The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a $100m Notice of Funding Opportunity, utilizing a 10% set-aside from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator. The funding can be utilized to repair and replace existing, but non-operational, EV charging infrastructure. Non-functional or broken EV charger sites will be limited to those listed in the Alternative Fuels Station Locator and are at publicly accessible locations. Before releasing the NOFO, FHWA identified 6,200 chargers that met its standards of being temporarily unavailable and eligible for this program. Approximately 130 charging sites in Maryland meet this definition as of today (see afdc.energy.gov).

Local governments are directly eligible to apply. A single applicant may receive multiple awards from this program and USDOT expects to fund the vast majority of eligible projects submitted. FHWA strongly encourages applicants to streamline submissions and include as many eligible locations in a single application as possible.

Nearly every Maryland municipality received State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021. Roughly a year from now every municipal recipient will need to have obligated those funds or risk having to return that funding to the U.S. Treasury.

A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows that nearly 50% of local governments had not obligated SLFRF funds as of March 31, 2023. The Maryland Municipal League cannot stress enough the urgency to obligate and spend these funds, especially with the need to pass FY2025 budgets by June 30, 2024. 

The 2024 theme, 'Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation,' aims to spotlight communities bolstering democratic processes, through innovations such as making it easier to vote, engage in community affairs, and participate in leadership roles.

Mark your calendar! The deadline for optional letters of intent to apply is December 14, 2023, and final applications must be submitted by February 13, 2024. In March 2024, we'll announce the top 20 finalists who will have the opportunity to convene in Denver, CO from June 7-9, 2024, to showcase their community's achievements at the All-America City Award event. Don't miss your chance to shine on this national stage!

For additional information, watch this informational webinar and download the application.

The State of Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) has unveiled a new federal fund mapping service. Maryland municipalities can submit infrastructure projects or priorities to the fund mapping service through the Project Intake Form and receive tailored information on relevant Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) programs. If your municipality has additional questions, or would like to learn more, please contact the MTAP team at [email protected].

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 

•     A possible new standard for employment liability under Title VII;
•     Whether a public official’s social media account can constitute state action for the purposes of the First Amendment;
•     Whether the Supreme Court should overrule Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which relates to deference that courts should provide administrative agencies; and
•     Whether firearm regulations prohibiting individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders violate the Second Amendment

Full details

Our offices may have moved but our phone numbers remain the same. Reaching an MML team member is as easy as calling 410-295-9100. And our new automated system helps connect you to anyone on our team.

If you're still getting used to the new names of our departments, here's a little cheat sheet

Cyberthreats are not only real, they are constant. Local governments are targeted over 1,600 times a week by potential cyber threats. As local government leaders, you are entrusted with sensitive data and a limited budget for IT and preventing cyberthreats.

Meet with MML exclusive cybersecurity partner, VC3, to assess your vulnerabilities and learn how to protect your community.

The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance

This certificate program, a sponsorship between MML, MACo, LGIT and the University of Maryland, is the cornerstone of MML’s professional development offerings. Those attending the Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference will be able to receive Academy elective credits if they attend any of the following sessions:

• Supporting an Energy Efficient Community 
• Defining Housing Supply 
• Traffic Calming, Road Diets and Speed Management: Moving to Pedestrian Safety 
• Main Street Partnerships: Your Path to Downtown Revitalization
• Taking a Kaleidoscope Approach to Leading Inclusively
• Social Media and Your Town 
• Fighting Hate for Good: How to Speak up Against the Rising Tide of Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism

All registered attendees may attend any Academy core or elective course. If you’re not currently an Academy Fellow, you have 30-days from the course’s date to enroll and still receive credit.  An Academy representative will be available onsite, at the conference, Monday and Tuesday.

If you've been curious about the League's new member portal, MD CommUnity, no better time than the present to get all the information you need to dive in. Two resources available to get you started:

• Our video tutorial highlights the portal's main features

• Our FAQ explains some of the nuances of signing in and why MD CommUnity is a tool you need to add to your resources to make the most of your League membership

For assistance logging into MD CommUnity, contact Sharon Easton, Manager, Member Experience.

Maryland Municipal League Approves 2024 General Assembly Priorities 

The deadline for submitting workshop proposals for the Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference has been extended to October 10, 2023. Proposals can be submitted via the Workshop Proposal Form .

MML’s Conference Planning Committee will begin reviewing workshop proposals for the 2024 Summer Conference beginning October 15 and is focused on generating a program that covers the diverse array of opportunities and challenges facing the state’s municipal leaders. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Stacie Spragins or Tom Reynolds.

Have you graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance? Continue your learning, sign up today for the next Academy Graduate course, ”Tackling Leadership Challenges Creatively”. This course , open to Academy graduates only, will be held on October 17 in conjunction with the MML Fall Conference in College Park.

Still checking off your core class requirements? Don’t miss the three Academy core options being offered in College Park.  

• Municipal Budgeting
• Effective Meetings
• Ethics

You must be registered for the conference and pre-registered for the graduate course to participate. 

The League wishes to thank and bid a fond farewell to MML’s Director of Publications and Events, Patricia Foss-Bennie. Patty will be departing MML later this month to join the world of the retired. During her tenure, the League has seen record conference attendance and record exhibit numbers, earned several international awards, and revamped the member magazine. While we will miss a great colleague and dear friend, we wish Patty all the best in her new ventures ahead. 

If you're still trying to decide if this year's Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference sessions fit your needs, here's some insight to move you closer to snagging one of the few available spots remaining.

Register 
Program

What new benefits can you bring to your city or town? Connect with thought leaders of infrastructure, insurance, technology, medical, sustainability, parking enforcement, and more at the MML Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference, October 15-17, 2023 in College Park, MD.

Share with the experts what your community needs and learn face-to-face about the products and services that can make it happen.

Visit with:

We're the new kid on the block! MML's new offices are located on 47 State Circle, the center of Maryland governance.

The Maryland Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) has announced a new webinar: Blending ARPA CLFRF & IIJA and the new ARPA CLFRF Interim Final Rule to take place on September 13, 2023 from 12:00-1:00pm EST. This webinar will provide an overview of:

• Methods available to leverage Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) to successfully pursue Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) opportunities. 
• A re-introduction to the IIJA. 
• The 2023 ARPA CLFRF Interim Final Rule (IFR), including new expenditure categories, and the limited impact of the new IFR for municipalities who designated their entire award under the standard allowance for revenue loss.

A limited number of rooms remain available for our Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference. The Hotel at University of Maryland will honor MML's special discounted rate until September 15.

Know Before You Go

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.