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 2023
Howard County Council Chairpersons
Chair: Councilmember Christiana Rigby, District 3
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Zoning Board
Chair: Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Dr. Opel Jones, District 2

Board of License Commissioners
Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Dr. Opel Jones, District 2

Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee
Representative: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4
Alternate: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5

National Associations of Counties
Representative: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4
Alternate: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5
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.
Introduction
Appointments

CR1-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Isabella Clancy to the Commission for Women.

CR2-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Tabitha Dixon to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission.

CR3-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sharon Stanley Merriweather to the Board of Health.

CR4-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Chris Rhodes to the Howard County Agricultural Preservation Board.

CR5-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Andrea L. Rose to the Pension Oversight Commission.

CR6-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Miesha L. Suber to the Housing and Community Development Board.

CR7-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Phyllis S. Zolotorow to the Housing and Community Development Board. 

Reappointments

CR8-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Mae Beale to the Commission for Women.

CR9-2023 - Introduced by Deb Jung A RESOLUTION reappointing Lynn Foehrkolb to the Board of Appeals of Howard County, Maryland, to fill a term ending on December 31, 2027.  

Financial

CB1-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT providing that the tax credit for Agricultural Land shall automatically renew, as long as the property owner remains eligible; providing a date by when a property owner shall initially apply; and generally relating to the tax credit for Agricultural Land. 

CB2-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving a Tenth Amendment and Renewal of Lease between Howard County, Maryland and Symphony Woods, LLC, that expands the leased premises located at 5950 Symphony Woods Drive, Columbia, Maryland, to a total of approximately 2,385 rentable square feet and that extends the term to June 30, 2030; authorizing the County Executive to make changes to the Amendment, under certain conditions; authorizing the County Executive to execute the Amendment; and generally relating to the Amendment.

General

CB3-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT amending the Clean Energy Loan Program by defining certain terms; amending the scope of eligibility to receive a Clean Energy Loan; adding improvements that are eligible under the Program; adding qualifying costs that are eligible for reimbursement under the Program; clarifying default provisions; amending when surcharges will be collected; setting forth the term by which the Clean Energy Loan shall be repaid; setting forth the Clean Energy Loan Program Administrator; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the Clean Energy Loan Program.

CB4-2023 - Introduced by Christiana Rigby AN ACT imposing an assessment on each trip generated by a Transportation Network Service company originating in the County; providing for collection of the assessment; creating a Transit Services Improvement Fund; specifying the components and uses of the Fund; requiring a certain Report; and generally relating to for-hire transportation network activities.

CB5-2023 - Introduced by Christiana Rigby AN ACT requiring the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits to report to the County Council with recommendations about changes to the Howard County Building Code that would be needed to require all-electric buildings, requiring the Department to consider specified exemptions and considerations; setting a certain deadline, and generally relating to the Howard County Building Code.

CB6-2023 (ZRA 203) - Introduced by The Chair at the request of Demirel Plaza, LLC AN ACT amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow Age-Restricted Adult Housing as a permitted use in the Office Transition (OT) zoning district, under certain conditions; and generally relating to Age-Restricted Adult Housings. 

CR10-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION approving an amendment to the Howard County Master Plan for Water and Sewerage to add the Lyhus Property to the Inventory of Existing Multi-Use Community Well and Surface Water Supply and the Summary of Existing and Planned Permit Discharges. 
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. Meetings will be held in person and virtually. The next meetings are as follows:

  • Council Legislative Public Hearing: Tuesday, January 17th at 7 PM
  • Council Legislative Work Session: Monday, January 23rd at 9:30 AM

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