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.
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.
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:
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.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration will host a series of public workshops this February and March to present grant opportunities that can enhance bicycle and pedestrian access, support transit-oriented development, and promote sustainability initiatives across the state.
Workshop Highlights:
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
MML's oldest ambassador program, the annual If I Were Mayor, I Would...essay contest is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The 25-year-old contest educates fourth graders (and teachers) about municipal government and the role of the mayor.
Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School #76 fourth grade teacher, Ms. Gauthier, shares tips on how she encourages students to enter the contest. Ms. Gauthier not only had a winning student in MML's 2024 essay contest, it was also her first time entering the contest.
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].
MML’s annual “If I Were Mayor, I Would…" essay contest is the League's oldest ambassador program and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The 25-year-old contest educates fourth graders (and teachers) about municipal government and the role of the mayor. A postcard announcing the 2025 essay contest was mailed to schools and municipalities in early January. Materials are now live on our website.
Essay contest deadline is March 7
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The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will co-host a webinar called "The Status of Recycling in Maryland" with the Maryland Recycling Network (MRN). The target audience is both local and State elected officials.
More details are below. Email Gabrielle Leach with questions or to RSVP.
Program Description: The Maryland Smart Energy Communities (MSEC) FY25 programs are designed to support local governments, state agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and communities as they engage in sustainable, long-term, clean energy policies and projects that lead to reduced energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, increased cost savings, and robust clean energy and economic development.
Program Purpose: The MSEC FY25 program provides a comprehensive suite of programs that extend beyond government operations to include opportunities for communities as a whole. This offering provides an opportunity to fund community-wide visions of how clean energy and related technologies can scale up to a community level. The two core programs within the MSEC portfolio are designed to foster overall community planning that involves the setting of climate and energy goals, decarbonizing economies, and promoting diversity and environmental justice.
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has proposed revisions to Chapter 2 of the Stormwater Design Manual (Design Manual), the stormwater management regulations. Changes to Chapters 1, 3, 5, and the appendices will also need to be made. The proposed changes as a whole are designed to simplify the stormwater management design process, remove outdated and conflicting material that is currently in the Design Manual, and combine into one the two chapters (Chapters 3 and 5) that describe stormwater management practices. More information on this process can be found here.
On September 16, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced three new funding opportunities, totaling approximately $117 million, to improve recycling infrastructure and consumer education and outreach on wasted food prevention and composting. Two are Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants for communities and for Tribes and intertribal consortia - focused on improving solid waste management infrastructure. The third is for the Recycling Outreach and Education (REO) grant program and is focused on wasted food prevention and composting.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found recurring Clean Air Act compliance issues at Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills leading to the significant release of methane, a climate super-pollutant, and other air pollutants. More than 100 EPA inspections over the past three years reveal that many MSW landfill operators are not complying with applicable regulatory requirements, including gas collection and control systems (GCCS) requirements, surface emissions monitoring (SEM) procedures, and maintaining cover surface integrity.
As a result, EPA is issuing two enforcement alerts on MSW landfills at the same time:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program has an estimated $7.5 billion in available funding, including $6.5 billion for WIFIA and $1 billion for the State Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (SWIFIA), aimed at supporting around $15 billion in water infrastructure projects.
The WIFIA program not only supports public health, environmental benefits, and local economies by creating over 60,000 jobs, but it also offers flexible financing options, including the ability to defer loan repayments for up to five years and customize payment schedules over a 35-year term. Examples of successful WIFIA-funded projects include California's Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment System Expansion, which allowed the district to lower its interest rate, saving them $75 million in financing costs. Another example is Wichita's new Northwest Water Treatment Facility project, which was able to start 7 years earlier than originally planned due to WIFIA funding. These projects and other developments highlight the program's impact on enhancing water reliability and resilience.
In observance of America’s 250th anniversary, The Maryland Two Fifty Commission is looking back at our state’s contributions to American history through the eyes and experiences of fellow Marylanders. This commemoration is for every one of us, from the Chesapeake Bay to the mountain peaks in the west. Counties and municipalities are eligible to apply for any of the 3 grant programs, and geographic spread of grantees is a priority:
Details and applications can be found on the MD 250 website. Virtual information sessions are scheduled for Thursday, September 26, at 1:00 pm, for the MD Two Fifty Fellows grant program, and on Friday, September 27 at 11:00 am, for the MD Two Fifty Citizen Academy grant program. The virtual information sessions for the Inclusive History grant program will take place in late October. All information will be posted on the MD 250 website and social media.
Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will shape the next 250 years — and it’s important their voices are heard as we commemorate this historic milestone.
America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.
Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
America250 America's Field Trip round 2 launched September 16, 2024. Earlier this year in round 1, of 150 national winners, 9 were Maryland students. Maryland winners celebrated at a recognition ceremony at the Maryland State Fair.
The National League of Cities Leadership application for the NLC Board, Federal Advocacy Committees, Member Councils, and Constituency Groups is officially open. The leadership application for these groups is open from July 29 - September 9. The membership application (council and committee application) will be open from October 3 -November 25.
For 15 years the Maryland Municipal League has partnered with Technology Net to provide an online compensation info-sharing/survey system for Maryland cities and towns. In the past year, Technology Net has made various system upgrades and now members can engage directly with TechNet in accessing the system. Any municipalities that have been recent participants in the compensation survey will be contacted directly by TechNet to inquire about your continued interest in utilizing the system.
If your municipality has not been a recent comp survey participant but is interested in learning more about the online system, its functionality, and cost, you may contact TechNet directly at [email protected].
(August 1, 2024) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) held its 2nd Annual Summer Symposium Thursday, August 1, at the Crowne Plaza in Annapolis. The second in a series of deep dives into emerging municipal issues, speakers discussed Maryland’s housing crisis, the Governor’s recent housing legislation, and how to combat NIMBYism. Maryland Secretary of Housing & Community Development and MML Past President Jake Day gave the keynote speech to over 150 municipal officials and housing organization representatives.
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