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…

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…

On March 5, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1188 - Excess Ownership of Single-Family Residences Excise Tax (End Hedge Fund Control of Maryland Homes Act of 2026).  This bill seeks to establish commonsense guardrails on large hedge funds and other Wall Street-backed firms from purchasing a disproportionate amount of any county’s housing supply. As Maryland continues to grapple with housing affordability…

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 774 - Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies - Local Good Cause Termination (Good Cause Eviction).  The bill would authorize counties to establish laws preventing landlords from failing to renew or terminating leases without just cause. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—when eviction risks, rental debt, and employment volatility placed unprecedented strain on…