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Expedited Bill 32-26, Employees’ Retirement System - Survivor Benefits - Death During Line of Duty - Expanded Eligibility to Groups E and J
Introduction: Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke, Evan Glass and Sidney Katz will introduce Expedited Bill 32-26, Employees’ Retirement System - Survivor Benefits - Death During Line of Duty - Expanded Eligibility to Groups E and J. The legislation would increase death benefits to spouses, domestic partners and children of deputy sheriffs, correctional officers and certain emergency communications center personnel, who are killed in the line of duty.
A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Bill 34-26, Health and Sanitation - Bodywork Establishments – Amendments
Introduction: Councilmember Luedtke will introduce Bill 34-26, Health and Sanitation - Bodywork Establishments – Amendments. The legislation would require applicants for a bodyworks establishment license to disclose all corporate officers and business managers to the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The department would be prohibited from issuing a license if a corporate officer or business manager has been convicted of, pleaded guilty or otherwise been found responsible for human trafficking or related offenses. Applicants would also be ineligible if those individuals previously owned or managed a bodyworks establishment which had its license revoked. The legislation aims to prevent human trafficking at bodyworks establishments and spas and stop those involved in related criminal activity from opening new establishments in Montgomery County.
Council President Natali Fani-González and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Katz have cosponsored the legislation. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Bill 35-26, Forest Conservation - Trees - Applicability - Brush Management
Introduction: Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles and Vice President Marilyn Balcombe will introduce Bill 35-26, Forest Conservation - Trees - Applicability - Brush Management, which would clarify that the forest conservation requirements do not apply to routine vegetation maintenance in conformance with certain federal standards on agricultural land. Under current law, any person who expects to cut, clear or grade more than 5,000 square feet of forest or any champion tree must request an exemption from the forest conservation law’s requirements from the Planning Department. Bill 35-26 provides that routine vegetation maintenance performed on land used or intended for use as agriculture need not obtain a written exemption from the Planning Director if the work is performed in accordance with certain guidelines and standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Councilmember Luedtke is a cosponsor. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Bill 36-26, Fire and Emergency Services Commission - Duties and Responsibilities
Introduction: Councilmember Luedtke will introduce Bill 36-26, Fire and Emergency Services Commission - Duties and Responsibilities, which would revise the duties, responsibilities and authorities of the Fire and Emergency Services Commission. In addition, Bill 37-26 would establish a deadline for the commission’s annual report and mandatory meetings. The purpose of Bill 36-26 is to clarify the responsibilities and functions of the County’s existing Fire and Emergency Services Commission.
A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
Bill 37-26, Disruptive Behavior - Public Facilities – Amendments
Introduction: The Council will introduce Bill 37-26, Disruptive Behavior - Public Facilities – Amendments, which would authorize longer-term disruptive behavior orders that restrict access to one or more public facilities and establish procedures and criteria for issuing disruptive behavior orders. In addition, the bill would transfer reviewing responsibilities to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) or hearing examiner, depending on the duration of the order, and provide the right to an evidentiary hearing and the right to appeal. Bill 37-26 also would transfer annual reporting responsibilities to MCPD. The bill is needed due to a recent increase in disruptive behavior in County facilities and the need to improve implementation of the current law.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of the County Executive. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
Bill 15-26, Taxation - Property Tax Credits - Habitat for Humanity Rehabilitations
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Bill 15-26, Taxation - Property Tax Credits - Habitat for Humanity Rehabilitations, which would create a tax credit for properties owned by Habitat for Humanity with the purpose of rehabilitating and transferring to a new owner in the near future.
In 2010, the Maryland General Assembly authorized a tax credit for certain properties owned by Habitat for Humanity entities intended for rehabilitation and conveyance. In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly expanded the authorization to include properties being developed for the same purpose. Bill 15-26 implements the tax credit in Montgomery County.
Bill 15-26 would mandate, beginning in the tax year of July 1, 2027, a 100 percent tax credit for all properties intended to be relinquished in the near future; used for development, rehabilitation, and transfer to a private owner; and owned by Humanity Metro Maryland, Inc., an entity wholly owned by Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, Inc., or another Habitat for Humanity affiliate operating in Montgomery County. The bill establishes an application process for the tax credit and requires an annual report from entities granted the tax credit. The bill further clarifies that the credit is only for the period in which a property meets the eligibility requirements.
Councilmember Andrew Friedson is the lead sponsor. Council President Fani-González, Council Vice President Balcombe, and Councilmembers Luedtke, Stewart, Katz, Shebra Evans, and Sayles are cosponsors of Bill 15-26.
A public hearing was held on June 16. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee recommends enactment.
Bill 21-26, Employee Retirement System - Savings and Benefits - Amendments
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Bill 21-26, Employee Retirement System - Savings and Benefits – Amendments. The bill would implement negotiated changes to the County’s retirement system affecting multiple employee groups, including correctional health nurses, emergency communications and correctional personnel and members of Local 1994 bargaining units, by updating eligibility rules, retirement and plan provisions and contribution rates consistent with the collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of the County Executive. A public hearing was held on June 9. The GO Committee recommends enactment with amendment to correct a typographical error.
Bill 22-26, Finance - Economic Development Fund - Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program - Repeal of Sunset Date
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Bill 22-26, Finance - Economic Development Fund - Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program - Repeal of Sunset Date. The bill would repeal the July 1, 2025, sunset date for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Grant Program, originally established in Bill 41-17, thereby making the program permanent and ensuring continued matching grant support for County-based small businesses pursuing federal SBIR and STTR awards to advance innovation and economic development.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of the County Executive. A public hearing was held on June 9. The Economic Development (ECON) Committee recommends enactment with two amendments. Details are available in the Council staff report.
Expedited Bill 23-26, Restrictions on Ghost Guns Near Minors and Carrying of Firearms in or Near Places of Public Assembly
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 23-26, Weapons - Restrictions on Ghost Guns Near Minors and Carrying of Firearms in or Near Places of Public Assembly. Expedited Bill 23-26 would define terms related to weapons and firearms, regulate the sale or transfer of ghost guns with respect to minors, amend exceptions to a prohibition against carrying firearms in places of public assembly and amend the regulation of the operation of gun shops. The purpose of Expedited Bill 23-26 is to bring the County law into alignment with the Maryland Supreme Court’s opinion in Engage Armament so that the County law is valid and enforceable under Maryland law.
In 2021 and 2022, the Council enacted Bills 4-21 and 21-22E, which sought to regulate “ghost guns” and other firearms within 100 yards of places of public assembly and with respect to minors. The Maryland Supreme Court issued an opinion in Engage Armament, which upheld portions of Council Bills 4-21 and 21-22E, but found that other provisions of the bills exceed County authority or are preempted by state law.
The lead sponsor of Expedited Bill 23-26 is Councilmember Luedtke. Councilmember Stewart, Council President Fani-González, Councilmember Friedson, Council Vice President Balcombe, and Councilmembers Katz, Evans and Glass are cosponsors of Expedited Bill 23-26.
A public hearing was held on June 9. The Public Safety (PS) Committee recommends enactment with amendments.
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