Supporters of hiring preference for displaced federal workers urge council to approve bill 10‑25

Montgomery County held a public hearing on Expedited Bill 10‑25, which would establish a county hiring preference for displaced federal workers. Testimony from county staff and displaced federal employees emphasized the bill’s timeliness and benefits, while county officials asked for clarifications about implementation and verification.

Tricia Swanson, director of strategic partnerships speaking on behalf of the County Executive, said the administration supports the bill’s intent but raised three implementation concerns: the potential volume of interviews if many applicants must be individually screened, the verification process for confirming federal separation or layoffs (which sometimes requires coordination with other jurisdictions), and the bill’s place in the county’s hiring preference hierarchy, particularly in relation to veterans’ preferences. Swanson noted the county’s new hiring program created in August 2024 generated a 300% increase in applicants for some positions and gave an example of a data analyst posting that received 251 applicants, 54 of whom were federal workers or former federal workers. She said the administration will work with the sponsor’s office and committee to narrow scope and streamline verification so the bill remains effective.

Linda Gutierrez, a career federal employee and Montgomery County resident, described losing her position after 18 years at the U.S. Agency for International Development and urged the council to include displaced workers who have already been separated as well as those who have received layoff notices in the definition of “displaced federal worker.” “This bill gives county residents who are public servants a chance to stay and serve rather than uproot our lives,” Gutierrez said, urging the council to adopt language that covers employees notified of separation within six months.

Council staff announced that a Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee work session will be scheduled at a later date and invited written submissions through April 10, 2025. No final council action on Bill 10‑25 was taken at the hearing; sponsors and administration representatives said they expect to resolve implementation questions in committee before any required committee vote.