Maryland General Assembly’s 90-Day Session Begins Jan. 10
The Mayor and Council approved the city’s 2024 state legislative priorities Oct. 9 and are scheduled to present them to the Montgomery County delegation to the General Assembly on Nov. 13. During the 2024 state legislative session, which runs from Wednesday, Jan. 10-Monday, April 8 in Annapolis, the city will advocate for:
Increased state aid for school operations and construction to support education from birth through community college, including child care.
The city’s Vision Zero and Pedestrian Master Plan efforts, including support for a comparative negligence law that allows pedestrians to claim damages at a percent at which they are determined to not be at fault in a vehicle crash, revising the state transportation code, and dedicating state funding to sidewalks, streetlighting, and pedestrian accommodations and safety.
Expanding access to the state property tax credit to low- and medium-income homeowners.
Changes to the state’s public-private partnerships law to require rigorous and consistent data modeling analysis, General Assembly review of major decisions by the state’s Board of Public Works, safeguards to protect the state and taxpayers from cost increases, and the elimination of contract requirements that may prohibit transit.
A requirement that the state share a portion of its Federal Emergency Management Performance Grant Program funding with municipalities to address emergency preparedness and mitigate climate change risks. The city also supports a request by the Maryland Municipal League and Maryland Association of Counties for the state to designate $10 million for local emergency management.
Legislation supporting Rockville’s Climate Action Plan goals of reducing greenhouse gases, prioritizing equity and building resiliency.
Increased funding for senior transportation services, recreation and wellness programs, senior programs in neighborhoods, aging-in-place and village initiatives, and senior outreach.
Legislation to address excessive noise caused by illegally modified vehicle exhaust systems.
$500,000 for the David Scull Park Improvements Project.
The county to request state aid to renovate and preserve historic Lincoln High School.
Rockville is also supporting MML’s push to expand municipal revenue sources; allow trained staff, instead of police officers, to review speed camera citations; and to allow local governments to provide business tax credits or waivers through local tourism zones.
Find video of the Mayor and Council’s Oct. 9 priorities discussion and staff reports at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter, or contact Linda Moran at [email protected] or 240-314-8115.