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Greenbelt council backs letters of support on a package of state and federal bills
Summary
At its March session Greenbelt City Council voted to send letters supporting several state and federal measures, including municipal revenue modernization (HB1142), municipal election equipment standards (HB1066), a nonprofit green energy loan fund (SB23/HB695), and regional transit funding changes (SB0281); council also supported data privacy protections and the Community Trust Act.
Greenbelt City Council voted unanimously or by voice to endorse and send letters of support for a slate of state and federal measures the council’s legislative contractors had flagged as priorities.
Key actions included: a resolution supporting House Bill 1142 to create a task force on municipal revenue modernization (the council suspended rules and adopted the resolution), a letter supporting HB1066 to authorize qualified electronic voting equipment for municipal elections (noted as important for potential ranked‑choice voting), endorsement of SB23/HB695 to establish a low‑interest loan fund for nonprofits to finance renewable energy and efficiency projects, and support for SB0281 (the Metro Funding Modification Act), which regional partners say would improve continuity of transit funding. The council also approved letters backing data privacy restrictions on sales of personal data for immigration enforcement and the Community Trust Act to limit local participation in immigration enforcement—votes reflecting previously discussed local policy priorities.
Council members emphasized that some bills are time‑sensitive due to legislative crossover deadlines and committee schedules, which motivated suspension of rules or expedited letters on several items. Staff said bills and relevant packet links are on the legislative tracking spreadsheet supplied in the meeting packet.
Quote: "This is something the Municipal League is pushing ahead of crossover; we should move quickly to share our support," Council Member Pompy said regarding revenue modernization.
Next steps: Staff will transmit the letters to the city’s state and federal delegations, monitor hearings and committee schedules, and notify council when hearings or votes approach so council can consider additional testimony or revised positions.
