Montgomery County joint committee unanimously recommends Bill 2,525 to full council to expand PILOT eligibility

A Montgomery County joint committee recommended Bill 2,525 to the full County Council on July 24, voting unanimously to send the measure forward as amended. The bill would define "housing authority," expand automatic payment-in-lieu-of-tax eligibility for qualifying public housing developments, and revise procedural rules for executive regulations.

Councilmember Andrew Friedson, chairing the session, framed the legislation as a clarification and expansion of prior PILOT policy intended to make eligibility clearer for nonprofit and public housing providers. He said the change would "expand the automatic payment in lieu of taxes for public housing authorities of qualifying housing developments" and align county practice with recent state action. Council staff told the committee the bill would not require additional county staffing or have expected fiscal impacts, citing an Office of Management and Budget review included in the packet.

The committee considered technical drafting changes to align the county definition of "authority" with state housing code language and discussed the implications for municipal public housing entities such as Rockville Housing Enterprises. Chair Friedson said the goal of the buy-right pilot is to provide predictable rules so affordable housing providers can "compete in the marketplace to produce and preserve affordable housing." The committee's recommendation was unanimous; Friedson announced "That is unanimous" after members raised hands in favor. The matter will next be taken up by the full council.