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.
The National League of Cities (NLC) has opened a new round of the Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program, offering municipalities grants of up to $20,000 to enhance residents' economic mobility through initiatives such as creating quality jobs, supporting small businesses, or aiding access to government benefits.
Selected applicants will also receive coaching from NLC staff and network with peers in the Economic Mobility Peer Network.
The Maryland State Archives has announced the launch of a updated Maryland Land Records website, set to go live in May 2025. The revamped website will offer improved search functionality, enhanced security, and greater website stability.
Along with these upgrades, a new fee structure will be introduced: users will be charged $0.20 per page to view or download modern land records (less than 100 years old) online. However, historical records over 100 years old will remain free to access.
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:
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.
Elevate Presence. Build Relationships. Provide Solutions.
In today's day and age, most of our introductions and interactions are electronic. This can often make it difficult for businesses to truly get their message across and collaborate with clients. As experts in your field, your insight and first-hand knowledge is something that the League depends on. Our 161 local governments tackle challenges daily and rely on specialists while navigating these challenges.
As we prepare for our summer conference, we also reflect back on the memory of those whom we have lost. The League will recognize municipal officials who have passed away since June of 2024 at the conference as we have done in the past. We are calling upon you, our members, to make sure that all are remembered.
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 House of Delegates. The legislation as currently written would delay all 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 January 1, 2028. This change will delay any needed payroll deductions or premium payments by 18 months.
In addition, an amendment pushed by MML exempts municipal governments from escrowing payments during the 12 month pre-funding period prior to benefits starting (January 1, 2027 through January 1, 2028) if that municipal government plans to utilize an equivalent private insurance plan (EPIP).
This year’s fourth grade "If I Were Mayor I Would..." essay contest winners captivated the volunteer readers and finalist judges’ attention with their compelling essays.
Thank you to our volunteer readers, who were so impressed with the essays that they sometimes overlooked the fact that the ideas came from fourth graders!
With the 2025 MML Summer Conference right around the corner, now is the time to be thinking of how you plan to stand out. We'll make it easy, with our Summer Conference Sponsorships. Prominent exposure, networking opportunities, and brand visibility are just a few of our sponsorship benefits.
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. Gain insights from our esteemed panelists as we discuss MML's legislative objectives, the Maryland state budget, and other important municipal issues and information.
MML's priority legislation allowing trained technicians to review speed camera images and issue citations met an important milestone by passing out of each chamber of origin by the crossover date. This keeps the bills on track for final passage.
SB 390, with the leadership of bill sponsor and Chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Will Smith, passed out of the Senate on February 18. An amendment was added on the Senate floor that defines "reasonable training." This amendment is seen as clarifying and should not materially impact the functionality of the legislation.
In the Maryland General Assembly, "crossover" refers to the point in the legislative session when bills must move from one chamber (either the House of Delegates or the Senate) to the other to continue in the legislative process. Crossover typically occurs around the end of the ninth week of the legislative session (usually in mid-March). After this deadline, bills that have not passed out of their originating chamber are considered "dead" for that year unless they are amended or revived in some way. Bills that cross over transition from the initial phase of the session, where bills are debated and modified, to the second phase, where bills are finalized and voted on by both chambers. This process ensures that both chambers have adequate time to review and debate bills originating in the other chamber.
So far this session, MML has taken positions on 211 bills. To see a complete list of which bills crossed over, click here.
Highlighting the overdependence on property tax and budget uncertainty, the League advocated for expanding its ability to raise revenues for local governments in 2025 – seeking enabling authority to leverage a fee on the sale of food and beverages consumption, up to 3%. This bill was a priority for MML, MACo, and Baltimore City.
The measure would have allowed local governments to broaden the ways they raise revenues - for example, to help support the costs of essential services to those who utilize them when working, shopping, or visiting a jurisdiction and choosing to eat out. Emergency services, water and sewer, to infrastructure are just a few of these services and currently, the financial burden falls almost exclusively to municipal residents, with 75% of all municipal revenues coming from property tax.
The Maryland Municipal League would like to recognize the following organizations for their long-standing support of Maryland local governments as summer conference exhibitors for over 20 years.
We appreciate and thank you for your dedication and also for educating Maryland's local governments on the latest service and product innovations.
Thank you for your patience as the League adjusts its phone system. The best way to reach us is to know who you're trying to reach. Our phone tree guide, found under About Us on the main navigation tab of our website, corresponds with the system's Call by Team structure.
Dial 1 - Advocacy and Public Policy
Join the Eastern Shore Food Coalition from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at Tackling Hunger Together: An Eastern Shore Food Security Symposium at Chesapeake College, 1000 College Circle, Wye Mills, MD.
The symposium will be a day filled with insightful discussions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees will explore innovative solutions to address food insecurity in their communities.
The MML Summer Conference remains the best place to acquire the core class credits you need to complete your Academy for Excellence in Local Governance certification. This year's event will include five Academy core classes spread across the four-day conference program:
Consensus & Team Building: Sunday, June 22, 1:00-2:45
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
The 2025 Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference schedule goes live next Monday, February 24. This preliminary program will provide timing of sessions generally and, in some instances, for specific workshops such as Academy for Excellence in Local Governance core classes. One thing we can assure you is that this year’s summer conference will be stacked from top to bottom – and Sunday through Wednesday – with quality learning and networking opportunities. So, plan to arrive in Ocean City early and stay for the duration.
