On Monday, Michael Sanderson submitted written testimony in opposition to HB 794 Labor and Employment - Discrimination Against Medical Cannabis  Patients and Caregivers - Prohibition  (Medical Cannabis Patient and Caregiver Antidiscrimination Act). HB 794 prohibits employers, including county governments, from enforcing zero tolerance workplace drug policies against employees based on the employee's status as a qualifying medical cannabis patient unless said patient used, possessed, or was impaired by cannabis during work hours. Counties employ a…

On Monday, March 11, Natasha Mehu testified in support of HB 1204 Involuntary Commitment - Procedures for Admission. HB 1204 strengthens the process for inmates in need of involuntary commitment, so they may be placed in state facilities or deemed eligible for conditional release for the care they need. From the MACo Testimony: HB 1204 authorizes local correctional officials to apply for involuntary admission of an inmate to a state hospital. It also requires that…

On Friday, Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony in support of SB 795/HB1163 Income and Property Taxes - Qualified Maryland Opportunity Zone Investments with amendments. This bill creates a subtraction modification against the state income tax for certain capital gains that qualify for federal income tax benefits under the Opportunity Zone Program. In addition, the bill would require a local government to grant a property tax credit for investments made within a qualified Opportunity Zone. From…

On March 8th, Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony in opposition to SB 816 Property Tax Credit - Surviving Spouse of Veteran. This bill would expand the scope of a 2016 property tax credit.  Due to it being fairly new, this expansion raises questions about county authority to limit the credit to the recipients receiving it now. SB 816 also creates an expectation that counties may extend the scope of the credit, when the expansion offered…

On Thursday, Leslie Knapp testified in support of HB 355 Public Ethics Law - School Boards - Disclosures and Requirements (School System Ethics and Transparency Act of 2019) with amendments. While a majority of this bill does not directly impact county governments, HB 355 contains an ill-considered Public Information Act provision which would require a records custodian to waive any fee if one-third or more members of a Board of Education make a PIA request.…

On Wednesday, Natasha Mehu testified in support of HB 768/SB 759 Health - Prescription Drug Affordability Board. This bill would create a state-level entity to tackle the pressing issue of excessive prescription drug prices through a cost review process. From the MACo Testimony: As employers, counties are also subject to the impacts of excessive prescription drug prices. Counties have a keen interest in being able to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to their employees and…

On Tuesday, Michael Sanderson testified on a panel alongside representatives from Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, and the Maryland Municipal League in support of SB 660 Electric Industry - Community Choice Aggregation. By providing a means to coordinate energy purchasing, this bill would help counties foster competition, lower prices, and pursue environmental goals. From the MACo Testimony: SB 660 provides counties and municipalities the freedom to form or to join community…

On March 5th, Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways & Means Committee in opposition to HB 1209 - Property Tax - Collection of Unpaid Taxes and Tax Sales. This bill would undermine the most effective collection tool for local governments, and as a result would lead to higher rates on other ratepayers. From the MACo Testimony: Counties are concerned that this legislation would result in significant revenue losses due to the bill’s limitations…