This year's MML summer conference is jam packed from end to end with quality learning opportunities that no local government official will want to miss.  The conference kicks off on Sunday, June 22 with the Consensus & Teambuilding Academy core class and includes timely sessions on local government Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans to ensure essential functions during and after emergency situations, as well as a wrap up of the recently-completed 2025 General Assembly session.

And don't leave early, as Wednesday, June 25 is chock full of essential education activities ranging from social media best practices to building resilience in the face of a changing climate. There's also a new "Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments Through Entrepreneurial Thinking" Bay Stage talk.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience one of the Mobile Tours offered at #MMLCon25

Public Speaking for Public Safety Professionals
Crownsville GOCPP Main Office
Monday, May 19, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

We are nearing the end of the 2025 Banner City/Town year. Based on 2024 summer conference and 2024 fall conference attendance, our records indicate that 90 municipalities remain in contention for a 2025 designation. Now is the time to ensure that your city/town makes it to the finish line to receive recognition for your engagement in the League. 

We are excited to announce that all Banner Cities and Towns will be recognized in this year's Closing General Session at the summer conference. At our Closing Session we will shine the light on our most engaged municipalities. Those obtaining the 2025 designation will be provided closing session details closer to the summer conference.

The Maryland Municipal League’s Hall of Fame honors current or former municipal officials (living or deceased) that have served 20 years or more as a municipal elected official. 

Submissions are now open for those eligible elected officials to join the 276 municipal Hall of Famers who have 20 or more years of service.

On Tuesday, April 22, HB 322 was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore and went into effect immediately.

This session, MML worked with Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegate Greg Wims to introduce legislation in response to the State Board of Elections' (SBE) declaration in the fall of 2024 that SBE does not have the legal authority to enter agreements with municipalities to lease voting equipment or provide other support. Those bills were Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 322.

Across Maryland, several unincorporated communities have taken the first steps to becoming official towns and cities, seeking ways to expand community and services to often neglected areas. However, efforts are derailed by the unfair web of state laws and county power that make incorporation a steep uphill battle. What is the solution? Learn about one such community in this recent article which has inspired recent legislation.

Read full article here

With the 2025 General Assembly session recently concluded, it is now time to start thinking about Legislative Action Requests (LAR) for next year!

Is there a legislative matter that your municipality, chapter, or department would like to see considered as an MML Legislative Priority for the 2026 Legislative session? Submit the 2026 LAR form by May 30, with governing body approval needed by July 1.

Important: April 18 - Deadline for Hotel Room Occupant Information

• If you have reserved multiple hotel rooms under one name, you must provide actual names of the occupants of those rooms by April 18
• If multiple rooms held under one name remain after April 18, they will be cancelled with no refunds
• If the occupants of those rooms are not yet determined, assign a unique name and update later

As the April 30 ARPA SLFRF reporting deadline approaches, the Maryland Technical Assistance Program (MTAP), on behalf of the Department of Budget and Management, will host a webinar on the 2025 ARPA Project and Expenditure Reporting Overview. The webinar will be held on Thursday April 10, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST and will include updates on reporting requirements connected to the obligation deadline in addition to a general overview of reporting requirements.

Note that these reports to the U.S. Treasury are critical as not submitting a report on the use of SLFRF funding is an immediate flag for a recoupment notice.

Congratulations to our member municipalities who have an essay contest winner: 

Berlin, Capitol Heights, Church Hill, Grantsville, Hagerstown, Middletown, Mount Airy, Rising Sun

In partnership with Maryland Municipal League, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is pleased to provide free technical assistance to Delmarva municipalities interested in addressing local water resources concerns. The Alliance can work with participating towns to: access resource concerns on public lands, create a plan summarizing potential mitigation projects and next steps, provide a list of possible funding sources for green infrastructure implementation, connect towns with implementation partners and more. All Delmarva towns within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are encouraged to apply with this simple intake form.

This session, MML worked with Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegate Greg Wims to introduce legislation in response to the State Board of Elections' (SBE) declaration in the fall of 2024 that SBE does not have the legal authority to enter agreements with municipalities to lease voting equipment or provide other support. Those bills were Senate Bill 88 and House Bill 322.

House Bill 322 received its final vote for passage around 8:30 p.m. on the final day of session, Sine Die. As emergency legislation, this new law will go into effect as soon as it is signed by the Governor. As amended, the bill also shortens the amount of lead time required to join the State ballot from 18 months to 9 months.

Legislation that delays the implementation of the State's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act (FAMLI) also known as the Time to Care Act (HB 102) has passed through the Maryland General Assembly. The legislation delays aspects of the FAMLI program by 18 months, including the start of mandatory employer and employee contributions (from July 1, 2025 to January 1, 2027) and the start of benefits (from July 1, 2026 to a date to be determined by the Department of Labor between January 1, 2027 and January 3, 2028). 

In addition, an amendment pushed by MML exempts municipal governments from escrowing payments during the pre-funding period prior to benefits starting that could be up to 12 months (January 1, 2027 through January 3, 2028) if that municipal government plans to utilize an equivalent private insurance plan (EPIP). 

The 2025 Maryland General Assembly session concluded with significant legislative actions aimed at addressing a $3.3 billion budget deficit and preparing for potential federal funding cuts. The Administration and legislature implemented a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, including new taxes on high-income individuals, IT services, capital gains, recreational cannabis, and sports betting, generating $1.6 billion in revenue and resulting in $2 billion in cuts while maintaining a $2.1 billion rainy day fund. Key legislative accomplishments included a comprehensive energy package promoting diverse energy sources and providing rebates for electric ratepayers, $25 million in abortion support funding, a permanent subsidy program for young adult health insurance, expanded prescription drug price controls, and increased opportunities for sentencing reconsideration and criminal record expungement. Additionally, lawmakers established a commission to study reparations for slavery and approved new liability caps for sexual abuse cases. Finally, a new legislative panel will monitor federal developments to safeguard Maryland's economic stability, particularly given its reliance on federal jobs and contracts. 

For more information on legislation directly impacting municipalities, join MML on April 23 at noon for a "Lunch and Learn: Legislative Wrap Up" webinar on the Maryland General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session. Registration and more information is available here.

Ready to get the most out of the MML app? Join MML staff virtually on May 6 at noon for a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the app during our Lunch and Learn: Navigating the MML App.

The Maryland Municipal League is delighted to see so many familiar faces returning to our award winning expo hall this summer. Often called a "one stop shop", 250+ exhibitors provide solutions for all municipal needs.

Thank them for their ongoing support.