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,
Legislative Highlight
CB11-2023 – Introduced by Open Jones and Christiana Rigby - AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to establish certain processes for certain audits by the Howard County Auditor’s Office; and generally relating to the Howard County Auditor’s Office.

Subsequently, concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and equity in our government were raised by members of the community, local leaders, and established organizations. 
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended (Amendment 1, Amendment 3, Amendment 2 to Amendment 4, Amendment 5)

(mobile users - to view my closing remarks on CB11-2023 click the graphic above and swipe right)
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

CR51-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Catherine W. Allen to the Historic Preservation Commission. 

CR52-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Bisma Beg to the Board of Health. 

CR53-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jennifer Blondo to the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency.  

CR54-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Natasha Cara Blount to the Commission for Women. 

CR55-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Alyse M. Carter to the Board of Directors of the Downtown Columbia Partnership.

CR56-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kimberly Prescott to the Board of Directors of the Downtown Columbia Partnership. 

CR57-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jack Morris Powell to the Board of Electrical Examiners. 

CR58-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kecia Stevenson Rome to the Personnel Board. 

CR59-2023 – Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Valerie Traore to the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency.  

Financial

CB12-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive  AN ACT removing an application fee for credits against the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee and generally relating to the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee. 

CR60-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION adopting Howard County’s Annual Action Plan for housing and community services to qualify for the receipt of federal Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program funds. 

CR61-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION endorsing and authorizing the Howard County Executive to file an application with the Maryland Transit Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation for grants under the Federal Transit Act and certain State transportation grants; indicating certain endorsement by the County Executive; and requiring certain copies be sent to the Maryland Department of Transportation. 
Final Consideration
Appointments

CR38-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ben S. Barlow to the Historic Preservation Commission.
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR40-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Shahriar Etemadi to the Howard County Design Advisory Panel. 
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR41-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kellie L. Hollenbeck to the Howard County Design Advisory Panel. 
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR42-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Beth Ann Johnson to the Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board.
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR43-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Lily Peng to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission.
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR44-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Robyn C. Scates, Esq. to the Howard County Board of Education.
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR45-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Gary W. Kuc as County Solicitor. 
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR46-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Elizabeth Larney to the Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board.
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR47-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Ethan Marchant to the Howard County Design Advisory Panel.
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

CR48-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Fred Marino to the Howard County Design Advisory Panel. 
My Vote:Yes
Status: Approved

Financial

CB8-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT providing for an extension of the property tax credit for high performance buildings and generally relating to the property tax credit for high performance buildings. 
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

SAO1-FY2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT transferring $47,737 from the General Fund, Orphan’s Court to the Circuit Court, due to the elimination of the Orphan’s Court.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

General

CB9-2023 - Introduced by the Chair at the request of BFEA-Curtis Farm, LLC AN ACT amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow certain historic venues to be used as a Conditional Use Historic Building Uses, under certain conditions; and generally relating to Historic Building Uses. 
(Tabled)


CB10-2023 - Introduced by Liz Walsh AN ACT to clarify the role of the hearing examiner to hear certain matters in the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board; specifying the powers and duties of, and the procedures used by, the hearing examiner, including in an evidentiary hearing; removing certain mediation procedures; specifying the rights and duties of persons of record in matters heard by the hearing examiner; providing for the process of petition applications for piecemeal map amendments and development plans; allowing for certain conditional approvals; defining certain terms and rules of construction; and generally relating to Piecemeal map amendments and development plan approvals.
(Tabled)

CR49-2023 - Introduced by Liz Walsh at the request of the Zoning Board A. RESOLUTION approving Rules of Procedure of the Hearing Examiner that set out the procedures by which hearings will be conducted by a Hearing Examiner.
(Withdrawn)

CR50-2023 - Introduced by the Chairperson A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on specified dates.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed

CB11-2023 – Introduced by Open Jones and Christiana Rigby - AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to establish certain processes for certain audits by the Howard County Auditor’s Office; and generally relating to the Howard County Auditor’s Office.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended (Amendment 1, Amendment 3, Amendment 2 to Amendment 4, Amendment 5)
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 Offices Closed: Friday, April 7th
  • County Exectuive Budget Presentatoin to the Council: Monday, April 17th at 6:30 PM
  • Council Legislative Public Hearing: Monday, April 17th at 7 PM
  • Capital Budget Public Hearing: Tuesday, April 18th at 6 PM
  • Capital Budget Work Session #1: Wednesday, April 19th at 9:30 AM
  • Capital Budget Work Session #2: Friday, April 21st at 9:30 AM
  • Council Legislative Work Session: Monday, April 24th at 9:30 AM
  • Education Budget Public Hearing: Monday, April 24th at 6 PM
  • Capital Budget Work Session #3: Wednesday, April 26st 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.