Bill Hearing Archives

General Assembly Advances County Emergency Management Priorities

Two priority bills for county emergency managers are advancing in the General Assembly, both focused on stabilizing funding and bolstering long-term preparedness amid federal uncertainty. HB 953 has passed the House and now moves to the Senate. This bill authorizes transfers from the Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund, providing flexibility when disasters create immediate costs that counties must cover before federal aid arrives. The fund helps bridge that gap when costs…

Comments Off

March 23, 2026

Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

A Day in the Life at MACo: Legislative Session Edition

In this episode of the Conduit Street podcast, Michael Sanderson is joined by Karrington Anderson and Charlotte Fleckenstein (making her podcast debut), as they walk through what advocacy looks like in real time. From testifying on complex labor policy to weighing in on unexpected issues like statewide “dogs at large” laws, there's never a dull moment. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit…

Comments Off

March 20, 2026

Emergency Management / MACo Testimony

MACo Supports Flexibility To Bolster State Disaster Recovery Fund

On March 10, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 953 – Revenue Stabilization Account - Transfer of Funds - State Disaster Recovery Fund. This bill authorizes the governor, with the Board of Public Works's approval, to transfer funds from the Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF), strengthening Maryland’s ability to respond when disasters impose immediate costs on communities. By providing greater flexibility to reinforce…

Comments Off

March 19, 2026

MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

MACo Supports Meaningful, Local-Option Update To Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans, Surviving Spouses

On March 18, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1611 – Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Income Eligibility. This bill authorizes local governments to set income eligibility for an existing local-option property tax credit for specified disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Currently, counties have the option to offer a property tax credit to certain disabled…

Comments Off

March 19, 2026

Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony

Expanding Local Toolkits For Infrastructure Bonding

On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in support of HB 1216 - Insurance - Certificates of Guarantee for County Bond Requirements - All Counties. This bill authorizes counties to honor certificates of guarantee issued by a nonprofit association of contractors as an alternative to traditional surety bonds. Currently, only a limited number of counties are authorized to accept…

Comments Off

March 19, 2026

MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

MACo: Protect Local Authority Over Property Tax Credit Relief

On March 11, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 980 – Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Alterations with amendments. This bill amends the income and disability rating thresholds for a local-option property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Counties strongly support efforts to provide meaningful tax relief to those who have served, and appreciate that…

Comments Off

March 19, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Significant Legal, Policy Consequences of Tying Public Engagement to Development Approvals

On March 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 1517 – Land Use - Qualified Project - Retaliatory Downzoning. This bill would require, in certain circumstances, that if a local elected official acknowledges or responds to constituent concerns regarding a development project, the local government may then be compelled to approve that project and allow a higher residential…

Comments Off

March 18, 2026

Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony

Preserving Effective, Timely Deployment of Emergency Shelters

On March 12, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1501 – Department of Housing and Community Development - Homeless Shelter Certification with amendments. This bill grants the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) broad authority to regulate homeless shelters. Counties recognize the importance of clear standards and oversight for facilities serving vulnerable residents and generally support the bill’s intent. However, the bill’s…

Comments Off

March 18, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Ecosystem Value Fees Undermine Local Land Use Authority, Threaten Housing Development

On March 11, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1560 – Forest Conservation - Incentives - Pilot Program and Fund. This bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to assess a new ecosystem value impact fee to support forest conservation programs. It also preempts local governments from adopting ordinances or regulations that are inconsistent with the requirements of an ecosystem value-oriented forest management…

Comments Off

March 18, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Counties Flag Infrastructure Capacity Concerns With Mandated Density Expansion in Single-Family Zones

On March 13, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 1538 – Land Use - Accessory Dwelling Units - Requirements and Prohibitions (Maryland Generational Housing Act of 2026). This bill requires local governments to allow both an internal and external accessory dwelling unit on single-family lots regardless of density limits. Additionally, it lowers construction barriers by restricting new parking requirements and allowing these units…

Comments Off

March 18, 2026