The Montgomery County Council is expected to vote on Bill 5-26, known as the Unmask ICE Act, during its April 28 meeting. The legislation would prohibit federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from wearing masks or facial coverings while on duty in the County, with certain exceptions, and is intended to improve transparency and accountability.
The meeting will also include votes and discussions on other legislative items, including a towing reform measure, introduction of a bill related to hiring practices for former federal law enforcement officers, and budget-related actions such as extending the review period for collective bargaining agreements and reviewing compensation and benefits across County-funded agencies. Additional agenda items include proclamations, a public hearing on a transportation-related funding request, and a zoning text amendment introduction. Full agenda below courtesy Montgomery County:
“The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, April 28 at 9:15 a.m. and the meeting will begin with a proclamation presentation, presented by Councilmember Evan Glass, recognizing peaceful protest. The Council will present two additional proclamations at 1 p.m. The first afternoon proclamation, presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz with County Executive Marc Elrich, will recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. The second afternoon proclamation, presented by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Shebra Evans and Laurie-Anne Sayles will recognize the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Consent Calendar
Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, April 28, which is available on the Council website.
Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget
Resolution to Extend Time to Review Collective Bargaining Agreements – Fiscal Year 2027
Introduction and vote expected: The Council will introduce and is expected to vote on a resolution to extend time to review collective bargaining agreements for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. The Council must indicate its intention to approve or reject the identified terms of the agreements by resolution on or before May 1, 2026, unless the Council extends this deadline. Under the County Code, the Council, by majority vote taken on or before May 1, may defer the May 1 deadline to any date not later than May 15. The Council is tentatively scheduled to approve or reject the identified terms of the agreements at a Council meeting on May 4. Accordingly, the resolution would extend the May 1 deadline to 11:59 p.m. on May 4, 2026.
The agreements before the Council for FY27 are with the Municipal and County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO), UFCW, Local 1994; the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 1664; and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Montgomery County Lodge 35, Inc.
Compensation and Benefits for All Agencies
Review: The Council will review the combined $4.9 billion request from County-funded agencies for tax supported compensation and benefits costs, which represents an increase of 4.5 percent, from the approved FY26 Operating Budget. The four County funded agencies are the County government, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). This funding includes the net cost of all recommended FY27 pay adjustments and benefit cost increases, the annualized cost of FY26 compensation enhancements, the net increase in positions, lapse and turnover savings and changes in retirement, retiree health and active health costs.
The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee met on April 20 to review FY27 compensation and benefits for all agencies. The committee recommended taking all items to the full Council for review and deliberation.
Public Hearing
Unless otherwise noted, the Council will hold the following hybrid public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony.
District Council Session
Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-08, Nonconforming Use – Reinstatement
Introduction: Lead sponsor Councilmember Andrew Friedson will introduce Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-08, Nonconforming Use – Reinstatement, which would allow the reinstatement of a nonconforming use that has been abandoned for less than five years. A nonconforming use is a use that was lawful when established but no longer conforms to the requirements of the zone in which it is located. The ZTA requires approval by the Hearing Examiner, with the opportunity for a hearing if objections are raised, to reinstate a nonconforming use.
A public hearing is scheduled for June 16.
Legislative Session
Introduction: Lead sponsor Councilmember Glass will introduce Bill 18-26, Police – Powers and Duties of Director – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Law Enforcement Agency Hiring (The Continued Excellence in Public Service Act), which would require the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) to verify certain background information for certain applicants seeking to be MCPD officers. The Continued Excellence in Public Service Act would require MCPD to review and verify certain information prior to extending a final offer of employment to any individual who worked as a federal law enforcement officer for DHS or an agency subcomponent on or after Jan. 21, 2025, and who engaged in deportation, expulsion or removal operations during that time.
A public hearing is scheduled for June 9.
Bill 5-26, Police – Mask or Facial Coverings – Prohibited (The Unmask ICE Act)
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Bill 5-26, Police – Mask or Facial Coverings – Prohibited, also known as the Unmask ICE Act, which would prohibit federal, state and local law enforcement agencies from wearing masks or facial coverings while on duty in the County. The purpose of the bill is to strengthen community safety by ensuring residents can clearly identify law enforcement. The proposed legislation would prohibit masking by all law enforcement officers operating in Montgomery County with exceptions for public health and key operational needs.
The lead sponsor of Bill 5-26 is Councilmember Jawando. Councilmembers Kristin Mink, Kate Stewart, Evans, Sayles and Glass are cosponsors of Bill 5-26.
The Public Safety (PS) Committee recommends enactment with amendments.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 14-26, Motor Vehicle Towing – Redemption of Vehicle – Proof of Ownership or Control, also known as the Vehicle Recovery Act, which would specify procedures governing vehicle redemption and require towing companies to accept alternative documentation that establishes ownership or lawful possession. The legislation would provide a mechanism for authorized individuals, such as family members or household members, to recover a vehicle if the vehicle owner is unavailable. In addition, the legislation would establish indemnification requirements associated with vehicle release and provide enforcement mechanisms for misconduct related to the release of impounded vehicles.
The lead sponsor of Bill 14-26 is Councilmember Stewart. Council President Natali Fani-González, Councilmembers Friedson, Evans, Glass, Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe, and Councilmembers Mink, Jawando, Katz, Dawn Luedtke and Sayles are cosponsors of Bill 14-26.
The joint PS and GO Committee recommends enactment with amendments.”
