Legislative Update

Updated 2/2/10

The County Update that the County Council voted to pass CB 58 and 59, a Pllan to redevelop downtown Columbia, on February 1, 2010 at 11:00 PM.

Updated 2/1/10

The County Council will vote on February 1, 2010 to determine the future of downtown Columbia. Several amendments were introduced and 5 of these were voted substantive by the Council at their meeting on January 4, 2010. They were enrolled into the original bills and can be reviewed by clicking on http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/Legislative_CouncilAgenda.htm and scrolling to the bottom under “Tabled Legislation.”

To view the amendments to these bills, click here http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/Legislative_Pending.htm.

Members of the Chamber, its Legislative Committee, the Business Alliance, and YPN testified in support of these Bills. Many helped to educate Council members in their fields of expertise by answering questions and expressing their views. The Chamber thanks all who participated in this process and our elected officials who have spent countless hours studying and questioning every detail of these bills so that they will make the best possible decision for Columbia’s future.

Updated 7/20/09

The County Council meets tonight to hold its July Legislative Public Hearing beginning at 7:30 pm on all legislation introduced on July 6th as well as any amendments that result from the Work Sessions on CB29 or any new information that has come up on the bill.

You may sign-up to testify at: http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_GiveTestimonySignup2.asp.

You may view the ever-changing drafted amendments to CB29 at: http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CC_CB29-2009_Draft_Amendments.htm.

The agenda for July has several bills of interest or concern to the business community: CB36 and CB39 have to do with requiring pre-submission community meetings (CB36 was introduced by Greg Fox and co-sponsored by Courtney Watson; CB39 was introduced by the Chair at the request of the Administration and co-sponsored by Terrasa and Watson), CR65 is a Resolution that would approve the fee system of the Howard County Soil Conservation District. We have been tracking these bills and working in cooperation with our strategic partners in making sure the business community is involved in the process.

Updated 7/7/09

The County Council met on July 6 to vote on its June legislation and introduce its July agenda. The list of legislation can be viewed at: http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_HomePage.htm. Most all of what was on the June agenda passed, with the exception of CB29-2009 (ZRA 102) which was tabled to allow for additional public input and further consideration at another Council Work Session, scheduled for July 13th (see details below).

Council Agenda for July

7/13—The County Council will meet on July 13th for its monthly meting at 4:30 pm. Immediately following that, about 5:30 pm, they will go into a Work Session on CB29-2009 to consider any amendments to that bill.

7/20—On July 20th, the Council will hold its July Legislative Public Hearing beginning at 7:30 pm on all legislation introduced on July 6th as well as any amendments that result from the Work Session on CB29 or any new information that has come up on the bill. You may sign-up to testify at: http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_GiveTestimonySignup2.asp.

7/27—The Council holds its July legislative Work Session at 4:30 pm on July 27th.

7/28—Legislative Amendment Prefile deadline is at 2:00 pm on July 28th.

7/30—On July 30th, the Council will hold a continuation of its Public Hearing on CR64-2009, give a legislative wrap-up and vote on July legislation. They will also hold an official vote to go into recess for the month of August. This session will begin at 4:00 pm.

All sessions listed will be held at the Board of Education building on Route 108 in the Board Room.