Read more about the article Ecosystem Value Fees Undermine Local Land Use Authority, Threaten Housing Development
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…

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March 18, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Flag Infrastructure Capacity Concerns With Mandated Density Expansion in Single-Family Zones
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…

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March 18, 2026
Read more about the article Advancing Fire Department Preparedness For Utility-Scale Battery Incidents
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Advancing Fire Department Preparedness For Utility-Scale Battery Incidents

On March 13, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 1459 – Public Safety - Stationary Energy Storage Systems with amendments.  This bill would require owners of stationary energy storage systems to fund specialized training and equipment for the local fire departments responsible for emergency response. Counties recognize that utility-scale battery storage facilities can present unique fire and hazardous materials challenges and support efforts to…

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March 18, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Offer Local Perspective On Large-Load Energy Facility Integration
Energy / Environment / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Counties Offer Local Perspective On Large-Load Energy Facility Integration

On March 12, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on SB 992 – Public Utilities - Large Load Customers - Registration and Demand Response Program. This bill would establish a framework for requiring large load customers, primarily data centers, to provide certain information to the Public Service Commission (PSC) before interconnecting in Maryland. While regulation of electric interconnection largely falls outside local…

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March 18, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Resist Duplicative, One-Size-Fits-All Animal Control Mandate
Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
Counties Resist Duplicative, One-Size-Fits-All Animal Control Mandate

On March 12, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson before the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 1568 – Local Government - Animal Control - Dogs At Large (Dog Leash Laws).  This bill would require local governments to adopt a law prohibiting dogs from being “at large” and to establish corresponding impoundment and penalty protocols. Counties strongly support responsible pet ownership, which is why every Maryland jurisdiction…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Finance Committee in support of SB 804 – Labor and Employment - Occupational Safety and Health - Revisions to Heat Stress Standards with amendments.  This bill codifies and clarifies requirements governing workplace heat stress protections that were previously adopted through Maryland Occupational Safety and Health regulations. SB 804 requires employers, including counties, to develop heat stress prevention plans, acclimatization plans, high-heat procedures,…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 366 – Workers' Compensation - Exemption From Exclusivity of Remedy - Action for Wrongful Death by Nondependent Child.  This bill would allow non-dependent children of an employee, including adult children, to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against an employer in court outside of the workers’ compensation system. As such, it would allow claims for damages not available…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 346 – Workers' Compensation - Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Retroactive Compensation.  This bill requires an employer or insurer to continue paying temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for up to 60 days after an injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI) if there is a delay before vocational rehabilitation services begin. Known as the “gap period,” this timeframe…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article State-Local Interactions With Federal Agencies Need Clearly Defined Statutes
Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony
State-Local Interactions With Federal Agencies Need Clearly Defined Statutes

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 1536 – Maryland Enforcement Limits and Transparency (MELT) Act.  This bill alters how county employees, private contractors, and various members of the public interact with federal agents and agencies while attempting to knowingly comply with immigration and customs enforcement. Additionally, the bill establishes new private and public rights of action that can be brought in the…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Clarifying Public Charter School Funding Independence
MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Clarifying Public Charter School Funding Independence

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1430 – Maryland Public Charter School Program - School Facilities - Funding with amendments. This bill, starting in fiscal year 2028, requires the Governor to include funds in the annual budget for the maintenance and operations of public charter schools. Additionally, it mandates those funds to be distributed directly to the charter school rather than through the local…

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March 16, 2026
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