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Gaithersburg lobbyists outline state session priorities as lawmakers reorganize committees

Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg City · January 21, 2026

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Summary

City lobbying partners briefed the council on the opening weeks of Maryland’s legislative session, noting leadership and committee reorganization, a projected state budget gap of about $1.4 billion, and city priorities including revenue options, housing and an out‑of‑cycle appeals bill with local sponsors.

Theresa Hessler, representing the city’s government relations team, and a colleague briefed Mayor Ashman and council members on the start of Maryland’s legislative session and how early developments could affect Gaithersburg.

Hessler told the council: "The AGR team has read through and has notified the city which bills that have been introduced so far may have an impact on the city or its operations, and we will continue to review and track legislation as it is introduced." She said just over six hundred bills had been filed in the opening week and that AGR will continue to meet with city staff and stakeholders to identify bills to support, oppose, or amend.

Hessler highlighted the city’s priorities for the session: potential revenue measures, legislation addressing out‑of‑cycle appeals (referred to in the briefing as "Estat") that the city intends to sponsor with Senator Nancy King and Delegate Spiegel, and housing growth and affordability measures. She also flagged structural changes in the Maryland House — including a reorganization that split the House Health and Government Operations Committee into separate health and government/labor/elections committees — and said new committee leadership could alter bill referral and hearing strategies.

On the budget, briefing materials noted a projected state budget gap of about $1.4 billion and described that gap as a driver for policy decisions in the coming weeks. Hessler said AGR is working to secure additional funding for a project at 12 South Summit Avenue and that the Maryland Municipal League has given preliminary support to the city’s draft legislation pending the final draft.

The lobbying team committed to providing a mid‑session update to the council as the session unfolds and to bring back recommended positions on bills important to Gaithersburg.