St. Mary's County commissioner to press county priorities in Annapolis, cites concern about unfunded mandates

A St. Mary's County commissioner said the county plans to press its legislative priorities in Annapolis this week and voiced concern about new unfunded mandates that could increase local costs.

The commissioner said he participated in a rural coalition meeting with the Maryland Association of Counties and will spend 9 a.m. to noon in Annapolis with MACo’s legislative committee and the county’s land-use committee to review bills. He said the association represents the city of Baltimore and 23 counties and that member jurisdictions will consider whether to amend, support or oppose measures they expect to see during the General Assembly session.

Why it matters: County officials said they want to limit proposals that create state requirements without funding, which can increase pressure on local budgets. The commissioner said the county will rely on its delegates and MACo’s committee reviews to press for changes and avoid new spending obligations where possible.

At the meeting, the commissioner described last night’s rural coalition call as roughly an hour long and said county representatives plan to review many bills quickly tomorrow when they meet in Annapolis. He said Mr. Hauser — identified in the remarks as an involved participant in legislative work — takes “his time to really get heavily involved with the legislation.”

The commissioner also reminded the public that St. Mary’s County is holding a public forum tonight at 6:30 p.m., and asked residents to attend, call in, or submit comments by email if they have issues they want the county to consider.

No formal vote or policy decision was recorded in the remarks. The commissioner described planned attendance and legislative review; he did not announce a specific motion or directive taken by the board.