The Maryland Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recently issued a memorandum clarifying how state and local law enforcement officers must operate when working alongside federal agencies. The OAG’s “Maryland Law Enforcement Standards When Working with Federal Agents” (October 2025) establishes clear expectations that Maryland officers remain fully bound by state law—even during joint operations or federal task forces. The guidance is intended to help departments avoid conflicts between state and federal standards and maintain community trust. Among other things, the OAG memo outlines what officers must do, may do, and must not do when participating in joint operations, covering areas such as:

• Use-of-force and de-escalation standards;

Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources has opened two grant programs that municipalities can use to strengthen greenspace, engage residents, and advance environmental goals.

The Greenspace Equity Program Appraisal Funding Grants cover the costs of property appraisals in underserved and overburdened communities, helping towns and cities take the first step toward acquiring land for new parks, trails, and green spaces. A total of $120,000 is available, with applications due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Join us Friday, August 1 for a timely panel series tackling Maryland’s most urgent energy and climate challenges. Hear directly from legislators, experts, and local leaders as they dive into the rising cost of energy, who it’s impacting most, and the solutions being put into action. Also, be there to learn how communities across the state are securing funding for climate projects and building strategies for long-term resilience. 

For a closer look at what’s in store, check out the full Summer Symposium agenda below

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development invites applications for grants to provide strong rural communities the leadership and technical know-how to keep growing.

The funding is being made available through the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This program awards grants to qualified intermediary organizations to deliver financial and technical assistance that helps recipients build capacity to carry out projects related to housing, community facilities, and community and economic development.

MML’s most engaged members have reached the end of this year’s Banner City/Town journey and have earned their Banner City/Town designation. MML’s oldest ambassador program is a guidepost for members to make the most of their MML membership as these municipalities have done.

Congratulations to MML's 2025 Banner Cities and Towns:

Bel Air, Berwyn Heights, Bladensburg, Brentwood, Brunswick, Cheverly, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Denton, District Heights, Edmonston, Emmitsburg, Frederick, Friendsville, Frostburg, Gaithersburg, Glenarden, Greenbelt, Hagerstown, Hampstead, Hebron, Hyattsville, Keedysville, Kensington, La Plata, Laurel, Leonardtown, Middletown, Mount Airy, Mount Rainier, New Carrollton, North Beach, North Brentwood, Preston, Rising Sun, Rockville, Seat Pleasant, Sykesville, Takoma Park, Taneytown, Thurmont, Union Bridge, Upper Marlboro, Westminster, Williamsport

If you want everyone to enjoy what is so special about your municipality, chapter or department, join Bel Air, Frederick, Hagerstown, Ocean City, Pocomoke City, and the Municipal Police Executive Association (PEA) for Municipal Tuesday’s MML Main Street event, an exclusive member municipality showcase opportunity.

Registration for the MML Main Street event includes:

Time is running out you to take advantage of Municipal Tuesday, your opportunity to have a full conference experience in one day.

Tuesday, June 24, at the MML Summer Conference is crafted with municipal professionals in mind. It is truly a full conference experience in one day and focused on celebrating municipalities and the staff who support them. Plan to join us on Municipal Tuesday and learn alongside the elected officials who you assist daily.

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

If your municipality has completed all of the Banner City/Town criteria, we want to celebrate your designation.

The spring issue of the National Civic Review explores the evolving infrastructure of democracy and belonging — from dinner tables to city halls. Articles examine how shared meals foster social connection, how local governments are reforming electoral systems and police oversight through public deliberation, and how communities are combining citizen assemblies with participatory budgeting. 

Contributors also highlight the civic muscle behind effective citizen engagement, discuss the seven principles for impactful citizens’ assemblies in practice, and reflect on the civic virtue of committing to a place. Together, these stories illuminate how communities are revitalizing democracy from the ground up.

Explore the online edition of NCR, made possible by the National Civic League. Access it here.

f you want to spotlight what is special about your municipality, chapter or department, join Bel Air, Frederick, Hagerstown, Ocean City, Pocomoke City, and the Municipal Police Executive Association (PEA) for Municipal Tuesday’s MML Main Street event, an exclusive member municipality showcase opportunity.

Registration for the MML Main Street event includes:

Tuesday, June 24, at the MML Summer Conference is crafted with municipal professionals in mind. It is truly a full conference experience in one day and focused on celebrating municipalities and the staff who support them. Plan to join us on Municipal Tuesday and learn alongside the elected officials who you assist daily.

Municipal Tuesday Registration is now open. At $150 for one day, it is the most cost-effective way for municipal professionals to attend our conference, connect with colleagues, and attend workshops specifically designed with the local government professional in mind.

Your registration includes:

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:

• Maryland’s AI Roadmap
• Beyond Borders: Regional Collaboration for a Thriving Maryland, Virginia & Delaware
• Safe Streets, Stronger Communities: Advancing Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Through Local Innovation
• Revitalizing Downtowns: Leveraging Vacancy Tracking for Development
• Adopting a Strategic Approach to Code Compliance
• Empowering Municipal Governance with Artificial Intelligence: A Practical Guide for Officials

Don’t miss out.  Municipal Tuesday Registration starts today!

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.

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

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

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.

Join us Tuesday, June 24 as we celebrate Maryland's municipalities and the staff who support them. Municipal Tuesday offers a full conference experience in a single day with multiple ways for staff to attend at an exclusive rate It's the most cost-effective way for municipal professionals to attend our conference.

The day consists of:

MML’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a city/town elected or staff official with a strong record of service to MML and the cities and towns of Maryland. Criteria considered include:

• Participation on MML committees
• Participation on the MML Board of Directors
• Active involvement with the local League chapter
• Demonstration of outstanding service to Maryland municipal government

 The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at MML’s summer conference in Ocean City, June 22-25.  Nominees can be current or former municipal officials. The deadline to nominate is April 15.