The Howard County Council held a hybrid legislative public hearing on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The hearing covered appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions, financial legislation related to the Board of Education's capital and operating budgets, general resolutions including the Elkridge Sustainable Community designation, a delegation of authority for the Housing Director, and the conveyance of Troy Park land to the Board of Education. The final item was Council Bill 48-2026, the Clean Air Integrity Act, which generated significant public testimony.
The council heard testimony from each nominee and reappointee. All expressed their qualifications and enthusiasm for serving. Notable: Omar J. Jones IV, nominee for the Commission for Veterans and Military Families, is the grandson of Howard County's first county executive. No opposing testimony was given. The council will consider confirmation at a later session.
Dan Lubley, Executive Director of Capital Planning and Construction for Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), testified in support of all four items. He explained that the state’s Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) initially allocated $18 million in state funding but after an audit released an additional $6 million. This additional funding allowed HCPSS to reallocate local capital dollars to other priority projects, including gym air conditioning and the Faulkner Ridge Center. Roskee Igile, Director of Finance, testified in support of CB47-2026, which authorizes the transfer of bond funds between capital projects. No public opposition was voiced.
CR121-2026 – Kate Bollinger, Planning Supervisor, testified in support of endorsing Elkridge as a Sustainable Community. The designation makes the area eligible for state grants and resources. Since FY2024, Howard County has received over $2 million in such grants. CR122-2026 – Kelly Simeno, Director of Housing and Community Development, testified in support of granting her delegated authority to sign environmental review records for HUD projects. Current law requires the County Executive to sign; this resolution would streamline the process. Councilmember Jung questioned whether this could lead to weaker environmental review; Simeno clarified that the review standards are set by HUD and the resolution only changes the signatory. CR123-2026 – Emily Ayacy, Chief of the Bureau of Real Estate Management, testified in support of conveying approximately 48.635 acres at Troy Park to the Board of Education for a future school. The county acquired the land between 1999 and 2009; 28.83 acres had Program Open Space restrictions, which were lifted by conveying two replacement properties (Ilchester Park and Lawyers Hill) valued at $8.465 million. The conveyance includes a deed restriction for school use or reversion to county ownership. Councilmember Rigby confirmed the necessity of the resolution.
This bill, introduced by Councilmember Rigby, would prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of retail tobacco stores, closing a loophole that could allow cigar bars. It also defines "tobacconist" and sets a 70% sales threshold for premium cigars and pipe tobacco.
Supporters testified:
Opponents testified:
Councilmember Rigby introduced the bill, noting it was a response to inaction at the state level and a moratorium expiring on alcohol in tobacconists.
All right, good evening, everyone. This is the council's July legislative public hearing in which we will hear testimony for legislation introduced on July 6th. This evening is a hybrid meeting which is being conducted in person and via WebEx Teleconference. It is also available to the public through live stream on the County Council website and broadcast on channels 44 and 1071. Sign up to testify on legislation that is the subject of this public hearing was done online and was available in person prior to the start of this session. The cutoff of testimony sign up was at 7 p.m. this evening. If needed, the council will hold a work session on Monday, July 27th at 10 a.m. in the C Vernon Gray Room. Council members, please provide agenda items for the work session to Mr. Wembley no later than 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21st. A wrap-up legislative session for final consideration of certain legislation that is the subject of this public hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at 10 a.m. in the banner room. Public participation for these meetings will be available in person, virtually via WebEx and viewed live streamed through the County Council website. At this time, I'm going to do a roll call of the council members. Miss Rigby. I'll come back. Ms. Young. Good evening. I am Opal Jones. Ms. Wigby, can you hear us? Are you present? Apologies. Oh, okay. Okay. Good to see good to hear from you and good to see you virtually. At this time, we will now recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We have asked the council administrator to enforce a public participation guideline to help the council and support staff remain focused on the topics of the meeting. Going forward, attendees will not be allowed to approach the horseshoe area or dais before, during or after the council meetings. As has been practiced, when council members are available for public interaction, individual council members will enter the public seating area to engage in conversation. Constituents are encouraged to reach out to the council representative during normal business hours to schedule a convenient time to discuss any issues or concerns. If you have immediate questions regarding the topics of this meeting, please reach out to the designated staff member seated at the table in the back of the room. For questions not related to this meeting, please contact the council office during normal business hours at 410-313-2001. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, orderly and efficient meeting environment. We will now proceed with our regular July legislative public hearing. If there are any students who will be testifying this evening, for those in person, please come up to the front row so we will call you up to testify. And those virtual, please contact Isaiah Anderson by raising your hand on the WebEx or send him an email to IAnderson at Howard County MD.gov. Please note that while we are receiving testimony this evening, we continue to receive written comments which will be fully considered by the council prior to taking action. Anyone who signed up to testify at this hearing will be called to testify. When you are called upon to testify, please state your name and the city or town of your home address. Representatives from nonprofit organizations will have up to five minutes to testify. Individuals and other organizations have up to three minutes to testify. Individuals who have indicated that they are testifying through an interpreter may be allowed a total of five minutes with interpretive translation. You may not yield your time to another speaker. You will be notified at the 30-second mark to begin wrapping up by the administrator, and then you will be notified when your time to speak is up. You must conclude when your time is up. If you have written testimony, you may also email it to Council Mail at Howard County MD.gov.