The Montgomery County Council will hold public hearings on proposed legislation and resolutions in February and March. Residents can sign up to testify before each deadline.
Feb. 25 Hearing
The first hearing is on Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. The deadline to sign up to speak is Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. The agenda includes a resolution to establish the Infrastructure Funding Workgroup. The Council’s Government Operations (GO) Committee recognizes there are flaws in the current impact tax system that require new, creative solutions. The committee recommended the formation of this workgroup to assess current infrastructure and recommend funding sources.
March 4 Hearing
On March 4 at 1:30 p.m., the Council will hear testimony on two bills. The deadline to sign up is March 3 at 2 p.m.
- Bill 6-25, Consumer Protection – Defective Tenancies as Deceptive Trade Practices, would expand the definition of “person” to include landlords. It would clarify consumer goods and services, remove exemptions for landlord-tenant complaints, and amend enforcement and penalties under County law.
- Bill 3-25, Homeowners’ Tax Credit – County Supplement – Amendments, would change eligibility and alter the amount of the County’s supplement to the Homeowners’ Tax Credit.
March 18 Hearing
A hearing on March 18 at 1:30 p.m. will address three legislative items. The deadline to sign up is March 17 at 2 p.m.
- Sectional Map Amendment (SMA) H-153 would implement the 2024 Great Seneca Plan: Connecting Life and Science.
- Bill 4-25, Administration – Surveillance Technology – Acquisition and Use by the County, would require impact reports before acquiring surveillance technology. It would also limit the use of facial recognition technology and mandate annual reports and public hearings.
- Bill 5-25, Demolition Tax for Affordable Housing Production, would create an excise tax on certain demolitions and renovations of single-family homes. It would allocate the tax revenue to affordable housing initiatives.
Residents can find more details on the County Council’s website and must sign up in advance to speak at the hearings.
How to Provide Testimony
To testify in-person or remotely during a live public hearing at the Council Office Building, residents need to preregister on the Council’s web page. Residents may also choose to provide pre-recorded testimony in written, audio or video formats or submit testimony by mail.
Send testimony by mail to County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850; or residents may sign up to testify remotely by phone (call 240-777-7803 for information). To express an opinion call 240-777-7900.
The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.
Public hearings will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM) on Xfinity channels 6 and 996, RCN channels 6 and 1056; and FiOS channel 30. Also available live via streaming through the Council website, Facebook Live (@MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil or @ConcejodelCondadodeMontgomery), or YouTube (@MoCoCouncilMD).
