Council adopts floor amendments to vacant-property tax bill; Ramos introduces Baltimore City ID updates

Councilmember Ramos introduced two items that received substantive attention: amendments to the vacant property tax bill and a revision to the municipal identification law.

Vacant-property tax amendments: Sponsor Ramos explained that a floor amendment corrects the citation and clarifies the definition of vacant and abandoned properties so the municipal vacant-structure tax applies only where intended. The amendment adds language creating a vacant-property work group to oversee implementation and reporting; Ramos said the work group will be wound up in 2029. The council suspended rules to allow the floor amendment, adopted it, and then adopted the amended committee amendments; the bill will be printed for third reading.

"This floor amendment clarifies the definition of the vacant property and vacant structures," Ramos said, noting the corrections to the citation and the addition of a work group and reporting requirements. Council member Torrance moved the bill as amended favorably.

Baltimore City ID introduction: Ramos also described changes to the municipal ID program, including updated terminology ("older adults" in place of "senior citizens," and "people experiencing homelessness" instead of "homeless people"), affirming a person's gender identity on the ID when requested, and removing an exhaustive list of documents so the implementing office (BCIT or successor) can determine acceptable verification documents. Ramos stated explicitly that the program "does not save users' data" and that identification documents will be reviewed and returned to applicants.

Next steps: both items were assigned to committee (vacant property moves toward third reading after amendment adoption; the municipal ID bill was assigned to the Public Health and Environment Committee for further work).