MACo and MML urge hold on HB 335 over potential large fiscal exposure for counties
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Summary
Representatives of Maryland counties and municipalities told the subcommittee HB 335 could unintentionally assign ownership and maintenance obligations for many informal roads to local governments; the committee held the bill for further study.
County and municipal associations urged the Housing and Real Property Subcommittee on Monday to hold House Bill 335, which would assign roads used by the public for more than 20 years to the responsible local government.
Michael Sanderson of the Maryland Association of Counties told the subcommittee the bill’s breadth is wider than anticipated and could force counties to accept ownership and maintenance of numerous informal roads where no formal dedication exists. "This sort of arrangement... could end up capturing not just handfuls, but scores and scores of different roads," Sanderson said, raising concerns about legal ambiguity and long-term fiscal exposure.
Bill George of the Maryland Municipal League agreed, noting the bill may go beyond narrow case law and create uncertainty about when ownership would transfer. After discussion, the chair said the subcommittee would hold HB 335 to allow further legal and fiscal review and potential redrafting to narrow its scope.
The subcommittee did not take final action on HB 335 and will revisit the measure after additional analysis from staff and stakeholders.
