nharlock, Author at Conduit Street

MACo: Counties Support Tool to Fight Hunger, Climate Change, and Poverty

On January 19, 2022, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 156 Local Governments – Urban Agricultural Incentive Zones – Authorization. This bill authorizes a local government to establish urban agricultural incentive zones (UAIZs). UAIZs encourage agricultural production in communities in need of access to fresh, healthy foods and provide economic and environmental benefits. From the MACo testimony: Maryland’s growth comes with several challenges. One…

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January 20, 2022

County News / Environment / Planning and Zoning

Counties: Let Us Enforce Energy-efficient Building Standards

On January 19, 2022, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko, testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 61 Charter Counties - Enforcement of Local Building Performance Laws (Building Energy Performance Standards Act of 2022). This bill would give charter counties broader enforcement authority over local building energy performance standards (BEPS). From the MACo testimony: Under current law, when a building is found in violation of BEPS, charter counties may only levy a…

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January 20, 2022

Bill Hearing / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

Counties, Allies: Time to Bring EMS Support “Up to Speed”

On January 20, 2022, MACo President Laura Price and Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Health and Government Operations Committee in support of HB 44 Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Emergency Service Transporters – Reimbursement with amendments. The bill, with amendments as offered to the Committee by lead sponsor Delegate Kevin Hornberger, is among MACo's Legislative Initiatives for the 2022 session. This bill alters the medical services provided by an emergency service transporter for…

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January 20, 2022

County News / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

MACo: “Swatting” Weaponizes 9-1-1, Endangers Public Safety

On January 19, 2022, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 57 Criminal Law - Public Safety - Communications With Public Safety Answering Points. By strengthening state laws to protect 9-1-1 centers from malicious attacks and dangerous swatting incidents, SB 57 would enhance public safety in Maryland and our local communities. From the MACo testimony: SB 57 generally prohibits any actions that intend to interrupt or impair…

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January 20, 2022

Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets

MACo: All Systemic School Projects Should Be Eligible for BUILT Funding

On January 19, 2022, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 40 Interagency Commission on School Construction – Systemic Renovation Projects – Eligibility. This bill requires the Interagency Commission on School Construction to consider systemic renovation projects, regardless of cost, as eligible for funding from the Supplemental Public School Construction Financing Fund and the Supplemental Public School Construction Facilities Fund. From the MACo testimony: Currently, systemic…

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January 19, 2022

Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning / Public Safety and Corrections / Taxes and Revenues

Counties: Incorporation Process Wisely Includes “Checks and Balances”

On January 18, 2022, MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 42 Municipal Incorporation - County Commissioners or County Council - Required Consideration of Referendum Request. This bill would require the county commissioners or county council to "consider" a certain referendum request if a valid petition to incorporate a certain area as a municipality is presented by not less than 40% of the registered voters who…

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January 19, 2022

County News / MACo Testimony / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues

Counties Urge Local Autonomy on Tax Breaks

On January 18, 2022, Legislative Director, Kevin Kinnally, submitted testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 172 Income Tax – Determination of Taxable Income – Union Dues and Expenses to Influence Collective Bargaining. This bill would require an addition modification under the Maryland income tax for certain expenses to assist, promote, or deter collective bargaining. The bill would also allow a subtraction modification for certain union dues paid during a taxable…

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January 18, 2022

County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

Costly Tax Incentives Preclude Local Input

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to SB 122 Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Volunteer Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services and HB 124 Income Tax – Subtraction Modification for Veterans. SB 122 would increase the subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for qualifying volunteer fire, rescue, and emergency medical services members. HB 124 would allow a $3,000…

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January 18, 2022

County News / MACo Testimony

Counties Support Flexible Tax Incentives

On January 13, 2022, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 103 Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans - Established with amendments to authorize rather than mandate a prescriptive property tax credit. As introduced, this bill would drastically undermine county revenues and jeopardize limited local funds for public health, schools, public safety, roadway maintenance, and other essential public services. However, the bill sponsor addressed MACo’s…

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January 14, 2022