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Commissioners direct letters opposing proposed business‑to‑business tax and annexation limits; staff to monitor homeless shelter bill
Summary
At its March 11 meeting the commission voted to submit letters opposing a proposed business‑to‑business 2.5% tax and a bill limiting municipal annexation into different legislative districts; staff were instructed to continue tracking a homeless‑shelter certification bill and other Annapolis items.
County staff briefed the commissioners on ongoing state legislation and requested direction on local positions. The board voted to send letters of opposition on two late‑filed bills and instructed staff to continue monitoring others.
John Hauser, who delivered the weekly Annapolis update, summarized several bills and their status ahead of crossover. He described the proposed business‑to‑business tax (filed as HB1554/SB1045), which would impose a 2.5 percent levy on certain services sold from one business to another. Hauser said the bill lists about 16 categories of taxable services and that legal services are not included; the categories include payroll, accounting, landscaping, advertising and design services. He noted consulting and other single‑person service businesses would likely be affected. Commissioners directed staff to send a letter of opposition; the motion to submit an opposition letter and authorize the commissioner president to sign passed unanimously.
The commission also voted unanimously to submit a letter of opposition to HB1525, a late‑filed bill that would limit municipalities from annexing land located in a different legislative district than the municipality. County staff said Leonardtown has expressed opposition because the town’s boundaries cross legislative districts and the bill could limit municipal annexation options.
On HB93/SB234 (a proposed homeless shelter certification program), staff reported amendments circulated by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (MAKO) appear to exempt temporary sheltering operations created in response to emergencies — which staff believe could protect county WARM cold‑weather shelter operations — but commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring. The county currently has a letter of opposition on file for the original bill; staff indicated they will track the amended language and update the commission if the committee changes the bill.
Why this matters: The business‑to‑business tax and annexation bill could affect local businesses, municipal planning and county revenue dynamics. The homeless shelter certification bill could affect how temporary faith‑ or community‑based WARM operations are regulated.
What’s next: Staff will transmit the opposition letters as authorized and continue to monitor committee action and amendments; staff will provide copies of relevant fiscal and policy notes to the commissioners.
