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Council advances hiring preference for displaced federal workers, adds amendments and sunset
Summary
Montgomery County advanced expedited Bill 10-25 on July 15 to create a county hiring preference for federal employees displaced by federal reductions in force, with committee amendments and a sunset date.
Montgomery County advanced expedited Bill 10-25 on July 15 to create a county hiring preference for displaced federal workers whose federal positions were eliminated or who were subject to a reduction in force. Council Vice President Chiwanda introduced the measure and described it as part of an "all hands on deck" approach to help local federal employees facing layoffs.
The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee recommended approval with amendments. Committee changes, described in the meeting, include: placing the displaced-federal-worker preference after the existing preference for veterans without disabilities and non-veterans with disabilities; clarifying the documentation required to qualify; removing a proposed requirement that applicants demonstrate a loss of income; clarifying the executive regulation contents; and adding a sunset for July 2, 2027.
Vice President Chiwanda said the preference would create a prescreened interview and place qualified displaced federal workers near the top of candidate lists where they meet job qualifications. Chiwanda framed the policy as support for employees who have provided federal public services, saying, "Our federal workers are not disposable. They're essential." He also told the council the county is home to "over 70,000 federal workers" and that "more than 4,000 of them have already been affected by layoffs," remarks offered during the session as context for the measure.
Council members asked that implementation be monitored closely. Councilmember Albernaz, who supported the bill, urged the Government Operations Committee to "regularly check-in on the implementation," citing bumpy execution of prior hiring-preference rollouts for veterans and people with disabilities. Council staff and the Office of Human Resources collaborated on revised language; staff members thanked Director Tracy Anderson and others for drafting and guidance.
The committee's recommendation was called in a roll-call sequence in session and recorded as a committee approval; the item will proceed to the council's legislative process for final action.
