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County attorney briefs commissioners on state legislation; commission declines position on regional transportation bill
Summary
Deputy County Attorney John Houser updated the commission on the General Assembly, local bill hearings, and local bond initiatives. Commissioners decided not to take a position on a regional transportation authority bill after review and heard about several local legislative items under consideration.
Deputy County Attorney John Sterling Houser briefed the Commission of Saint Mary's County on March 4 about ongoing activity at the Maryland General Assembly, local bill status, and recent requests for letters of support.
Houser told commissioners that several local initiatives have not yet moved out of committees and that hearings are expected later in March. He reported that the public facilities borrowing authority bill has a House Appropriations hearing scheduled for March 12 and asked whether the commission wanted to submit testimony; commissioners opted to let the bill follow its course based on prior action rather than take additional testimony at this time.
Houser also reported a local bond initiative request for $350,000 to install a jet-A fuel tank for sustainable aviation fuel at the St. Mary's County Regional Airport; he said he would follow up with Public Works and airport staff for more operational and cost details. The commission heard a request from outside parties for a letter in support of HB 961/SB 1006 (artist moral rights/public art); Houser said the bill is statewide in scope and the county had not yet provided a local position.
On HB 1370/SB 881, the regional transportation authorities bill, Houser said he would notify the sponsor that the county declined to take a position. Commissioners expressed opposition to the concept, citing concerns about new regional taxes and shifting state responsibilities for transportation funding. Commissioner Mike Alderson said the bill would allow new local taxes (examples discussed included hotel tax and local sales tax increases) and that he could not support it.
Houser also reviewed other legislative developments including proposed statewide measures affecting solar siting, education funding discussions, and a bill that would allow the state to fund certain medically assisted treatment programs for detention centers through opioid restitution funds. Commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring these bills and to provide updates.
Ending: County staff will not take a position on the regional transportation authorities bill and will continue to monitor the General Assembly, returning to commissioners with updates or if the commission wishes to take future positions.
