Montgomery County Council to Hold Public Hearings on Sept. 15 and 22, 2026

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2026

The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:

Sept. 15, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Deadline to sign up to speak is Sept. 14 at 2 p.m.

• Bill 33-26, Cable Communications - Community Media Organizations - Requirements, would require a community media organization that contracts with the County to adopt a racial equity and social justice statement; require a community media organization that contracts with the County to include certain membership on the organization’s board of directors; require a community media organization that contracts with the County to follow certain standards of public ethics and public access; and generally amend the law regarding cable communications and community cable organizations.

• Bill 38-26, Discriminatory Housing Practices and Early Lease Termination - Amendments, would prohibit discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status in the sale or rental of housing; permit the landlord to allow early termination of a residential lease under certain circumstances; and generally amend the law regarding housing discrimination and landlord-tenant relations.

• Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-11, Temporary Uses - Benefit Performance, would remove the neighborhood consent requirement for a Benefit Performance; require notification to public safety agencies for a Benefit Performance; and generally amend the standards for a Benefit Performance.

Sept. 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Deadline to sign up to speak is Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.

• The Council will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the New Hampshire Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facility planning study and alternatives review.

A full list of upcoming public hearings is available on the Council Calendar. Review the public hearing frequently asked questions for additional information.

To testify in-person or remotely during a live public hearing at the Council Office Building, residents need to preregister on the Council's web page. Residents may also choose to provide pre-recorded testimony in written, audio or video formats or submit testimony by mail. 

Send testimony by mail to County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850; or residents may sign up to testify remotely by phone (call 240-777-7803 for information). To express an opinion call 240-777-7900.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Montgomery County Council provides reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to testify at public hearings. Email CouncilHearing.Accommodation@montgomerycountymd.gov or call the public hearing line (240-777-7803) at least five business days prior to the public hearing date to request an ADA accommodation (MD Relay - Dial 711 or 800-201-7165).

The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.

Public hearings will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM) on Xfinity channels 6 and 996, RCN channels 6 and 1056; and FiOS channel 30. Also available live via streaming through the Council website, Facebook Live (@MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil or @ConcejodelCondadodeMontgomery), or YouTube (@MoCoCouncilMD).

How to Sign Up for Public Hearings

The Stay Council Connected video series is a step-by-step guide to navigating the Montgomery County Council that offers instructions for residents.

Contact:

Sara Tenenbaum
Sara.Tenenbaum@montgomerycountymd.gov

View all Council press releases

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