On October 20, MML Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Angelica Bailey Thupari presented before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee during two briefings examining potential changes to Maryland's civil liability laws. The briefings focused on the state's cap on noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, and the distinction between contributory and comparative negligence. MML emphasized the importance of maintaining existing legal protections for municipalities, highlighting how changes could increase liability exposure, drive up insurance and settlement costs, and place additional strain on municipal budgets and essential public services.

MML will continue working with legislators to ensure municipal perspectives are considered as these issues are evaluated ahead of the 2027 legislative session. 

2026 marks the 90th year anniversary of the Maryland Municipal League's founding and brought with it our fourth independent research study "Funding Our Communities: Local Revenue Reforms to Meet Today's Needs." The League's 2026 research partner is the Maryland Center on Economic Policy (MDCEP), a leading and respected firm based in our largest municipality, Baltimore City. The study is another example of the League leveraging external relationships to produce content-rich deliverables which will further League and member municipality advocacy and public policy goals.

The study's focus was to provide viable options which could become new revenue streams for local governments and supporting data to back those options. While the study does recommend certain options which are solely the recommendations of MDCEP, the underlying data and context from other states has proven credibility and of incredible value to leaders in Maryland. As with past MML studies, the League and its members are able to use portions of the report in legislative testimony, fiscal note responses, and in your council chambers.

The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures held its fourth meeting on October 2, to discuss various revenue sources, including retail delivery fees, municipal hotel tax, food and beverage tax, and other proposals. The Task force also reviewed general local tax rates.

The next meeting, scheduled for October 30, is set to discuss further revenue options, including local sales tax. The agenda and live view link will be hosted here in the days prior to the meeting.

Get Ready For Municipal Government Works Month in November

November is the time to highlight how municipal government enhances the quality of life of its residents and all Marylanders.

The Banner City/Town Program bestows formal recognition each year to cities and towns that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to MML programs and activities. This program serves as a guidepost on how to make the most of your MML membership.

If a representative from your municipality attended the summer conference, your journey continues for your 2027 Banner City/Town designation.

Have a question about the Excellence in Leadership Conference? Need assistance with conference registration?

Contact our Attendee Support team, partnered through Conference Direct, to assist you with your event registration needs. 

Experience our Mobile Tours, crafted to inspire knowledge sharing and highlight initiatives municipal leaders can replicate in their own communities. Mobile tours are hosted on Wednesday, December 2, in conjunction with the MML Excellence in Leadership Conference.

Fells Point & Harbor East Walking Tour: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The regular rate for the Excellence in Leadership Conference ends on October 30. Register at the regular rate while there's still time. By securing your registration, you would have the opportunity to:

Connect with fellow municipal staff and elected officials in Baltimore City for the first time in decades.

The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) has updated its process for collecting and publishing municipal election information, including upcoming election dates and results, as required by State law. SBE has provided a document outlining the new process, summarizing recently enacted reporting requirements, and explaining how municipalities can submit their information through its new online reporting portal. That document can also be found here.

Contact Erin Hustings, SBE Voting Registration Administrator, at [email protected] with questions.

The Georgetown Law Center for Innovations in Community Safety (CICS) has developed Election Protection Guidance for local law enforcement executives and key election stakeholders. The guide is non-partisan, written to distill existing guidance for easy use, and provides a high-level overview of election protection. The guide also links to several additional resources with detailed recommendations and state specific information. The guide is linked above, and is designed for current and future elections.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss the guide with CICS, contact Bree Spencer at [email protected] or to Susan Bayles at [email protected].

The Maryland Energy Administration is pleased to announce the Energy Challenge Grant program to award competitive grants to whichever entities propose the most promising and innovative solutions to address a specific problem. 

Join the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) on October 22 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. for a conversation on this funding opportunity for the Energy Challenge Program.

Municipal leaders consistently pursue education and learn how to be stronger leaders. Partnering with the University of Maryland Institute for Public Leadership, Maryland Association of Counties and our insurance pool, Local Government Insurance Trust, our most recent Academy for Excellence in Local Governance graduates have been announced and we ask you to celebrate alongside our members. The celebration of our graduates will continue during the Excellence in Leadership Conference this December.

Join the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) on October 22 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for a webinar highlighting programs, resources, and technical assistance available to help Maryland communities and building owners advance energy projects.

Whether you represent a local government, school, nonprofit, commercial property, or other organization, navigating energy programs and requirements doesn’t have to be scary. MEA staff will walk through several opportunities designed to support cleaner, more efficient buildings, transportation, and energy investments across Maryland.

Following the tragic loss of Denton Police Chief George Bacorn Jr. on September 25, a community, and the broader Maryland municipal family, has come together to support his family and honor his life and service.

The Maryland Municipal League's Municipal Achievement Awards are awarded annually to cities and towns that have successfully implemented policies and programs that advance good governance and the well-being of our communities. The Awards will be presented at the 2026 Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference, which will be held December 2 – 4, 2026 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.

Municipalities will be recognized in four areas of governing excellence:

In accordance with Maryland law, the Office of the Attorney General has released updated guidance for interactions with immigration enforcement officials at sensitive locations operated by state and local entities. The guidance document, and more information, can be found on the OAG's "Guidance on Rights and Protections under Maryland Law" site.

Join us for the MD Two Fifty Statewide Celebration of Service as we honor Maryland’s rich cultural heritage, celebrate the diversity that makes our state strong, and recognize the power of service to build a stronger future for all. Come celebrate culture, community, service, and the many stories that make Maryland home.

Make registration easy by joining MML staff for the final round of LeadershipCon Virtual Office Hours, to be held on October 9 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Preparing for the Excellence in Leadership conference just got easier. Take a look at the sessions we’re planning as part of our conference experience.

October 8 is here, and limited tickets remain for a full day designed around the issues, skills, and conversations that matter to Maryland’s municipal leaders. The day will begin with our Statewide Candidate Forum, moderated by MML President and Town of Bladensburg Mayor, Takisha James, where invited statewide candidates including Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller will share their priorities and discuss what their vision for Maryland could mean for municipalities.

And that’s just the morning.