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

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.
 
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. expires – 08/12/2024; extended – 09/16/2024; extended twice – 10/21/2024

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. expires – 08/12/2024; extended – 09/16/2024; extended twice – 10/21/2024

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.

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.

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. expires – 08/12/2024; extended – 09/16/2024; extended twice – 10/21/2024
Final Consideration
Appointments

CR42-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Rev. Peter J. Spann to the Human Rights Commission.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Financial

SAO1-FY2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT transferring $347,000 from the General Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Department of Public Works for unanticipated expenses related to snow removal.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB17-2024 - 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 2024 to provide additional spending authority in the Risk Management Self-Insurance fund due to significant increases in claim expenditures of the fund; and declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet a public emergency affecting life, health or property.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

General

CB18-2024 - 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 2024 to provide additional spending authority in the Employee Benefits Self-Insurance Fund due to significant increases in claim expenditures of the fund; and declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet a public emergency affecting life, health or property.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR43-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving certain transfers between major categories of the Howard County Board of Education General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2024; transferring a total of $3,900,000 to Student Transportation from other categories; approving supplemental appropriation of unassigned fund balance in the amount of $4,900,000 to the Howard County Board of Education’s General Fund Budget; and generally relating to the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget of the Board of Education.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR44-2024 - 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 2024, to increase the Board of Education’s Food and Nutrition Service Fund appropriation by $4,326,363 through using this fund’s Fund Balance; and generally relating to the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget of the Board of Education.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CB19-2024 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN Act establishing a special Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund; specifying the purpose and uses of money in the Fund; prohibiting certain uses of money in the Fund; adding members to the Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel; adding certain duties to the Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel related to use of monies in the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund; requiring the Howard County Delegation to receive certain reports; and generally relating to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed
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:
  • Legislative Public Hearing: Tuesday, June 18th at 7 PM
  • Juneteenth Holiday - Closed: Wednesday, June 19th
  • Legislative Work Session: Tuesday, June 25th 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.