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…

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…

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…

On March 10, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 733 – Land Use - Definitions and Boards of Appeals.  As drafted, the bill would totally upend the current residential development process by dramatically expanding the universe of veto points for development projects. Under this proposed framework, housing production in Maryland would likely grind to a complete stop. This legislation would significantly expand the scope…

On March 10, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1411 – Data Center Planning and Transparency Act.  This bill requires large-scale data center operators to report their environmental and resource impacts to to certain State and local agencies and and mandates that each jurisdiction with over 10,000 residents create formal plans for managing these facilities by 2027. In doing so, it establishes…

On March 6, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1296 - Preliminary Subdivision and Site Plans - Safe School Route Reports - Requirement with amendments.  This bill places certain requirements on residential projects which may contribute to the population of students walking to schools. Safe walking and biking routes to school are a shared priority for local governments, families, and school systems across Maryland. HB…

On March 5, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1221 - Public Safety - Short-Term Rental Units - Fire Safety (Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Short-Term Rental Fire Safety Act) with amendments.  This bill advances a straightforward and important goal: ensuring that short–term rental units meet baseline, common-sense fire safety expectations—clear egress information, functional smoke alarms, and readily available extinguishers. Short-term rentals have rapidly emerged as…

On March 5, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1259 - Zoning Authorities - Operation of Family Child Care Homes - Prohibitions and Requirements with amendments. This bill limits local jurisdictions’ ability to regulate the siting of family child care homes and large family child care homes within residential neighborhoods. While counties certainly share the objective of expanding access to affordable, reliable child care in…