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Lend Us Your Voice – Key Bills to Share Testimony on Next Week

As the 2026 legislative session continues, the Maryland Municipal League is actively monitoring several key bills scheduled for testimony next weekTo 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:

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90 Years of Leadership. Now It's YOUR Moment.

As we celebrate 90 years of the League, now is your moment to step forward as a leader. Serving in a leadership capacity is your chance to make a real difference, lift up our municipal community, and leave a lasting impact. Your voice and public service matter - help shape the next chapter of the League’s story and make this milestone year one to remember.

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Drop by for MMLCon26 Office Hours - March 6

New to registering for a MML Conference? Need a refresher on how to register someone on their behalf?

 

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Showcase Your Downtown: Host the 2027 Main Street Maryland Conference

Showcase Your Downtown:

Host the 2027 Main Street Maryland Conference

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MML Main Street is Now Open - Put Your Municipality on Display

MML’s Summer Conference is a vibrant celebration of municipal government and its profound impact on the lives of over 2 million Marylanders. Highlighting the contributions of municipalities and the 44,000 dedicated local government professionals who serve them, MMLCon26 promises to inspire and unite.

Immediately following the closing general session, attendees can experience the highly anticipated MML Main Street event. This exclusive showcase offers member municipalities and MML affiliates a premier platform to spotlight their initiatives, innovations, or community pride. With only 12 spots available, don’t miss the chance to shine and share your story with peers and leaders from across the state.

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MML Bylaws Requests Open

The MML Bylaws serve as the governing documents of the Maryland Municipal League, a 501c4 organization. Text amendments were last adopted in June, 2023. In Title 5-200 Amendments, the bylaws state: Amendments to the current bylaws may be made at the Annual Business Meeting or any general membership meeting by a 2/3 vote of member municipalities. Any proposed amendments will be submitted by the membership according to the procedures established by the Board for that purpose. Written notice of the proposed amendments shall be distributed to the membership at least thirty days prior to the date of the meeting at which they are to be considered. Such amendments will take effect at the conclusion of the convention, conference, or meeting, unless otherwise specified.

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Just Announced! Summer Conference Sponsorships

The recipient of four national conference awards, the Maryland Municipal League’s MML’s Summer Conference will connect your organization to over 1,800 attendees who represent 161 local governments, nonprofits, State government, and businesses across Maryland. Make a lasting impact on Maryland communities while gaining valuable exposure for your brand and mission. Join us in shaping the future of local governments and be recognized as a catalyst for positive change.

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Get Your Academy Core Class Credits at MMLCon 26

Looking to secure the final core class credits you need to complete your Academy for Excellence in Local Governance certification? The 2026 MML Summer Conference will offer five core classes to help you reach that milestone:

  • Ethics, Sunday, June 14, 1:15 - 3:00 p.m.
  • Municipal Budgeting, Monday, June 15, 10:15 - 12:00 p.m.
  • Structure of Municipal Government, Monday, June 15, 1:15 - 3:00 p.m.
  • Basics of Risk Management, Tuesday, June 16, 10:15 - 12:00 p.m.
  • Conducting Effective Meetings, Wednesday, June 17, 10:15 - 12:00 p.m.

Check out MML's website to see the latest summer conference preliminary schedule. For more information on the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance, contact MML Director of Leadership Development and Membership Experience Tom Reynolds at [email protected].

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MMA Winter Conference Registration Closes this Friday

We are excited to announce our Annual Maryland Mayors Association (MMA) Winter Conference, to be held March 4-6, 2026 in Annapolis. This event offers networking opportunities with your counterparts throughout Maryland, educational sessions with key experts, advocacy updates, roundtable discussions, and a private VIP event. 

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MML Joins Chair Wilkins in Support of Local Revenue Modernization Task Force

 MML JOINS COMMITTEE CHAIR JHEANELLE WILKINS IN PUSH FOR REVENUE MODERNIZATION TASK FORCE

(February 25, 2026) Annapolis, MD. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) testified before the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday in strong support of HB 1142, the League’s sole 2026 legislative priority. The legislation, which creates a Task Force to modernize outdated local government revenue structures, is sponsored by the Chair of the Committee, Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins. 

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First Call for the Hall – Are You a MML Hall of Famer?

First Call for the Hall – Are You a MML Hall of Famer?

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 286 municipal Hall of Famers.

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MMLCon26 Registration Opens March 2 — Office Hours Available

MMLCon26 registration launches in less than a week. You don't want to miss out on the exciting things we have in store for our 90th Anniversary celebration.

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New Terms, Shared Vision: Setting the Stage for Council Success

 

Is your city or town anticipating a sizable turnover in elected officials this spring? Would they benefit from engaging in a facilitated team-building dialogue, discussion of roles and responsibilities, as well as a goal-setting exercise to get everyone on the same page?  The Maryland Municipal League has helped more than a dozen member municipalities get their newly elected officials’ terms off to a productive and collaborative start. Standard retreats are five hours long with a facilitation fee of $2,500 for members with populations of 10,000 or less and $4,000 for those with more than 10,000 residents. For more information, contact MML Director of Leadership Development and retreat facilitator Tom Reynolds at [email protected].

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SB 389/HB 894 — Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act - Update

Last week, MML staff testified on the third bill in Governor Moore's 2026 housing package, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunities Act. As presented, this bill would automatically designate transit-oriented development (TOD) areas served by frequent rail service as Enterprise Zones, and delay the collection of development impact fees and excise taxes until after construction is complete. It also restricts the authority of local jurisdictions to impose minimum parking requirements, and mandates allowance for mixed-use development within specified distances of qualifying rail stations. 


The Maryland Municipal League's position is Favorable with Amendments. We are seeking amendments to address the automatic Enterprise Zone designation, and the impact fee/excise tax payment delay. Conversations with the Administration and General Assembly Committees are ongoing. Contact Angelica Bailey Thupari ([email protected]) with questions.  

 

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Grant Writing Training in Annapolis

Grant Writing Training in Annapolis, MD - March 26-27, 2026

The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Annapolis on March 26-27, 2026. This training is for grant seekers from all disciplines. Attend this class to learn how to write winning government grant proposals and find the available grant funding.

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Maryland Adopts Modernized Cybersecurity and Privacy Framework

The Maryland Department of Information Technology has issued a new Cybersecurity and Privacy Policy Suite establishing unified security standards for all executive branch agencies to strengthen protection of state systems, data, and services against increasingly sophisticated threats.

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Know What's In Store - MMLCon26 Preliminary Schedule Goes Live Feb. 27

Preparing for MMLCon26 just got easier. Get an early look at the sessions we’re planning as part of our conference experience.

The preliminary schedule offers a preview of what’s ahead. Topics, speakers, and times are subject to change. To view the preliminary schedule, visit our website.

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Lend Us Your Voice – Key Bills to Share Testimony on Next Week

As the 2026 legislative session continues, the Maryland Municipal League is actively monitoring several key bills scheduled for testimony next weekTo 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: 

Read More

Lend Us Your Voice – Key Bills to Share Testimony on Next Week

As the 2026 legislative session continues, the Maryland Municipal League is actively monitoring several key bills scheduled for testimony next weekTo 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: 

Read More

MML Weighs In On Unemployment Insurance Bill

Last week MML testified in opposition to SB 3 / HB 188, a bill that alters certain aspects of the State's unemployment insurance system. The most impactful provision for municipal governments is the increase in weekly benefit amount to successful claimants. Municipal governments are typically "reimbursing employers" meaning that they reimburse the unemployment insurance trust fund when a former employee makes a successful claim. This means that municipal government expenditures are tied to the amount a claimant receives, dollar-for-dollar. This is different than private sector employers, which regularly pay into the Fund based on the taxable wage base.

While the League recognizes that the unemployment insurance weekly benefit amount has not been updated in many years, the provisions of the bill would raise the cost to municipal governments to a level that would pose a significant burden.

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