Public Information and Ethics Archives

PIA Compliance Board Recommends 3 Legislative Changes in Annual Report

During the last two meetings of the Maryland Public Information Act Compliance Board (PIACB) three recommendations were made by the body for statutory changes to the PIA and the scope of authority for the PIACB. The PIACB reviews and resolves complaints related to disputes that arise under the Public Information Act in Maryland. This is a 5-member independent body that regularly sees the type of disputes that come up as well as how the nature…

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October 9, 2025

Understanding Ethics in Public Service: Conflicts, Compliance, and Accountability

Attendees learned about ethics in local government as part of the Academy of Excellence in Local Governance. Moderator: The Honorable Todd Ireland, Commissioner, Vice President, Calvert County Speaker: Todd Turner, Esq., Executive Director, Office of Ethics and Accountability, Prince Georges County In any organization, trust is the foundation of effective leadership and citizen confidence. But trust isn't built overnight, it requires ethical behavior, transparency, and accountability from all public officials and employees. Officials fill out the…

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August 20, 2025

County Government and Structure / Public Information and Ethics / Summer Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Academy for Excellence Attendees Hone Skills for Conducting Effective Public Meetings

Participants in the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance refined their knowledge of the proper use of rules and protocol during public meetings, especially virtual hearings, to ensure public trust and engagement. Council and Commission meetings are the backbone of local government in Maryland and are one of the primary ways residents can share their opinions and concerns, oversee government business, and understand the use of taxpayer dollars. These are also run by individuals who…

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August 19, 2025

Government Liability and Courts / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Public Information and Ethics / Risk Management

County Attorneys Focus on Building Respect and Collaboration With State Agencies

County attorneys shared time with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Planning, and Maryland Supreme Court members during the 2025 MACo County Attorneys Affiliate Conference. The Maryland Association of County Civil Attorneys, also known as the MACo County Attorneys Affiliate, hosted their 2025 County Attorneys Conference at Turf Valley Resort in Howard County with a full agenda. Affiliate President Roscoe Leslie, Worcester County Attorney, welcomed…

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May 22, 2025

Business Affairs / County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Energy / Environment / Feature / Finance and Procurement / General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Labor / MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation / Pensions & Public Funds / Planning and Zoning / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works

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

MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Information and Ethics

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on public information and ethics policies in the 2025 General Assembly session. County governments gather and maintain public information as part of their various functions. Compliance with federal and state public information mandates and guidelines is paramount. This responsibility and others are maintained with a standard of ethics in all government practices and priorities throughout Maryland’s county governments’ administrative agencies and legislative bodies. Through its…

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April 9, 2025

MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

Safeguarding Records During Pending Litigation is a Must

On February 11, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Health and Government Operations Committee in support of HB 821 – Public Information Act – Denials – Pending Litigation. This bill provides reasonable standards for a local custodian of records to deny inspection of documents when a Public Information Act request is for materials that could be consequential to current or reasonably pending legislation. Representatives of the Office of the Attorney General suggested bill amendments…

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February 12, 2025

MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

Counties Back Digital Solution to Meet Legal Notice Requirements

On January 22, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Judiciary Committee in support of HB 74 - Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice - Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper in General Circulation - Digital Newspapers. This bill authorizes a county that does not have a qualifying newspaper for certain legal advertisements or notices, to publish the required information in a comparable digital format to maintain compliance with state law. MACo supports the reasonable…

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January 23, 2025

County News / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management / Winter Conference

How to Protect Public Trust Through Clear Communication at #MACoCon

At the 2024 Winter MACoCon, an expert panel explored how county employees can build sustainable public trust through consistent communication. Establishing public trust is crucial to ensuring the public heeds government officials during a crisis. The panelists in this session were: Anna L. Sierra, Chief Development Officer | Legislative Officer, Maryland Department of Emergency Management Bryan P. Sears, Government Reporter, Maryland Matters Scott Peterson, Manager, Media Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Office of the County Executive, Montgomery County With participating moderator, The…

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December 19, 2024

County News / News You Can Use / Public Information and Ethics / Winter Conference

An Overview of MD’s Public Information Act at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees received expert guidance on Maryland's Public Information Act and best practices for handling those requests. The session, led by Lisa Kershner, Maryland's Public Access Ombudsman, explored what types of information should be released to the public upon request and offered best practices to navigate common challenges. Attendees gained valuable insights into the requirements of the PIA and learned practical strategies for managing public records requests effectively and in compliance…

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December 17, 2024