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. The next Legislative Public Hearing will be Monday, November 15th at 7:00 PM (meetings will be held in person and virtually). To sign-up in advance to testify, 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.
Highlighted Legislation
Introduced by: Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby
AN ACT establishing a local minimum wage for employees working in Howard County; and generally relating to Howard County minimum wage requirements.
Howard County Council
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
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.
Introduced Legislation
Appointments
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Bert J. Nash, Jr. to the Housing Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Gregory Schuckman to the Commission on Disabilities.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Steven L. Towne to the Commission on Disabilities.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION amending a Resolution previously adopted by the County Council to correct the term of an appointment to the Howard County Housing Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving a list of Howard County residents to be sent to the Governor, in accordance with State law, so that the Governor may choose one of the residents from the list to fill a vacancy on the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board and amending the term of a previously adopted Resolution confirming appointments to the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board.
Reappointments
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Elizabeth Oyebode to the Commission for Women.
Financial
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving supplemental appropriation of unassigned fund balance to the Howard County Board of Education’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023, per request of the Board of Education; to increase the Board of Education’s General Fund appropriation by $15 million through adding $15 million in use of the School System’s Fund Balance; and generally relating to the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget of the Board of Education.
General
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT to establish a Police Accountability Board; setting forth the qualifications for members and method of appointment; setting forth the process for selection of the board chairperson; providing for a process to receive certain complaints alleging police misconduct; setting forth the duties of the Board; defining certain terms; providing for the requirement to submit financial disclosure statements; providing for the staggering of initial appointments to the Board; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to police accountability in Howard County.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending provisions of the Police and Fire Employees’ Retirement Plan in order to remove certain distinctions between management firefighters and firefighters with regard to unused sick leave; and generally relating to the Howard County Pension for Police and Fire Employees.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT to update County housing discrimination law to comply with Subtitle 7 of Title 20 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland by amending the definition of source of income, amending provisions related to unlawful discrimination in the sale and rental of housing, amending provisions related to unlawful discrimination based on source of income, amending certain exemptions related to age-restricted housing, owner-occupied dwellings and source of income, all to align with State Law; prohibiting discrimination in commercial leases; amending provisions related to nonexclusive remedies; and generally related to Human Rights provisions of the County Code.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT providing that the Fee-in-Lieu for Moderate Income Housing Units and the Building Excise Tax shall be paid at the time of building permit issuance in order to align with the timing of payment of the School Facilities Surcharge; and generally related to fees collected by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION pursuant to Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code declaring that 10.18 acres of land owned by Howard County, Maryland located on Resort Road, Ellicott City, is no longer needed by the County for public purposes; authorizing the County Executive to convey the property to the Board of Education of Howard County; waiving the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code in order to convey the property; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to convey the property if he finds that it may have a further public use.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION pursuant to Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code declaring that portions of a Sewer and Utility Easement, containing approximately 1,189 square feet is no longer needed by the County for public purposes; authorizing the County Executive to convey the easement interest in the property to the fee simple owner, PS Atlantic Coast 2021 B LLC; waiving the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code in order to convey the easement interests to PS Atlantic Coast 2021 B LLC; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to terminate the easement interests if he finds that the easements may have a public use.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION finding that the Greenfields development located at 8120 Hicks Road, which will create three new, single-family, detached rental housing units to serve nine disabled adults, meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and that the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning shall authorize the Development to proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart.

Introduced by: Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby
AN ACT establishing a local minimum wage for employees working in Howard County; and generally relating to Howard County minimum wage requirements.

Introduced by: The Chair at the request of Dunteachin Estates Homeowners Association, Inc.
AN ACT amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations pertaining to Age-Restricted Adult Housing conditional uses by reducing the maximum number of dwelling units allowed per net acre in Residential: Environmental Development (R-ED) and Residential: Single (R-20) zoning districts; limiting the square-footage of a certain number of Age-Restricted units; increasing the square-footage of required community buildings in certain circumstances; and generally relating to Age-Restricted Adult Housings.

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT to prohibit the willful failure to do specified maintenance and repair of certain historic structures thus prohibiting certain demolition by neglect of those structures; allowing the Historic District Commission to waive compliance in certain cases of financial hardship; providing for a hearing and an opportunity to cure specified violations; and generally relating to historic structures, historic sites, and historic districts in the County.

Introduced by: David Yungmann
AN ACT establishing a “lookback” provision for the disturbance of certain trees; providing for enhanced enforcement measures and penalties for violations of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving a multi-year Quote between Howard County, Maryland and Axon Enterprises, Inc. and between the Howard County Office of the Sheriff and Axon Enterprises, Inc., for the acquisition of equipment and software and technical services and support related to the County’s Body Worn Camera Program, authorizing the County Executive or the Sheriff to make changes to their Quotes respectively, under certain conditions; authorizing the County Executive or the Sheriff to execute the Quote pertaining to their respective entities; and declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet a public emergency affecting life, health or property.

Introduced by: The Chairperson
A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on a specified date.
Legislation for Final Consideration
APPOINTMENTS

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Elizabeth Benevides to the Commission on Disabilities.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Cassandra Buffington-Bates to the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ihuoma G. Emenuga, MD, MPH, MBA, to the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sherine Hargrove to the Commission for Women.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Jennifer Broderick to the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

FINANCIAL

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the issuance, sale and delivery of up to $150,000,000 consolidated public improvement bonds and up to $50,000,000 metropolitan district bonds, pursuant to various bond enabling laws; providing that such bonds shall be general obligations of the County; authorizing the County Executive to specify, prescribe, determine, provide for or approve the final principal amounts, maturity schedules, interest rates and redemption provisions for such bonds, and other matters, details, forms, documents or procedures and to determine the method of sale of such bonds; providing for the disbursement of the proceeds of such bonds and for the levying of taxes to pay debt service on such bonds; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT approving and providing for a multi-year Installment Purchase Agreement by Howard County, Maryland to acquire development rights in approximately 23.974 acres of agricultural land located on west side of Jennings Chapel Road, Brookeville, Howard County, Maryland, from C. Alan Sharp or any other owner thereof for a maximum purchase price of $842,000 or, if less, not more than $35,120 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.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT approving and providing for a multi-year Installment Purchase Agreement by Howard County, Maryland to acquire development rights in approximately 127.71 acres of agricultural land located on west side of Jennings Chapel Road, Brookeville, Howard County, Maryland, currently owned by the Jean R. Dickey Inter Vivos Trust, under contract to be owned by AFS Farm LLC and Sharp’s Wild Horse Meadow LLC, or any other owner thereof for a maximum purchase price of $4,827,500 or, if less, not more than $37,800 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.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION pursuant to Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, approving the Howard County Board of Education’s Capital Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2023 and Capital Improvement Program Request for Fiscal Years 2024-2028 for the purpose of submission to the Interagency Commission on School Construction.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

GENERAL

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT adopting the International Building Code, 2021, the International Residential Code, 2021, the International Mechanical Code, 2021, and the International Energy Conservation Code, 2021; providing that such codes collectively comprise the Howard County Building Code; regulating the design, construction, alteration, improvement, or modification of a building, structure, or other related equipment; adopting certain local amendments to the Building Code; adopting penalties for the violation of the Building Code; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the regulation of building and construction in Howard County.
Status: Tabled

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT adopting the 2021 International Plumbing Code and the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54-2021), as the Plumbing and Gasfitting Code for Howard County in order to protect the public health and safety by setting forth criteria for the design and installation of plumbing and gasfitting systems; adopting local amendments to the Plumbing and Gasfitting code; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the Plumbing and Gasfitting Code for Howard County.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT adopting certain national codes as the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing; adopting local amendments; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT changing references to electrical licenses to be registrations in accordance with State Law; correcting certain cross references; making certain technical corrections; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to licensing provisions for electricians in Howard County.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT adopting the National Fire Protection Association 1, Fire Code, 2021 Edition as the Howard County Fire Prevention Code, which sets certain fire safety requirements for structures in order to protect life and property; making certain local amendments to the Fire Code which shall include, among other things, the incorporation of certain duties and responsibilities in plan review and inspection; revising and reorganizing certain provisions governing open fires; addressing unit number assignments in certain multi-family residential buildings; requiring certain notice of special events that do not require police permits; amending certain provisions related to the contractor portal; clarifying road widths for fire access roads that access solar facilities; and generally relating to fire safety requirements and fire prevention in Howard County.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION supplementing and amending the Historic Sites Inventory for Howard County by adding the Treakle Farm and the Duvall Family Farm to the Inventory and by amending address information related to properties already on the Inventory.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Deb Jung
AN ACT deleting a certain exception for a contract for supplies and services awarded without competition from a requirement that a County contract for procurement of contractual services require a contractor or any subcontractor to comply with certain wage requirements; and generally relating to the compliance of a contractor or subcontractor with wage requirements.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: Deb Jung and Christiana Rigby
AN ACT to provide for a hearing examiner to hear certain matters in the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board; specifying the powers and duties of, and the procedures to be used by, the hearing examiner, including the requirement to issue a certain report; specifying the contents of the report; specifying the duties of the Zoning Board with respect to the actions of the hearing examiner; clarifying when certain mediation occurs; providing for the rights of the parties, including the right to file exceptions, in matters heard by the hearing examiner; and generally relating to Piecemeal map amendments and development plan approvals.
Status: Tabled

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT adding new definitions to the Forest Conservation ordinance; establishing a “look-back” provision for the disturbance of certain trees; reducing the diameter threshold to 24 inches for forest retention; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.
Status: Tabled

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT providing for enhanced enforcement measures and penalties for violations of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.
Status: Tabled

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT prohibiting the physical harassment of Department of Public Works employees; prohibiting a person from addressing certain words or statements to certain employees or persons; authorizing a certain temporary ban of an individual from certain property under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the regulation of conduct on County property managed by the Department of Public Works and on park property managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks. 
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Adeniyi Michael Adekoya to the Commission on Disabilities.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Roslyn Rise Four, LLC for property located at 10351 Twin Rivers Road, which will comprise a mixed-income, rental housing development to be known as one-half of Roslyn Rise Apartments, and finding that the Development meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and may proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Roslyn Rise Nine, LLC for property located at 10401 Twin Rivers Road, which will comprise a mixed-income, rental housing development to be known as one-half of Roslyn Rise Apartments, and finding that the Development meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and may proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT prohibiting the cutting or clearing of certain specimen trees; providing that a property owner may proceed under certain conditions and upon the submission and approval of certain applications; providing for the contents of certain applications; providing for the criteria to use in the review of certain applications; providing for certain exemptions; requiring certain compliance; providing certain penalties for noncompliance; requiring surety for forest retention; defining certain terms; and generally related to forest conservation and the preservation of natural cover in Howard County.
Status: Tabled

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT removing exemptions from the Forest Conservation Plan requirements for certain Planned Unit Developments and Planned Business Parks; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: The Chairperson
A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on a specified date.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended
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:

  • Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - Monthly Meeting (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)
  • Monday, November 15, 2021 - Public Hearing (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)
  • Wednesday, November 17, 2021 - Work Session (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)

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.