Bill Hearing Archives

Economic Development NDA Ban Appears Dead After Missing Crossover Deadline

Following the General Assembly’s “crossover” deadline, SB 853, which restricts the use of nondisclosure agreements in economic development negotiations, faces increasingly long odds of advancing without committee approval. With the “crossover” deadline now passed, legislation not approved by its originating committee is increasingly unlikely to advance this session. MACo opposed SB 853 which would broadly prohibit an individual, governing body, legislator, or employee from entering into a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with a person involved in…

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March 25, 2026

County Budgets / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues

Veterans’ Tax Credit Bills Advance With MACo Amendments, Mandate Stalls

Two veterans’ property tax credit bills are moving forward with MACo amendments, while a broader mandatory expansion appears dead after crossover. HB 842, as introduced, repealed the current two-year eligibility requirement for a property tax exemption for specified surviving spouses, expanding a mandatory exemption and directly reducing a primary local revenue source counties rely on to fund core services. MACo supports providing meaningful relief to eligible residents, and many counties already offer locally adopted property…

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March 24, 2026

County News / Emergency Management / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / News You Can Use

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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March 18, 2026