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

CR131-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Leslie Bauer to the Howard County Agricultural Preservation Board.
CR132-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of James Bell to the Advisory Board on Consumer Protection.

CR133-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kyle R. Burton, MD, MPP, to the Commission on Aging.

CR134-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Dana Couch to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.

CR135-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Candace Dodson-Reed to the Housing Commission.

CR136-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION recommending to the Governor of Maryland that Lynda Eisenberg be appointed to the Patuxent River Commission.

CR137-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Brent Grazman, Ph.D., to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board.

CR138-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Melissa Hudzik to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board.

CR139-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Samantha Magness to the LGBTQIA+ Commission.

CR140-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Eneanya Obioha to the Human Rights Commission.

CR141-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Derek Patrick to the Howard County Agricultural Preservation Board.

CR142-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Madiha Rahimi to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission.

CR143-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jill Rathburn to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
CR144-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Prateek Shukla to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board.

CR145-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Narissa Solanki to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.

CR146-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sean Thomas to the Board of Social Services.

CR147-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Bradley Welsh to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board.

CR148-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jessica K. Winkles, Ph.D., to the Howard County Local Children’s Board.

CR149-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Antoine RJ Wright to the Multimodal Transportation Board.

CR150-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kathryn Valentine to the Housing Commission.

Reappointments

CR151-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Jae Chon to the Pension Oversight Commission.

General
 
CB35-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT authorizing step adjustments for purposes of pay equity, under certain
conditions; requiring certain approvals by the Personnel Officer following an assessment and recommendation by the Human Resources Administrator; and generally relating to the rates of pay for County employees.

CB36-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County; providing pay scales for certain public safety employees that shall be effective January 1, 2024; to correct a scale that applies to members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 143; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County.

CR152-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION pursuant to Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code declaring that a portion of land owned by Howard County, Maryland and located within Centennial Park, along Centennial Lane and Maryland Route 108, is no longer needed by the County for public purposes; authorizing the County Executive to convey, upon certain consideration, fee simple title to 0.834 acres and permanent easement interests in 0.152 acres to the State of Maryland, Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration; waiving the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to convey the property if he finds that the County may have a use for the property.

CB37-2023 - Introduced by Deb Jung Co-sponsor(s) David Yungmann
AN ACT removing the prohibition on owners of multiple residential properties from receiving the property tax credit for seniors and retired military personnel; and generally relating to property tax credits.
Tabled Legislation
Appointments

CR112-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sean P. Keller to the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Tabled
General

CB28-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT adopting HoCo By Design as the general plan for Howard County, Maryland which includes a Plan for the Route 1 Corridor, for the purpose of planning for land use and land conservation and multiyear development planning for transportation, public facilities, water, sewerage, parkland, housing, human services, and environmental protection; and generally relating to planning, zoning, and land use in Howard County, Maryland.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Tabled

CR101-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION pursuant to Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code, authorizing the County Executive to grant easements to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company so that it may replace and relocate poles and other equipment maintained by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company on property owned by Howard County, Maryland in Ellicott City; waiving the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to grant the easements if he finds that the property may have a further public use.
My Vote: No
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:

  • General Plan Work Session #7: Wednesday, September 6th at 9:30 AM
  • Council Monthly Meeting: Monday, September 11th at 10:00 AM
  • General Plan Work Session #8: Wednesday, September 13th at 6:30 PM
  • Legislative Public Hearing: Monday, September 18th at 7 PM
  • General Plan Public Hearing: Wednesday, September 20th at 7 PM
  • Legislative Work Session: Wednesday, September 27th at 9:30 AM
  • General Plan Work Session #9: Wednesday, September 27th at 6:30 PM

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