On January 29, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 13 – Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Public Safety Employee Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act).  This bill would expand the current income tax subtraction modification for public safety workers, including retirement income for 9-1-1 specialists. Counties enter this Session facing heightened economic uncertainty, rising costs, and growing concern about federal funding instability…

On January 27, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 78 – Property Taxes - Authority of Counties to Establish Subclasses and Set Separate Rates for Land and Improvements to Land.  This bill authorizes county governments and Baltimore City to establish subclasses of real property, separating land from improvements, and to apply different real property tax rates to each subclass. The bill provides a measured option to…

On January 27, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 176 – State Department of Assessments and Taxation and Department of General Services - Property Appraisal Aids - Geographic Images with amendments.  This bill seeks to provide SDAT with advanced digital tools to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and fairness of property assessments. Counties request amendments to reduce unnecessary costs and ensure a smooth implementation process.…

On January 27, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 294 – Personal Property Tax - Exemptions for Low Assessment - Alteration.  The bill preserves tax relief for small businesses while allowing the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to collect basic eligibility information, ensuring proper oversight without adding unnecessary burdens. HB 294 addresses a flaw in the current system. In 2022, the General…

On January 21, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 224 – Property Taxes – Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property.  This bill authorizes county governments, subject to General Assembly approval, to establish specific subclasses of commercial and industrial real property and apply a special property tax rate to support local transportation priorities and public schools.…

On January 20, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 161 – Property Tax Credit – Retail Service Station Conversions.  The bill authorizes local governments to grant a property tax credit against the county or municipal property tax when a property converts from a retail service station to another retail use, a residential use, or a mixed retail and residential use, as specified. The…