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Commissioners voice concern over Annapolis bills on solar preemption and education funding; plan testimony and coordination
Summary
During the Feb. 18 meeting commissioners discussed energy and housing bills at the Maryland General Assembly that they say could limit local permitting authority and shift costs to counties. They signaled plans to coordinate regional testimony on solar‑siting and to monitor state budget moves that could impose
Commissioners spent a segment of the Feb. 18 meeting reviewing key bills before the Maryland General Assembly and how those measures could affect county authority and finances.
The board discussed proposed energy legislation that would preempt local authority on solar siting, decommissioning and taxation; commissioners described the package as a "triple‑header" and said they planned to coordinate testimony and county positions through regional partners. They also reviewed a housing bill described by staff and some regional partners as potentially affecting local land‑use authority; commissioners asked staff to continue vetting the proposal and to coordinate with neighboring counties before taking any positions.
Several commissioners expressed frustration about state budget negotiations and possible education funding changes that would shift costs to counties, noting that proposed changes to Blueprint/Kirwan funding and the teacher retirement supplement could consume much or all local revenue growth. Staff said they will continue to update the board as bills move through committees and asked commissioners to identify representatives who will testify or attend key hearings.
Procedural note: staff identified a March 3, 2025 virtual Public Service Commission public comment hearing for Chaberton Solar; commissioners and staff said they would circulate the Zoom link and consider participation or comment.
