Prince George's County Council Meeting – October 5, 2026

The County Council convened at 2:05 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026 (Legislative Day No. 33) to consider two major bills related to the Sphere National Harbor immersive entertainment venue project. The council debated and voted on multiple amendments to CB-111-2026, authorizing up to $215 million in special obligation bonds for the venue and refunding of Series 2022 bonds, and introduced CB-132-2026 establishing a Community Impact Fund. The meeting included remarks from County Executive Braveboy and concluded at 2:57 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• CB-132-2026 (First Reading): An act to reserve a percentage of revenues from the immersive entertainment venue for impacted communities within a six-mile radius, creating the Sphere Community Impact Fund. Presented and referred to the Committee of the Whole. The consent agenda (including this referral) was adopted by a vote of 10–0 (Council Member Burroughs absent).

Discussion Items

• CB-111-2026 – Second Reading (Introduction): PHED Committee Director Rana Hightower reported that the committee voted 5–0 to send the bill to the full council without recommendation. The bill authorizes special obligation bonds not exceeding $215 million to finance or reimburse costs for the Sphere National Harbor immersive entertainment venue, refund Series 2022 bonds, and fund reserves and issuance costs. Four floor amendments were proposed and debated.
  • Amendment 1 (Council Member Blegay): Required a labor peace agreement with the developer. Adopted 11–0.
  • Amendment 2 (Vice Chair Olson): Required a construction workforce agreement mandating that at least 40% of total development costs go to subcontractors affiliated with labor organizations (with specialty packages excluded). Defeated 4–6–1 (Council Member Fisher abstained).
  • Amendment 3 (Council Member Burroughs): Required a construction workforce agreement mandating that at least 40% of onsite labor be performed by members of bona fide labor organizations. Defeated 4–6–1 (Council Member Fisher abstained).
  • Amendment 4 (Council Member Burroughs): Required a community benefits agreement providing benefits similar to those in Attachment A. Adopted 11–0.
  • Following the amendments, the bill (as amended) was introduced (passed second reading) with Council Members Harrison, Fisher, Ivey, and Adams as sponsors.
• County Executive Remarks: County Executive Braveboy highlighted the project’s economic impact: more than tripling the tax revenue lost from the closures of Six Flags and the Washington Commanders, a $1.3 billion total economic impact for Prince George’s County and $1.5 billion for the state. He emphasized the importance of partnership and the project’s role in making the county a destination for technology and entertainment.
• CB-132-2026 – Second Reading (Introduction) after Committee of the Whole: The council reconvened at 2:55 p.m. after a committee-of-the-whole session. GOFP Committee Director Nathaniel K. Tutt III reported that the committee voted 10–0 favorably. The legislation sets aside 15% of applicable county revenues directly attributable to the immersive entertainment venue (real property taxes, personal property taxes, admissions and amusement taxes) into a non-lapsing Sphere Community Impact Fund. Fifty percent of the fund is dedicated to community programs and services; 50% to infrastructure improvements. A community-based body will identify priorities, and a multi-year impact and infrastructure plan must be developed, subject to council approval after public notice and hearing. The council introduced (passed second reading) the bill with sponsors including Chair Oriadha, and Council Members Fisher, Hunter, Adams, Burroughs, Adams-Stafford, and Dernoga.

Key Outcomes

• CB-111-2026 was introduced (passed second reading) with amendments requiring a labor peace agreement and a community benefits agreement. The bill now moves to third reading or subsequent consideration.
• CB-132-2026 was introduced (passed second reading) establishing the Sphere Community Impact Fund, with a 15% revenue set-aside for communities within six miles of the venue.
• All floor amendment votes recorded (see Discussion Items).
• The meeting was recessed twice (from 2:25 to 2:33 p.m. and from 2:38 to 2:55 p.m.) and adjourned at 2:57 p.m.