Filtered by category: Dispatch Clear Filter

MD Municipal Careers: Featured Job Opportunity

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.

 





Read More

MML Summer Conference: Be Sure to Get There Early and Stay Late

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.

Read More

Maryland Building Energy Performance Standards Webinar

 

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. 

Read More

Governor Moore Signs Municipal Election Bill


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.


Read More

Where Have All the Cities Gone?

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.

Read full article here

Read More

Mobile Tour Registration is OPEN

Don't miss the opportunity to experience one of the Mobile Tours offered at #MMLCon25

Read More

Public Speaking for Public Safety Professionals

Public Speaking for Public Safety Professionals
Crownsville GOCPP Main Office
Monday, May 19, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Read More

Now Accepting 2026 Legislative Action Requests

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.

Read More

Become an MML Hall of Famer With Twenty Years of Service

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.

Read More

MML Summer Conference Hotels – Urgent Reminders and Deadlines

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

Read More

2025 ARPA Reporting Overview: Don't Risk Having Your SLFRF Funds Clawed Back

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.

Read More

Cannabis Legislation Impacts Local Land Use Decision-Making

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, playgroundsrecreation 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.  

Read More

SBE Election Support Bill Passes on Sine Die

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.

Read More

Lunch and Learn: Navigating the MML App

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.

Read More

Sine Die! 2025 Legislative Session Ends

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.

Read More

State Paid Family Leave Program to Be Delayed

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). 

Read More

FREE Watershed Technical Assistance for Delmarva Towns

 

In partnership with Maryland Municipal League, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is pleased to provide free technical assistance to Delmarva municipalities interested in addressing local water resources concerns. The Alliance can work with participating towns to: access resource concerns on public lands, create a plan summarizing potential mitigation projects and next steps, provide a list of possible funding sources for green infrastructure implementation, connect towns with implementation partners and more. All Delmarva towns within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are encouraged to apply with this simple intake form.

Read More

2025 Municipal Budgeting Resources

This year’s Municipal Budgeting Resources Memo highlights anticipated state-shared revenues and federal resources to help guide your municipal budgeting process. Below you will find contacts at the various state agencies who can assist you with revenue estimates for your municipality.

In addition, MML staff will review the final budget status during a webinar on April 23 and at the 2025 MML summer conference. Those links appear below as well. If we can help field any questions, please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected] and Iris Ibegbulem, [email protected]

Read More

MML Speed Camera Priority Bill Achieves Final Passage!

House Bill 343 passed the Maryland General Assembly on Monday and will be presented to the Governor for his signature. As of this writing, the Senate cross-file, SB 390, is identical and one step from final passage.

The bill enables trained technicians to review speed camera images and issue citations, providing local governments additional flexibility in how to run their speed camera program. Prior to issuing a citation, the technician or law enforcement officer must first receive reasonable training. The provisions of the bills will go into effect on October 1, 2025 For more information, please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected].

Read More

Workforce Grant Funding Opportunities for Local Governments

 

The Maryland Department of Labor announces two programs - one active and one upcoming - to provide funding to launch apprenticeship training programs for public sector workers. Local governments are eligible applicants for both programs. The Department of Labor is hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 17 to provide information and assistance with applications. Visit the EventBrite webpage where anyone can register to attend.

Read More