Prince George's County Council Legislative Session - May 26, 2026

The Prince George's County Council convened on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10:20 a.m. (Legislative Day No. 18) in the Council Hearing Room, with a recess from 11:13 a.m. to 2:41 p.m. for a Committee of the Whole session. The meeting adjourned at 2:58 p.m. Nine members were present at roll call; Council Members Burroughs and Blegay were absent for the morning session, with Blegay arriving at 2:41 p.m. The council enacted two bills, adopted two resolutions, introduced multiple bills and resolutions, and handled routine consent items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from May 11, 2026 (6 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and May 12, 2026 (10 a.m.) were approved unanimously.
• First Reading of Bills (Presentation):
  • CB-047-2026: Development Standards – Off-Street Parking and Loading (sponsors Olson and Oriadha) – referred to PHED.
  • CB-048-2026: Prohibited Home Business (sponsor Dernoga) – referred to TIEE.
  • CB-049-2026: Supplementary Appropriations (by request of County Executive) – referred to GOFP.
  • CB-050-2026: Destination Prince George’s (by request of County Executive) – referred to GOFP.
  • CB-051-2026 through CB-055-2026: Bond bills for Community College (up to $67,306,000), Public Works & Transportation (up to $140,089,000), County Buildings (up to $117,848,000), Library Facilities (up to $33,656,000), and Public Safety Facilities (up to $53,503,000) – all referred to Committee of the Whole.
  • CB-056-2026: Executive Order No. 13-2026 (transfer of Enforcement Division to Office of Homeland Security) – referred to Committee of the Whole.
• Introduction of Resolutions:
  • CR-042-2026: PILOT Agreement for Herman Apartments (sponsor Harrison) – referred to C.O.W.
  • CR-043-2026: HITF allocation of $2,500,000 to Holly Place (sponsors Harrison, Fisher, Oriadha, Adams) – referred to C.O.W.
  • CR-044-2026: PILOT for Holly Place (sponsors Harrison, Hunter, Adams, Fisher, Oriadha) – referred to C.O.W.
  • CR-045-2026: HITF allocation of $2,500,000 to Herman Apartments (sponsors Harrison, Hunter, Adams, Fisher, Dernoga) – referred to C.O.W.
  • CR-046-2026: FY2027 Federal/State Transportation Grant Authorization (sponsors Harrison, Hunter, Adams, Dernoga, Olson) – referred to TIEE.
  • CR-053-2026 through CR-057-2026: Charter amendments regarding referendum exemption, redistricting, collective bargaining, procurement, and repeal of at-large council members (various sponsors) – all referred to C.O.W.
• Motion to Adopt Consent Agenda: Carried 9-0 (Blegay and Burroughs absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comment (General): Sherman Hardy signed up to address the Council, but no testimony was recorded in the minutes or transcript.
• Public Hearing – CB-021-2026 (Community Resources Information): No speakers signed up. The public hearing was held and the bill was enacted (9-0).
• Public Hearing – CB-024-2026 (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Act): Six speakers testified in favor:
  • Beverly Simmons (founder, Praying for Pennies): Stated the bill would help her establish a consignment shop; noted the bill does not apply to nonprofits but would assist veterans.
  • Henry Turner (former chair of Veterans Commission): Emphasized the county’s large veteran population and potential revenue; called the bill “the right thing.”
  • Rodney Norwood (retired Navy veteran, local business owner): Expressed strong support, stating the 51% preference would level the playing field for disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
  • Glenn Bydume (CEO, Diverse Solutions Associates): Noted the bill’s timeliness after Memorial Day; praised veterans’ work ethic.
  • Wonzie Gardner (retired Air Force colonel, former federal executive): Said the bill would be “exponential” for veterans and the county; urged passage.
  • Lawrence Shaw (100% disabled veteran): Called the bill “overdue” and urged expeditious passage to attract businesses. The public hearing was held, and the bill was enacted (9-0).
• Public Hearing – CR-036-2026 (Contract Approvals): No speakers signed up. The public hearing was held, and Draft 2 of the resolution was adopted (10-0, Blegay absent).

Discussion Items

• Committee Reports:
  • Sandra Eubanks (GOFP Director) reported on CR-036-2026 from the Committee of the Whole (May 5, 2026): The committee voted 6-0 with no recommendation due to concerns about TBD vendors and limited review time; Draft 2 clarified that contracts with designated vendors are approved, while TBD contracts are approved in concept and must return to the council.
  • Dr. Arun Puracken (EWD Director) reported on CR-033-2026 (Quantum Science Workforce Development) from the EWD Committee (May 11, 2026): The committee voted 3-0 favorably with amendments, adding a whereas clause about the Capital of Quantum Initiative. The resolution supports workforce development in quantum science.
  • Kathy Canning (Legislative Attorney) provided verbal reports on bond bills CB-051 through CB-055 from the Committee of the Whole, detailing project counts and compliance with state law (SB29). All bond bills will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
  • Rana Hightower (PHED Director) reported on CB-031-2026 (Detention Centers) from the PHED Committee (April 22, 2026): The committee voted 5-0 favorably with amendments; the bill prohibits building permits for privately owned civil immigration detention centers.
  • Nathaniel Tutt (PSHHS Director) reported on CB-038-2026 (Impersonation of Utility Companies) from the PSHHS Committee (May 14, 2026): The committee voted 3-0 favorably; penalties range from $2,000 to $5,000 and up to 60 days confinement.
• Second Reading of Bills (Introduction):
  • CB-030-2026 (Charter amendment on at-large members) was removed from the agenda.
  • CB-031-2026 (Detention Centers) was introduced with additional sponsors (Blegay, Oriadha, Olson, Dernoga, Hunter).
  • CB-037-2026 (Apprenticeship Incentive Program) was removed from the agenda.
  • CB-038-2026 (Impersonation of Utility Companies) was introduced via an additions package (motion carried 6-0, with five absent); sponsors Fisher, Oriadha, Olson, Dernoga, Hunter.
  • Bond bills CB-051 through CB-055 were introduced as noted.
• Briefing: The Fiscal Impact Analysis Study Briefing (Chad Williams, M-NCPPC) was rescheduled to a later date.

Key Outcomes

• Bills Enacted:
  • CB-021-2026 (Community Resources Information on ambulances) – enacted 9-0.
  • CB-024-2026 (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Act) – enacted 9-0.
• Resolutions Adopted:
  • CR-036-2026 (Contract Approvals) – Draft 2 adopted 10-0.
  • CR-033-2026 (Quantum Science Workforce Development) – Draft 2 substituted and adopted 10-0.
• Bills Introduced (Second Reading): CB-031-2026, CB-038-2026, CB-051-2026, CB-052-2026, CB-053-2026, CB-054-2026, CB-055-2026.
• Items Removed from Agenda: CB-030-2026 and CB-037-2026.
• Future Meetings: Council Budget Adoption on May 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.; TIEE Committee on May 28 at 10:00 a.m.; GOFP Committee on May 28 at 1:30 p.m.