Howard County Council July 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up Session: Appointments, School Funding, Troy Park Conveyance, and Clean Air Act Debate
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Howard County Council Legislative Wrap-Up Session (July 29, 2026)
The Howard County Council convened on July 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM for its legislative wrap-up session. The hybrid meeting included final consideration of several resolutions and bills, covering board appointments, school system capital and operating budget adjustments, a land conveyance at Troy Park, and a debated amendment to the Clean Air Integrity Act. Key votes included unanimous approvals for school funding bills, a 4–1 passage of a delegated authority resolution, and a 3–2 vote to amend the Clean Air bill, which was ultimately tabled after its effective date was extended.
Consent Calendar
- Logs and Minutes: Approved the journal of the July 6, 2026 legislative session unanimously (5-0) and the minutes of the July 13, 2026 monthly meeting and July 20, 2026 legislative public hearing (Walsh and Yungmann abstaining; motion passed).
- CB46-2026 (Board of Education Capital Improvement Program Amendment – FY2027): Unanimously approved (5-0). The emergency act increases the HCPSS capital appropriation by $6,068,000 due to additional State Aid.
- TAO1-FY2027 (Transfer of $2,947,000 from Roofing project): Unanimously approved (5-0). Transfers county funding to align with revised BOE requests following $6,060,000 in state grants.
- CB47-2026 (Bond authorization of $2,947,000): Unanimously approved (5-0). Authorizes borrowing to pay costs of the described capital project.
- CR120-2026 (Board of Education Operating Budget Amendment – FY2027): Unanimously approved (5-0). Increases the General Fund by $6,818,972 and Restricted Funds by $21,287,647 based on higher state/federal funding.
- CR121-2026 (Endorsing Elkridge as a Sustainable Community): Approved as amended (5-0). Amendment one made technical changes to align with the state’s model ordinance.
Discussion Items
- CR122-2026 (Delegated Authority for Director of Housing and Community Development): Approved 4–1 (Walsh opposed). Grants the director authority to sign as certifying officer for environmental review records in HEROS.
- CR123-2026 (Conveyance of ~48.635 acres at Troy Park to the Board of Education): Approved as amended (5-0) after three amendments:
- Amendment 1 (Yungmann): Allows the county to use the property for construction of recreational facilities (e.g., athletic fields, playgrounds) until a school is built. Passed unanimously (5-0).
- Amendment 2 (Walsh): Specifies the conveyed property shall be used for a future high school in Elkridge. Passed unanimously (5-0).
- Amendment 3 (Walsh): Replaces gender-specific pronouns in the resolution with gender-neutral language. Passed unanimously (5-0).
- CB48-2026 (Clean Air Integrity Act – introduced by Councilmember Rigby): The bill aimed to modify definitions and exceptions for smoking in public places. Councilmember Yungmann offered amendment one, which removed provisions allowing patrons to bring and consume their own alcoholic beverages at retail premium tobacco stores (BYOB). After debate, amendment one passed 3–2 (Jones, Jung, Yungmann in favor; Rigby and Walsh opposed). Following the amendment, the council tabled CB48, but then briefly removed it from the table to extend its effective date to October 19, 2026 (unanimously). It was then tabled again, effectively postponing further action.
Key Outcomes
- All 12 appointment and reappointment resolutions (CR108-119-2026) were tabled without vote due to a charter requirement for a 25-day period between introduction and final consideration.
- All school funding items (CB46, TAO1, CB47, CR120) passed unanimously, reflecting a $6,068,000 capital increase and $6,818,972 operating budget increase, supported by additional state and federal funds.
- The Troy Park conveyance (CR123) passed with amendments ensuring the land is reserved for an Elkridge high school and that the county can use the site for recreational purposes until construction begins.
- The Clean Air Integrity Act (CB48) was tabled after a divisive amendment (3-2) and an extension of its expiration date to October 19, 2026. The bill is expected to be reconsidered later.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. This is the council's July legislative wrap-up session in which we will give final consideration to legislation previously introduced and heard. This legislative session is being conducted as a hybrid meeting, which is available in person and virtual via WebEx. It is also available to the public through live stream on the Howard County Council website and broadcasting channels 44 and 1071. At this time, we're going to do a roll call of the council members. Ms. Rigby. Here. Miss Young. Here. Miss Walsh? Here. Mr. Youngman. Here. And I am Opal Jones. We will now recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Let me say it's a America. Individual with liberty and justice for all. All right. 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 council meetings. As has been the practice, council members are available for public interaction. The individual council member 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, cooperation, and helping us maintain a safe, orderly, and efficient meeting environment. Moving on to our agenda, we will begin today's session with the approval of journals and minutes of meetings. I move to approve the journal of legislative session July 6, 2026. Second. Ms. Herrick, could you please call the vote to approve the journal of legislative session July 6th? Chair Jones? Yes. Ms. Young? Yes. Ms. Rigby? Yes. Ms. Walsh? Yes. Mr. Youngman. Yes. The motion to approve passes. I move to approve the minutes of monthly meeting July 13th and legislative public hearing July 20th, 2026. Second.
openpublica.com