Michael Sanderson, Author at Conduit Street

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

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

Economic Development / MACo Testimony

MACo to MGA: Preserve Local Partnership in Neighborhood Business Development Decisions

On February 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 235 – Housing and Community Development - Neighborhood Business Development Program - Local Approval Requirement. This bill would eliminate the longstanding requirement for local government consent before the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) may approve financing under the Neighborhood Business Development Program. While counties strongly support the goals of the Neighborhood Business Development Program and value…

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February 17, 2026

County News / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning

“Starter and Silver” Hearing Kicks off 2026 Wave of Housing Bills

A Thursday hours-long public hearing on HB 239 (2/12/26), introduced by the State Department of Housing and Community Development, highlighted the complexities of State-issued zoning laws. This was the first of numerous housing-related bills to be heard in the House of Delegates - in a committee that has not, until this year, heard that subject matter. HB 239, a departmental bill, seeks to expand townhomes and multi-family housing into areas that are currently zoned for…

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February 13, 2026

Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony

Modernizing Tax Increment Financing: A Smarter Path for Redevelopment

On February 3, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 287 – Economic Development - Tax Increment Financing - Noncontiguous Areas. This bill builds on existing tax increment financing (TIF) authority by allowing counties and municipalities to designate specified noncontiguous blighted areas as a single development district. At the hearing, Senators heard from supporters that "every argument for tax increment financing also works across unconnected areas," and…

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February 6, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony

Counties Defend Training Repayment Tools

On February 5, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 203 – Labor and Employment - Training Repayment Agreements - Prohibition. This bill would broadly prohibit employers, including county governments, from entering into training repayment agreements with employees. Mr. Sanderson emphasized that these agreements, signed openly by both parties, are often an essential tool in recruiting and retaining public sector staff, notably in public service professions.…

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February 6, 2026

Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

5-Year Rule on Annexed Land a Balance To Protect Local Planning, Infrastructure

On February 5, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 99 – Municipalities - Annexed Land - Land Use and Density. This bill would effectively eliminate the longstanding transition period before a municipality is enabled to change the underlying zoning, following an annexation of previously unincorporated areas. This path to rapid-fire zoning change could overwhelm county infrastructure and school planning. Mr. Sanderson discussed the critical conflict…

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February 5, 2026

Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony

MACo to MGA: Stabilize Local Transportation Funding, Avoid Fiscal Cliff

On February 3, MACo President MC Keegan-Ayer, Executive Director Michael Sanderson, and many local officials testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 288 – Transportation - Highway User Revenues Capital Grants - Calculation. This bill would prevent a nearly $100 million reduction in local transportation funding scheduled to take effect in fiscal 2028 in the absence of this bill’s enactment. Without this bill, Highway User Revenues (HUR) for counties, Baltimore City,…

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February 5, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

MACo to MGA: Maintain Collaborative Approach to Public Official Salaries

On February 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 165 – Courts - Sheriffs' Salaries - Alterations. The bill alters the annual salary of Sheriffs in many counties to equal that of the county's State's Attorney. This legislation would replace a locally-driven legislative collaboration to properly set salaries for most county sheriffs with a uniform process pinning that salary to that of the county’s state’s attorney.…

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February 5, 2026

MACo Events

Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally Marks 10 Years with MACo

This week, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally marks ten years with the MACo policy staff. Kevin Kinnally has held the leadership role in MACo's policy development and advocacy, as MACo's Legislative Director for the last five years. He has served as the lead staff to MACo's subcommittee dealing with tax and fiscal issues, and will also cover elections and emergency services as policy specialties. "Kevin has shown from day one that he is deeply interested in,…

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January 15, 2026