Read more about the article 2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: School and Capital Facilities
MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: School and Capital Facilities

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on school and capital facilities policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Counties are key partners in delivering and maintaining modern, safe, and well-equipped school facilities, which are essential to student success. Through shared funding responsibilities with the State, county governments invest heavily in school construction and renovation, often making up a significant portion of local capital budgets. Through its advocacy, MACo works to ensure…

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April 14, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education
Education / MACo Testimony
2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of education policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Education remains one of the single largest investments for Maryland’s counties, with local governments providing substantial support for both school operations and capital needs. As key funding partners, counties play a critical role in sustaining public education systems while balancing broader budget demands. Through its education advocacy, MACo works to ensure that state…

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April 14, 2026
Read more about the article MACo: SB 255 Creates Misaligned Incentives and County Risks
Elections / MACo Testimony
MACo: SB 255 Creates Misaligned Incentives and County Risks

On April 1, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to SB 255 – Voting Rights Act of 2026 - Counties and Municipal Corporations. This bill creates a new State-law cause of action to challenge local election systems, exposing counties to significant litigation risk, costs, and court-ordered changes, without clear guardrails or a defined role for local governments in resolving concerns before litigation. While counties remain…

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April 9, 2026
Read more about the article Preserving Critical Functionality of Local Common Ownership Communities
Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
Preserving Critical Functionality of Local Common Ownership Communities

On April 2, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of HB 402 – Common Ownership Communities - Oversight, Governing Document Database, and Local Commissions with amendments.  This bill would establish the Common Ownership Community Oversight Division within the Department of Housing and Community Development to oversee common ownership communities, handle complaints, collect and publish community governance documents, and set standards for local oversight commissions. As…

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April 8, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Backs Minimum Air Conditioning Standards For Residential Rental Units
Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
MACo Backs Minimum Air Conditioning Standards For Residential Rental Units

On April 2, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in support of SB 12 – Residential Rental Apartments - Air-Conditioning Requirement with amendments.  This bill establishes state minimum air conditioning requirements for apartment buildings of 10 units or greater. Recognizing that housing challenges are complex and interconnected, counties continue to advance “all-of-the-above” strategies to improve housing quality and expand supply statewide. While MACo supports the bill’s intent…

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April 8, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Back Stronger Privacy Protections for State and Local Elected Officials
MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics
Counties Back Stronger Privacy Protections for State and Local Elected Officials

On March 31, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in support of SB 632 – State Government - State Elected Officials - Protection of Personal Information with amendments.  This bill strengthens privacy protections for state officials while maintaining transparency for ethics and other mandatory disclosures for individuals in these roles. These changes, to extend new safety measures for state elected officials, have the potential to deter harmful actions…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article MACo to MGA: Give Counties Their Fair Share of Cannabis Revenue
Business Affairs / MACo Testimony
MACo to MGA: Give Counties Their Fair Share of Cannabis Revenue

On March 31, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 1008 – Alcohol and Cannabis - Cannabinoid Beverages Off-Premises Sales Permit - Establishment with amendments.  This bill authorizes the sale of cannabinoid beverages through holders of alcoholic beverage licenses with off-sale privileges, contingent on approval from local licensing boards, and establishes a distribution framework through licensed wholesalers. While MACo has no concern about the intent to establish a…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article Utility RELIEF Act Takes Center Stage, Counties Call For State-Local Coordination, Adequate Public Safety Standards
Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Utility RELIEF Act Takes Center Stage, Counties Call For State-Local Coordination, Adequate Public Safety Standards

On March 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of HB 1532 – Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act with amendments.  The Utility RELIEF Act continues the momentum of the 2025 and 2026 "Sessions of Energy" by directing wide-ranging changes to Maryland’s energy policy. The bill modifies utility rate structures and cost recovery, adjusts requirements for large energy users and…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article Rural Readiness Program Advancing through General Assembly
County News / Economic Development / MACo Testimony
Rural Readiness Program Advancing through General Assembly

The Rural Readiness Program bill is advancing this session. The bill, supported by MACo, aims to strengthen rural economic development capacity and improve access to competitive funding opportunities. SB 300 and its cross-file HB 461 have both passed their respective chamber and appear to be advancing this session. This bill establishes the Rural Readiness Program and the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund, both administered by the Rural Maryland Council. The bill is designed to help…

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March 26, 2026
Read more about the article MACo: Stop Making Counties Pay for State Decisions
Finance and Procurement / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
MACo: Stop Making Counties Pay for State Decisions

On March 20, MACo testified before the House Judiciary Committee in support of HB 1605 – Compensation for Individuals Erroneously Convicted - County Cost-Sharing - Repeal. This bill corrects a flawed policy enacted as a small component of the 2025 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act that requires counties to fund wrongful-incarceration compensation decisions made entirely through State processes. Under current law, the State determines eligibility, calculates awards, and sets all terms through administrative and judicial…

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March 26, 2026
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