The Montgomery County Council has scheduled multiple public hearings for late February and March on capital budget amendments, supplemental appropriations, and several proposed bills. A February 24 hearing will address a $2.9 million amendment and special appropriation for the North Branch Trail project, while March 10 hearings will cover funding for the Arts and Humanities Council, changes to agricultural building exemptions, volunteer fire and rescue benefits, payments to developmental disability service providers, rent-setting algorithms, and rental housing air-conditioning standards. Full news release below:
Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.
- Resolution to approve an Amendment to the FY25-30 Capital Improvement Program, Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), North Branch Trail Project (P871541) and a Special Appropriation to the FY26 Capital Budget, M-NCPPC, North Branch Trail (P871541), $2.9 million (Source of Funds: $900,000 GO Bonds and $2,000,000 Federal Aid)
March 10, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is March 9 at 12 p.m.
- Resolution to approve Supplemental Appropriation #26-59 to the FY26 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Recreation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), $53,788 (Source of Funds: General Funds: Undesignated Reserves)
- Bill 7-26, Buildings – Scope and applicability – Exemptions – Buildings or Structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes – Amendments, would clarify the agricultural purposes exemption to building permitting requirements, and generally amend the law regarding buildings.
- Expedited Bill 10-26, Arts and Humanities Council – Amendments, would establish requirements for the board of directors of the Arts and Humanities Council, establish appointment and confirmation requirements for members of the board of the Arts and Humanities Council, establish certain operational requirements of the Arts and Humanities Council, require the establishment of a racial equity and social justice policy by the Arts and Humanities Council, establish a plan and timeline for implementation, and generally amend the law regarding the Arts and Humanities Council.
- Bill 11-26, Fire and Rescue Services – Length of Service Awards Program for Volunteers – Amendments, would increase the amount of length of service benefits to certain local fire and rescue department volunteers, and generally amend the law regarding local fire and rescue department volunteers.
- Bill 12-26, Finance – Payments to Service Providers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, would amend requirements concerning the formulation of payments to certain service providers for persons with developmental disabilities in the County, amend eligibility criteria to receive payment, and generally amend the law governing the payment to providers of direct services to persons with developmental disabilities.
March 10, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is March 9 at 2 p.m.
- Bill 8-26, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Prohibition Against Price Coordination and Rent-Setting Algorithms, would prohibit the use of algorithmic devices to establish rents or rental terms in the County, prohibit price coordination regarding rents or rental terms in the County, provide for the enforcement of the prohibitions, and generally amend the law regarding landlord-tenant relations.
- Bill 9-26, Rental Housing – Maintenance Standards and Essential Services – Air-Conditioning, would require detached single-family homes offered for rent to meet certain air-conditioning standards, alter the times of year in which air-conditioning requirements apply, and generally amend the law regarding housing and building maintenance and landlord-tenant affairs.
