2026 MACo Issue Previews Archives

2026 MACo Issue Previews

2026 Issue Preview: Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage

As the 2026 Legislative Session approaches, MACo is highlighting some of the major issues likely to garner attention and shape debate in the General Assembly. Among them, the state of the behavioral health workforce shortage remains a priority for stakeholders and stands to gather significant attention. Labor challenges significantly impact the quality and delivery of behavioral health care. Like many states, Maryland faces a shortage of behavioral health professionals that is expected to intensify, further…

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December 26, 2025

2026 Issue Preview: Unemployment Insurance

With the 2026 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including unemployment insurance, that stand to garner significant attention. Maryland’s Unemployment Insurance system remains solvent for now, but projections show that stability may be short-lived. As previously covered in a MACo deep dive, the federal-state unemployment insurance (UI) system offers temporary financial support to individuals who have lost their jobs, helping to replace a portion of their income while they search for new employment.…

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December 26, 2025

2026 MACo Issue Previews / Energy

2026 Issue Preview: Energy

With the 2026 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including energy, that stand to gather significant attention. The 2025 legislative session will go down in history as the “Session of Energy,” with the General Assembly passing a historic number of energy bills. A major focus for counties was HB1036/SB931, the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, which restored some local authority and provided predictability for the development of solar. For 2026, energy will again be…

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December 26, 2025