Prince George’s County delegation backs several bills, opposes zoning override bill

Prince George’s County’s General Assembly Committee on Feb. 11 voted on a package of state bills and issued formal opinions to the county’s House and Senate delegations.

The committee moved to oppose Senate Bill 832, which would allow municipal corporations within Prince George’s County to override district council zoning laws affecting land inside municipal boundaries. Committee members expressed concern the bill would undercut the district council’s master- and sector-planning authority. The meeting record shows a motion to oppose was made by Council Member Sydney Harrison and seconded by Vice Chair Fisher; Chair Calvin Hawkins, Vice Chair Fisher and Council Member Harrison recorded “aye.” The clerk’s statements about the final tally were unclear on the record.

The committee voted to support two Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) measures: MCPG 102-25, which would repeal a limit on design–build contracts and authorize WSSC to adopt alternative project-delivery and solicitation methods, and MCPG 112-25, which would authorize WSSC to establish customer classes and alter how minimum “ready-to-serve” charges are calculated. WSSC representatives said the procurement changes would allow methods such as construction-manager-at-risk and job-order contracting to reduce change orders and delays. Kenneth Simons of WSSC said the changes would “enhance our process.” MCPG 102-25 carried 4–0; MCPG 112-25 carried 5–0.

On local education oversight matters, the committee recommended non-support for PG 504-25, a bill that would move the Prince George’s County Public Schools Office of Integrity and Compliance employee into county employment and change the appointment process. Theresa Hessler, government-relations staff, said the original office was created in 2023 and that moving the position could create local fiscal impacts; the administration also stated opposition. A motion to oppose PG 504-25 carried 5–0.

The committee voted favorably on House Bill 597 / Senate Bill 515, which increases state funding for the State Library Resource Center’s per-resident funding over several years, with committee members adding a stipulation to avoid shifting costs to counties. Theresa Hessler said the measure would raise state contributions incrementally through fiscal 2031 and estimated a statewide state fiscal impact starting at under $500,000 in FY2027 and rising to just over $2 million by FY2031. The committee’s motion to move the bill favorably with the stipulation carried 5–0.

Senate Bill 690, which would expand the Maryland Police Officer and Probation Agent Scholarship program to include correctional officers and establish a $5 million annual minimum scholarship pool, was moved favorably with the committee stipulation that the state—not counties—bear the cost; the motion carried 5–0. Theresa Hessler summarized eligibility and the requirement that recipients work in covered fields for a specified period or repay the award.

On oversight of police misconduct investigations, the committee supported House Bill 836, which would authorize local governing bodies to empower county police accountability boards (PABs) with investigatory and subpoena powers; presenters said the bill authorizes local law to provide PABs with parallel investigative authority and subpoena power but that local governments would need to pass implementing local laws. The committee’s motion to support HB 836 carried 5–0.

Finally, the committee voted to move favorably on Senate Bill 934, a statewide measure authorizing a new Premium Cigar Lounge liquor license (CPCL) with exemptions from the Clean Indoor Air Act when specific ventilation and notice requirements are met; members said local zoning authority would remain intact and discussed guardrails to avoid oversaturation. The motion carried 5–0.

The committee’s recorded votes and positions will be transmitted as the delegation’s opinions to the General Assembly committees and bill sponsors for consideration during upcoming hearings. Several items on the agenda were noted for further conversation with bill sponsors about zoning coordination and fiscal offsets.