Overview

MACo advocates for county government interests in State government. During the General Assembly session, visit this section to find up-to-the-minute information on the legislation that MACo is reviewing, or positions taken by the Legislative Committee or bills being tracked, or the status of MACos' Legislative Initiatives.

Ideas for 2009 Session Legislative Initiatives Needed - Do you have an idea for a legislative initiative for consideration for the 2009 Session? Each year, MACo proposes up to four legislative initiatives for State action. Recent years’ initiatives have secured heightened consideration of unfunded mandates, increased accountability in school board budgets, obtained more circuit court funding, and stabilized and increased local health funding. The Legislative Planning Committee considers initiative proposals and will meet throughout the summer and fall to develop initiatives for consideration by the full Legislative Committee.

County officials are invited to submit ideas by June 6 to Legislative Director Michael Sanderson (410) 269-0043.

WHO TO CONTACT
The MACo Legislative Committee members meet quarterly during the Interim and regularly on Wednesdays during the General Assembly Session.
The Tax Subcommittee reviews legislation regarding those issues and makes recommendations to the Legislative Committee during Session.
The Education Subcommittee makes recommendations to the Legislative Committee on education issues during Session.
The Legislative Planning Committee reviews potential MACo Legislative Initiatives.
Contact a MACo Staff member who handles your particular issue. Scroll down the page to find the ISSUE AREAS and the staff member who follows them.
Visit the MD General Assembly website for State legislator contact information.

You'll find it all here. . . beginning the first day of the MD General Assembly session (mid-January through mid-April) Once the GA opens for business, the Legislative Affairs section is your resource for finding:

• Recent Committee Action - includes a list of the bills and positions taken by the MACo Legislative Committee at their last meeting.
  
• Bills Position Summary - Includes All positions on bills taken by the Legislative Committee.
  
• Bills Pending Review - Includes only those bills pending review by the Legislative Committee at their next meeting.
  
• All Impact Bills - All bills impacting local government. Includes both bills with AND without positions taken by the Legislative Committee.
  
• Major Issues Summary - Contains MACo's Initiative Bills and updates during Session.
  
• Buddy System - Review of how the MACo Buddy System operates.

Issue Areas for Legislative Director Michael Sanderson
Taxes & Revenues
Finance
Business Affairs
Intergovernmental Relations
Health
Transportation and Public Works
Human Services
Elections
Parks & Recreation
Employee Benefits

Issue Areas for Associate Director Les Knapp
Planning and Zoning
Community and Economic Development
Environment
Education
Public Safety and Corrections
Government Liability and Courts
Public Ethics and Information
Employee Relations