The winter issue of the National Civic Review examines how local democracy is being reshaped in response to declining trust, deepening divisions, and rapid technological change. From the role of community foundations and bridging institutions to new models of local governance, civic dialogue in schools, and the emerging implications of artificial intelligence, contributors explore what democracy actually looks like on the ground today. Together, these pieces highlight the evolving practices, leadership, and cultural forces shaping more inclusive, responsive, and resilient communities.

MML staff testified in opposition to HB 203 which would generally prohibit employers from entering into training repayment agreements with their employees as a condition of employment, with some exceptions. Training repayment agreements allow employers to pay for job training for employees but requires them to stay with the employer for a certain time period, otherwise the employee would be obligated to repay a portion of the cost of the training. When done properly these types of agreements benefit both the employer and the employee; the employee receives on the job training at a subsidized cost while the employer sees a return on the investment they made in their human talent. Eliminating this tool will remove the incentive for municipal governments to offer this fringe benefit.

For questions, please contact Bill Jorch: [email protected]

MML is thrilled to announce that we are seeking to sponsor League members with under 5,000 population for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Circuit Rider Manager Program who do not already have a sponsor entity. This program allows small municipalities to form regional circuits and share a manager/administrator to assist your municipality. Instead of seeking out partners and sponsors, MML will now step in to fulfill this role on behalf of your municipality.

MML will host a webinar to go into further detail about this opportunity on February 13, at noon. Please register here.

Last week, MML staff testified before the House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in strong support of HB 99, a bill vital to ensuring that cities and towns have the final say in how their newly annexed land is developed. The legislation is sponsored by Delegate Schindler, a former municipal official from Hagerstown, Maryland.

Under current law, municipalities often face a "zoning freeze" after an annexation, regularly referred to as “The 5-year Rule.” Even when a town has a clear, community-vetted comprehensive plan, they are frequently barred from implementing higher-density or different land uses for five years unless they receive express permission from the county.

Strong communities don’t happen by chance - they’re built through shared purpose and trusted relationships. To serve residents at the highest level, we rely on businesses, associations, and experts who bring insight, innovation, and experience. Our members are always looking ahead, and through your partnership, they gain guidance, build lasting connections, and turn solutions into real impact.

MML's Legislative Committee, made up of municipal elected officials and staff from around the State, has been busy reviewing General Assembly legislation that impact municipal governments. For a full list of bills with official MML positions, please visit our website here. This page will be updated as new positions are taken by the MML Legislative Committee. For questions please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected]

MML seeks amendments to SB 64 & HB 10 in support of public notice modernization.

Last week, MML staff testified before the House Judiciary and Senate Judicial Proceedings committees in favor of a critical modernization package for SB 64 (and cross-filed HB 10).

As we prepare to launch attendee registration for the Summer Conference on March 2, it's best to make sure you have your dates correct. Check out our Summer Conference website and mark your calendars with important dates.

Deadline extended to March 5. The National Civic League invites tribes, towns, cities, counties, and regions to apply for the 2026 All-America City Award, the nation’s most prestigious community recognition. For 77 years, the award has honored communities that embody the spirit of democracy through collaboration, innovation, and civic engagement. 

2026 Theme

The MML Flickr is the official photo gallery of the League. Relive your favorite MML moments by taking a moment to scroll through our gallery. Don't forget to follow our page to make sure you're updated on new uploads from an MML event. You might see yourself on the featured highlights page.

Visit and Follow our Flickr Account

Registration for MMLCon26 opens in a month, so now is the time to prepare. With exciting things planned for the 90th celebration, you don't want to miss out.

Join us virtually on Tuesday, February 17 at noon as we provide an overview of the event registration process that will include:

As the 2026 legislative session continues, the Maryland Municipal League is actively monitoring several key bills scheduled for testimony next week. To ensure the municipal perspective is accurately represented in the record, we are inviting member cities and towns to submit written comments on the following items. These contributions are vital to documenting the local impact of proposed state policy before the committees of jurisdiction. 

The specific bills and their respective hearing dates are listed below:  

On Wednesday, January 21, Governor Wes Moore formally introduced his budget bills (SB 282/HB 390 & SB 284/HB 392) for the State of Maryland’s 2027 fiscal year. See our municipal analysis below.

Calling all municipal leaders: Join us for an unforgettable day of civic engagement on March 5, 2026.