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County Council introduces federal-worker emergency assistance bill after GOP committee review
Summary
CB-24-2025, a bill to provide short-term assistance and job-placement support for unexpectedly laid-off federal workers living in Prince George's County, was introduced and reported favorably out of the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy committee with revisions.
Prince George's County Council on Sept. 9 introduced CB-24-2025, the Federal Worker Emergency Assistance Act, which would establish short-term emergency assistance, job-placement support and essential services for county residents who were unexpectedly laid off from federal employment.
Why it matters: The measure aims to reduce displacement and financial instability among county residents who lose federal jobs by creating a package of targeted services — including a job-recovery initiative, food assistance and temporary real-property tax and penalty relief — intended to stabilize households and local neighborhoods.
Committee review and key changes The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GOFP) Committee considered the bill in May and June. Committee members and staff reported that the draft was revised to remove a proposed worker-assistance fund after Maryland established a state-level fund for federal workers. Draft 2 instead focuses on local services and hiring priorities: the county would prioritize hiring laid-off federal workers for county jobs where doing so would not negatively affect current employees.
The committee clarified the measure applies to unexpectedly laid-off federal workers and not to retirees, and GOFP voted the revised draft favorably in committee. Council staff said the bill's intent is to prevent geographic displacement and help stabilize the housing market by mitigating foreclosures and vacancy impacts that can follow large layoffs in the federal workforce.
Sponsorship and next steps CB-24-2025 was introduced by Councilmembers Blaguey and Orietta and carried to the full council with additional sponsors added on the floor. The council referred the bill to GOFP for further consideration and possible amendments; a subsequent committee hearing will set any changes before second reading and final action.
What the bill would do (as introduced) - Establish a job-recovery initiative to connect laid-off federal workers with employment opportunities, including local hiring prioritization where appropriate. - Provide short-term food assistance and other essential services to residents displaced by federal job loss. - Offer temporary relief of real-property tax penalties or deadlines for eligible residents during documented, short-term economic hardship resulting from a sudden federal layoff.
What council members said Councilmember Watson, the GOFP committee lead, summarized the committee record noting the bill's objective to ensure stability for affected residents and described the committee edits and the unanimous favorable committee vote on the revised draft.
Status The bill is at first reading and has been referred to the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee for additional stakeholder work and a future committee vote. No final vote was taken on Sept. 9.
