Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development
Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on housing and community development policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.  When advocating for the housing and community development needs of counties MACo supports legislation that bolsters the efforts of local governments to address public and affordable housing, bight, foreclosure, and community development. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning and Zoning
County News / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning and Zoning

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on planning and zoning policy in the 2025 General Assembly session. Planning and zoning is an integral function of county governments and an area that spurs a high level of interaction with residents and business owners. In its planning & zoning advocacy, MACo seeks to protect the ability of local governments – those closest to the people and with the most insight into local needs…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment
Environment / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of environment policy in the 2025 General Assembly session. MACo seeks sensible solutions to environmental issues that provide flexibility and do not place unreasonable burdens on county governments, who are often charged with enforcement in many environmental areas, guided under statewide policy. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works
MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on transportation and public works policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.  MACo generally advocates for the appropriate state assistance with roadways and bridges across our local communities. Transportation is a shared function in Maryland, with state-maintained roadways (mainly numbered roads) and locally-maintained roadways interlocking throughout most areas. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article Counties Resist Developers’ “Early Vesting” In Housing Bill
County News / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
Counties Resist Developers’ “Early Vesting” In Housing Bill

On April 3, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee with a position of Support with Amendments on HB 503 - Housing Development Act. This bill would drastically change certain provisions of Maryland's housing policy. MACo has worked with the sponsor, the Committee, and the Administration on amendments to fine-tune elements affecting counties, and is grateful for that collaboration. While MACo is not raising objections to other segments…

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April 3, 2025
Read more about the article Preemption of Local Authority: Challenges for Public Health and Safety
MACo Testimony
Preemption of Local Authority: Challenges for Public Health and Safety

On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 1164 – Counties and Municipalities – Homelessness – Local Laws (Right to Rest Act).  This bill prohibits counties from enacting or enforcing local laws that could impact or are intended to impact individuals experiencing homelessness. Specifically, it restricts local governments from enforcing laws that regulate sleeping in public spaces, using makeshift protection against the elements, or sleeping in…

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March 13, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland OneStop Reporting Initiative Places Undue Burden on Counties
Information Technology / MACo Testimony
Maryland OneStop Reporting Initiative Places Undue Burden on Counties

On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony before the Health and Government Operations Committee in opposition to HB 1120 – Department of Information Technology – Maryland OneStop – Required State, County, and Municipal Information.  The bill as drafted requires every county and municipal corporation to make all licenses, forms, certificates, permits, applications, and registrations available on Maryland OneStop by July 1, 2026. Additionally, local governments would be required to update these…

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March 13, 2025
Read more about the article Counties Seek Critical Amendments To Smooth Delayed FAMLI Program
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Counties Seek Critical Amendments To Smooth Delayed FAMLI Program

On March 12, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1503 – State Personnel – Paid Family and Medical Leave with amendments. This bill nominally alters the application of the pending Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program for State employees, in conformance to negotiated agreements with state employee representative organizations. MACo's amendments are to modify provisions of the proposed deferral of the global FAMLI program, to avoid forcing…

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March 13, 2025
Read more about the article Counties Oppose Unfunded Property Tax Mandate
MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Oppose Unfunded Property Tax Mandate

On February 26, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to oppose HB 1214 – Property Tax – Homestead Property Tax Credit – First-Time Homebuyer. This bill mandates a new property tax credit for first-time homebuyers under the Homestead Property Tax Credit. While promoting home ownership is a laudable goal, this bill imposes a significant unfunded mandate onto county governments by mandating new property tax exemptions without local authority or offsetting…

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March 13, 2025
Read more about the article MACo Works with Stakeholders to Advance Renewables Without Sacrificing Community Concerns
Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
MACo Works with Stakeholders to Advance Renewables Without Sacrificing Community Concerns

On March 6, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 983 – Solar Energy – Distributed Generation Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Ground-Mounted Solar, and Small Solar Siting Workgroup with amendments.  This bill would establish an expedited approval process for solar energy-generating systems between 2MW and 5MW. Last session, MACo opposed the DG-CPCN legislation, citing concerns that it overrode community input and…

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March 12, 2025
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