[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6370676,"mediaKeyId","2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80","parentId",2150949,"title","Votes at a glance: Delegation advances agritourism inclusion, property tax credit and removes proposed codification of treasurer tax‑sale requirement","audioSeconds",622,"startMs",851000,"endMs",1473000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80&start=851&end=1473","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80/thumbnail_851000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370676/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Delegation-advances-agritourism-inclusion-property-tax-credit-and-removes-proposed-codification-of-treasurer-taxsale-requirement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370676-ba47cdf7bd8e47a3a01818a01fdfc822/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187370&Signature=Ae3MA67baiuDwodoNicaI806PmUUn6xLQn-BTRS6SIHglvoQl7hD-bUC0lMjke632vNLFZLg~R36IZxIuWrg2p3CNmmftjlyOvmLGb-5quijJTgIDEuk4dVkokxrVhAta4BHXllgoOC7eN1rlo3vJeXVxMoKWoDOJqQ5-Qo93qobHuP6yfw0L0w4jGvNL2-JKscslUX8IUAIEFJmbky2H~ctnl6emeMQMhjl5nUKPTCyXxWZQ9~U5EEmUnF8QU0R~uyzgyw-AwU62QJeqjGYFjE7sloTxsCqIjuB82nkj~-rtdTkLPouXxvv~Rzcli1fXYktjMNbuRryBUrEQJn~Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - House Other","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Washington County Delegation recorded several formal actions during the meeting.

Motion to remove proposed codification of treasurer tax‑sale requirement: Delegate Valentine moved and Senator Corbin seconded a motion to remove the proposed legislation that would codify an annual tax sale requirement into statute. The chair called the vote; delegates present voted in favor and none opposed. The delegation recorded that the item would not be considered this year.

Agritourism inclusion: Senator Paul Quarterman moved and Delegate Valentine seconded a motion to move forward with a draft agritourism bill that would add Washington County to the list of counties currently receiving a building‑code exemption for certain agritourism activities. Delegates voted in favor; the bill will be dropped for legislative filing next week.

County property tax credit: Senator Corbin moved and Delegate Baker seconded a motion to advance a county‑requested property tax credit bill intended to incentivize business investment. Delegates present voted in favor; the chair noted two members had left but recorded the vote as unanimous among those present.

Letter of support for firearm rule during bow hunting season: Delegates voted to send a letter of support at the request of the Frederick County delegation to extend handgun carriage allowances during bow hunting season to the remainder of Washington County and Frederick County. The motion for a letter of support passed unanimously among those present.

No tally of individual votes by name was read into the record for each action; the meeting minutes or official roll call should be consulted for formal vote counts. Several items were deferred for additional information, including proposed changes to tax‑sale advertising and notice procedures.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WAS Committee Session, 1/23/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The delegation recorded multiple formal actions: removal of a proposed requirement to codify an annual tax sale, advancement of an agritourism inclusion bill, advancement of a county property tax credit bill, and approval of a letter of support on hunting‑season firearm allowances.","taxTitle","Washington, Delegation Committees, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15086,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370685,"Delegation debates proposed changes to tax‑sale advertising and notices as county officials urge caution",452,1496000,1948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80&start=1496&end=1948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","/articles/6370685/Maryland/Delegation-debates-proposed-changes-to-taxsale-advertising-and-notices-as-county-officials-urge-caution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370685-6aef5958d3f54cb5a99c67025c7ab837/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187370&Signature=eUG8D4-DKlXbAYpRJmpOVeg1FUcA7oJg~PzexNFpco-SFVOqay9IJbjcf67rkCwugD0qINtHIqCYHgbQS~eQ~TI497VJckHXoYNPxRlNVgrf0BIMyjVCe04Ilk5Ii-UvxoV2qXIatGegq~SXpyK1wTcXQXwKj1p0i3aeH3TWdRdIGNmq9HeoxRgbLwFjrTBJZuOR4BvGTwoyZFBa8wFYt1lucb0wvdNU5NH-QhZ5AKOPo~VufgyWba-wSxI-TXIhFHYUsaEY4Zs1hmbqetxqV1fPJcPlaZqBJ3aiFnJc3VhAKgsgKuM4GQZ2gEjCmEvpiIL1lLdvL-cicKT2BbqUxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegation members discussed draft legislation from the treasurer’s office that would change how county tax‑sale properties are advertised and notified.

The proposal would reduce required newspaper advertising of tax‑sale properties from four insertions to two, require the advertisement to direct readers to the county website for details, and add a second notification to property owners after a sale. Treasurer Matt Breeding (referred to in the discussion) described recent operational changes his office made to send first‑class reminder mailings and said those mailings are both more effective and less costly than broad newspaper circulation. He described mailing 4,523 reminder notices at about $2,250 and said the office now sends multiple reminder notices plus a final legal notice.

County Administrator Michelle Gordon and county counsel Bruce Barriano told the delegation the Board of County Commissioners opposes reducing newspaper advertising amid concerns about notice to property owners and potential legal exposure. Gordon said the board is “not aware of any deficiency in the current or historical practice” of notifying property owners and cited a federal lawsuit filed in July 2024 involving Baltimore City tax‑sale practices as reason to avoid changing Washington County’s procedures while litigation is pending. Barriano noted the board could be the named defendant in similar litigation and would bear legal defense costs.

Delegates asked for additional details and cost comparisons. Treasurer Breeding provided figures for the county’s 2023 newspaper advertising total ($37,000) and said a single weekend ad averaged about $9,250; he argued mailings produce better returns on investment. Delegation leaders said they would reconsider the proposal next week after further review and asked county staff and the treasurer to share additional information.

No vote was taken on the proposed amendments to tax‑sale notification requirements at this meeting.

","The Washington County Delegation discussed a treasurer’s proposal to reduce newspaper advertising for tax sales and require an additional post‑sale notice; county officials urged caution, citing notice concerns and a pending federal lawsuit.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370688,"Delegation moves to add Washington County to agritourism building‑code exemption; county officials support inclusion",581,879000,1460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80&start=879&end=1460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80/thumbnail_879000.jpg","/articles/6370688/Maryland/Delegation-moves-to-add-Washington-County-to-agritourism-buildingcode-exemption-county-officials-support-inclusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370688-672acb2511484d8ac2d6cf9607b40491/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187370&Signature=ZqazbeuvsIIAOBu6NCPPezGpWO79vPqIHkMfgfgcN-l9LiiwWHFiz1iZNIAihRN6I8OCC5~pvMz02P-ZfPp2c6XHunYdxxCF~rYsa8ibAqJvEv9FjrWLP8VdeWnTPa5n9sNkwUpr5ekwNkyMfRlx1ww0Vcn5~rQVMzpe-ysZZRMwtUq7dH6wQBCp7v2BIIjTKCE1brcWA~8710wENHv0d9tvXQ8rp-qzzBgRz1GMB8pndgG2eJuZ9rpKu3xNZ-RRJGknS6AftH6hc2KVMnanRukZ8TSOd-v5EBPWS9O1QMm9DAW9aSnY9Od2RlGSiu2bAO86gXZomo4N-A4AiWesOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Delegation discussed a draft agritourism bill and voted to move the measure forward to the legislative drop list for next week, adding Washington County to the list of jurisdictions that receive a building‑code exemption for specified agritourism activities.

County Administrator Michelle Gordon told the delegation the Board of County Commissioners supports adding Washington County to the existing agritourism statute as written and is not proposing amendments. “They are not proposing any changes or amendments to the bill as it exists,” Gordon said.

Paul Stoner and Aaron Mosier (agritourism supporters and local operators) explained the bill’s scope. Stoner said the proposal clarifies that buildings used “purely for ag tourism” — such as educational events, hay rides or corn mazes, flower‑assembly areas, and classes related to farming — should not trigger the same commercial building inspections intended for conventional commercial venues. Stoner emphasized the bill does not address overnight stays or larger commercial event venues.

Senator Paul Quarterman said the change is straightforward and likely to receive support; he and others urged the delegation to limit action this session to simply adding Washington County to the existing list and to defer more detailed zoning clarifications to county code updates. Delegate Baker and others asked clarifying questions about whether the bill would permit weddings in barns; Stoner and other speakers said weddings are not covered — those are treated as commercial events and would remain subject to local zoning and inspection rules.

Senator Quarterman moved to advance the agritourism bill; Delegate Valentine seconded. The delegation voted in favor and will “drop” the bill for the legislative session next week.

","Delegates discussed draft agritourism legislation to add Washington County to a group of counties that exempt certain farm‑related buildings from commercial building inspections. County officials support joining the existing list; the delegation voted to move the bill forward for next week's drop.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370691,"Easterseals asks delegation for $5 million state match to open 172‑seat downtown Hagerstown child development center",495,175000,670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80&start=175&end=670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80/thumbnail_175000.jpg","/articles/6370691/Maryland/Easterseals-asks-delegation-for-5-million-state-match-to-open-172seat-downtown-Hagerstown-child-development-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370691-f0ea02d20a4d85f8e521f92920348db8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187370&Signature=YbuyG~XKlzV46HL2Nmx~fN44tZNSy7Pcm~W6vFM~fRoq4IApelB120oqS0r0YmbwZw2RUZNit1JBRQR8LPy1WrKPphPr0HItiX~CYlYR~k4OZSe9ZWg-hzTI6VXFEOvdTP3j3A0QuGqZT3WNux6fkWFKulq6AuSpfThcb724WZ4Szesdvjz4ZVB9dUfMd46W7vMIl2sI20gJ-NQZCyp42JLrlxB~oxYK4zkuEa7SSCTAW6TNxeZ~SoFsPS63jqbxZbDDNOOECDH2GWe53zj17Na1X4lNKyeCKDx4WwdUZfN-wwOW2BwIys9426bsKI4v~RIDzTB84RIzTyRv3YLl5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Easterseals executives and local partners asked the Washington County Delegation for state matching funds on a planned child development center in downtown Hagerstown that would serve 172 children.

John Horwich, chief executive officer of Easterseals, told the delegation the center is intended to help attract employers and support working families by increasing access to affordable, high‑quality early childhood education. Horwich said the project targets children from low‑income families so they “enter public school prepared to learn.”

Horwich said the organization and local partners have raised almost $5 million in private capital toward one‑time startup costs and are requesting a $5 million state match to complete the purchase and renovation. “We already have a building under contract that we’re waiting to close on, until we get this final piece of funding,” Horwich said, adding that architectural drawings are complete and a general contractor has been hired.

Dennis Alexander, director of government relations for Easterseals, introduced the presentation and invited questions from delegates. Linda Aebersole, a local partner and advocate, described losing childcare for her daughter and said the downtown area has a particular shortage of early childhood seats; she urged the delegation to consider the request.

Delegation members asked for operational and program details. Delegate Baker asked where Easterseals currently operates its other centers; Horwich said the affiliate operates four centers in Maryland, two in Washington, D.C., and one in Northern Virginia, and noted a long‑running adult day site in Hagerstown. Senator Corman said he had discussed the project with administration officials and that the proposal “checks a lot of the boxes” of the governor’s priorities but acknowledged the current budget year is tight.

No formal vote or directive was taken. Delegation leaders said they would continue to work with Easterseals and county partners as the legislative session progresses.

","Easterseals and local partners told the Washington County Delegation they have raised about $5 million in private funds and seek a $5 million state match to buy and renovate a downtown Hagerstown building and open a 172‑child early learning center; no formal action was taken.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370681,"Delegation advances county property tax credit bill requested by commissioners",114,2108000,2222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80&start=2108&end=2222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150949-989d2052b1886840e723903d51cfca80/thumbnail_2108000.jpg","/articles/6370681/Maryland/Delegation-advances-county-property-tax-credit-bill-requested-by-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370681-14ce2c0c8981cf394b0951a385c9343f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187370&Signature=VBsyZfiLpdxfdcmF6fk84~uxjoD5HZ-5~46G0Cn2O5jXisFurJlIuMQzsf7cMDytw5bAmWu0X0noTH8IuIr~ccxLt8q0KpQfMVtRZ-RM17He0GyZ4D4oO2WjxDhtrdUF65tAnqhJqCw4XlcVh12QgWzQW2XAQQ91kgCmkUoSZe-nC1P3qXhq2~qZlaorZ4bfLuq7701g4qtToiMaLK3FIe~fjFqrRvaT-zGdvo0FBDCYY3Ee24Ms9D7hjfpRAfPV~YLfTSp3qHFdN5U8G~0~Swpp8Mue8XB1RYmeE0QcSNtl1owjC1hZvJTUOZyBhzP0w3Qb8MhnvKuTSOPSc5tKTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Delegation voted to advance a county‑requested bill to change property tax credit provisions intended to support economic development incentives.

County staff presented the draft and said the Board of County Commissioners unanimously endorsed the language. County Administrator Michelle Gordon told the delegation the board supported the change “100% unanimously.”

Senator Corbin moved to advance the bill and Delegate Baker seconded. Delegation members present voted in favor; delegation leadership noted two members had left the meeting but described the vote as carrying unanimously among those present.

Delegates said the bill aims to incentivize investment by new and existing businesses; no further details about specific credit levels or qualifying criteria were discussed in this meeting and the draft will be the subject of follow‑up work as it goes through the legislative process.

","The delegation unanimously agreed to move forward a county‑requested bill that would change property tax credit provisions used for economic development incentives; the county said its board supported the language unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Delegation advances agritourism inclusion, property tax credit and removes proposed codification of treasurer tax‑sale requirement

Delegation debates proposed changes to tax‑sale advertising and notices as county officials urge caution

Delegation moves to add Washington County to agritourism building‑code exemption; county officials support inclusion

Easterseals asks delegation for $5 million state match to open 172‑seat downtown Hagerstown child development center

Delegation advances county property tax credit bill requested by commissioners