County committee backs four state bills including vacant-property tax, Route 5 speed cameras and school test strips

Prince George's County Council members sitting as the Committee of the Whole voted Jan. 14 to support four draft bills the council will transmit to the Maryland General Assembly.

The council voted in favor of: PG 41225, a local bill to authorize a special property tax rate for vacant and abandoned property; PG 30825, which authorizes speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 5 with revenues earmarked for nearby highway and pedestrian safety improvements; PG 50725, which would require the county school system to make certain drug‑detection products available free to students; and MCPG 10625, which would alter membership rules for the county Board of Appeals to reduce meeting cancellations caused by lack of quorum.

Why it matters: The votes represent the council’s formal support for sending local bills and positions to Annapolis. Several of the measures — notably the vacant‑property tax and Route 5 speed monitoring — are intended to give local officials additional tools to address blight and traffic safety. The school and Board of Appeals measures address public‑health and administrative continuity, respectively.

PG 41225 (vacant‑property tax) Ron Young, a consultant with Evans and Associates, presented PG 41225 and said the bill would allow Prince George’s County to set a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties. Young said the bill “is fairly straightforward” and is intended as a local enactment of changes that followed last year’s House Bill 2. He noted an Attorney General opinion dated Dec. 19 concluded additional local legislation may not be strictly necessary, but said the county requested PG 41225 “as an additional safeguard” in case of legal challenge. County Executive staff told the committee they are supportive if the bill is needed. Council Member Olson moved support; Council Member Harrison seconded. The motion passed on a roll call showing unanimous support from members present (8–0).

PG 30825 (Route 5 speed monitoring) The committee heard that PG 30825 would authorize placement and use of speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 5 and require certain revenue from violations be used for state and local highway and pedestrian safety improvements on and near Route 5. Committee members discussed whether a countywide or broader state approach would be preferable; Council Member Genoga (transcribed) and others said a broader bill might be considered later, but the sponsor focused on a particular road to increase the chance of success in Annapolis. Council Member Harrison raised concerns about where fines would be spent; staff and the presenter said proceeds would go to state and local highway funds. The county executive’s office said it supports the bill and urged coordination with county police. Council Member Harrison moved support; Council Member Fisher seconded. The motion carried (8–0).

PG 50725 (school drug‑detection products) PG 50725 would require the Prince George’s County Board of Education to make available, at no cost to students, drug‑detection products such as test strips, test bracelets and test nail polishes in school health clinics, libraries and bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. County Executive staff said they had spoken with the school system and that the county would take no position yet pending further conversations with the sponsor about implementation. Council Member Harrison moved support with Council Member Fisher seconding; the motion carried on roll call (8–0).

MCPG 10625 (Board of Appeals membership) The council discussed MCPG 10625, described by staff as a county council‑sponsored bill that amends current law to require at least three members on the Board of Appeals. The sponsor said the change is intended to reduce meeting cancellations caused by transitions and absences. Council Member Fisher moved support; Council Member Olson seconded. The motion passed on roll call (8–0).

Votes at a glance: PG 41225 (vacant‑property tax) — motion by Council Member Olson; second Council Member Harrison; outcome: supported by the council and referred for general‑assembly consideration (roll call recorded as unanimous among members present). PG 30825 (Route 5 speed monitoring) — motion by Council Member Harrison; second Council Member Fisher; outcome: supported (unanimous among members present). PG 50725 (school drug‑detection products) — motion by Council Member Harrison; second Council Member Fisher; outcome: supported (unanimous among members present). MCPG 10625 (Board of Appeals membership) — motion by Council Member Fisher; second Council Member Olson; outcome: supported (unanimous among members present).

What the record shows: Presenters and county staff repeatedly characterized the votes as expressions of support to be transmitted to the county’s state legislative delegation. Several council members asked for follow‑up with affected agencies — for example, the school system on implementation of PG 50725 and the county police and State Highway Administration on PG 30825 — before final action in Annapolis.