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 councilmail@howardcountymd.gov. To sign-up in advance to testify at the upcoming Public Hearing click here.
It is my pleasure to serve you, your family, and the 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 ojones@howardcountymd.gov. 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.

Howard County Council Appointments and County Council Election Results for 2025

Howard County Council Chairpersons

Chair: Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1

Vice-Chair: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2


Zoning Board

Chair: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2

Vice-Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4


Board of License Commissioners

Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5

Vice-Chair: Councilmember Christiana Rigby, District 3


Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee

Representative: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Alternate: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5


National Associations of Counties

Representative: Christiana Rigby, District 3

Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Final Consideration

Emergency Legislation


CB58-2025 - Introduced by: Deb Jung

Short Title: Emergency Act – Prohibition and Fines for For-Profit Parties or Entertainment on Residential Property

Title: AN ACT adding a provision to Title 8, Subtitle 9 of the Howard County Code prohibiting parties or entertainment for profit; establishing the penalty for violation of the prohibition against parties or entertainment for profit at a residential property; declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet an immediate emergency affecting public health, safety or welfare; and generally related to forprofit parties or entertainment.

My Vote: Yes 

Status: Passed as amended 


Appointments


CR117-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointment – Ira R. Greenstein – Pension Oversight Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ira R. Greenstein to the Pension Oversight Commission

Status: Tabled


CR118-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointment – Mark Lovelace – Police Accountability Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Mark Lovelace to the Police Accountability Board

Status: Tabled


CR119-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointment – Mia Teekan Swen – Recreation and Parks Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Mia Teekan Swen to the Recreation and Parks Board

Status: Tabled


CR120-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointing - Keshava Dasarathy – Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Keshava Dasarathy to the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency

Status: Tabled


CR121-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointing- Patrick Fromal - Economic Development Authority Board of Directors

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Patrick Fromal to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority

Status: Tabled


CR122-2025 - Introduced by Liz Walsh

Short Title: Appointment – Meagan Braganca - Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Meagan Braganca to the Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Status: Tabled


CR123-2025 - Introduced by Christiana Rigby

Short Title: Appointment – Matt Dellinger - Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Matt Dellinger to the Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Status: Tabled


CR124-2025 - Introduced by David Yungmann

Short Title: Appointment – Steven H. Wilson - Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Steven H. Wilson to the Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Status: Tabled


CR125-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointment - Ellen Flynn Giles – Compensation Review Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Ellen Flynn Giles to the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2026 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2025; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2026; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2026

Status: Tabled


CR126-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointment – Valarie Montague – Compensation Review Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Valarie Montague to the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2026 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2025; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2026; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2026

Status: Tabled


CR127-2025 - Introduced by Opel Jones

Short Title: Appointment – Kia Payne – Compensation Review Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Kia Payne to the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2026 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2025; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2026; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2026

Status: Tabled


CR128-2025 - Introduced by Christiana Rigby

Short Title: Appointment – Rashida George – Compensation Review Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Rashida George to the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2026 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2025; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2026; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2026

Status: Tabled


CR129-2025 - Introduced by Deb Jung

Short Title: Appointment – Ginnie Gick – Compensation Review Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Ginnie Gick to the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2026 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2025; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2026; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2026

Status: Tabled


CR130-2025 - Introduced by David Yungmann

Short Title: Appointment – Scott Houghton – Compensation Review Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION appointing Scott Houghton to the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2026 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2025; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2026; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2026

Status: Tabled


CR144-2025 - Introduced by Liz Walsh

Short Title: Appointment – Marisa McCurdy – Board of Appeals

A RESOLUTION appointing Marisa C. McCurdy to the Board of Appeals of Howard County, Maryland to fill the term ending December 31, 2026

Status: Tabled


Reappointments


CR131-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Walter L. Davis – Housing and Community Development Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Walter L. Davis to the Housing and Community Development Board

Status: Tabled


CR132-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Phillip Dodge – Board of Library Trustees

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Phillip Dodge to the Board of Library Trustees

Status: Tabled


CR133-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Kelly L. Smith – Board of Library Trustees

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Kelly L. Smith to the Board of Library Trustees

Status: Tabled


CR134-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Andrea LeWinter – Economic Development Authority Board of Directors Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Andrea LeWinter to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority

Status: Tabled


CR135-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Kimberly T. Davis – Environmental Sustainability Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Kimberly T. Davis to the Environmental Sustainability Board

Status: Tabled


CR136-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Lawrence R. Liebesman - Environmental Sustainability Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Lawrence R. Liebesman to the Environmental Sustainability Board

Status: Tabled


CR137-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Kim Pezza - Environmental Sustainability Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Kim Pezza to the Environmental Sustainability Board

Status: Tabled


CR138-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Reappointment – Greta E. Swanson, J.D. - Environmental Sustainability Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Greta E. Swanson, J.D. to the Environmental Sustainability Board

Status: Tabled


CR139-2025 - Introduced by Opel Jones Short Title: Reappointment – Douglas R. Miller - Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION reappointing Douglas R. Miller to the Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Status: Tabled


CR140-2025 - Introduced by Deb Jung Short Title: Reappointment- Nadine Bernard - Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Title: A RESOLUTION reappointing Nadine Bernard to the Citizens’ Election Fund Commission

Status: Tabled


Financial


CB53-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Multi-year Installment Purchase Agreement – 66.7 acres – the west side of Long Corner Road, Woodbine – Purchase price $2,307,900 – owned by Jeffrey Harrison and Sue Harrison

Title: AN ACT approving and providing for a multi-year Installment Purchase Agreement by Howard County, Maryland to acquire development rights in approximately 66.7 acres of agricultural land located on the west side of Long Corner Road, Woodbine, Howard County, Maryland, from Jeffrey and Sue Harrison, or any other owner thereof for a maximum purchase price of $2,307,900 or, if less in acreage, not more than $34,600 per acre or portion thereof, rounded to the next highest $100, plus interest on the deferred portion of such purchase price; providing that the County's obligation to pay such purchase price and interest on the deferred portion of such purchase price shall be a full faith and credit general obligation of the County; providing for the levying of taxes for such payments; authorizing the County Executive to modify such Agreement; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith expires – 09/15/2025; extended – 10/20/2025; extended twice – 11/24/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed


CR141-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Amendment - Board of Education Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget - $22,646,686

Title: A RESOLUTION amending the Fiscal Year 2026 Howard County Board of Education Operating Budget, as adopted by Council Resolution No. 92-2025, to add a total of $22,646,686, which includes $9,850,766 to the Howard County Public School System General Fund and $12,795,920 to the School System’s restricted funds; and generally relating to the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed as amended


General


CR142-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Adopting - Howard County Consolidated Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2025- 2029 - Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Action Plan Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Consolidated Plan Schedule

Title: A RESOLUTION adopting the Howard County Consolidated Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2025- 2029 for housing including the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Action Plan Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Consolidated Plan Schedule, and granting delegated authority to the Director of Housing and Community Development to sign as the certifying officer for housing and community development plans and activities with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

My Vote: Yes

Status: passed as amended


CR143-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Approving – Solid Waste Management Plan

Title: A RESOLUTION approving a comprehensive revision of the Solid Waste Management Plan as required by State Law

Status: Tabled


CB54-2025 - Introduced by Christiana Rigby

Short Title: Building Excise Tax - New Construction – Definition

Title: AN ACT amends the Howard County Code to amend the definition of new construction as it relates to the building excise tax; and generally relating to the building excise tax expires – 09/15/2025; extended – 10/20/2025; extended twice – 11/24/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed


CB55-2025 (ZRA 213) - Introduced by Liz Walsh

Short Title: ZRA 213 - Age Restricted Adult Housing in Planned Employment Center (PEC) zoning district and Moderate-Income Housing Unit requirements

Title: AN ACT amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow Age Restricted Adult Housing as a permitted use in the Planned Employment Center (PEC) zoning district, with additional requirements; amending the Moderate-Income Housing Unit (MIHU) requirements for Age-Restricted Units in the R-SI, POR, CCT, CEF and PSC zoning districts to require at least 5% Low-Income Housing Units (LIHU) or Disability Income Housing Units (DIHU); and generally related to MIHUs expires – 09/15/2025; extended – 10/20/2025; extended twice – 11/24/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed as amended


CB57-2025 - Introduced by David Yungmann at the request of the Board of Appeals

Short Title: Adoption – Updated Rules of Procedure for the Howard County Board of Appeals

Title: AN ACT repealing and re-enacting Subtitle 2 “Rules of Procedure of the Board of Appeals” of Title 2 “Administrative Procedure” of the Howard County Code to revise the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Appeals; and generally relating to the Rules of Procedure expires – 09/15/2025; extended – 10/20/2025; extended twice – 11/24/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Removed from the table, extended, and tabled

Tabled Legislation

General

CR81-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Short Title: Appointment- Jennifer Jenkins - Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board

Title: A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jennifer Jenkins to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board

Status: Tabled

Upcoming Council Meetings

Monday, September 1st: CLOSED, Labor Day

Tuesday, September 2nd: Legislative Session at 7 PM

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