Now that we are more than halfway through the General Assembly session, bills are starting to move. Below are a few transportation-related bills, supported by MML, all of which have already received favorable reports by their respective committees and passed out of their chamber of origin. 

HB 43 - This bill is slightly amended from the version initially introduced and now includes a few additional guardrails. It now allows local governments to designate roads under their jurisdiction as roads on which golf carts may operate, under certain conditions; the road must be 30 MPH or lower and the golf cart must operate only between dawn and dusk unless it has State Highway Administration (SHA) approved lights, drive on the far right of the lane, and contain no more passengers than there are seats. This new authority would allow a new and unique transportation option to local governments.

View MML's positions on legislation introduced in the General Assembly.

Each week the MML legislative committee, made up of elected municipal leaders and municipal staff, reviews General Assembly bills that have impact on the operations of municipal government. Check back as new bills are added to the list each week.

MML’s priority legislation, HB 1281, to allow municipalities to self-designate Tourism Zones will be heard in the House Ways & Means Committee on Thursday, February 29.

Modeled off a successful program in Virginia, this MML priority bill would authorize local governments to provide an array of local tax credits or waivers to businesses that aid in expanding tourism. This program would not only bolster the ability of jurisdictions to attract and retain community-oriented businesses, especially for those that lack access to other incentive programs, but to directly expand the State’s general revenue fund and attract new visitors to Maryland.

League priority bill SB 14 has received a favorable with amendment report from the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee ahead of the important crossover deadline. The crossfile, HB 1281, has been voted out of its subcommittee and is expected to have a vote in the full House Ways and Means committee soon.

As a refresher, these bills would enable Maryland’s 157 municipalities to establish Tourism Zones, bringing in new visitors, future residents and helping to attract new tourism-related business to cities, towns, and villages across the state. For more information and a recap on the hearing, please see our press release.

On the heels of yet another $250 million revenue writedown, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee’s budget report voted on Friday, March 8 did not adopt a recommendation to cut local Highway User Revenues (HURs) to 9.6% indefinitely.

Local governments currently receive 15.6% of Highway User Revenues, 2.4% of which is dedicated to municipalities. That figure was scheduled to increase due to MML priority legislation passed a few years ago. The DLS recommended cut to 9.6% is consistent with the major cuts made in 2009 that saw municipalities receive just 0.4%.

(January 18, 2024) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) joined Senator Michael Jackson and Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kevin Anderson at the Senate Budget and Taxation hearing, January 18, in support of Senate Bill 14. SB 14 would enable Maryland’s 157 municipalities to establish Tourism Zones, bringing in new visitors, future residents and helping to attract new tourism-related business to cities, towns, and villages across the state.

“Representing three districts with diverse needs, literally fits this bill to a tee,” opened the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jackson. “Understanding that each [municipality] has their own particular needs, our job is to – as legislators – try to meet those needs.” The bill, if successful, would allow municipalities to self-designate the boundaries of a tourism zone, to establish definitions for tourism businesses and qualifications for incentives, and to provide certain local incentives. Incentives include, but are not limited to, real property tax credits, personal property tax credits, and exemption from local Admission and Amusement tax.

Last week, a new report titled "The Economic Significance of Maryland's Municipalities," was unveiled in partnership with Sage Policy Group, a Baltimore-based economic and policy consultancy. The report details how the operation of municipal governments positively impacts the local and State-wide economy to the tune of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of economic output. The results in this report will be invaluable to solidify the message that Maryland’s municipalities are where people want to work, live, and play.

A few highlights include that Maryland municipal governments:

  PRESS RELEASE 

Maryland Municipal League Holds Inaugural “State of the Municipality”; Acknowledges $5.2+ Billion Municipal Economic Impact, 42,000 Jobs Supported       

Maryland Municipal League (MML) Partners with VC3, a National Cybersecurity Firm, to Deliver Services to Local Government in Maryland

(November 15, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 160 local governments in Maryland, has partnered with VC3 to deliver cybersecurity and technology services to Maryland’s local governments. VC3’s municipal-focused cybersecurity and technology services are consistent with MML's mission to provide leadership and guidance for the towns and cities in the state of Maryland, as well as to help local governments stay innovative and efficient in serving their residents.

Governor Wes Moore Announces Support of MML’s Tourism Zone Priority at MML Fall Conference

(October 17, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – Governor Wes Moore joined the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Tuesday morning in College Park as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference with historic record-breaking attendance. During his remarks, Moore announced his enthusiastic support for MML’s legislative priority to authorize the creation of local tourism zones.

Lt. Gov Aruna Miller, Mayor Brandon Scott, and Secretary Jake Day Headline Day 2 of MML Fall Conference

(October 16, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) opened its Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference today in the City of College Park, featuring remarks from Housing Secretary Jake Day, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller.

Maryland Municipal League Approves 2024 General Assembly Priorities 

(August 11, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns, two special taxing districts in Maryland, launched its inaugural Symposium Thursday, August 10. The first in a series of deep dives into emerging municipal issues, yesterday’s speakers tackled the recent legalization of cannabis.  

MML Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Delegate-Designee Ryan Spiegel; Honorary Lifetime Membership Award to Commissioner Kumar Barve

(June 27, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland, presented Ryan Spiegel, former MML President and Delegate-designee, with its esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland. The League also recognized former Delegate and current PSC Commissioner Kumar Barve as an Honorary Member.

2023-2024 Board of Directors Elected at MML’s Annual Business Meeting

Mayor John Carroll of Galena to Serve as President; Mayor Michael O’Connor of Frederick is President-Elect

The Maryland Municipal League Presents Municipal Achievement Awards to the Town of Greensboro and City of Laurel

(June 26, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland, acknowledged Greensboro and Laurel as the Small Town and Large City winners of its revered Municipal Achievement Award during the Summer Conference.

The Maryland Municipal League and President Mitchell Announces MML Caucus Groups 

(June 26, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland, announced the formation of MML Caucus Groups after a unanimous vote by the MML Board of Directors. Launching caucus groups was a priority for President Denise Mitchell in her 2022-2023 term, modeled on the National League of Cities (NLC) efforts.