Read more about the article 2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 447th legislative session was defined by one of the most challenging budget environments in over a decade — with a $3.3 billion shortfall driving proposals for aggressive cost shifts, spending cuts, and tax changes. Despite these unprecedented fiscal pressures, counties worked together through MACo to protect essential services, limit…

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April 11, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 Session Down the Stretch: The County Watch List
General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
2025 Session Down the Stretch: The County Watch List

With the last ten days of the 2025 legislative session, county leaders still are watching for final outcomes on multiple major issues. We recap here, with links, and what we're watching for in the days ahead. Budget and BRFA - The House has moved its full fiscal plan, and the Senate has started its process. We expect a conference committee to resolve their differences, which look relatively minor compared to a more conventional year. Most…

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March 28, 2025
Read more about the article General Assembly Advances Bill to Bolster Security for 9-1-1 Centers
General Assembly News / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
General Assembly Advances Bill to Bolster Security for 9-1-1 Centers

The Maryland Senate has passed an amended version of HB 445, legislation designed to enhance protections against cyberattacks targeting 9-1-1 centers, known in law as public safety answering points (PSAPs). The bill now heads back to the House of Delegates for final approval. MACo supports the bill and its crossfile (SB 81), reinforcing the State’s commitment to safeguarding public safety infrastructure as counties transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) — a statewide initiative to modernize…

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March 27, 2025
Read more about the article Unfunded and Unwise: SDAT Cost Shift Reopens Old Warnings
County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Unfunded and Unwise: SDAT Cost Shift Reopens Old Warnings

Buried in the House Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) is a costly proposal that threatens to upend the relationship between state and local government. The plan? Shift 90% of the cost of funding the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) onto counties — to the tune of $21.2 million annually. Counties call this what it is: an unfunded mandate that sacrifices good policy for short-term savings. More information here: 1/ #Maryland’s property assessment…

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March 24, 2025
Read more about the article House Kills Bill To Subvert Homestead Tax Credit
General Assembly News / Taxes and Revenues
House Kills Bill To Subvert Homestead Tax Credit

HB 726 – Homestead Property Tax Credit – Eligible Properties – Alteration will not advance from the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill is dead for the 2025 session. MACo opposed the bill, which sought to expand Homestead Property Tax Credit eligibility beyond owner-occupied homes, undermining its core purpose of ensuring tax stability for primary residences. Counties opposed the measure due to its $30 million per annum fiscal impact, which could have led to…

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March 18, 2025
Read more about the article General Assembly Advances Bill Granting Counties Flexibility To Expand Childcare Access
Education / General Assembly News / Taxes and Revenues
General Assembly Advances Bill Granting Counties Flexibility To Expand Childcare Access

The House and Senate have passed HB 389 / SB 516, expanding local flexibility to support childcare providers through targeted tax incentives. With childcare availability remaining a significant challenge, this bill provides counties with an additional tool to encourage investment in this critical sector. MACo supports HB 389 / SB 516, recognizing the importance of locally driven solutions for workforce needs and economic stability. The bill expands an existing local-option property tax credit, allowing counties…

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March 18, 2025
Read more about the article MACo-Backed Affordable Housing Bill Clears House and Senate
General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Taxes and Revenues
MACo-Backed Affordable Housing Bill Clears House and Senate

The House and Senate have passed SB 327 / HB 390 with MACo’s support, providing counties greater flexibility to structure Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements for affordable housing. MACo supports SB 327 / HB 390, which offers counties a practical and flexible tool for promoting the development and sustainability of affordable rental housing through PILOT agreements. The bill initially required property owners to dedicate at least 50% of rental units to households earning…

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March 18, 2025
Read more about the article House and Senate Pass Broadband Tax Bill With MACo Amendments
Broadband / County Budgets / General Assembly News / Taxes and Revenues
House and Senate Pass Broadband Tax Bill With MACo Amendments

The House and Senate have passed HB 969 / SB 774 with MACo’s amendments, preserving local decision-making over broadband tax incentives. As introduced, MACo supported HB 969 / SB 774 with amendments to ensure counties retained authority over local fiscal policy. The bill would have granted rural broadband service providers a permanent property tax carveout, giving them a lasting advantage over other industries while shifting significant costs onto counties. This approach ignored the reality that…

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March 17, 2025
Read more about the article House Approves Local Tax Flexibility for Schools, Infrastructure with MACo’s Support
County Budgets / General Assembly News / Taxes and Revenues
House Approves Local Tax Flexibility for Schools, Infrastructure with MACo’s Support

The Maryland House of Delegates has passed HB 23 – Property Taxes – Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property, a significant step forward in providing counties with a new, targeted tool to address rising costs for transportation and education. HB 23 addresses a priority initiative of Maryland’s 24 county governments. It gives counties a focused tool to manage growing demands for infrastructure and education…

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March 17, 2025
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Crossover Week and Maryland’s Housing Crunch
County Budgets / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development
Conduit Street Podcast: Crossover Week and Maryland’s Housing Crunch

This week on The Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Kevin Kinnally and Dominic Butchko dive deep into Maryland’s housing crisis and the controversial Housing for Jobs Act. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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March 13, 2025
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