The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on school and capital facilities policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Counties are key partners in delivering and maintaining modern, safe, and well-equipped school facilities, which are essential to student success. Through shared funding responsibilities with the State, county governments invest heavily in school construction and renovation, often making up a significant portion of local capital budgets. Through its advocacy, MACo works to ensure…

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1430 – Maryland Public Charter School Program - School Facilities - Funding with amendments. This bill, starting in fiscal year 2028, requires the Governor to include funds in the annual budget for the maintenance and operations of public charter schools. Additionally, it mandates those funds to be distributed directly to the charter school rather than through the local…

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1329 – Education - Public School Construction - Funding.  This bill seeks to adjust the State’s funding requirement for public school construction beginning in fiscal year 2027. It increases the annual minimum contribution for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by almost $100M. While this would still be about $75M less than what the Interagency Commission on School Construction…

On February 25, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko gave in person testimony on behalf of Sarah Sample on HB 870 - Maryland Building Performance Standards - Energy Conservation Requirements (Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act) in support with amendments.  This bill requires new county buildings, that are subject to the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) as set by the Maryland Department of the Environment, to comply with new minimum standards set forth in HB 870.…

On February 18, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 158 - Counties - Construction of Sidewalks and Crosswalks - Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools.  While well-intentioned, this bill would place a costly mandate on county governments to carry out new state policies to create sidewalks and crosswalks as alternative routes for all public-school students. MACo does not raise policy objections…

On February 12, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted written testimony to the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 394 – Counties - Construction of Sidewalks and Crosswalks - Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools.  This bill would mandate county boards of education to, each year, identify and publish safe walking routes for students who do not qualify for transportation services. It also mandates that county governments review these reports and construct…