Current County 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 advocate on behalf of the Metro Maryland business community.
To learn more about our advocacy priorities, click here.
To learn more about our advocacy priorities, click here.
2023 Montgomery County Legislation
County Executive Marc Elrich and the 20th Montgomery County Council was sworn in on Monday, December 5, 2022.
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FY25 Operating Budget
Watch MCCC's FY25 Operating Budget Testimony
FY24 Property Tax Increase Proposal
MCCC Position: Oppose
MCCC Position: Oppose
- Read the joint letter from a coalition of Montgomery County business leaders
Economic Development
Bill 11-24 - Finance - Economic Development Fund - Make Office Vacancy Extinct (MOVE) Program - Established
Lead Sponsor: Glass
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The bill replaces the existing make office vacancy extinct (MOVE) pilot grant program by establishing and codifying a new business incentive grant program under the Economic Development Fund.
Lead Sponsor: Glass
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The bill replaces the existing make office vacancy extinct (MOVE) pilot grant program by establishing and codifying a new business incentive grant program under the Economic Development Fund.
Housing
Rent Control Legislation:
Bill 15-23 - Anti Rent Gouging Protections
Summary: Bill 16-23 proposes a draconian form of rent control, and the Chamber strongly opposes its passage. The other proposal, Bill 15-23, is also opposed by MCCC, but we commend the efforts of the sponsor and co-sponsors to offer a solution that seeks to address unacceptable rental price gouging in a thoughtful way that acknowledges the County’s housing supply scarcity and affordability challenges.
Bill 15-23 - Anti Rent Gouging Protections
- Lead Sponsor: Fani-Gonzalez
- Lead Sponsor: Jawando
Summary: Bill 16-23 proposes a draconian form of rent control, and the Chamber strongly opposes its passage. The other proposal, Bill 15-23, is also opposed by MCCC, but we commend the efforts of the sponsor and co-sponsors to offer a solution that seeks to address unacceptable rental price gouging in a thoughtful way that acknowledges the County’s housing supply scarcity and affordability challenges.
Minimum Wage
Bill 34-23 - Establishing a Wage Commission
Summary: Bill 34-23 would (1) establish an advisory wage commission to make recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council regarding minimum wages and working conditions by industry in the County; (2) specify the membership and duties of the wage commission; and (3) generally amend the law regarding the establishment of a wage commission and regarding minimum wages and labor relations in the County. While the bill calls for examination of wages and working conditions in one industry, MCCC questions what the commission would examine next. It seems likely in such cases that other business sectors will get drawn in to this unelected commission’s crosshairs in the future. When businesses look to locate or grow, they seek out a regulatory environment that is fair and competitive. Bill 34-23 would make Montgomery County’s regulatory environment uncompetitive, especially when compared to nearby jurisdictions that do not have a similar commission. Businesses need certainty, and this cannot exist in Montgomery County with a continually shifting and uncertain environment where an unelected commission has the power to examine any industry. Bill 35-23 proposes the elimination of the tipped wage in Montgomery County for restaurant servers. With the elimination of the tipped wage, most restaurants would be forced to raise menu prices and impose a service charge on customer checks to cover substantially higher labor costs.
- Lead Sponsor: Jawando
- Lead Sponsors: Jawando and Mink
Summary: Bill 34-23 would (1) establish an advisory wage commission to make recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council regarding minimum wages and working conditions by industry in the County; (2) specify the membership and duties of the wage commission; and (3) generally amend the law regarding the establishment of a wage commission and regarding minimum wages and labor relations in the County. While the bill calls for examination of wages and working conditions in one industry, MCCC questions what the commission would examine next. It seems likely in such cases that other business sectors will get drawn in to this unelected commission’s crosshairs in the future. When businesses look to locate or grow, they seek out a regulatory environment that is fair and competitive. Bill 34-23 would make Montgomery County’s regulatory environment uncompetitive, especially when compared to nearby jurisdictions that do not have a similar commission. Businesses need certainty, and this cannot exist in Montgomery County with a continually shifting and uncertain environment where an unelected commission has the power to examine any industry. Bill 35-23 proposes the elimination of the tipped wage in Montgomery County for restaurant servers. With the elimination of the tipped wage, most restaurants would be forced to raise menu prices and impose a service charge on customer checks to cover substantially higher labor costs.
Planning Board
February 2023 Planning Board Recommendations
MCCC Position: Recommend James Hedrick, David Winstead, and Mitra Pedoeem to the Planning Board
Summary: The County Council received 27 applications for the first three of five vacancies on the Montgomery Planning Board.
MCCC Position: Recommend James Hedrick, David Winstead, and Mitra Pedoeem to the Planning Board
Summary: The County Council received 27 applications for the first three of five vacancies on the Montgomery Planning Board.
- The first interviews took place on January 31.
- The County Council will pick three applicants by the end of February to fill seats currently held by temporary Planning Board members Amy Presley, David Hill, and Cherri Branson.
- The remaining two seats, now held by Chair Jeff Zyontz and Roberto Piñero, will be filled by the end of June.
- On Friday, February 24, MCCC interviewed Planning Board candidates.
- Read MCCC's recommendation letter sent to the County.
Bill 42-23 - Menstrual Products in Public Restrooms
Lead Sponsor: Jawando
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: Bill 42-23 would:
Lead Sponsor: Jawando
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: Bill 42-23 would:
- (1) require places of public accommodation to provide menstrual products in certain public restrooms at no charge to users; and
- (2) generally amend the law regarding the provision of necessary health and sanitary products.
Public Safety
Bill 32-23 - Policy Advisory Commission
Lead Sponsor: Luedtke
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Bill 32-23 proposes to rename the existing Policing Advisory Commission to be the Community Advisory Commission on Public Safety and amend the law regarding appointment of members and scope of the Commission. One of the specific changes proposed by Bill 33-23 is to require increased representation on the Commission from a broader stakeholder group, including business owners. MCCC supports this change and asks the County Council to approve this provision while maintaining efforts to represent the County’s diversity.
Lead Sponsor: Luedtke
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Bill 32-23 proposes to rename the existing Policing Advisory Commission to be the Community Advisory Commission on Public Safety and amend the law regarding appointment of members and scope of the Commission. One of the specific changes proposed by Bill 33-23 is to require increased representation on the Commission from a broader stakeholder group, including business owners. MCCC supports this change and asks the County Council to approve this provision while maintaining efforts to represent the County’s diversity.
Bill 43-23 - Crisis Intervention Team - Established
Lead Sponsor: Luedtke
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Bill 43-23, which seeks to establishes a crisis intervention team as a joint program of the Montgomery County Police Department and the County Department of Health and Human Services, would increase the quality of public safety on behalf of all Montgomery County residents and businesses.
MCCC contends that public safety is one of the most important factors for creating a positive business environment and encouraging economic growth. For this reason, MCCC has a strong partnership with Montgomery County’s public safety community, going back nearly 50 years.
Lead Sponsor: Luedtke
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Bill 43-23, which seeks to establishes a crisis intervention team as a joint program of the Montgomery County Police Department and the County Department of Health and Human Services, would increase the quality of public safety on behalf of all Montgomery County residents and businesses.
MCCC contends that public safety is one of the most important factors for creating a positive business environment and encouraging economic growth. For this reason, MCCC has a strong partnership with Montgomery County’s public safety community, going back nearly 50 years.
Taxes
Proposed Property Tax Increase
County Executive's FY24 Operating Budget
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: Currently, Montgomery County’s property tax is roughly 99 cents per $100 of assessed value. The County Executive’s budget proposal is asking local businesses and homeowners to shoulder a 10 cent increase per $100 of assessed value.
County Executive's FY24 Operating Budget
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: Currently, Montgomery County’s property tax is roughly 99 cents per $100 of assessed value. The County Executive’s budget proposal is asking local businesses and homeowners to shoulder a 10 cent increase per $100 of assessed value.
Bill 45-23 - Property Tax Credit - Individuals 65 and Above, Retired Military Service Members, and Disabled Military Services Members
Lead Sponsor: Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The bill would allow individuals to qualify for the credit if the assessed value of their home is $899,900 or less for the 2023 tax year, and this amount would be increased annually based on inflation.
MCCC supports incentives that seek to keep retirees here in Montgomery County, and in particular retired military veterans and disabled military service members. Supporting military and service disabled veterans has been a longtime MCCC priority, most notably through efforts of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation’s (MCCCF) Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) program.
Lead Sponsor: Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The bill would allow individuals to qualify for the credit if the assessed value of their home is $899,900 or less for the 2023 tax year, and this amount would be increased annually based on inflation.
MCCC supports incentives that seek to keep retirees here in Montgomery County, and in particular retired military veterans and disabled military service members. Supporting military and service disabled veterans has been a longtime MCCC priority, most notably through efforts of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation’s (MCCCF) Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) program.
Transportation
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.
Utilities
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Revenue Increase
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The Chamber supports WSSC’s request for a revenue increase for Fiscal Year 2025 that helps meet their important role in the regional economy and supports their financial needs. MCCC contends that WSSC Water’s mission in Metro Maryland is vital to the region’s business climate by providing services important for our health and quality of life.
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The Chamber supports WSSC’s request for a revenue increase for Fiscal Year 2025 that helps meet their important role in the regional economy and supports their financial needs. MCCC contends that WSSC Water’s mission in Metro Maryland is vital to the region’s business climate by providing services important for our health and quality of life.
Veterans
Bill 6-24 - Property Tax Credit - Disabled Veterans
Lead Sponsor: Fani-Gonzalez
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The bill proposes to establish a property tax credit for military veterans who are at least 50 percent disabled and whose federal adjusted gross income does not exceed $100K. This proposed change would enhance the already existing County property tax credit to seniors over 65 and retired veterans.
MCCC supports incentives that bolster the ability to keep retirees here in Montgomery County, and in particular retired military veterans and disabled military service members. Supporting military and service disabled veterans has been a longtime MCCC priority, most notably through efforts of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation’s (MCCCF) Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) program.
Lead Sponsor: Fani-Gonzalez
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: The bill proposes to establish a property tax credit for military veterans who are at least 50 percent disabled and whose federal adjusted gross income does not exceed $100K. This proposed change would enhance the already existing County property tax credit to seniors over 65 and retired veterans.
MCCC supports incentives that bolster the ability to keep retirees here in Montgomery County, and in particular retired military veterans and disabled military service members. Supporting military and service disabled veterans has been a longtime MCCC priority, most notably through efforts of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation’s (MCCCF) Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) program.
Elected Officials
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