Anne Arundel County Council Legislative Session – January 21, 2026

The Anne Arundel County Council convened on January 21, 2026, at approximately 7:05 p.m. in the County Council Chambers in Annapolis, Maryland. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a belated presentation of a commemorative plaque and gavel to Councilmember Rodvian for her service as chair during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council considered legislation on cottage home development, veterans affairs, signage reform, right‑to‑farm disclosure, eviction procedures, a multicultural affairs charter amendment, and project labor agreements. The session adjourned at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the legislative session and closed session of January 5, 2026, were approved by unanimous voice vote.
• Several bills were introduced by title: Bill No. 7‑26 (current expense budget supplementary appropriations), Bill No. 8‑26 (Board of Education supplementary appropriations), Bill No. 9‑26 (battery energy storage systems conditional uses), Bill No. 10‑26 (police accountability board training), and Resolution No. 1‑26 (establishing an ad hoc committee on project labor agreements).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Nimhard (Glen Burnie) expressed opposition to the county's approach to development, citing Bill 19‑24 passed on April Fool's Day 2024. He quoted the Office of Planning and Zoning to argue that an R‑10 zoning change was inconsistent with Plan 2040, and stated that trust had been broken with the community.
• Mike Lofton (Harwood, 50‑year resident, former chair of the Water Access Committee and Recreation Advisory Board) requested that the council disclose the county's plan for Discovery Village. He noted that the 30‑year lease had been terminated and a short‑term lease with 18 months remaining was signed, and urged the council to "act now."

Cottage Home Development – Bill 92‑25 (as amended)

• Sponsor (Councilmember Smith) introduced the bill as a tool to create affordable housing for households earning $30,000–$100,000 (30–80% of area median income). He cited an average home price of ~$510,000 and a goal of mortgages around $1,000/month. The bill allows cottage homes (≤800 sq. ft.) in R‑1, R‑2, R‑5, R‑10 zones and includes a future amendment for ACDS administration.
• Public Hearing:
  • Mike Lofton (Growth Action Network) supported the concept but expressed concern that allowing cottage homes county‑wide would violate Plan 2040's land use designations for rural/agricultural and neighborhood preservation areas. He recommended limiting development to targeted growth areas.
  • Stephen White (NAACP) strongly supported the bill, noting that no housing below $315,000 has been built in the county in 15–20 years. He shared a story of a Northrop Grumman employee who could not afford a home in the county.
  • Max Gross (Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors) voiced support for expanding housing options, calling the communities "nice looking neighborhoods."
  • Tim Stern (Anne Arundel Connecting Together) championed the bill and the accompanying amendments.
• Amendments:
  • Amendment #3 (Smith) – Would have allowed cottage homes as a special exception in W‑1 (industrial park) districts. After confusion over the chart (permitted vs. special exception), Smith withdrew the amendment to correct the language.
  • Amendment #4 (Pickard) – Added C‑2, C‑3, and mixed‑use V, G, and N districts. The administration supported it, noting these districts already allow missing‑middle housing. Adopted 4‑3 (Ledbetter, Smith, Volkey, Fiedler nay; Pickard, Rodvian, Hummer aye).

Veterans Affairs Commission – Bill 97‑25

• Ethan Hunt (Administration) presented the bill, which expands the commission's scope to cover active‑duty military members and their families, bringing it in line with state changes. Ron Burrow (Vice Chair) explained the composition changes: adding a service member and a spouse (including Guard/Reserves), and allowing the AACC representative to become a voting member.
• Public Hearing: No public testimony beyond what was submitted online. Councilmembers disclosed veteran/military family connections.
• Passed unanimously (7‑0).

Traffic Zoning Signs – Bill 98‑25

• Lynn Miller (Planning & Zoning) summarized the sign code update: align with content‑neutral case law, modernize sign types, and provide more flexibility for commercial stakeholders.
• Public Hearing:
  • Mike Lofton (Growth Action Network) thanked the administration for including GAN in the work group. He recommended an education program, enforcement protocols, and adoption of Dark Sky lighting standards.
  • F.A. Brock (Annapolis) opposed Section 18‑31‑3(d) allowing temporary signage in county rights‑of‑way, citing safety and state law prohibitions. He recommended striking the subsection.
  • Ken Lee Bray (NAOP Maryland) thanked staff for the work group process. He proposed exempting interior signage in industrial/business parks and lowering the minimum acreage for sign programs from 10 to 2–5 acres.
  • Paul Higgins (Pastina) objected to the bill including traffic control device provisions, arguing it could allow arbitrary decisions by the director.
• Amendments:
  • Amendment #1 (Administration) – Allowed signs in place for ≥20 years to remain and be replaced in kind. Failed 3‑4 (Ledbetter, Smith, Volkey nay; Pickard, Fiedler, Rodvian, Hummer aye).
  • Amendment #2 (Administration) – Removed the fee for off‑site directional sign applications. Adopted 7‑0.
• Bill 98‑25 as amended will be heard on February 2, 2026.

Right‑to‑Farm Disclosure – Bill 99‑25

• Sponsor (Councilmember Ledbetter) introduced the bill at the request of the Agriculture Commission. It requires disclosure during real estate closings for properties adjacent to agricultural land, informing buyers of potential farming activities (noise, odors) to reduce nuisance complaints.
• Public Hearing:
  • Anna Cheney (Honey's Harvest Farm) supported the disclosure for transparency and parity with other counties.
  • Max Gross (Realtors Association) confirmed his forms committee would update the necessary disclosure form.
  • Brian Hewer (Crownsville) shared his farm's experience with neighbor conflicts and urged disclosure in public listings.
• Passed 6‑0‑1 (Volkey abstained).

Landlord‑Tenant Eviction Reform – Bill 101‑25

• Sponsor (Councilmember Ledbetter) proposed changes to the eviction process: after years of state‑level advocacy, the bill ends the practice of dumping belongings on the street, requiring landlords to change locks instead. Tenants would receive a definite eviction date and a reclamation period.
• Public Hearing:
  • Deputy Jay McLee (FOP Lodge 106) supported the bill, noting it reduces conflict and improves safety for deputies.
  • Matt Pipkin (Maryland Multi‑Housing Association) expressed conditional support with amendments, citing concerns about the reclamation period.
  • Jim Johnson (large multi‑housing provider, 40‑year law enforcement executive) raised public safety concerns about tenants returning after eviction without sheriff presence, but supported the bill with amendments.
  • Stephen White (NAACP) supported the bill as preserving dignity, noting that Black women experience evictions at higher rates.
• Amendments:
  • Amendment #1 (Sponsor) – Set eviction notice to 14 days, removed the reclamation period, required landlords to retain belongings for 24 hours. Adopted 7‑0.
  • Amendment #2 (Sponsor) – Removed a duplicative requirement to contact the Department of Social Services. Adopted 7‑0.
• Bill 101‑25 as amended will be heard on February 2, 2026.

Office of Multicultural Affairs – Resolution 36‑25

• Sponsor (Councilmember Smith) proposed a charter amendment to create a permanent Office of Multicultural Affairs. He argued the office (existing since ~2007) should be protected from future elimination, noting it provides community outreach, grant administration, and access to county government for diverse communities. No additional funding is attached; the council retains budget authority.
• Public Hearing: (Held open from December 1, 2025; 29 written testimonies received.)
  • Salvador Vega (Glen Burnie business owner) supported a centralized resource for diverse communities.
  • Pablo Blanc (CASA) strongly supported the office for integrating immigrants and promoting access to services.
  • Rosío Smith (Hispanic Liaison, City of Annapolis) praised current director Alice O. Flores's community presence.
  • Paul Higgins asked whether a failed charter vote would handcuff future administrations; the sponsor confirmed it would not.
  • Stephen White (NAACP) expressed concern about anti‑Blackness in immigrant communities but acknowledged the office is needed and should be secured.
• Amendment #1 (Sponsor) – Revised duties to focus on community engagement rather than political advocacy. Adopted 7‑0.
• Final Vote: Resolution 36‑25 failed 2‑4‑1 (Smith, Pickard, Rodvian, Hummer aye; Ledbetter, Volkey nay; Fiedler abstain). The charter amendment will not appear on the ballot.

Project Labor Agreements – Bill 1‑25 (Bill 100‑25)

• Sponsor (Councilmember Smith) introduced the bill to mandate project labor agreements (PLAs) on county construction projects exceeding $10 million. He emphasized the need to move beyond the 2020 repeal of the PLA prohibition and provide a framework for union participation.
• Public Hearing: (21 written testimonies received.)
  • Supporters (Union representatives):
    • John McLaughlin (IBEW Local 24) noted PLAs create training opportunities and local careers.
    • Roxy Mejia (IUPAT DC 51) highlighted opportunities for women and minorities.
    • Greg Ackerman (Baltimore‑DC Building Trades) rebutted myths that PLAs exclude non‑union firms, stating they do not preclude competitive bidding.
    • Joe Parker (Heritage Mechanical) argued PLAs ensure licensed, well‑trained tradespeople versus unlicensed piecework contractors.
  • Opponents (Non‑union contractors and associations):
    • Andrew Griffin (AUC, UCA) argued PLAs exclude over 90% of the local construction workforce, increase costs, and create uncertainty.
    • Cody Van Fleet (ACE) said the bill discourages qualified local contractors from bidding.
    • Barrett Tucker (Alan Myers) stated non‑union firms would have to pay double benefits on PLA projects.
    • Jeff Ferguson (Ferguson Trenching) opposed, noting robust safety and training programs already exist at his firm.
    • Mike Mason (ACEC Maryland) urged the council to delay given the state's budget deficit and unknown federal impacts.
    • Harry Holmes (IEC, ABC) said PLAs eliminate merit‑shop competition.
    • Todd Taylor (Carpenters Local 197) supported PLAs to reduce the need for travel.
    • Kevin O'Keefe (IEC Chesapeake) noted prevailing wage already levels the playing field.
• Amendment #1 (Sponsor) – Raised the threshold from $10 million to $35 million and made PLA use permissive ("may") rather than mandatory. Adopted 4‑3 (Ledbetter, Smith, Pickard, Hummer aye; Volkey, Fiedler, Rodvian nay).
• Following adoption of the amendment, Councilmember Volkey moved to adjourn. The motion passed 5‑2 (Ledbetter, Smith, Pickard, Volkey, Fiedler aye; Rodvian, Hummer nay).
• The session adjourned at approximately 10:30 p.m. The next legislative session is Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.