Business Affairs
End of Session Update: Business Affairs

A previous post provided the status of various business affairs bills that MACo took a position on. Now that the dust has settled, this post provides the final status of these bills. Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Processors:  HB 203 would clarify that Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Kent, Somerset, Washington, and Worcester counties fall under the statewide scrap metal legislation that passed last year.  MACo supported the bill to…

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April 13, 2011
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs
Session Update: Business Affairs

This post summarizes the status of various business affairs bills that MACo took a position on. Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Processors:  HB 203 would clarify that Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Kent, Somerset, Washington, and Worcester counties fall under the statewide scrap metal legislation that passed last year.  MACo supported the bill to ensure that the new law is uniformly implemented and enforced across the State, and that prohibitions on…

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April 5, 2011
Business Affairs / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
County Issues Watch – Week of March 14-18

As the General Assembly's session has reached the two-thirds mark in days, much of the serious work remains to be done. Here we will detail issues of interest to the county community that are likely to unfold (or begin unfolding) during the week of March 14-18, 2011. Budget, Budget, Budget The House Appropriations Committee is expected to reach its budget decisions this week, likely framing the debate for the state's fiscal plan for the weeks…

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March 14, 2011
Business Affairs / Uncategorized
Bill Requires Banks to Care for Foreclosed Properties

Legislation recently introduced, HB 1337, would require banks and investment companies that foreclose on a home to pay for securing and maintaining the property.  In addition, the legislation would authorize counties and municipalities to enact a local law for the same purpose, including the authority to institute a civil penalty if the property is not being secured and maintained. According to an article in the Washington Examiner, HB 1337, sponsored by members from Prince George's…

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March 14, 2011
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs
Senate Accepts MACo Amendments to State Board of Master Electricians Bill

The Senate passed Senate Bill 235 (45-0) regarding the continuation of the State Board of Master Electricians with the amendments advocated by MACo during the bill hearing. MACo's Legislative Committee expressed concerns about study language in the original bill, that seemed very prescriptive and directed toward eliminating local licensure for electricians. The MACo-recommended amendments sought to strip out that study, and they have now been accepted by the full Senate. SB 235 would continue the…

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March 8, 2011
Business Affairs
MACo Urges Committee to Remove Study Language on Preemption of Local Electrician Boards

MACo Associate Director Andrea Mansfield testified in support of SB 235 with amendments before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on Thursday, February 17.  SB 235 would continue the State Board of Master Electricians through July 1, 2017, require the Board to adopt continuing education requirements for licensure, and require the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing of the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to convene a stakeholders group to make recommendations…

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February 17, 2011
Business Affairs / Education / Environment / Health and Human Services / Planning and Zoning
Governor O’Malley to Hold “Maryland Forward: A Series of Policy Forums”

Governor Martin O'Malley has announced the "Maryland Forward: A Series of Policy Forums,"  to generate discussion on the Governor's 15 strategic goals for Maryland. The Governor will review Maryland's accomplishments and seek input on how the State can support and expand new ideas in five major policy areas. "Maryland Forward" will consist of five policy forums on Jobs & Economy; Skills & Education; Sustainability; Children & Health; and Security. The meetings will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and include a 45…

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December 16, 2010
Business Affairs / Uncategorized
Maryland Receives $23 Million to Spur Small Business Growth

Funding made available through the federal Small Business Jobs Act will enable Maryland small businesses to expand and promote job creation. The Baltimore Sun reports that an announcement made Thursday by the U.S. Treasury and Maryland economic development officials revealed the state will be receiving $23 million dollars to promote business growth . The funding, available through an initiative of the newly enacted federal Small Business Jobs Act, is designed to leverage a total $230 million in financing…

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October 8, 2010
Business Affairs / Uncategorized
Resources for Homeowners in Condominium and Homeowners Associations

The Maryland Homeowners Association (MHA) is a non-profit, all-volunteer, nonpartisan, statewide organization that provides good governance information and supports the enactment and improvement of county and state laws protecting the rights of homeowners in condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives.  Resources found on their website include information on homeowners rights and mechanisms for resolving homeowner/association disputes.  Individuals needing assistance can also call, 301-654-9242, or email mail@marylandhomeownersassociation.info.

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June 29, 2010
Business Affairs / Uncategorized
Scrap Metal Implementation Begins

A workgroup, composed of the Maryland State Police, Baltimore City Police, Baltimore County Police, the Maryland Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, the Maryland Municipal League, and MACo, met yesterday to begin working on the implementation of the scrap metal legislation.  SB 99, which passed on the last day of the session, provides for statewide regulation of scrap metal dealers.  The Maryland State Police (MSP) is providing statewide coordination and oversight for the bill's implementation. As passed…

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April 27, 2010
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