Greetings!

Welcome to my Legislative Newsletter, highlighting Council Resolutions and Council Bills proposed by the Howard County Council.
As your County Council representative, I encourage you to review this information and lend your voice by testifying via email or in person. To voice your support or opposition, please email [email protected]. The next Legislative Public Hearing will be Monday, June 21st at 7:00 PM off-site (meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants). To sign-up in advance to testify, click here.
It is my pleasure to serve you, your family, and residents of District 2. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office by calling (410) 313-2001 or by emailing [email protected]. I hope you will continue to stay engaged by visiting my council website at https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/Districts/District-2.

Sincerely,
The Process
The County Council is responsible for adopting the laws of the County. The legislative process generally follows a monthly cycle:

  • 1st Monday- New legislation is introduced; legislation from prior month is given final consideration
  • 3rd Monday- Legislative Public Hearing on legislation introduced that month
  • Following the Legislative Public Hearing a Legislative Work Session is held, if needed

Council Bills must be signed or vetoed by the County Executive within 10 days of the Council's presentation of passed legislation.
Council-Related Legislation
Howard County Council Legislation

Unless otherwise noted, the following legislation is introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
Howard County Council Appointments and County Council Election Results for 2021
Howard County Council Chairpersons
Chair: Councilmember Elizabeth Walsh, District 1
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2

Zoning Board
Chair: Councilmember Christiana Rigby, District 3
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Board of License Commissioners
Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee
Representative: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2
     Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

National Associations of Counties
Representative: Councilmember Jones, District 2
      Alternate: Councilmember Jung, District 4
Legislation for Final Consideration
FINANCIAL (NON-FY22 BUDGET)

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving certain transfers between major categories of the Howard County Board of Education Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021; transferring $2,250,000 to the Maintenance of Plant Category and $2,500,000 to the Fixed Charges category; and generally relating to the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget of the Board of Education.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT pursuant to Section 1.111(e) of the Howard County Code, approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the Howard County Police Officer’s Association, Lodge 21 that are in conflict with the provisions of Title 1 “Human Resources” of the Howard County Code or the Employee Manual; approving a multi-year collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the Howard County Police Officer’s Association, Lodge 21 that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2023 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the Howard County Police Officer’s Association, Lodge 21.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT approving an amendment to a multi-year collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085 that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2022 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; and generally relating to the collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed
BUDGET (FY2022)

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County; providing pay scales for employees; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT adding certain executive exempt employees who are appointed by the County Executive; amending certain titles of employees in the Department of Corrections as reflected in a list of classifications eligible under certain retirement plans; and generally relating to the listing of position classifications in the Howard County Code.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending the Classification Plan for Howard County to remove certain classifications and to add certain classifications; and generally relating to amendments to the Howard County Classification Plan.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT adopting the current expense budget and the capital budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, to be known as the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance of Howard County, Fiscal Year 2022.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the principal amount of up to $100,337,165 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County capital projects (including bridge projects, general county projects, storm drainage projects, school system projects, fire and rescue projects, road construction projects, roadside and sidewalk projects, library projects, community college projects, parks and recreation projects, police projects and traffic improvements projects), which are specified and described in the County's 2022 Capital Budget (including, without limitation, borrowings for certain capital projects previously authorized in other calendar years, which such authorization has lapsed or will lapse), and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the principal amount of up to $64,311,822 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County water and sewer capital projects which are specified and described in the County's 2022 Capital Budget (including, without limitation, borrowings for certain water and sewer capital projects previously authorized in prior calendar years which such authorization has lapsed or will lapse), and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with benefit assessments, ad valorem taxes levied upon the assessable property in the Metropolitan District and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the aggregate principal amount of up to $3,484,000 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County environmental services fund projects as more particularly described in the County's 2022 Capital Budget, and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing and empowering the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with amounts held in the Environmental Services Special Revenue Fund and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in a principal amount of up to $12,264,209 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County road construction projects which are specified and described in the County's 2022 Capital Budget (including, without limitation, borrowings for certain of such capital projects previously authorized), and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing and empowering the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with building excise taxes and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the aggregate principal amount of up to $12,755,634 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County watershed protection and restoration projects as more particularly described in the County's 2022 Capital Budget, and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing and empowering the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with amounts held in the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT to authorize and empower Howard County, Maryland, to enter into installment purchase agreements to acquire development rights in agricultural lands located within the County (Project No. G 0163), for an aggregate purchase price of not more than $22,590,000, plus interest thereon; providing that the County’s obligation to pay the purchase price under and interest on such agreements shall be a general obligation of the County made upon its full faith and credit; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with the portion of the transfer tax imposed on transfers of real property in Howard County which is dedicated to agricultural land preservation and other available funds, to provide for the payment of the purchase price under and interest on any agreements so entered into; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the aggregate principal amount of up to $75,000,000 on its full faith and credit, and issue debt obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain General County projects as more particularly described in the County's Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Budget, and to pay costs of issuance of such debt obligations; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the Capital Program for Howard County for Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027 and the Extended Capital Program for Fiscal Years 2028 through 2031.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended 

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget for the Howard Community College and indicating appropriations for major functional categories.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the Fiscal Year 2022 budget for the Howard County Library System and indicating appropriations for object classes.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION setting forth the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget for the Howard County Board of Education.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the Fiscal Year 2022 budget for the Howard County Health Department and indicating appropriations for object classes.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving schedules for charges pertaining to the Metropolitan District, to water and sewer service, and to shared sewage disposal facilities.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees for the functions regulated by the Department of Public Works.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees, fines and charges for functions regulated by the Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees and charges for functions regulated or administered by the Department of Planning and Zoning.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees and rates for functions regulated and administered by the Department of Police.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fines and penalties for violations of and administrative costs related to enforcement of Howard County’s parking laws, including administrative handling fees for parking citations and citations under the automated red-light enforcement program.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving fee and rate schedules for: (1) Applying for approval of an industrial development revenue bond or MIDFA bond or loan; (2) Solicitor and Peddler Identification Card; (3) Weekend Prisoners - Room and board; (4) Prisoner - Health care provider fee; (5) Participation in work release program; (6) Participation in home detention program; (7) Marriage license fee charge for funding of domestic violence programs; (8) Annual registration of trespass towing companies and maximum rates to be charged by trespass towing services; (9) Fee and specifications for transcripts of administrative proceedings; and (10) Reproduction of public records.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting schedules for various charges related to the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting fee schedules for functions of the Health Department.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting a Schedule of Fees for inspections conducted by the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting a schedule of fees for functions regulated by the Department of Finance.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving a Reimbursement Schedule for the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement Program.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed 

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION amending the fee process for requests to establish Tax Increment Financing Districts and establishing a fee for certain Special Taxing Districts.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting a permit fee for the Publicly Accessible Electric Scooter Sharing System.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION levying a tax on certain admissions and amusements, establishing classes of admissions and amusements, setting tax rates on different classes, and providing for certain exemptions from the tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting the schedule of rates for the Building Excise Tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION levying Fire and Rescue tax rates beginning July 1, 2021.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION levying a property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022; setting the tax rates for property; and providing for the collection of the property tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION setting the fee-in-lieu rate for moderate income housing.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION adopting the Transfer Tax, the tax on every instrument of writing conveying title to real or leasehold property offered for a record and recorded in Howard County with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and providing for certain exemptions from the tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION establishing a recordation tax rate on instruments of writing that are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed
Upcoming Council Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, the County Council will hold its meetings in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD. The next meetings are as follows:

  • Monday, June 7, 2021 - Legislative Session (Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants)
  • Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - Monthly Meeting (Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants)
  • Monday, June 14, 2021 - Joint Meeting with Board of Education (Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants)
  • Monday, June 21, 2021 - Public Hearing (Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants)
  • Monday, June 28, 2021 - Legislative Work Session (Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants)

Please note these dates are subject to change. To access the most up-to-date calendar of meetings in its entirety, click here.

Can't attend a meeting but still want to stay involved? You can stream the Council's sessions online and click on the meeting you would like to watch. The Council's sessions are also streamed in real time on this website.