capacity and improve access to competitive funding opportunities. SB 300 and its cross-file HB 461 have both passed their respective chamber and appear to be advancing this session. This bill establishes the Rural Readiness Program and the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund, both administered by the Rural Maryland Council. The bill is designed to help…

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March 26, 2026
Read more about the article Economic Development NDA Ban Appears Dead After Missing Crossover Deadline
County News / Economic Development / MACo Testimony
Economic Development NDA Ban Appears Dead After Missing Crossover Deadline

Following the General Assembly’s “crossover” deadline, SB 853, which restricts the use of nondisclosure agreements in economic development negotiations, faces increasingly long odds of advancing without committee approval. With the “crossover” deadline now passed, legislation not approved by its originating committee is increasingly unlikely to advance this session. MACo opposed SB 853 which would broadly prohibit an individual, governing body, legislator, or employee from entering into a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with a person involved in…

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March 25, 2026
Read more about the article Expanding Local Toolkits For Infrastructure Bonding
Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
Expanding Local Toolkits For Infrastructure Bonding

On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in support of HB 1216 - Insurance - Certificates of Guarantee for County Bond Requirements - All Counties.  This bill authorizes counties to honor certificates of guarantee issued by a nonprofit association of contractors as an alternative to traditional surety bonds. Currently, only a limited number of counties are authorized to accept…

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March 19, 2026
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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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
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