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]

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.

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 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.

Join MML and the Maryland Mayors for our inaugural Advocacy Day as we meet with state leadership, visit the State House, and attend delegation meetings.

March 6, 2025 - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Governor Calvert House, Annapolis, MD

Limited Space Available

The Maryland Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that they are proposing an 18-month delay in implementation of Maryland’s paid family and medical leave insurance program, also known as the Time to Care Act (TCA). Key new dates would be:

· January 1, 2027 – Employer/employee contributions begin for the State TCA plan

The Moore Administration's 2025 housing bill, the Housing for Jobs Act (SB 430/HB 503), will be heard by both chambers on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. This measure aims to address regional housing infrastructure gaps. Key points include:

• Mandates Housing Infrastructure Analysis: The Departments of Housing and Community Development and Planning must annually calculate and publish housing infrastructure gaps for designated regions
• Apportionment of Housing Gaps: Regional housing deficits will be divided among counties and incorporated municipalities based on their share of regional jobs
• Incentives for Housing Development: Local jurisdictions can reduce their assigned housing gap by approving new housing, particularly near rail stations and for affordable housing
• Limits on Housing Denials: Local jurisdictions must justify rejections of housing projects with clear and convincing evidence, citing specific adverse impacts or zoning restrictions
• Legal Enforcement: Developers may challenge denials in court, and courts can mandate approval if a jurisdiction is found to have improperly rejected a project
• Implementation Timeline: The law would take effect on January 1, 2026

MML's position is Support with Amendments, and will be testifying in person. If you would like to participate - either in person, virtually, or through written testimony - or you have suggestions for amendments, please contact Angelica Bailey Thupari ([email protected]). The deadline to submit testimony is this Friday, February 28 by 6 p.m. 

On Monday, Delegate Ryan Spiegel presented MML's priority legislation on local food and beverage authority to the House Ways & Means Committee. Delegate Spiegel, a past MML President, is the sponsor of HB 997, which would enable local jurisdictions to charge up to a 3% fee on food and beverages sold for on-site consumption. 

In his testimony, Delegate Spiegel highlighted the fact that local governments have limited revenue tools and are already too reliant on property taxes. He also noted Maryland receives more than 43.5 million visitors each year who use local government services but whose spending doesn't support those same services. That burden falls almost exclusively on Maryland homeowners.

MML's priority legislation SB 390, which would allow trained technicians to review speed camera images and sign the citations, passed out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday by a vote of 7-1. The next steps are for the bill to move through procedural votes on the Senate floor, expected to be this week. Meanwhile, the House cross-file bill, HB 343, is scheduled for its hearing in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Friday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Bill Jorch.

Last week, MML staff testified in the Maryland Senate and House on legislation (SB 88 / HB 322) to ensure the State Board of Elections (SBE) can continue to support municipal elections using a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This legislation is the result of conversations that took place over the fall after SBE shared a memo with county Local Boards of Elections (LBEs) that ordered them to stop supporting municipal elections beyond providing voter rolls:

MML Priority Bills Heard in Senate Last Week; Both Seek New Authority  

(February 3, 2024) Annapolis, MD. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), representing 160 local governments, testified in favor of two new local authorities last week. On Wednesday, local government leaders joined Senator Cory McCray in support of SB 324, which would enable local jurisdictions to adopt a local food and beverage fee. Later in the week, MML leadership and municipal police representatives joined Senator Will Smith in support of SB 390, which if passed, will allow non-officer staff to certify speed camera violations with appropriate training.

Stay informed and engaged.

The MML Bill Positions webpage has been updated for the 2025 legislative session. It contains up-to-date information on MML's key legislation that impacts our municipalities. You'll find bill text, information, status updates, and our organizations positions throughout session there.

MML’s priority legislation giving local jurisdictions the authority to levy a food and beverage fee, SB 324, has a hearing next week, January 29.

This bill would authorize municipalities and counties to charge up to 3% on on-site food and beverage purchases. 

One of MML's legislative priorities in 2025 is to allow trained civilians to review speed camera images and issue citations. While this bill was introduced last year, it has two new sponsors this year; Delegate Vaughn Stewart, who is the chair of the Motor Vehicle Subcommittee, and Senator Will Smith, who is the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. Recently, they formally introduced the bills, HB 343 and SB 390. In addition to these two great sponsors, Governor Moore publicly announced his support of the legislation at the MML Legislative Reception on January 8.

Next steps are the public hearings which have not yet been scheduled. For more information please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected].