MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is applauding the County Council’s passage of Bill 18-22, which will phase-out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. The Council voted10-1 to enact the bill, which is an amended version of the legislation County Executive Elrich sent to the Council last year. The bill will be signed into law by the County Executive and is the latest step in the County’s continued efforts to reduce noise pollution.

For more information on Bill 18-22, including the Sept. 26, 2023, County Council staff report, click here. The final approved version of the bill is not yet available online. It should be posted online later this week. To watch the Council session, click here.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced today that Sarah Kogel-Smucker is the new Climate Change Officer. Ms. Kogel-Smucker joins Montgomery County after leading the creation of the climate change division of the District of Columbia’s (DC) Office of the People’s Counsel. Prior to her work in the District, she served as senior counsel for the New York City Law Department’s Environmental Division. In this role, she advocated for the deployment of affordable clean energy initiatives, analyzed environmental legislation and advised other divisions on climate policy. She has more than 15 years of experience in environmental issues, particularly in the area of environmental law.

“Addressing climate change and designing and implementing effective environmental policy are top priorities for us,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I am pleased to welcome Sarah Kogel-Smucker to our team. We are looking forward to her using her experience and passion to help us reach our goal to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and a 100 percent reduction by 2035.  As a county, we cannot solve the problems created by climate change but we can be a leader and a model for other jurisdictions, and Sarah’s work will be an important part of those efforts.”

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council enacted legislation today that will prohibit the sale and use of combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in most areas of the County. The vote was 10 – 1, with Council President Evan Glass, Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, Natali Fani-González, Will Jawando, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Kate Stewart voting for the bill.  

Bill 18-22, Noise Control – Leaf Removal Equipment – Amendments, was proposed by County Executive Marc Elrich and introduced by Council President Evan Glass. As enacted by the Council, the effective date of the ban on the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will be July 1, 2024. The ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will go into effect on July 1, 2025. 

As part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass held a press conference today introducing legislation that would require gun retailers in Montgomery County to provide information at points of sale on suicide prevention, firearm safety and conflict resolution. According to a press release, “The SAFE Act (Bill 36-23, Sale of Firearms or Ammunition – Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education) would bolster gun violence prevention efforts. The new legislation would require the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to develop literature about firearm safety, suicide prevention and conflict resolution, which retailers of firearms and ammunition would be required to distribute at the point of sales.”

“Firearms are the leading method of suicide in Maryland and nationwide,” Council President Evan Glass said. “This legislation is being introduced during National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness about treatment and support for those who need it the most.

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. and will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz and County Executive Marc Elrich will recognize National Preparedness Month. The second, presented by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Gabe Albornoz and Laurie-Anne Sayles will recognize National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

At 1:30 p.m. an additional proclamation, presented by Councilmember Jawando, Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Marilyn Balcombe, will recognize National Walk and Roll to School Day.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has received the “Best Enforcement Program” award from national trade magazine StateWays for its loss prevention program that reduces theft, fraud and operational errors. The program preserves profits that are then used for County programs. It is one of the publication’s nine annual Best Practices awards.

The StateWays Best Practices Award will be presented to ABS at a ceremony on Oct. 24 at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association’s Administrators Conference in Charleston, W. Va.