Policy Positions
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce advocates to ensure that your business has the best chance to grow, and that policies have a positive impact on our community.
Government policy has the ability to impact your business drastically. New laws can either put up barriers for growth, or open new roads to success.
With our voice, we are continuously advocating on behalf of the Metro Maryland business community at the federal, state, and local levels.
To learn more about our advocacy priorities, click here.
With our voice, we are continuously advocating on behalf of the Metro Maryland business community at the federal, state, and local levels.
To learn more about our advocacy priorities, click here.
2023 State Legislation Archive
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Attorney General Anthony Brown, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and members of Maryland's General Assembly were sworn in in January 2023.
On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Maryland General Assembly convened its 2023 Legislative Session.
On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Maryland General Assembly convened its 2023 Legislative Session.
- Read MCCC's 2022 Legislative Session Report.
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General Statewide Policy Positions
2023 Maryland Legislative Session
See all 2023 Maryland Legislative Session bills and actions here.
Economic Development
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House Bill 548
Financial Regulation - Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund - Establishment (Access to Banking Act) Lead Sponsor: House Speaker Adrienne Jones (by Governor Moore's request) MCCC Position: Support Summary: House Bill 622 establishes the Industry 4.0 Technology Grant Program in the Department of Commerce to provide grants to small and medium–sized manufacturing enterprises to assist those manufacturers with implementing new Industry 4.0 technology. Industry 4.0 technology means smart hardware and software manufacturing technologies. The purpose of the program is to assist enterprise manufacturers in the purchase, implementation, and related employee training of Industry 4.0 technology to increase productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the State and national manufacturing environment.
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House Bill 622
Economic Development - Industry 4.0 Technology Grant Program Lead Sponsor: Delegate Qi MCCC Position: Support Summary: House Bill 548 authorizes the establishment of a Community Investment Venture Fund by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation for the purpose of developing opportunities for banking institutions and credit unions to better serve the needs of low-to moderate-income tracts. The Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund is defined as a "private venture fund that is separately chartered equity fund using both public and private investment funds."
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House Bill 781
Maryland Technology Development Corporation - Equitech Growth Fund and Commission
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Atterbeary
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: House Bill 781 establishes the Equitech Growth Fund in the Maryland Technology Development Corporation. The bill also creates the Equitech Growth Commission to create a strategic plan and long–term goals for growing the State’s innovation economy. The purpose of the Equitech Growth Fund is to support the economic competitiveness and inclusive growth of emerging and advanced industries in the State through the creation of supporting infrastructure assets, resources, and diverse workforce that builds the strengths of the State’s economy.
Maryland Technology Development Corporation - Equitech Growth Fund and Commission
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Atterbeary
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: House Bill 781 establishes the Equitech Growth Fund in the Maryland Technology Development Corporation. The bill also creates the Equitech Growth Commission to create a strategic plan and long–term goals for growing the State’s innovation economy. The purpose of the Equitech Growth Fund is to support the economic competitiveness and inclusive growth of emerging and advanced industries in the State through the creation of supporting infrastructure assets, resources, and diverse workforce that builds the strengths of the State’s economy.
- Read MCCC's testimony on House Bill 781.
- This bill is cross-filed in the Senate as Senate Bill 699.
Environment
Senate Bill 222
Environment - Reducing Packaging Materials - Producer Responsibility
Lead Sponsor: Senator Augustine
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: Requiring the Department of the Environment to conduct a statewide recycling needs assessment every 10 years; requiring, by April 1, 2026, producers of certain packaging materials to individually or as part of a producer responsibility organization submit a producer responsibility plan to the Department for approval; prohibiting, on or after a certain date, a producer of certain packaging materials from selling or distributing the packaging materials unless the producer has an approved producer responsibility plan; etc.
Environment - Reducing Packaging Materials - Producer Responsibility
Lead Sponsor: Senator Augustine
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: Requiring the Department of the Environment to conduct a statewide recycling needs assessment every 10 years; requiring, by April 1, 2026, producers of certain packaging materials to individually or as part of a producer responsibility organization submit a producer responsibility plan to the Department for approval; prohibiting, on or after a certain date, a producer of certain packaging materials from selling or distributing the packaging materials unless the producer has an approved producer responsibility plan; etc.
- Read MCCC's testimony on Senate Bill 222.
- This bill is cross-filed as House Bill 284.
- Read MCCC's testimony on House Bill 284.
Land Use
Senate Bill 273
National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund - Authorized Uses
Lead Sponsor: Senator Zucker
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Senate Bill 273 repeals a provision of law requiring 100% of the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund to be used for community enhancement projects in sustainable communities located, at least in part, within the boundary created by Interstate 495 in the State and the District of Columbia beginning in fiscal year 2024.
National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund - Authorized Uses
Lead Sponsor: Senator Zucker
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Senate Bill 273 repeals a provision of law requiring 100% of the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund to be used for community enhancement projects in sustainable communities located, at least in part, within the boundary created by Interstate 495 in the State and the District of Columbia beginning in fiscal year 2024.
Taxes and Fees
This category covers corporate tax rates, filing fees, and income taxes.
Corporate Tax Rates
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House Bill 39
Effective Corporate Tax Rate Transparency Act of 2023 Lead Sponsor: Delegate Charkoudian MCCC Position: Oppose Summary: House Bill 39 requires a publicly traded corporation to include a statement that identifies the corporation’s effective tax rate, including an itemized explanation of how the effective tax rate was calculated. The calculation must include a comparison of the effective tax rate both before and after the application of any credits, deductions, subtraction modifications, or other adjustments. |
House Bill 46
Corporate Income Tax - Combined Reporting Lead Sponsor: Delegate Lehman MCCC Position: Oppose Summary: MCCC opposes restructuring the corporate income tax to impose combined reporting in Maryland because of its adverse impact on Maryland’s business competitiveness. MCCC cites the recommendations of the Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission (MBTRC), which was created in 2007 to review and evaluate the State's business tax structure. The Maryland General Assembly explicitly directed the MBTRC to review whether to implement combined reporting. In its 2010 final recommendations, the MBTRC recommended against combined reporting in Maryland. |
Filing Fees
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Senate Bill 12 / House Bill 293
Corporations and Associations - Annual Report Filing Fees - Electronic Filing Exemption Lead Sponsor: Senator Brooks and Delegate Henson MCCC Position: Support Summary: Senate Bill 12 waives the filing fees paid by corporations and other business entities to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation for electronically filed annual reports beginning in Fiscal Year 2024. Note: This bill was cross-filed in the Senate and House. |
House Bill 171
Corporations and Associations - Annual Report Filing Fees - Filing Fees Lead Sponsor: Delegate Qi MCCC Position: Support Summary: House Bill 171 waives the filing fees paid by corporations and other business entities to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation for electronically filed annual reports beginning in Fiscal Year 2024. The bill also waives the filing fee for business entities that do not report any personal property for which property tax is owed. |
Income Taxes
Senate Bill 270 / House Bill 142
More Local Tax Relief for Working Families Act of 2023
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe and Delegate Palakovich Carr
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: HB 142 proposes to alter the maximum tax rate that a county may impose on an individual's Maryland taxable income from 3.2% to 3.7%.
Note: This bill was cross-filed in the Senate and House.
More Local Tax Relief for Working Families Act of 2023
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe and Delegate Palakovich Carr
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: HB 142 proposes to alter the maximum tax rate that a county may impose on an individual's Maryland taxable income from 3.2% to 3.7%.
Note: This bill was cross-filed in the Senate and House.
Transportation
Maryland Department of Transportation Application for Funding from the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The Chamber signed on to a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing support for the Maryland Department of Transportation’s application for funding from the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program to be used to implement enhancements to the American Legion Bridge, I-495, and I-270 West Spur.
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The Chamber signed on to a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing support for the Maryland Department of Transportation’s application for funding from the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program to be used to implement enhancements to the American Legion Bridge, I-495, and I-270 West Spur.
North Bethesda Metro
Request for State Funding for a Second North Bethesda Metro Station Entrance
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The proposed northern entrance to the metro station is crucial to the continued revitalization of the Pike District in North Bethesda (formerly the White Flint area) and is highlighted as a key project in both White Flint sector plans. However, the project is stalled due to a lack of committed funding despite being prioritized as a CIP project within the sector plans.
Request for State Funding for a Second North Bethesda Metro Station Entrance
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The proposed northern entrance to the metro station is crucial to the continued revitalization of the Pike District in North Bethesda (formerly the White Flint area) and is highlighted as a key project in both White Flint sector plans. However, the project is stalled due to a lack of committed funding despite being prioritized as a CIP project within the sector plans.
Workforce Development
House Bill 327
Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now Program - Strategic Industry Partnerships
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Rosenberg
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: House Bill 327 expands the Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) program by altering the definition of “strategic industry partnership” to include a collaboration between an employer offers to its employees workforce development and training to address workforce needs and shortages. The bill defines “strategic industry partnership” as a collaboration between a single employer and other partners in which the employer offers to its employees workforce development and training to address identified workforce needs and shortages.
Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now Program - Strategic Industry Partnerships
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Rosenberg
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: House Bill 327 expands the Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) program by altering the definition of “strategic industry partnership” to include a collaboration between an employer offers to its employees workforce development and training to address workforce needs and shortages. The bill defines “strategic industry partnership” as a collaboration between a single employer and other partners in which the employer offers to its employees workforce development and training to address identified workforce needs and shortages.
Montgomery County Delegation Legislation
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MC-PG 104-23: Montgomery County - Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Restructuring Task Force - Establishment
Lead Sponsor: Senator Kramer MCCC Position: Oppose Summary: Establishes a task force to study the feasibility of transferring Montgomery County-specific duties of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission to the Montgomery County government and recommendations on restructuring the Commission to no longer include Montgomery County. Requires a report to be submitted on or before December 1, 2024. |
MC-PG 105-23: Montgomery County - Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission - Commissioner Requirements and Open Meetings (Montgomery County Planning Trust and Transparency Act of 2023)
Lead Sponsor: Senator Kramer MCCC Position: Oppose Summary: Alters the appointment process, salary authorization process, and terms for commissioners appointed to the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission from Montgomery County. Requires the County Executive to appoint one member of the Commission who shall serve as the chair or vice chair of the Commission and chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board. |
Statewide Elected Officials
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Montgomery County Delegation
See all current Montgomery County Delegation legislation here.
