Sarah Sample, Author at Conduit Street

MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

Counties Resist Costly AED Equipment Mandate

On February 24, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 32 - Local Law Enforcement Vehicles - Requirements - Automated External Defibrillators. This bill requires each local law enforcement vehicle to carry an automated external defibrillator (AED) and maintain the functionality and certification of each AED. While counties strongly support timely, high-quality emergency medical response and already coordinate closely across law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical…

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February 27, 2026

Education / MACo Testimony

MACo to MGA: Blueprint Oversight Must Include State Accountability

On February 24, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 562 - Primary and Secondary Education - Maintenance of Effort - Inflation Adjustment (Maintenance of Effort Modernization Act). This bill alters the method for calculating the maintenance of effort (MOE) amount county governing bodies are required to appropriate to the school operating budget by requiring an annual inflation adjustment. Counties have served as steadfast funding partners in implementing…

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February 27, 2026

Bill Hearing / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

Complex Public Records Proposal Risks Delays, Backlogs, and Courtroom Conflicts

On February 24, Executive Director Michael Sanderson gave in person testimony on behalf of Sarah Sample before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 711 - Data Privacy - Consumer Data, Public Records, and Message Switching System (Data Privacy Act). In pursuit of a policy on sharing data with outside agencies who may use it for immigration enforcement, the bill creates a largely unworkable matrix of custodian mandates, exposing good faith government employees to…

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February 27, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony

MACo Raises Safety, Liability Concerns Over Cannabis Protections for Fire and Rescue Workers

On February 19, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Finance Committee in opposition to SB 439 - Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis. This bill prohibits an employer from disciplining or discharging a fire and rescue public safety employee for the use of cannabis if the employee possesses a written certification. While counties recognize evolving state law regarding cannabis and support clear workplace standards, SB…

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February 25, 2026

MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets

MACo Resists Unfunded One-Size-Fits-All School Infrastructure Mandate

On February 18, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 158 - Counties - Construction of Sidewalks and Crosswalks - Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools. While well-intentioned, this bill would place a costly mandate on county governments to carry out new state policies to create sidewalks and crosswalks as alternative routes for all public-school students. MACo does not raise policy objections…

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February 24, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony

Unworkable Settlement Timelines Threaten Responsible Governance

On February 18, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 526 - Civil Actions - Settlement Agreements - Payment and Release. This bill requires the settling defendant in a tort action for money damages to provide a proposed release to a plaintiff within 10 days and to pay all sums due to a plaintiff under a settlement agreement within 15 days. Additionally, it establishes the accrual…

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February 24, 2026

County News / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

Courtroom Security Standards Remain Unclear, Unfunded

On February 18, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Judiciary Committee in opposition of HB 492 - Courtroom Security - Minimum Adequate Security Standard. This bill would require counties across the state to fund substantially more positions for security officers in the Circuit Courts. Counties share the goal of ensuring safe and secure court facilities for judges, staff, litigants, and the public. However, this bill would impose sweeping new security staffing requirements on…

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February 24, 2026

MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets

Counties Resist Unfunded Infrastructure Mandates

On February 12, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 394 – Counties - Construction of Sidewalks and Crosswalks - Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools. This bill would mandate county boards of education to, each year, identify and publish safe walking routes for students who do not qualify for transportation services. It also mandates that county governments review these reports and construct…

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February 17, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony

Improving Highway Safety Through Targeted Safety Corridors

On February 12, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 256 – Motor Vehicles - Speed Monitoring Systems - Safety Corridors (Vulnerable Road User Protection Act of 2026). This bill authorizes the State Highway Administration (SHA) to establish a “Safety Corridor” program aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and individuals using mobility devices in segments of highways identified…

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February 17, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony

Reciprocal Enforcement Agreements Improve Roadway Safety, Deter Reckless Driving

On February 12, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 249 – Vehicle Laws - Automated Enforcement - Reciprocal Agreements, Arrangements, and Declarations. This bill authorizes the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator to establish reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions for the enforcement of certain traffic safety violations. HB 249 is a practical tool to improve roadway safety by setting a new standard for safety and accountability throughout…

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February 17, 2026