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Delegation holds bill banning hourly room rentals for further consultation with county and neighboring delegation
Summary
The Howard County delegation held HOCO 16-25, a bill that would bar lodging establishments from offering rooms for less than a full one-night rate (defined in the amended draft as at least 12 consecutive hours), pending consultation with county staff and neighboring delegates.
The Howard County delegation deferred action on HOCO 16-25, a bill (as amended) that would prohibit lodging establishments from offering rooms for less than a full one-night rate.
As amended by the senate delegation, the bill defines a “full one-night rate” as the minimum fee charged for the use of a room for no less than 12 consecutive hours. The original draft set the threshold at 10 consecutive hours; the amended language in the agenda materials and the version shared in the meeting defines the period as 12 hours (a “full one-night rate”). Delegation staff warned of a potential constitutional issue under home-rule principles: a general-assembly law that affects a single charter county’s police powers can raise Article 6A, section 4 concerns and may require either statewide language or inclusion of additional counties to avoid home-rule preemption questions.
Delegates debated options. Some delegates said the county itself could enact a local ordinance under its police-power authority, which would avoid the home-rule complication; others suggested adding Anne Arundel County (and the sponsor said the senate side was considering adding Anne Arundel County) so the measure would apply to more than one county. Several members also raised concerns about how a ban on hourly rentals could affect people experiencing homelessness or families living in motels and asked county staff whether hourly lodging is in use locally.
Maria Evans of Howard County government said the county did not have a formal position and would take delegation questions back to county staff. Senator Samuel Lam (present) said the senate side planned to amend the bill to include Anne Arundel County to address the constitutional concern and reported the bill originated from community input at the Oak Ridge Community Association. Delegates ultimately agreed to hold the bill temporarily to seek county feedback and, if necessary, to coordinate with Anne Arundel County.
The delegation did not vote on final passage of HOCO 16-25; members directed staff to consult county government and the neighboring county delegation before taking further action.
