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 Chairpersons

Chair: Councilmember Dr. Opel Jones, District 2

Vice-Chair: Councilmember Christiana Rigby, District 3

Zoning Board

Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5

Vice-Chair: Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1

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 Christiana Rigby, District 3

Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

National Associations of Counties

Representative: Christiana Rigby, District 3

Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

CB16-2026 - Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Co-Sponsored by: Opel Jones, Deb Jung, Christiana Rigby, and Liz Walsh

Short Title: Emergency Act - Amending – Howard County Building Code – I-3 Use group

Title: AN EMERGENCY ACT amending the Howard County Building Code to provide that only a government agency is eligible to make application, obtain or hold a permit for the I-3 Use group; to provide that the building official may suspend or revoke a permit other than one issued to a government agency that has not passed final inspection; generally relating to the regulation of building and construction in Howard County; and declaring this to be an emergency act.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed (UNANIMOUS) 

CB17-2026 - Introduced by Liz Walsh

Short Title: County Executive – Immigration Enforcement – Guidance – Emergency Act

Title: AN ACT requiring the County Executive to develop and publish certain guidance related to immigration enforcement action at County facilities and property; requiring County departments to adopt certain policies consistent with the County Executive’s guidance on immigration enforcement at County facilities and property; limiting access to certain areas for immigration enforcement; declaring contracts in support of immigration enforcement void and unenforceable as against public policy; declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet an immediate emergency affecting public health, safety, or welfare; and generally relating to the County Administration and immigration enforcement in the County. 

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed as amended

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. Meetings will be held in person and virtually. The next meetings are as follows:

Monday, February 9th at 10 AM: Council Joint Meeting with Board of Education

Monday, February 16th CLOSED: President's Day

Tuesday, February 17th at 7 PM: Legislative Public Hearing

Monday, February 23rd at 10 AM: Legislative Work Session

Monday, March 2nd at 7 PM: Legislative Session