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 2024

Howard County Council Chairpersons

Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Vice-Chair: Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1


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 Christiana Rigby, District 3

Alternate: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5


National Associations of Counties

Representative: Christiana Rigby, District 3

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.

Introduced Legislation

Appointments


CR78-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of David A. Balderson to the Board of Social Services.


CR79-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ashton Vinh-Khoa Bui to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission


CR80-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Hannah Chang to the Commission for Women


CR81-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Matthew Daddio to the Housing and Community Development Board.


CR82-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Shreya Dinesh to the Recreation and Parks Board.


CR83-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Hazel A. Domangue to the Advisory Board on Consumer Protection.


CR84-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Tigana Duncan to the Housing Commission


CR85-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Rashida George to the Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel.


CR86-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Theodore R. Hart to the Public Ethics Commission.


CR87-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jimmie Jennings to the Housing and Community Development Board.


CR88-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Mabelle Xinran Liu to the Environmental Sustainability Board.


CR89-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Xinyu Liu to the Advisory Board on Consumer Protection.


CR90-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Christopher Maynard to the Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel


CR91-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Valerie B. Montague to the Human Rights Commission.


CR92-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Maricarmen Perez-Sarabia to the La Alianza Latina Commission.


CR93-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Lucia Reyna to the Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel.


CR94-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Charles Alan Sharp to the AdultUse Cannabis Advisory Panel.


CR95-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Shannon Beasley Taitt to the Human Rights Commission.


CR96-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sean Thomas to the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families.


CR97-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sakshi Vineet Tirodkar to the Human Rights Commission.


Reappointments


CR98-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Dana Couch to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.


CR99-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Phillip Dodge to the Multimodal Transportation Board.


CR100-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of David Drasin to the Multimodal Transportation Board.


CR101-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of William Rovito to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority.


CR102-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Gregory Schuckman to the Commission on Disabilities.


CR103-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Dr. Andre’a Watkins to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.


CR104-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of John Way to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.


General


CB38-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County; providing pay scales for members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2000 to be effective July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025; providing classification codes for the Office of Agriculture Administrator and amending classification codes for the Consumer Protection Administrator; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB39-2024 - Introduced by The 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 International Association of Firefighters, Howard County Local 2000 that are in conflict with the provisions of Title 1 “Human Resources” of the Howard County Code or the Employee Manual; and generally relating to the collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the International Association of Firefighters, Howard County Local 2000. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB40-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT adding certain positions that are appointed by the Chief Administrative Officer and removing a position that is no longer appointed by the Director of the Department of Community Resources and Services; and generally relating to the appointing authorities for Executive Exempt positions in the Howard County Code. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB41-2024 - 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 Agreement between Howard County, Maryland and ePlus Technology, Inc. for hardware and software support offered by Cisco and NetApp, authorizing the County Executive to make changes to the Agreement, under certain conditions; authorizing the County Executive to execute the Agreement; and generally relating to the Agreement. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB42-2024 - 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 Lease Agreement for the lease of approximately 16,416 square feet of space in Howard County, Maryland; and authorizing the County Executive to take certain actions in connection with the Lease Agreement. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB43-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN Act requiring that the owner, occupant, tenant or other person in charge of a property or premises shall provide certain entry and access; allowing certain entry in the instance that certain imminent dangers exist; and generally relating to enforcement of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations and the Zoning Regulations. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB44-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT making emergency appropriations pursuant to Section 610(b) of the Howard County Charter and amending the Annual Budget and Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2025 to provide additional spending authority received from the Interagency Commission on School Construction in Capital Projects E1058, Systemic Renovations, and E1059, Roofing; and declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet a public emergency affecting life, health or property. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CR105-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION amending the Howard County Board of Education Budget, as adopted by Council Resolution No. 48-2024, to account for additional funding received from the State of Maryland for capital projects; and generally relating to the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2025.


CR106-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the Howard County Council

A RESOLUTION setting the compensation of the Howard County Alcoholic Beverages Hearing Board.


CB45-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the Howard County Council

AN ACT amending the compensation of the members of the Board of Appeals; and generally relating to the compensation of the Board of Appeals members. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB46-2024 - Introduced by The Chair at the Request of the Citizens' Election Fund Commission Co-sponsor(s) Liz Walsh, Christiana Rigby, Deb Jung AN ACT amending the Citizens’ Election Fund provision of the Code to clarify the role of certified candidates for County Executive or County Council in the Citizens' Election Fund system; and generally related to the Citizens’ Election Fund system. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB47-2024 - Introduced by Liz Walsh AN ACT establishing the Office of the Inspector General; specifying the selection, term, qualifications, and responsibilities of the Inspector General; providing for the referral of certain matters; specifying the funding and powers of the Office of the Inspector General; requiring certain reports; establishing the Inspector General Advisory Board; specifying the composition, powers, and duties of the Inspector General Advisory Board; specifying the selection, term, and responsibilities of the Inspector General Advisory Board; and generally relating to the Office of the Inspector General. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024


CB48-2024 - Introduced by Liz Walsh AN ACT supporting the creation of the Office of the Inspector General; amending the process for whistleblower complaints; repealing certain duties of the County Auditor; amending the composition of the Howard County Ethics Commission; and generally relating to supporting the Office of the Inspector General. expires – 09/09/2024; extended – 10/15/2024; extended twice – 11/18/2024

Final Consideration

Appointments


CR69-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Reginald Avery to the Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Tabled

 

CR70-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Mary Catherine Cochran to the Recreation and Parks Board.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Approved


CR71-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Matthew J. Gallagher, Esq. to the Public Ethics Commission.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Approved


CR72-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Tamerdis Hollywood to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Approved


CR73-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Shaun Lehmann to the Recreation and Parks Board.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Approved


CR74-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Linda F. Stewart to the Public Ethics Commission.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Approved


Reappointments


CR75-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Frances F. LoPresti to the Howard County Animal Matters Hearing Board.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Approved


General


CB35-2024 - 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 86.16 acres of agricultural land located at 880 Long Corner Road, Mount Airy, Howard County, Maryland, from the Edward E. Day Revocable Living Trust, or any other owner thereof for a maximum purchase price of $2,905,400 or, if less in acreage, not more than $33,720 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


CB36-2024 - Introduced by The 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 Howard County Local 3080, AFL-CIO Maryland Council 3 that amends certain compensation to be paid during Fiscal Year 2025; approving provisions in an amendment to a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the Howard County Local 3080, AFL-CIO Maryland Council 3 that are in conflict with the provisions of Title 1 “Human Resources” of the Howard County Code or the Employee Manual; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the Howard County Local 3080, AFL-CIO Maryland Council 3.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed


CR76-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION adopting the School Capacity Chart, pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County, to designate the elementary school regions, and the elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools constrained for new residential development during each of the following ten years as based on the definition of program capacity as defined by Howard County Public School System policy and requiring a certain joint special work meeting in accordance with Section 16.1103(d) of the Howard County Code.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed


CR77-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed


CB37-2024 - Introduced by Christiana Rigby AN ACT to alter the school facilities surcharge for single-family detached dwelling in accordance with Chapter 744 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2019; and generally relating to the school facilities surcharge.

My Vote: Yes

Status: Tabled

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:

  • July 4th Holiday - CLOSED: Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th
  • Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, July 9th at 9:30 AM
  • Legislative Public Hearing: Monday, July 15th, at 7 PM
  • Legislative Work Session: Tuesday, July 23rd at 9:30 AM
  • Legislative Session - Wrap-Up: Monday, July 29th at 10 AM

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