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 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

Howard County Council Vice Chair Opel Jones Files Legislation to Increase Commercial Parking Fines in Residential Areas

CB52-2025 - Introduced by Opel Jones

Short Title: Traffic Control and Transportation – Commercial Vehicle Parking in Residential Areas – Penalties

Title: AN ACT to revise the penalties for parking commercial motor vehicles in residential areas and generally relating to parking of commercial motor vehicles expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed 

CR116-2025 - Introduced by Opel Jones

Short Title: Schedule of Fines – Commercial Motor Vehicle Parking in Residential Areas - Citations – Department of Police

Title: A RESOLUTION approving a schedule of fines and penalties for violations of and administrative costs related to the enforcement of Howard County’s parking laws, specifically increasing fines for parking citations for commercial motor vehicle parking in residential areas violations; allowing the Department of Police to embark on a public education campaign about the increased fines for commercial motor vehicles parking on residential areas violations; and generally relating to increased fines for commercial motor vehicles parking in residential area violations

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

CB56-2025 - Introduced by Liz Walsh

Short Title: On-site MIHU, LIHU & DIHU requirement for Age-Restricted Adult Housing developments Title: AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to require that Moderate Income, Low Income, and Disability Income Housing Units that are developed in an Age Restricted Adult Housing development, be developed on-site; and generally relating to Moderate, Low, and Disability Income Housing Units expires – 09/15/2025; extended – 10/20/2025; extended twice – 11/24/2025

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

Financial

CB46-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Reestablishing – Route 1 Tax Credit Title: AN ACT reestablishing a tax credit against the County tax imposed on certain commercial or industrial real property located adjacent to Route 1 that is renovated, upgraded, or rehabilitated, under certain conditions; establishing the amount, terms, conditions, and duration of the credit; providing for an application procedure and administration of the credit; establishing a sunset provision; and generally relating to property tax credits expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

General

CB47-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: International Association of Firefighters, Howard County Local 2000 – Collective Bargaining Agreement Title: Approving a multi-year collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the International Association of Firefighters, Howard County Local 2000 that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2027 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; 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; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the International Association of Firefighters, Howard County Local 2000 expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

CB48-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Pay Plan Amendment – Specialty Pays for Fire Management employees Title: AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County to provide for certain specialty pay for management employees in the Department of Fire and Rescue Service; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

CB49-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Amendment of Lease Agreement – 13,500 rentable square feet – 9515 Gerwig Lane Title: AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving an Amendment of Lease Agreement between Howard County, Maryland and Merritt-HR, LLC for the lease of approximately 13,500 rentable square feet of space located at 9515 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, Maryland; and authorizing the County Executive to take certain actions in connection with the Agreement expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed as amended

CB50-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Third Amendment of Lease Agreement – approximately 8,188 rentable square feet - 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive Title: AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving a Third Amendment of Lease Agreement between Howard County, Maryland and P Portfolio Owner, LLC for the lease of approximately 8,188 rentable square feet of space located at 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, Maryland; and authorizing the County Executive to take certain actions in connection with the Agreement expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

CR113-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Adopting the School Capacity Chart Title: 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

CR114-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart Title: A RESOLUTION adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

CR115-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Correction – Council Resolution No. 152-2023 Title: A RESOLUTION correcting the consideration included in Council Resolution No. 152-2023 that the State of Maryland, Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration would pay for certain fee simple and perpetual easements

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed as amended

CB51-2025 - Introduced by Liz Walsh Short Title: Speed Monitoring Systems-Removal of Limitation on Number of Speed Monitoring Systems Title: AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to remove the limit on the number of Speed Monitoring Systems permitted within a designated school zone and generally related to Speed Monitoring Systems in Howard County expires – 08/11/2025; extended – 09/15/2025; extended twice – 10/20/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Passed

General

CB24-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Adopting – Howard County Building Code Title: AN ACT adopting the International Building Code, 2024, the International Residential Code, 2024, the International Mechanical Code, 2024, the International Energy Conservation Code, 2024, and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2024 Edition; 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 expires – 06/16/2025; extended – 07/21/2025; extended twice – 08/25/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Removed from table and passed as amended

CB25-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Adoption – Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing Title: 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 expires – 06/16/2025; extended – 07/21/2025; extended twice – 08/25/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Removed from table and passed

CB26-2025 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive Short Title: Adopting – Plumbing and Gasfitting Code Title: AN ACT adopting the 2024 International Plumbing Code and the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54-2024), 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 expires – 06/16/2025; extended – 07/21/2025; extended twice – 08/25/2025

My Vote: Yes

Status: Removed from table and passed

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: