MACo Testimony Archives

Strengthening Local Oversight of Disaster Mitigation Services and Recovery

On March 4, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1351 - Home Improvement Contractors - Disaster Mitigation Services - Regulation and Prohibition. This bill authorizes counties to impose limitations on in-person solicitation of disaster victims by contractors offering these services, including limits on the hours and areas where solicitation may occur. In the aftermath of a fire, flood, or other emergency, homeowners are often forced to…

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March 9, 2026

MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation

Counties Flag Operational Challenges With Proposed Pesticide Notification Registry

On March 4, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1237 - Pesticide Applications - Subscription Contract Requirements and Registry Establishment. This bill establishes the Residential Pollinator Protection and Neighbor Notification Registry within the Department of Agriculture for individuals to receive advance notification of pesticide applications on neighboring properties. Counties already follow strict pesticide safety regulations and public…

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March 9, 2026

County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”

On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Election Committee in opposition to HB 190 - Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule. This bill would repeal Maryland’s historic reliance on self-determination by county residents and instead mandate that every county conforms to a single governance structure – a full two-branch charter government. Through the constitutional principle of home rule, residents have chosen…

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March 9, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony

Strengthening Traffic Safety Accountability For Rental Vehicles

On March 4, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 921 - Traffic Control Signal Monitoring and Speed Monitoring Systems - Exemptions From Liability - Vehicle Rental Companies. This bill repeals the exemptions for a vehicle rental or leasing company from liability for citations issued by a red-light camera or speed monitoring system in Maryland. Public safety is enhanced by all motorists being subject to…

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March 9, 2026

MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

MACo Supports Homeowners’ Tax Credit Expansion, Urges Local Safeguards

On March 4, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 812 - Homeowners' Property Tax Credit - Eligibility and Calculation - Alterations with amendments. This bill increases eligibility thresholds and adjusts calculation brackets under the State Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit. Counties are requesting amendments to ensure that these state-level changes do not automatically expand locally authorized supplemental credits that reference the state program. MACo emphasizes…

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March 9, 2026

Emergency Management / MACo Testimony

MACo Supports Plan To Stabilize Maryland’s Disaster Recovery Fund

On March 4, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 690 - Property and Casualty Insurance - Distribution of Premium Tax Proceeds to State Disaster Recovery Fund. This bill establishes a modest, defined annual funding commitment to the State Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF), ensuring Maryland can respond and deliver relief to residents and communities when federal disaster assistance proves unavailable or insufficient. Counties are often the first…

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March 9, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Autonomous Vehicles Raise Important Questions for Local Infrastructure

On March 4, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Judicial Proceedings Committee on SB 909 - Vehicle Laws - Fully Autonomous Vehicles. This bill would establish a framework to allow fully autonomous vehicles to operate in Maryland. As Maryland policymakers explore a framework for fully autonomous vehicles, counties are highlighting the practical realities of implementing this emerging technology on local roads. As counties maintain the majority of Maryland’s…

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March 6, 2026

MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

MACo Provides Guidance on Data Privacy, Transparency, and Local Government Responsibility

On March 3, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted a letter of information to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee on HB 1317 - State Government - Data-Sharing Agreements and Personal Identifying Information - Prohibition and Reporting (Maryland Data Privacy and Federal Shield Act). This bill seeks a policy on sharing data with outside individuals who may use it for various types of federal enforcement or tracking. In doing so, it creates a gray area…

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March 6, 2026

MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

MACo Raises Market Alignment Concerns With Five-Year Assessment Cycle

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1518 - Property Tax Assessments - 5-Year Assessment Cycle. This bill alters Maryland’s real property assessment cycle from a three-year review to a five-year review and adjusts the phase-in schedule accordingly. Counties depend on timely and accurate property assessments to fund schools, public safety, infrastructure, and essential services. By extending Maryland’s property assessment cycle from three years…

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March 6, 2026

MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

MACo Rejects Conversion of Local-Option Tax Credit Into Statewide Mandate

On March 3, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1482 - Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Revisions. HB 1482 would convert a discretionary local tax credit into a mandatory statewide requirement — while significantly expanding eligibility and benefit levels — effectively creating a substantial unfunded mandate. By directly reducing property tax revenues, counties’ primary and most stable…

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March 6, 2026