On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Economic Matters Committee on HB 993 - Real Property - Short-Term Rentals.  MACo submits this Letter of Information on legislation clarifying that tenants may offer a leased property as a short-term rental, while reaffirming local authority to regulate these uses and prevent abusive practices such as “AirBnB arbitrage.” As counties and the General Assembly continue advancing major housing initiatives—including…

On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 779 - Natural Resources - Riverine Siting and Design Criteria - Requirements.  The bill establishes new standards for the design and siting of state and county capital projects located within the 500-year river floodplain. In doing so, it would substantially expand the scope and responsibilities of the Coast Smart Council—an entity previously focused on coastal,…

On February 24, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 829 - Land Use - Multifamily Developments and Mixed-Use Developments - Authorization (Bring Back Main Street Act).  As drafted, the bill would override county adequate public facilities ordinances (APFOs) and other growth management tools by effectively requiring that any commercial or recreational parcel served by public water and sewer—regardless of available system capacity—be…