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.
Final Consideration
Financial (Non FY2024 Budget)

CB13-2023 - 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 2023 to provide additional spending authority in the Environmental Services fund due to significant increases in the price of exporting waste from the County and other expenses 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

SA02-2023 - AN ACT transferring $773,000 from the General Fund, Contingency to the Board of Elections, due to unbudgeted State mandates and a delay in 2022 election expense payments.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Budget

CB15-2023 - 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3888, AFSCME Maryland Council 3 (formerly, Council 67, AFL-CIO) that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2025 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3888, AFSCME 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3888, AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB16-2023 - 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Howard County Local 3080 AFSCME Maryland Council 3 (formerly, Council 67, AFL-CIO) that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2025 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Howard County Local 3080 AFSCME 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Howard County Local 3080 AFSCME Maryland Council 3. 
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB17-2023 - 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085, AFSCME Maryland Council 3 (formerly, Council 67, AFL-CIO) that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2025 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085, AFSCME 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085, AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CB18-2023 - 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 1810, AFSCME Maryland Council 3 (formerly Council 67, AFL-CIO) that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2025 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 1810, AFSCME 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 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 1810, AFSCME Maryland Council 3.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB19-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County; providing pay scales for employees to be effective July 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024; amending certain time in steps for certain employees; amending the pay grade for Park Rangers; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CB20-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT amending the Classification Plan for Howard County to amend the minimum experience required for the position of Fire Fighter/HVO and to reflect the pay grade change for the position of Park Ranger; and generally relating to amendments to the Howard County Classification Plan.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB21-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT adopting the current expense budget and the capital budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, to be known as the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance of Howard County, Fiscal Year 2024.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CB22-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the principal amount of up to $118,402,600 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County capital projects (including bridge projects, general county projects, storm drainage projects, school system projects, fire and rescue projects, road construction projects, roadside and sidewalk projects, library projects, community college projects, parks and recreation projects, police projects and traffic improvements projects), which are specified and described in the County's 2024 Capital Budget (including, without limitation, borrowings for certain capital projects previously authorized in other calendar years, which such authorization has lapsed or will lapse), and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CB23-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the principal amount of up to $81,936,000 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County water and sewer capital projects which are specified and described in the County's 2024 Capital Budget (including, without limitation, borrowings for certain water and sewer capital projects previously authorized in prior calendar years which such authorization has lapsed or will lapse), and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with benefit assessments, ad valorem taxes levied upon the assessable property in the Metropolitan District and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB24-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in a principal amount of up to $8,524,387 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County road construction projects which are specified and described in the County's 2024 Capital Budget (including, without limitation, borrowings for certain of such capital projects previously authorized), and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing and empowering the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with building excise taxes and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB25-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the aggregate principal amount of up to $8,730,000 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain County watershed protection and restoration projects as more particularly described in the County's 2024 Capital Budget, and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing and empowering the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with amounts held in the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed


CB26-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT for the purpose of authorizing and empowering Howard County, Maryland to borrow money in the aggregate principal amount of up to $6,630,000 on its full faith and credit, and issue and sell its bonds or other obligations therefor, to be used to pay costs of certain General County projects as more particularly described in the County's 2024 Capital Budget, and to pay costs of issuance of such bonds or other obligations; authorizing and empowering the County to issue bond anticipation notes or to enter into installment purchase agreements for payment of portions of such costs; and to levy taxes upon the assessable property within the County sufficient, together with amounts collected by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks and other available funds, to pay the debt service on such obligations; and providing for and determining various matters in connection therewith.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR66-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving the Capital Program for Howard County for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029 and the Extended Capital Program for Fiscal Years 2030 through 2033.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR67-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving the Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget for the Howard Community College and indicating appropriations for major functional categories.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR68-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the Howard County Library System and indicating appropriations for object classes.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR69-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION setting forth the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget for the Howard County Board of Education.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CR70-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the Howard County Health Department and indicating appropriations for object classes.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CR71-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving schedules for charges pertaining to the Metropolitan District, to water and sewer service, and to shared sewage disposal facilities.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR72-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees for the functions regulated by the Department of Public Works.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

CR73-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees, fines and charges for functions regulated by the Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR74-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees and charges for functions regulated or administered by the Department of Planning and Zoning.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR75-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees and rates for functions regulated and administered by the Department of Police.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR76-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fines and penalties for violations of and administrative costs related to enforcement of Howard County’s parking laws, including administrative handling fees for parking citations and citations under the automated redlight enforcement program.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR77-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving fee and rate schedules for: (1) Applying for approval of an industrial development revenue bond or MIDFA bond or loan; (2) Solicitor and Peddler Identification Card; (3) Weekend Prisoners - Room and board; (4) Prisoner - Health care provider fee; (5) Participation in work release program; (6) Participation in home detention program; (7) Marriage license fee charge for funding of domestic violence programs; (8) Annual registration of trespass towing companies and maximum rates to be charged by trespass towing services; (9) Fee and specifications for transcripts of administrative proceedings; and (10) Reproduction of public records.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR78-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION adopting schedules for various charges related to the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee.  
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR79-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION adopting fee schedules for functions of the Health Department.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR80-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION adopting a Schedule of Fees for inspections conducted by the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR81-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION adopting a schedule of fees for functions regulated by the Department of Finance.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR82-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION approving a Reimbursement Schedule for the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement Program. 
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR83-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION levying a tax on certain admissions and amusements, establishing classes of admissions and amusements, setting tax rates on different classes, and providing for certain exemptions from the tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR84-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION adopting the schedule of rates for the Building Excise Tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR85-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION levying a fire and rescue tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024 and setting the tax rate for the fire and rescue tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR86-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION levying a property tax for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024; setting the tax rates for property; and providing for the collection of the property tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR87-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION setting the fee-in-lieu rate for moderate income housing.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR88-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION adopting the Transfer Tax, the tax on every instrument of writing conveying title to real or leasehold property offered for a record and recorded in Howard County with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and providing for certain exemptions from the tax.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CR89-2023 - Introduced by The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  A RESOLUTION establishing a recordation tax rate on instruments of writing that are recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. 
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed
If you would like to watch any of the Council meetings click here.
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 Session: Monday, June 5th at 7 PM
  • General Plan Work Session #3: Wednesday, June 7th at 9:30 AM
  • General Plan Public Hearing: Wednesday, June 14th at 7 PM
  • Juneteenth - Offices Closed: Monday, June 19th
  • Council Legislative Public Hearing: Tuesday, June 20th at 7 PM
  • General Plan Work Session #4: Wednesday, June 21st at 9:30 AM
  • Council Legislative Work Session: Monday, June 26th 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.