Read more about the article Apply Now: MD Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants Available for Local Gov
County News / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Parks and Recreation
Apply Now: MD Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants Available for Local Gov

The Maryland Department of  Natural Resources is now accepting preliminary applications for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. Through this program, local governments with qualifying projects may apply for $50,000 to $1.5 million to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and create connections between people and the outdoors. Application Deadline: June 28, 2024 Information Webinar: 12:00 PM on April 23, 2024 Additional details and application information are available on the Maryland Department…

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April 18, 2024
Read more about the article $50M in Enviro. Justice Grants Soon up for Grabs in EPA Region 3
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
$50M in Enviro. Justice Grants Soon up for Grabs in EPA Region 3

Communities in Maryland will soon be eligible for $50 million in environmental justice grants meant to address environmental and climate concerns.  This past December, the EPA announced $600 million will be invested nationally in environmental justice grants meant to address environmental and climate concerns. EPA Region 3, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and 7 federally recognized tribes, will receive $50 million of those funds. The Green and Healthy…

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April 18, 2024
Read more about the article SCOTUS Rules on Local Impact Fees – Any MD Fallout?
Government Liability and Courts / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues
SCOTUS Rules on Local Impact Fees – Any MD Fallout?

"Impact fees" and related charges on new development to offset growth-related expenses were the subject of a recent US Supreme Court case. Maryland governments use impact fees and similar levies in multiple cases -- do our counties need to worry about this California case creating a ripple effect in far-away Maryland? (Spoiler: no, not really, we're pretty by-the-book here already) The public finance community was engaged when the United States Supreme Court took up a…

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April 17, 2024
Read more about the article Transparency Dashboard Coming for State Board of Public Works
Finance and Procurement / Intergovernmental Relations / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Transparency Dashboard Coming for State Board of Public Works

Legislation passed this session to create a "transparency dashboard" to open easier access to Maryland Board of Public Works meetings, where state-level contracts and procurements receive final administrative approval from that three-member public body. This implements a recommendation of the Comptroller's transition team, where local governments and other stakeholders offered guidance on best practices for that role and the Board on which the Comptroller serves. HB 877, passed by the General Assembly and awaiting the…

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April 16, 2024
Read more about the article Overview of Gov. Moore’s Historic Housing, Density, & Land Use Bill
Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning
Overview of Gov. Moore’s Historic Housing, Density, & Land Use Bill

Leading up to the 2024 legislative session, advocates and legislators coined this year as “The Session of Housing.” Governor Moore introduced three bills aimed at encouraging affordable housing development, the most controversial of which was his density and land use bill (HB538/SB484). Below is an overview of HB538, which was passed by the General Assembly and is awaiting the Governor's signature.   HB538 - Land Use – Affordable Housing – Zoning Density and Permitting (Housing…

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April 15, 2024
Read more about the article Official Session Wrap-up “90 Day Report” Available from Legislative Services
Education / Environment / General Assembly News / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Official Session Wrap-up “90 Day Report” Available from Legislative Services

The annual 90 Day Report, a summary and review of actions taken through the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly. As always, the report provides a thorough review of major policy and fiscal issues considered or enacted through the session. An entire section is arranged county-by-county to show effects of multiple programs and initiatives on each county's fiscal situation. The nonpartisan staff agency to the General Assembly, the department of Legislative Services, has released…

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April 15, 2024
Read more about the article 2024 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2024 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 446th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for many services at every level of government. Despite the budgetary limitations, many policy issues received a full debate, with many resolutions arising from the 90-day annual process. MACo’s legislative…

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April 12, 2024
Read more about the article 2024 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning and Zoning
Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
2024 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 2024 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 10, 2024
Read more about the article 2024 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks and Recreation
County News / MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation
2024 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks and Recreation

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on parks and recreation policy in the 2024 General Assembly session.  County government parks and recreation departments provide a range of public recreation programs for all population segments and maintain a large network of open spaces throughout Maryland. MACo’s advocacy seeks to support the efforts of county parks and recreation by urging state and federal funding support and defending local determination of priorities in parks…

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April 10, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Request Guidance on Building Performance Standards
MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning
Counties Request Guidance on Building Performance Standards

On April 2, 2024, Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of SB 1033- Maryland Building Performance Standards - Local Requests for Guidance - Religious Considerations. This bill requires the Department of Labor, on the request of a county, to provide guidance on the implementation and enforcement of the Maryland Building Performance Standards in relation to any religious observance, practice, or belief. From MACo Testimony: As the unit…

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April 3, 2024
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