The nomination period for those interested in joining an MML standing committee is open! Do you have a passion for helping to plan the Summer Conference? How about engaging our members, or being involved in the advocacy side of operations? Our Conference Planning Committee, Engagement & Outreach Committee, and Legislative Committee are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 year.
Board of Directors Nominations are now being solicited for the 2025-2026 MML Board of Directors for both At-Large voting positions (10) and President-Elect, all of whom are elected by a majority and announced at the 2025 Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 24th at the MML Summer Conference. Completed applications are now being accepted and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 30th, 2025, with no exceptions.
Tuesday at the MML Summer Conference presents a golden opportunity for municipal staff to register for a single day where you can take in a variety of workshops specifically designed for local government professionals. This year’s Municipal Tuesday includes access to the following educational sessions:
Don’t miss out. Municipal Tuesday Registration starts today!
Check out our MD Municipal Careers Job Board featured employment opportunity from the Town of Boonsboro.
To post your opportunities or to see what is available visit the MD Municipal Career Job Board.
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.
Maryland’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulation is in effect. Did you know that buildings 35,000 square feet and larger (excluding the parking garage area) are “covered” by the regulation and need to comply? The goal is for covered buildings to efficiently achieve net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Efficient net-zero direct emissions buildings improve comfort, resilience, and reliability, and provide savings on energy costs compared to old, inefficient buildings.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
MML's most useful conference tool is LIVE. The MML App is your key to staying in the know and in the moment.
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.
As introduced, SB 215 dealt with details of the operations and permitting of cannabis on-site consumption facilities and cannabis events. This provided substantial local authority over the operation of these facilities and events. However, significant amendments in the Senate committee removed or altered most of the provisions of the bill as introduced.
One of the new elements revisited a hotly-debated issue from prior legislative discussions: the distance between dispensaries as well as dispensaries and sensitive properties such as schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, libraries, parks, and places of worship. Current law sets these minimum distances at 1,000 feet between dispensaries and at least 500 feet between dispensaries and the above listed sensitive properties. However, through an ordinance, local governments are permitted to increase the distance between dispensaries to one-half mile or reduce the distances between a dispensary and those sensitive properties.
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.
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).
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.
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.
