Howard County Council Legislative Public Hearing Continuation - September 24, 2026

The Howard County Council held a continuation of its September Legislative Public Hearing on September 24, 2026. The session was conducted as a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting, chaired by Councilmember Opel Jones. The most extensive public testimony focused on a proposed temporary moratorium on large-scale solar facilities (Council Bill 59-2026). The council also received testimony on bond authorizations (CB49-51), tax credits for child care providers and retired public safety officers (CB52-53), and resolutions supporting the county's arts and culture plan (CR159), bicycle master plan (CR160), and a surplus school use committee (CR161). A work session is scheduled for September 28, and a legislative session for final consideration is scheduled for October 5, 2026.

Solar Facility Moratorium Debate (Council Bill 59-2026)

Council Bill 59-2026, introduced by Councilmember David Yungmann, proposes a temporary hold on approvals and permits for solar energy facilities over one megawatt. The aim is to study the implications of the state's Renewable Energy Certainty Act (HB 1036) on local authority, particularly regarding agricultural preservation (AgPres) land. Yungmann noted significant confusion about what local authority remains after the state law.

Supporters of the temporary hold argued it is necessary for good governance, transparency, and protecting rural character:

• Jeff Pollock (Ellicott City) stated that covering preserved farmland with thousands of panels is fundamentally inconsistent with the promise of agricultural preservation and raised concerns about historic burial grounds on the neighboring Richland Farm.
• Shannon Singleton (Woodbine) called the bill an issue of "good governance," citing a serious lack of clarity in the approval process and a need for transparency before projects move forward.
• Ryan O'Connor (West Friendship) characterized the bill as a "common sense pause" and argued that Howard County is the only county in the state without a cap on industrial-scale solar in AgPres areas.
• Mike McAllister (Woodbine) cited a 2025 study estimating residential property values within three miles of a solar site fell by 4.8%, while noting Howard County has not established a 5% priority preservation area threshold allowed by state law.
• Casey Meinekie (Woodbine) stated she moved to her home believing the "preservation parcel beyond the property" meant it could never be developed, and asked the council what vision they have for the county in 20 years.
• Gail Mackison (Woodbine), a 61-year resident, supported the pause to allow the state legislature to address "unintended consequences" in the state law.
• Matt Wilhite argued the county is subsidizing the solar industry through its AgPres program and that the county should protect residents from fast-moving private industry.

Opponents argued the moratorium conflicts with state law, harms climate progress, and is unnecessary:

• Doug Siglin (District 5) said the bill "goes the opposite way" of the county's climate plan, which calls for removing barriers to solar. He noted the county has 180 megawatts of solar and has committed to cutting emissions 60% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2045.
• John Lennon Miller (Woodstock, an employee of a solar company) argued that CB59 conflicts directly with the plain text of the state's Renewable Energy Certainty Act and that Howard County is already in compliance with the state law.
• Nader Cain argued the bill was a "half-measure" and that instead of a stop, the council should have proposed adhering to stricter guidelines in the interim.
• Gene Bolton (Ellicott City) called the bill a major step backward for climate change mitigation, stating, "Donald Trump wants to kill solar. Don't be on his side."
• Ruth White (Howard County Climate Action) testified that the bill is "irresponsible" and would jeopardize federal investment tax credits for which projects face strict deadlines.
• Spencer Rhoda questioned the scale of subsidies for the solar industry and raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest regarding state legislators who supported HB 1036.

Bond Authorizations and Financial Items (CB49-51)

County Finance Director Rafi Hillard testified in support of three bond bills. CB49 authorizes up to $670,397 in bonds through the Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration (MWIFA) at an interest rate under 2.5% for a service line inventory project; approximately 47.5% of the loan is expected to be forgiven. CB50 authorizes up to $150 million in consolidated public improvement bonds and $50 million in metropolitan district bonds for spring 2027. CB51 authorizes refunding bonds to refinance outstanding debt at better rates. Matt Wilhite questioned the county's large contingency funds and the continually rising budget for Ellicott City flood mitigation projects. Councilmember Deb Jung confirmed the total project cost has grown from roughly $200 million to an estimated $412 million.

Tax Credit Legislation (CB52-53)

CB52 (Daycare Provider Tax Credit): Rafi Hillard testified in favor of the bill, stating it would improve support for more than 400 child and adult care providers by repealing and replacing the current credit with separate credits consistent with state law.

CB53 (Public Safety Officer Tax Credit for Retirees): Rafi Hillard testified in favor of expanding the existing property tax credit to include retired public safety officers. The bill was co-sponsored by Opel Jones, Christiana Rigby, and David Yungmann.

• Former Police Chief Wayne Livesay (Sykesville) testified in strong support, arguing the credit helps retirees afford to stay in the county they served and reinvest their pensions locally. He noted the retiree association has 207 members.
• Jim Daly (Howard County Police Supervisors Alliance) and Chuck Ridgely (Retired Firefighters Association) also testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of recognizing a career of service.
• Matt Wilhite supported the bill, arguing it keeps earned benefits and people in the community.
• Nader Cain questioned the bill's scope, suggesting the county should focus on other vulnerable groups for tax relief.
• Councilmember Liz Walsh questioned the timing of the bill (during a "lame duck" session), its eligibility criteria, and whether the cost to the county could be better spent on other county servants like teachers. Rafi Hillard responded that the total qualified pool is approximately 128 people, though currently only around 28 active officers are claiming the credit.
• Andy Liebnow (testifying virtually) noted that only 38 retired firefighter members would receive the benefit but urged approval, stating the bill was not brought forward in prior years because the state authorizing legislation had only recently changed.

Resolutions (CR159-161)

CR159 (Arts & Culture Plan): Colleen West, Executive Director of the Howard County Arts Council, testified in support of the resolution approving the 2026 Howard County Arts & Culture Plan. She described it as a 10-year blueprint developed over 20 months with input from over 1,300 residents via surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews. Councilmember Christiana Rigby praised the plan and West's leadership.

CR160 (Bicycle Master Plan / BikeHoward 2026): Chris Eatough of the Howard County Office of Transportation presented the update to the Bicycle Master Plan, which was developed with public workshops and an online survey. The plan is aspirational and not fiscally binding, with capital funding expected to stay at roughly $1 million per year.

• Nader Kane asked the council to strike the request for the League of American Bicyclists' "Bicycle Friendly Community" designation from the resolution, arguing the county has not yet earned the designation.
• Jason Hummel, a licensed civil engineer, objected to the Kinder-Edenbrook bridge project in the plan, arguing residents were not properly consulted and that upgrading the existing Old Columbia Road bridge would be a better use of funds.
• Ted Cochran (Free Bikes for Kids), Antoine Wright (Multimodal Transportation Board), and Emily Ranson (Bicycle Advisory Group) all testified in strong support of the plan, citing safety for children, connectivity, and the county's goals under the general plan.

CR161 (Surplus School Use Committee): Emily Ayaki, Chief of the Bureau of Real Estate Management, testified in support of the resolution. The bill establishes a committee to study the disposition of the Howard County Public School System Central Office property on Route 108, which the school board has determined is surplus and which is intended for use as the site for Fire Station 15.

Key Outcomes

As this was a legislative public hearing to receive testimony, no final votes were taken on any of the agenda items. The council is scheduled to hold a work session on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 10 a.m. A legislative session for final consideration of the legislation will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7 p.m.