2024 REAL ESTATE LEGISLATION
Below is a status report of issues followed by PGCAR and Maryland REALTORS® during the 2024 Maryland General Assembly (MGA) Session. Representatives of PGCAR frequently traveled to Annapolis and Largo to lobby legislators and testify on a number of issues. This year, we are happy to report that we ended the Annapolis Session with several "wins" for REALTORS®. Our efforts before the County Council are on-going, as their session runs through December.
2024 Prince George's County and Annapolis Delegation Issues
Dwayne Mingo, Director of Government Affairs - PGCAR
CB-002-2024 Housing Code of Prince George's County
STATUS: THIRD READING
The bill would amend the Housing Code to add email, with written consent of a rental license applicant or a rental renewal license applicant as a method of service of a violation notice, civil citation, and administrative citation. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement to set forth guidelines for implementing email as a form of communication.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill and worked with the bill sponsor to add clarifying language to assist in making the distinction that email is not the only primary source of notification for communication.
CB-007-2024 The Revised Elderly Property Tax Credit
STATUS: THIRD READING
The bill amends the current elderly property tax credit to make its applicability exclusive, separate, and distinct from the Homestead and Maryland Homeowner's Property Tax Credits. The bill also simplifies and clarifies language surrounding eligibility for the tax credit and provisions for annual reporting.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill as it authorizes individuals to receive the credit if they are at least 65 years old and have lived in their home for a minimum of ten (10) years, and the home's assessed value is less than $500,000.
CB-008-2024 Temporary Rent Stabilization Act of 2023
STATUS: ENACTED
The bill extends the sunset provision established under
CB-007-2023 from April 17, 2024, to October 17, 2024, prohibiting landlords from increasing monthly rent beyond an amount that exceeds three (3%) percent per year of the current rent amount for any tenant.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill and remains in opposition to rent control and rent control measures on both residential and commercial properties. PGCAR testified that the policy could result in several unintended consequences such as reducing quantity and quality of available housing, increasing rent for tenants not under rent control, reducing landlord's incentive to maintain property, decreasing landlord's ability to meet expenses, and generating significant administrative costs to local government.
CB-019-2024 Employment Fairness Act for Returning Citizens
STATUS: SECOND READING
The bill would prohibit employers in Prince George's County from inquiring into or considering certain past criminal records of prospective job applicants.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill which is designed to reduce crime by assisting returning citizens who are shut out of employment opportunities. The bill would prevent consideration of felonies whose sentence was completed at least 5 years ago and misdemeanors whose sentence was completed at least 3 years ago in hiring decisions, with certain exceptions.
CB-055-2024 Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act of 2024
STATUS: THIRD READING
The bill would establish permanent protections for renters against excessive rent increases and generally stabilizing rent prices in Prince George's County, subject to certain conditions.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. PGCAR has advocated that a permanent rental stabilization measure is a bad public policy for the county and, essentially, would have negative impact on housing affordability in the county by driving away new housing construction and discouraging investment and maintenance in existing housing. The key to combating rising rent is collaborating with the market to expand housing supply rather than imposing price control mechanisms.
HB 1059 Prince George's County - Qualifying Municipal Corporation - Land Use
(PG/MC 105-24)
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill would authorize a governing body of a qualifying municipal corporation by resolution to exercise the powers of the Prince George's County Planning Board, the zoning hearing examiner for Prince George's County, or the District Council for Prince George's County to make specified land use decisions.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR MONITORED the bill. The bill would have provided certain municipalities in the County with the ability to have its own zoning authority. Under the bill, qualifying municipalities in Prince George's County would be granted authority to make specific land use decisions similar to the powers held by the Prince George's County Planning Board, Zoning Hearing Examiner, or the District Council.
HB 1104 Prince George's County - Zoning and Land Use - Fairness in Zoning
(PG/MC 106-24)
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill provides that, in Prince George's County, the planning board's authority over zoning and subdivision matters is not exclusive and may be subject to review by the district council under certain circumstances. The district council is authorized to adopt and amend zoning law procedures for specific zoning decisions. The bill prohibits the district from amending zoning laws or zoning classification of certain properties in a particular manner.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. While the intent of the bill was to promote fairness and aimed to improve zoning and land use practices, there were a number of concerns with the bill. More specifically, the involvement of both the Planning Board and the District Council could introduce complexity and bureaucracy. Additionally, potential disagreements between the Planning Board and the District Council could lead to delays or conflicts in the zoning decision-making process, hindering development.
HB 1106 Prince George's County - Zoning Amendment - Prohibition
(PG/MC 115-24)
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill would prohibit the Prince George's County District Council from amending its zoning law to allow single-family attached dwelling uses on airport land zoned for residential-agricultural use in the County.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. The bill presented several concerns regarding development within the County and is counterproductive to local housing needs. There is a housing shortage in the DC metro area, not to mention a severe affordable housing shortage. Implementing zoning restrictions could limit the availability of housing options, exacerbating housing shortages or affordability in the County.
HB 1142 Montgomery County and Prince George's County - Enforcement of Local Vacant Property Laws
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill proposes to authorize Montgomery County and Prince George's County to enforce certain local laws by imposing certain civil and criminal fines related to vacant dwellings or buildings owned by business entities.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR OPPOSED the bill. While the intention of the bill was to address vacant properties, there were concerns about the potential impact on businesses and property owners in regards to fairness, economic impact, and potential abuse. A more nuanced and collaborative approach that balances enforcement with support for responsible property owners and businesses was recommended.
HB 1152 Prince George's County District Council - Community Benefits Agreements - Authorization (Community Empowerment Act) (PG/MC 107-24)
STATUS: NOT PASSED
The bill authorizes the Prince George's County district council to require that a developer negotiate and enter into a community benefits agreement if at least 25% of the residents, landowners, or businesses within a 2-mile radius of the development oppose the development. The bill also mandates that the district council enforce such agreements and ensures that the Prince George's County People's Zoning Counsel represents community members impacted by proposed developments in disputes over community benefits agreements.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR MONITORED the bill. Establishing mandatory community benefits agreements could inadvertently drive up housing costs by imposing additional financial burdens on developers and could deter developers from investing in the County, stifling economic growth and affordable housing initiatives.
SB 191 Prince George's County - Property Tax Credit - Public School Employees
(PG 503-24)
STATUS: PASSED
The bill authorizes Prince George's County to provide a real property tax credit against the dwelling of an eligible employee of the Prince George's County Public School System (PGCPS) who purchases a home after relocating to the county. The bill also specifies that the Office of Integrity and Compliance (OIC) is an independent office within PGCPS and that the Integrity and Compliance Officer serves as an independent employee within PGCPS.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill as it would give Prince George's County the authority to provide real property tax credits to eligible employees of Prince George's County Public Schools, providing an additional incentive in recruiting talent to not only work but to stay and live in the county.
SB 354 / HB 372 Montgomery County and Prince George's County - Rent Court Workforce Solutions Pilot Program
STATUS: PASSED
The bill establishes the Rent Court Workforce Solutions Pilot Program in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The programs are to provide individuals in failure to pay rent cases with workforce resources and information on workforce development, registered apprenticeships, and other employment opportunities.
PGCAR ACTION - PGCAR SUPPORTED the bill with an amendment that would initiate a referral at the time of filing instead of at court for failure to pay. This bill will assist with providing residents with the tools needed to be successful and will help create economic stability and break the cycle of residents returning to rent court.
Summary of 2024 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session
Maryland REALTORS®
