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 [email protected]. The next Legislative Session will be Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00 PM (meetings will be held in person and virtually). 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 [email protected]. 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 2022
Howard County Council Chairpersons
Chair: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Christiana Rigby, District 3

Zoning Board
Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1

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 Liz Walsh, District 1
     Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

National Associations of Counties
Representative: Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1
      Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4
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.
Legislation for Introduction
Appointments
 
Council Resolution 104-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Barbara Lynn Darley to the Public Works Board. (No expiration)

Council Resolution 105-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Victoria
A. Myles to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board. (No expiration)
 
Council Resolution 106-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Elke Pieters to the Commission on Disabilities. (No expiration)
 
Council Resolution 107-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Dr. Gina Santoro to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board. (No expiration)
 
Reappointments
 
Council Resolution 108-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Antonia
B. Watts to the Board of Library Trustees. (No expiration)
 
 
Financial
 
Council Resolution 109-2022 - A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between Howard County, Maryland and certain entities that will provide renewable energy to the County pursuant to a certain Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement to abate certain County personal property tax. (No expiration)
 
Council Resolution 110-2022 - A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between Howard County, Maryland, Clear View Farm LLC, and various Solar Power entities regarding the construction and operation of a solar array located on the property known as Clear View Farm in compliance with a certain Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement. (No expiration)
 
Council Resolution 111-2022 - A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland, Triple Creek Farm Properties LLC, and various Solar Power entities regarding the construction and operation of a solar array located on the property known as Triple Creek Farm in compliance with a certain Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement. (No expiration)
 
General
 
Council Bill 48-2022 - AN ACT to establish an LGBTQIA+ Commission; providing for the membership of the Commission; providing for the purpose and duties of the Commission; providing for the method of appointment and staff; requiring certain meetings and certain reports; providing the expiration dates of the terms of the initial members of the Commission; and generally relating to the LGBTQIA+ Commission. (Expires 9/13/22; 10/18/2022 if extended; or 11/22/22 if extended twice)

Council Bill 49-2022 - AN ACT to establish La Alianza Latina Commission; providing for the membership of the Commission; providing for the purpose and duties of the Commission; providing for the method of appointment and staff; requiring certain meetings and certain reports; providing the expiration dates of the terms of the initial members of the Commission; and generally relating to La Alianza Latina Commission. (Expires 9/13/22; 10/18/2022 if extended; or 11/22/22 if extended twice)
 
Council Resolution 112-2022 - A RESOLUTION adopting the 2022 Howard County Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan. (No expiration)
 
Council Bill 50-2022 - Introduced by Deb Jung - AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to require newly appointed members of the Howard County Board of Appeals to complete certain land use training courses as a condition of their appointment; and generally relating to the Howard County Board of Appeals. (Expires 9/13/22; 10/18/2022 if extended; or 11/22/22 if extended twice)

Legislation for Final Consideration
Appointments

Council Resolution 82-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of M. Shafeeq Ahmed, MD, MBA to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 83-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Elizabeth Banach to the Board of Library Trustees. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 84-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Gabrielle Demuren to the Recreation and Parks Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 85-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Beth Sandbower Harbinson to the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 86-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sara Kaman to the Howard County Animal Matters Hearing Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 87-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Stephanie Lyon to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 88-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Holly Erin Mays to the Environmental Sustainability Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 89-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Daniel Nees to the Environmental Sustainability Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 90-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of James J. Obasiolu to the Environmental Sustainability Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 91-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Cris Oviedo to the Howard County Local Children’s Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 92-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Julie T. Parham to the Board of Library Trustees. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 93-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Greta E. Swanson, JD to the Environmental Sustainability Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 94-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Bryan Weinstein, PE, AI/PE to the Environmental Sustainability Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 95-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Dr. Daria J. Willis to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Reappointments

Council Resolution 96-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Jennifer H. Asher to the Commission on Aging. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 97-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Grace Morris to the Housing and Community Development Board. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Council Resolution 98-2022 - A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Sierra Sewchand to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved
Financial

Council Bill 43-2022 - AN ACT approving and providing for a multi-year Installment Purchase Agreement by Howard County, Maryland to acquire development rights in approximately 29.24 acres of agricultural land located at 6940 Haviland Mill Road, Clarksville, Howard County, Maryland, from Eric O’Keefe and Jennifer Shrader or any other owner thereof for a maximum purchase price of $927,500 or, if less, not more than $31,720 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 8/15/22; 9/19/2022 if extended; or 10/24/22 if extended twice)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as Amended

Council Bill 44-2022 - AN ACT approving and providing for a multi-year Installment Purchase Agreement by Howard County, Maryland to acquire development rights in approximately 25.77 acres of agricultural land located at 6950 Haviland Mill Road, Clarksville, Howard County, Maryland, from Scott O’Keefe and Sally O’Keefe or any other owner thereof for a maximum purchase price of $791,700 or, if less in acreage, not more than $30,720 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 8/15/22; 9/19/2022 if extended; or 10/24/22 if extended twice)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed
General

Council Bill 45-2022 - AN ACT clarifying that the building excise tax shall include parking garages and any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any occupancy; and generally relating to the building excise tax. (Expires 8/15/22; 9/19/2022 if extended; or 10/24/22 if extended twice)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Bill 46-2022 - AN ACT amending provisions related to nonresidential construction in a floodplain in order to require that certain equipment and systems be elevated at least 2 feet above the 100-year flood level; prohibiting the placement of certain equipment and systems below the elevation of the lowest floor; and generally related to floodproofing in Howard County. (Expires 8/15/22; 9/19/2022 if extended; or 10/24/22 if extended twice)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Resolution 99-2022 - A RESOLUTION adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart for Fiscal Year 2023 pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Resolution 100-2022 - 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. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Resolution 101-2022 - A RESOLUTION approving an application by Barbara Spence to sell to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation an agricultural land preservation easement on property located at 2825 Florence Road in Woodbine, Howard County, Maryland and shown as Tax Map 7, Parcel 259, consisting of approximately 14.358 acres. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Resolution 102-2022 - Introduced by Liz Walsh; Co-sponsored by Deb Jung and Christiana Rigby - A RESOLUTION requesting Governor Hogan to immediately release specified funds for the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program established under Maryland law. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Resolution 103-2022 – Introduced by the Chairperson - A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on a specified date. (No expiration)
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

Council Bill 47-2022 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the Howard County Ethics Commission - AN ACT amending the Howard County Ethics Code to conform to state law changes; adding a definition; requiring the Howard County Ethics Commission to certify compliance with certain requirements and submit a certain report on or before a certain date each year; amending certain provisions relating to the solicitation and acceptance of gifts and disclosure of confidential information; adding a certain anti-retaliation provision; amending certain provisions relating to financial disclosure statements; and generally relating to the Howard County Ethics Code. (Expires 8/15/22; 9/19/2022 if extended; or 10/24/22 if extended twice)
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:

  • Council Legislative Public Hearing: Monday, July 18th at 7 PM
  • Council Legislative Work Session: Wednesday, July 20th at 1 PM
  • Council Wrap-Up Session: Wednesday, July 27th 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.

Can't attend a meeting but still want to stay involved? You can stream the Council's sessions online and click on the meeting you would like to watch. The Council's sessions are also streamed in real time on this website.