Read more about the article Statewide TNR Mandate Would Preempt Effective Local Animal Control Programs
Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
Statewide TNR Mandate Would Preempt Effective Local Animal Control Programs

On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations delivered testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson in opposition to HB 912 - Local Government - Trap-Neuter-Return Policies for Community Cats - Requirements and Restrictions (Ash's Law). Under the bill, a local law establishing a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) policy may not require any registration or certification process for a community cat caregiver. This legislation would broadly preempt local authority by prohibiting caregiver registration requirements and superseding local ordinances that…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article Clear Statutory Standards, Cost Certainty in Public Works Key To Successful Apprenticeship Expansion
Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
Clear Statutory Standards, Cost Certainty in Public Works Key To Successful Apprenticeship Expansion

On February 26, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson before the Finance Committee in support of SB 143 - Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) with amendments.  This bill would establish apprenticeship utilization requirements for contractors and subcontractors on covered public works projects. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill requires that 20% of total labor hours on a covered project be performed…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Urges Local Option Structure for Proposed Income Tax Relief
MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Urges Local Option Structure for Proposed Income Tax Relief

On February 26, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1035 -Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Overtime Compensation.  This bill allows Maryland residents to subtract certain overtime pay from their state income tax, effectively lowering the amount of tax they owe on those extra earnings. MACo steadfastly resists state-mandated reductions in local revenue that undermine fiscal autonomy. In today's fiscal climate of economic uncertainty…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Raises Governance, Funding Considerations on Regional Transit Reform
Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
MACo Raises Governance, Funding Considerations on Regional Transit Reform

On February 26, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted a letter of information to the Environment and Transportation Committee on HB 916 - Transportation - Regional Transportation Authorities.  This bill establishes three Regional Transportation Authorities and authorizes new regional tax surcharges dedicated to transportation purposes. In its letter of information, MACo urges careful consideration of its fiscal and governance implications for county governments. Counties maintain more than 80% of Maryland’s roadways and rely heavily on Highway…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article MACo: Local Workforce Boards Are a Critical Component of Strategic Economic Investments
Economic Development / MACo Testimony
MACo: Local Workforce Boards Are a Critical Component of Strategic Economic Investments

On February 26, Executive Director Michael Sanderson delivered gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in support of HB 1358 - Labor and Employment - Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act).  The bill enhances several important programs by strengthening coordination with local workforce development boards. Across Maryland, local workforce development boards serve as the backbone of workforce service delivery, connecting…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Urges Flexible Tools Over One-Size-Fits-All Tax Mandates
MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Urges Flexible Tools Over One-Size-Fits-All Tax Mandates

On February 26, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 903 - Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Donations to Food Banks and Other Charitable Entities.  This bill allows Maryland taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $1,000 for donations of food or money made to food banks and other charities. While counties support the goal of encouraging charitable giving and strengthening food…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article Practical Clarification Necessary To Balance Solar Energy Growth and Farmland Preservation
Agriculture / Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Practical Clarification Necessary To Balance Solar Energy Growth and Farmland Preservation

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 683 - Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Siting (Solar Siting and Preservation Credit Act of 2026).  This bill would clarify that solar projects located on certain sites within a Priority Preservation Area (PPA) count toward the five percent ground-mounted solar cap established under the Renewable Energy Certainty Act…

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March 4, 2026
Read more about the article Balancing Short-Term Rental Flexibility With Local Oversight and Long-Term Housing Goals
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Balancing Short-Term Rental Flexibility With Local Oversight and Long-Term Housing Goals

On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Economic Matters Committee on HB 993 - Real Property - Short-Term Rentals.  MACo submits this Letter of Information on legislation clarifying that tenants may offer a leased property as a short-term rental, while reaffirming local authority to regulate these uses and prevent abusive practices such as “AirBnB arbitrage.” As counties and the General Assembly continue advancing major housing initiatives—including…

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March 3, 2026
Read more about the article Statewide Zoning Mandate Threatens Smart Growth And Local Planning Authority
Higher Education / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Statewide Zoning Mandate Threatens Smart Growth And Local Planning Authority

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters committee in opposition to HB 778 - Land Use - Middle Housing Options - Requirements.  This bill would effectively eliminate single-family zoning in every corner of Maryland, drastically upending Maryland’s commitment to smart growth principles and challenging counties’ ability to balance new development with other state and local priorities. While counties share the State’s commitment to expanding affordable housing—and have helped…

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March 3, 2026
Read more about the article Strengthening County Authority To Protect Renters, Prevent Unjust Evictions
Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
Strengthening County Authority To Protect Renters, Prevent Unjust Evictions

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 774 - Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies - Local Good Cause Termination (Good Cause Eviction).  The bill would authorize counties to establish laws preventing landlords from failing to renew or terminating leases without just cause. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—when eviction risks, rental debt, and employment volatility placed unprecedented strain on…

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March 3, 2026
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