The following legislation has budgetary implications for Maryland municipalities and was passed or died in the last week of the Maryland General Assembly’s 2024 session.

Budget/BRFA – SB 360/HB 350 & SB 362/HB 352 (Passed) – As passed by the Senate in early March, this year’s budget and accompanying Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) would have reduced local Highway User Revenues (HUR) in FY 26 & FY 27. MML and MACo pushed back against the need to codify those out-year reductions in this year’s budget. The House of Delegates also pushed back and identified some new revenue sources to fund transportation and education moving forward. The compromise deal resulted in an additional $350 million for the State which allows for HURs to be fully funded.  

HB 538, the Governor's Housing Expansion bill, passed with several amendments. This bill requires local jurisdictions to allow (1) new manufactured homes and modular dwellings in zones that allow single-family residential uses and (2) increased densities and uses in specified zoning areas for “qualified projects” (which include specified amounts of affordable housing). The bill prohibits a local jurisdiction from imposing unreasonable limitations or requirements on a qualified project or requiring a qualified project to be reviewed at more than a specified number of public hearings. The bill also establishes a Historic Property Revitalization Director within the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The bill takes effect January 1, 2025.

HB 693, the Governor's Renters' Rights and Stabilization bill, also passed with amendments. This measure increases the cost of filing eviction and other landlord-tenant cases in court. The bill also establishes the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs (OTLA) in the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), extends the period between granting judgment for possession in favor of a landlord and the execution of the warrant of restitution, establishes a tenant’s right of first refusal (and an exclusive negotiation period) prior to the sale of certain residential rental property, and expands the categories of eviction data that must be collected by the Judiciary and provided to DHCD.

MML’s priority legislation, HB 1281, to allow municipalities to self-designate Tourism Zones will be heard in the House Ways & Means Committee on Thursday, February 29.

Modeled off a successful program in Virginia, this MML priority bill would authorize local governments to provide an array of local tax credits or waivers to businesses that aid in expanding tourism. This program would not only bolster the ability of jurisdictions to attract and retain community-oriented businesses, especially for those that lack access to other incentive programs, but to directly expand the State’s general revenue fund and attract new visitors to Maryland.

League priority bill SB 14 has received a favorable with amendment report from the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee ahead of the important crossover deadline. The crossfile, HB 1281, has been voted out of its subcommittee and is expected to have a vote in the full House Ways and Means committee soon.

As a refresher, these bills would enable Maryland’s 157 municipalities to establish Tourism Zones, bringing in new visitors, future residents and helping to attract new tourism-related business to cities, towns, and villages across the state. For more information and a recap on the hearing, please see our press release.

On the heels of yet another $250 million revenue writedown, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee’s budget report voted on Friday, March 8 did not adopt a recommendation to cut local Highway User Revenues (HURs) to 9.6% indefinitely.

Local governments currently receive 15.6% of Highway User Revenues, 2.4% of which is dedicated to municipalities. That figure was scheduled to increase due to MML priority legislation passed a few years ago. The DLS recommended cut to 9.6% is consistent with the major cuts made in 2009 that saw municipalities receive just 0.4%.

There's still time to register to join your municipal colleagues from across the state on February 29^th for MML's inaugural Advocacy Day.

This day of connection and amplification of what's important to Maryland's municipalities includes:

As of July 1, 2024, the Maryland Department of the Environment will require all facilities conducting monitoring regulated under Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04.07.09, 26.04.07.17, 26.04.07.20 and/or 40 CFR Part 258 to analyze for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (commonly referred to as a GenX Chemical). The risk posed by exposure to PFAS is an emerging and evolving national concern. MDE is focused on:

• Understanding the risk through sampling, science, and assessment
• Communicating the risk through public information, and outreach
• Reducing unacceptable risks through appropriate funding, regulation, partnerships, and agency coordination.

MDE is focused first on determining if any locations in Maryland pose unacceptable risks to human health associated with exposures to PFAS, and whether there are locations of continuing releases of PFAS compounds.

MML’s priority legislation, House Bill 282, will be heard in the House Environment & Transportation Committee on Thursday, February 8. HB 282 enables trained municipal personnel, in addition to a law enforcement officer, to approve or deny speed camera citations – just like red-light cameras and work zone speed cameras – simply standardizing the practice of camera enforcement.

The health and safety of the citizens who live, work, and play in our communities is one of the most important responsibilities of local governments. Improving the efficacy of municipal speed camera programs will reduce administrative burdens, empower smaller municipalities, and most importantly, enhance public safety.

(January 18, 2024) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) joined Senator Michael Jackson and Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kevin Anderson at the Senate Budget and Taxation hearing, January 18, in support of Senate Bill 14. SB 14 would enable Maryland’s 157 municipalities to establish Tourism Zones, bringing in new visitors, future residents and helping to attract new tourism-related business to cities, towns, and villages across the state.

“Representing three districts with diverse needs, literally fits this bill to a tee,” opened the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jackson. “Understanding that each [municipality] has their own particular needs, our job is to – as legislators – try to meet those needs.” The bill, if successful, would allow municipalities to self-designate the boundaries of a tourism zone, to establish definitions for tourism businesses and qualifications for incentives, and to provide certain local incentives. Incentives include, but are not limited to, real property tax credits, personal property tax credits, and exemption from local Admission and Amusement tax.

MML’s priority legislation, SB 14, to allow municipalities to self-designate Tourism Zones will be heard in the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee on Thursday, January 18.

Modeled off a successful program in Virginia, this MML priority bill would authorize local governments to provide an array of local tax credits or waivers to businesses that aid in expanding tourism. This program would not only bolster the ability of jurisdictions to attract and retain community-oriented businesses, especially for those that lack access to other incentive programs, but to directly expand the State’s general revenue fund and attract new visitors to Maryland.

The following bills with municipal impact went into effect on October 1, 2023. Please contact any member of the MML Advocacy team with any questions. 

SB 310 / HB 378 - Natural Resources - Black Bear Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund – Uses 

Maryland Municipal League Approves 2024 General Assembly Priorities 

MML's Legislative Committee met three times in August to review all 20 member-submitted Legislative Action Requests (LARs) submitted in advance of the 2024 General Assembly Session. After substantial discussion, the Committee unanimously voted to recommend the following three priorities: 

1. A Speed Camera bill to allow local governments to utilize non-sworn personnel to issue a citation for speed camera violations; 
2. A bill to allow local governments to establish Tourism Zones to provide incentives to attract tourism; and,
3. Legislation establishing and supporting a statewide study on local government revenue sources.

(August 11, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns, two special taxing districts in Maryland, launched its inaugural Symposium Thursday, August 10. The first in a series of deep dives into emerging municipal issues, yesterday’s speakers tackled the recent legalization of cannabis.  

Courtesy of your MML Advocacy & Public Affairs team, here are five tips to build a solid foundation with your representatives in the Maryland General Assembly:

1. Talk to your state legislators regularly. Relationships are built in the moments between asks. Easy opportunities include making time to learn about their priorities and inviting them the community events and functions.
2. Include your legislators on municipal mailing lists so they receive regular city/town updates. This fills the gaps between your interactions, keeping you in their mind.
3. Offer them the opportunity to see firsthand achievements and challenges in your city or town. With achievements, this creates positive associations and allows them to brag about you. When challenges arise, they’ll be more ready to tell your story having seen the problem themselves.
4. Learn the cycle of their legislative schedule. Legislative Bond Initiatives can be a lifeline for your city/town. Work on your legislator’s timeline to ensure projects are ready and well supported before the General Assembly begins. The same goes for other legislative requests.
5. Publicly thank them for their support. Find ways to acknowledge their efforts both in person and in writing – including in items such as an annual report, newsletter, and other publications that go out to citizens and civic leaders.

Bonus tip: If they didn’t support your position, still thank them for consideration of your position. Your legislator may disagree with you on one issue but be a staunch supporter on another. Don’t burn the bridge you invested so much goodwill on.