Joint committee advances bill requiring labor peace agreements for hotel projects

A joint session of Montgomery County’s Economic Development Committee and Government Operations & Fiscal Policy Committee on the bill that would require labor peace agreements (LPAs) for certain hotel and conference center projects recommended the measure to the full council after unanimous committee votes.

Ms. Wellens, the staff presenter, told the committees the bill is designed to require LPAs when the county has a proprietary interest in a development project — for example, when the county leases property for a hotel, holds a management contract that yields ongoing revenues, or acts as a guarantor. "The purpose of those agreements is to avoid strikes, lockouts, or other adverse economic actions that could affect the county's proprietary interests," Ms. Wellens said.

Councilmember Natalie Fani Gonzalez, a lead sponsor, said jurisdictions including Baltimore City, Prince George's County and the District of Columbia have similar laws. "This is common," Gonzalez said, arguing the bill would protect both workers and the local hospitality industry from disruptive labor actions. Staff noted the draft was modeled closely on Baltimore City’s ordinance.

The committee adopted a package of amendments that refine definitions and raise the monetary threshold that triggers an LPA determination. After those changes were adopted, the joint committee voted unanimously to recommend the amended Bill 22-25 to the full council. The council president said the bill will not reach the full council until September because of the council’s August recess.

The committee requested additional materials — including a fiscal or economic-impact statement and comparative implementation details from other jurisdictions — before the full-council consideration.