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Commissioners approve letters on state bills: support for police record expungement and opposition to several transportation, solar and cannabis bills
Summary
The board authorized multiple letters to the Maryland General Assembly: support for HB885/SB625 (expunging unfounded/exonerated ACC records) and formal opposition to HB20/SB198 (CTP changes), HB84/SB395 (transport/climate alignment), HB1036/SB391 (solar siting and tax treatment), and HB1364/SB894 (Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund changes).
During its legislative update Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners voted to transmit formal positions on several bills before the Maryland General Assembly.
The board approved a letter of support for House Bill 885 / Senate Bill 625, which would remove from an officer's permanent disciplinary record investigative files and public records for allegations found unfounded or exonerated by an Administrative Charging Committee. County staff reported that in St. Mary's County about half of the ACC matters (7 of 16 cases) have included at least one unfounded or exonerated finding; commissioners said the change would prevent unfounded matters from lingering in an officer's file.
The board voted to send letters of opposition for the following bills: - HB20 / SB198 (changes to the Consolidated Transportation Program): commissioners said scoring changes as drafted could disadvantage rural counties; the board's letter will oppose the bill as written and note MAKO's suggested amendments. - HB84 / SB395 (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act): commissioners said the scoring and climate assessment requirements could disproportionately affect rural projects. - HB1036 / SB391 (generation and siting of solar): the board said it opposes statutory preemption of local siting authority and criticized a provision that would replace local property tax treatment with a flat $5,000 per megawatt payment in lieu of taxes. - HB1364 / SB894 (modifications to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund): commissioners objected to additional state oversight and an administrative structure that would constrain local decision making about CRRF distributions (the board said local discretion should remain primary).
The board declined to submit a county‑wide letter on broader budget reconciliation (BRFAA) at this time and opted to delay a formal position on an Arts Council funding letter until commissioners review additional information. Commissioners also requested staff to follow up with the local arts council for details on a separate visual‑artist rights bill.
All legislative letters approved Tuesday were authorized for signature by the commissioner president. Staff will file testimony or letters with the General Assembly as required by deadlines for upcoming hearings.
