Read more about the article Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again
County Government and Structure / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again

Two bills introduced and heard in the House of Delegates dealing with "structure of local government" matters appear to have been passed over for the 2026 session. One would have required all counties to adopt full executive/council charter government, and the other would have removed county review/approval of proposed municipal incorporations. With the "crossover" deadline now behind us, legislation that has not received approval from its original committee appears more likely to be defeated this…

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March 24, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 Housing Package Takes Shape and Advances
Finance and Procurement / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
2026 Housing Package Takes Shape and Advances

In a session marked for widespread interest in advancing policies promoting affordable and attainable housing across Maryland, multiple bills appear to be heading toward enactment. Here's a rundown of the bills that are moving, and one high profile offering among the several that aren't part of the "package" receiving support this session. With a well-documented shortage of housing units across Maryland, stakeholders and interest groups advanced multiple bills to change the game for residential building.…

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March 24, 2026
Read more about the article MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”
County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”

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…

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March 9, 2026
Read more about the article Upending the Balance in Maryland’s Municipal Incorporation Framework
Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
Upending the Balance in Maryland’s Municipal Incorporation Framework

On February 26, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 1141 -Municipal Incorporation - County Commissioners or County Council - Required Approval of Referendum Request.  This bill would upend the longstanding, carefully crafted framework that governs municipal incorporation by stripping county governments of their proper and necessary input and oversight. The legislation would effectively remove counties' formal review processes. Under current law, proposed incorporations undergo county…

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March 3, 2026
Read more about the article Blueprint Touch-up Should Remedy Billing Confusion
Education / MACo Testimony
Blueprint Touch-up Should Remedy Billing Confusion

On February 18, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 311 - Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Revisions with amendments.  This bill seeks to adjust a number of components of the State’s visionary education plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint). The provisions of the bill focus broadly on school funding, teacher recruitment and retention, college and career readiness, and resource allocation…

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February 20, 2026
Read more about the article Early Vesting Reform Requires Clear State-Local Coordination
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Early Vesting Reform Requires Clear State-Local Coordination

On February 17, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified in support of SB 325 - Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act) with amendments.  This bill would overturn existing Maryland case law to establish an earlier vesting standard for residential projects and would adjust impact fee and excise tax payment timing to the issuance of a use and occupancy permit. Counties offer amendments to resolve issues of timing and application, and do…

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February 19, 2026
Read more about the article BAMBY: A Balanced, Locally Driven Affordable Housing Package
Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
BAMBY: A Balanced, Locally Driven Affordable Housing Package

On February 17, MACo President MC Keegan-Ayer and Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified SB 267 - Land Use - Residential Housing - Oversight, Regulation, and Taxation (Building Affordably in My Back Yard Act). The Building Affordably in My Back Yard (BAMBY) Act. This comprehensive, locally grounded package advances a balanced housing strategy: empower counties to speed housing production, deploy practical market tools, align state actions with local realities, and pair growth with sensible renter protections.…

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February 19, 2026
Read more about the article MACo to MGA: Avoid Shifting Accountability Without Shifting Authority
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
MACo to MGA: Avoid Shifting Accountability Without Shifting Authority

On February 17, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 31 - School Construction and Housing - School Zones and Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances.  This bill would require counties to partially process development applications even when they do not meet local Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) standards—diverting limited staff time, delaying projects that are ready for approval, and potentially wasting public resources. "We appreciate the…

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February 19, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Working To Ensure Feasibility of Comprehensive Plan Framework Updates
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
MACo Working To Ensure Feasibility of Comprehensive Plan Framework Updates

On February 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 243 – Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements with amendments. This bill seeks to align certain provisions in Maryland state law governing comprehensive plans with prior legislation transitioning local plans from a “visions” framework to a new “principles” framework. This legislation, introduced by the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), aims to modernize…

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February 17, 2026
Read more about the article Housing Solutions Require Local Oversight to Achieve Affordability and Sustainability
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Housing Solutions Require Local Oversight to Achieve Affordability and Sustainability

On February 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 239 – Land Use - Zoning - Limitations (Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026) with amendments.  This bill makes several changes to the land use article, including: allowing for the construction of townhouses in all single-family zones; eliminates local ability to meaningfully establish new historic districts; limits single family lot sizes to 5000 square feet; eliminates lot…

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February 17, 2026
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