Prince George’s County General Assembly Committee advances local bills, orders safety study for Routes 202 and 704

Prince George’s County’s General Assembly Committee on Sept. 16 voted to advance six local measures and asked county staff to pursue legal clarifications and implementation steps on several items, including a traffic-safety study for the high‑incident corridors on Routes 202 and 704 and a clarification of where revenue from a new vacant-and-abandoned property tax subclass would be deposited.

The committee, chaired by Chair Fisher, met to review bills held from last week and one new proposal. Committee members voted in favor of a pilot to allow beer and wine sales at grocery stores in areas identified as food deserts; advanced a high‑incident network corridor assessment for Routes 202 and 704; approved bills to unify procurement practices between county agencies and between bi‑county agencies; moved to clarify that revenue from a new vacant-and-abandoned property subclass could be directed to the county general fund; and approved a property tax credit concept aimed at economic development (originally framed as a restaurant tax credit) with an amendment to broaden it to “economic development.”

Why it matters: The measures create new tools for local economic development and public‑safety responses and require follow‑up work by the county executive’s office and the Office of Law. The vacancy/abandonment revenue question also prompted a request for clearer legal guidance from the Attorney General’s office and a coordinated response from the county attorney.

Most important votes and directions

- Pilot program to allow beer and wine sales in grocery stores located in designated food deserts: The committee voted to move the pilot forward. The roll call recorded Chair Fisher, Vice Chair Orianna and council members Burrows and Adam Stafford voting aye; Council member Ivy recorded an abstention. Motion carries, 4–0–1. The committee noted the county executive’s office is supportive of exploring a pilot. (Transcript timestamps: first discussion begins 71.8; vote roll…