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 effect on our community.
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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. Read MCCC's positions on the Montgomery County ballot questions. |
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COVID-19
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) understands the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on the business community. MCCC is engaged with policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels of government as they determine ways to assist the business community in navigating this evolving situation. View our Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
- On December 3, 2020, MCCC signed on to a letter from the Greater Washington business community, urging our region's Congressional leaders to provide additional federal relief and recovery funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- On August 6, 2020, MCCC signed on to a letter from the American Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives to Congressional leadership. This letter address the CARES Act and our concerns surrounding cultural institutions, including non-profit museums, aquariums, zoos, and performing arts centers.
- On July 15, 2020, MCCC joined the Montgomery Moving Forward Early Care and Education Workforce Advocacy Coalition Members in seeking Senator Chris Van Hollen's commitment to the HEROES Act and the "Child Care is Essential Act." Read the letter.
- On May 6, 2020, MCCC joined chambers of commerce across the country to highlight gaps in the CARES Act, particularly pertaining to cultural institutions such as aquariums, zooms, and performing arts centers.
- On March 20, 2020, MCCC sent a letter to the Senate Small Business Committee regarding the impact of the coronavirus on government contractors. We received over 200 signatories in under 24 hours.
- MCCC joined 22 business organizations in sending a letter to DC Area Congressional Delegations regarding economic relief legislation.
116th Congress
- February 25, 2020: MCCC submitted a letter to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II regarding the cancellation of the HHS Accelerate procurement.
FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
Read MCCC's letter to Senator Ben Cardin supporting amendments to the NDAA that provide relief for small business government contractors.
Read MCCC's letter to Senator Ben Cardin supporting amendments to the NDAA that provide relief for small business government contractors.
Reauthorizing SBA's Contracting Programs
Click here to read Senator Romney's comments during the Senate Small Business Committee hearing on this topic.
Click here to read Senator Romney's comments during the Senate Small Business Committee hearing on this topic.
H.R. 953: To prohibit consumer reporting agencies from including adverse information in certain consumer reports, and from making adverse determinations relating to security clearances, with respect to certain individuals affected by the Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Representative Dwight Evans (PA)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Rep. Evans in support of this legislation.
S.162: A bill to provide back pay to low-wage contractor employees, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Tina Smith (MN)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Senator Ben Cardin regarding this legislation.
S.771: A bill to amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber certification for small business development center counselors, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Senator Marco Rubio in support of this legislation.
S.772: A bill to amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber certification for small business development center counselors, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Senator Marco Rubio in support of this legislation.
Lead Sponsor: Representative Dwight Evans (PA)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Rep. Evans in support of this legislation.
S.162: A bill to provide back pay to low-wage contractor employees, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Tina Smith (MN)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Senator Ben Cardin regarding this legislation.
S.771: A bill to amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber certification for small business development center counselors, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Senator Marco Rubio in support of this legislation.
S.772: A bill to amend section 21 of the Small Business Act to require cyber certification for small business development center counselors, and for other purposes.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Marco Rubio (FL)
Click here to read MCCC's letter to Senator Marco Rubio in support of this legislation.
Section 809 Panel Recommendations
Small Business Runway Extension Act Information
Click here to read MCCC's statement on WMATA (Metro) funding.
2021 State Legislation
Navigate to:
General Statewide Policy Positions
- Purple Line: Read MCCC's letter to Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Greg Slater regarding a potential delay to the Purple Line project. (May 21, 2020)
2021 Maryland Legislative Session
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Alcohol
MC 19-21 - Montgomery County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Annual Fees
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Luedtke
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: MC 19 – 21 would exempt bars and restaurants in Montgomery County from paying alcohol license fees in the 2021-2022 licensing period and would permit the county to refund the 2020-2021 fees. This legislation would directly support a hard-hit industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. These fees can run up to $2500 per licensing period. In order to continue navigating this global pandemic, businesses need the ability to hold onto cash. This legislation does just that and helps an industry that remains one of the hardest hit and will be one of the last to return to a sense of normalcy.
Read MCCC's testimony.
Watch MCCC testimony.
MC 19-21 - Montgomery County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Annual Fees
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Luedtke
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: MC 19 – 21 would exempt bars and restaurants in Montgomery County from paying alcohol license fees in the 2021-2022 licensing period and would permit the county to refund the 2020-2021 fees. This legislation would directly support a hard-hit industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. These fees can run up to $2500 per licensing period. In order to continue navigating this global pandemic, businesses need the ability to hold onto cash. This legislation does just that and helps an industry that remains one of the hardest hit and will be one of the last to return to a sense of normalcy.
Read MCCC's testimony.
Watch MCCC testimony.
Green Business Certification
House Bill 61: Statewide Green Business Certification Program - Establishment
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Shetty
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: House Bill 61 charges the Maryland Department of the Environment to enhance the current statewide Green Registry program with policies and standards that mirror the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program. The climate crisis must be tackled and solved by a variety to stakeholders – businesses included. This program is an incentive to businesses to green their practices across nearly every sector. As businesses work to green their practices, they should be afforded the ability to differentiate themselves in the marketplace to consumers as stewards of the environment. By bringing this certification to a statewide level, more business will be encouraged to participate which betters the state and region’s climate.
Read MCCC's testimony.
This is the second year MCCC is supporting this legislation. During the 2020 Legislative Session, MCCC solicited written support from a number of MCCC member companies. Read them below:
House Bill 61: Statewide Green Business Certification Program - Establishment
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Shetty
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: House Bill 61 charges the Maryland Department of the Environment to enhance the current statewide Green Registry program with policies and standards that mirror the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program. The climate crisis must be tackled and solved by a variety to stakeholders – businesses included. This program is an incentive to businesses to green their practices across nearly every sector. As businesses work to green their practices, they should be afforded the ability to differentiate themselves in the marketplace to consumers as stewards of the environment. By bringing this certification to a statewide level, more business will be encouraged to participate which betters the state and region’s climate.
Read MCCC's testimony.
This is the second year MCCC is supporting this legislation. During the 2020 Legislative Session, MCCC solicited written support from a number of MCCC member companies. Read them below:
Taxes
Business Taxes & Fees
House Bill 217: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Expenses of Medical Cannabis Grower, Processor, Dispensary, or Independent Testing Laboratory
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Wilkins
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Passage of IRS tax provision 280E is nearly three decades old and does not reflect the current policy and political landscape, specifically that Maryland established a legal medical cannabis program in 2013. A result of this provision is the inability for medical cannabis licensees (dispensaries, processors and growers) to write off normal and usual business expenses on their taxes; this practice is afforded to all other businesses in the state.
Read MCCC's testimony.
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Wilkins
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: Passage of IRS tax provision 280E is nearly three decades old and does not reflect the current policy and political landscape, specifically that Maryland established a legal medical cannabis program in 2013. A result of this provision is the inability for medical cannabis licensees (dispensaries, processors and growers) to write off normal and usual business expenses on their taxes; this practice is afforded to all other businesses in the state.
Read MCCC's testimony.
House Bill 356: Corporations and Associations - Filing Fee Study
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Qi
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: This bill charges the State Department of Assessments and Taxation with reviewing Maryland’s filing fee, the filing fees of neighboring states, and to make recommendations as to how to make Maryland’s annual fee more competitive. This could include less frequent filings, a decrease in the fee, or the establishment of a sliding fee scale. Small businesses are the backbone of Maryland’s economy. By working toward making this fee more economically competitive, Maryland would signal support for our diverse entrepreneurial community.
Read MCCC's testimony.
Lead Sponsor: Delegate Qi
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: This bill charges the State Department of Assessments and Taxation with reviewing Maryland’s filing fee, the filing fees of neighboring states, and to make recommendations as to how to make Maryland’s annual fee more competitive. This could include less frequent filings, a decrease in the fee, or the establishment of a sliding fee scale. Small businesses are the backbone of Maryland’s economy. By working toward making this fee more economically competitive, Maryland would signal support for our diverse entrepreneurial community.
Read MCCC's testimony.
Senate Bill 113: Opportunity Zone Tax Deduction Reform Act of 2021
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 262 (Sponsor: Delegate Palakovich Carr)
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: This bill requires a person to add back to Maryland adjusted gross income or Maryland modified income the amount of capital gains deferred or excluded under the federal Qualified Opportunity Zones Program. Rolling back incentives created discourages investments in Maryland from across the nation. Maryland should be doing everything it can to attract opportunity zone investment and while local businesses might prefer to invest locally, they can make investments across state lines. By removing state incentives, investors will move their capital to other states.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 262 (Sponsor: Delegate Palakovich Carr)
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: This bill requires a person to add back to Maryland adjusted gross income or Maryland modified income the amount of capital gains deferred or excluded under the federal Qualified Opportunity Zones Program. Rolling back incentives created discourages investments in Maryland from across the nation. Maryland should be doing everything it can to attract opportunity zone investment and while local businesses might prefer to invest locally, they can make investments across state lines. By removing state incentives, investors will move their capital to other states.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Income Taxes
Senate Bill 133: Local Tax Relief for Working Families Act of 2021
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 319 (Sponsor: Delegate Palakovich Carr)
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: This bill would give a county flexibility to set different income tax rates based on reported income in the county. In addition, it increases the maximum income tax rate allowed by the county to 3.5%. Currently, the county’s income tax rate is capped at 3.2% and is applied evenly to all taxpayers. While this bill only is authorizing and not prescribing, the Chamber has concerns about allowing jurisdictions these flexibilities prior to an analysis of Maryland’s current tax structure.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Rosapepe
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 319 (Sponsor: Delegate Palakovich Carr)
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: This bill would give a county flexibility to set different income tax rates based on reported income in the county. In addition, it increases the maximum income tax rate allowed by the county to 3.5%. Currently, the county’s income tax rate is capped at 3.2% and is applied evenly to all taxpayers. While this bill only is authorizing and not prescribing, the Chamber has concerns about allowing jurisdictions these flexibilities prior to an analysis of Maryland’s current tax structure.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Senate Bill 246: Income Tax - Angel Investor Tax Credit Program
Lead Sponsor: Senators Hester, Feldman, and Peters
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 360 (Sponsor: Delegate Lierman)
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: This legislation allows a credit against the State income tax for a certain percentage of an investment made in a qualified innovation business, not to exceed $50,000, or $100,000 for a qualified investor that is a married couple filing jointly or a pass-through entity. The Chamber supports efforts to encourage more business activity, in this case among emerging businesses, while at the same time offering a tax credit to those investors who help to provide much needed capital.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Lead Sponsor: Senators Hester, Feldman, and Peters
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 360 (Sponsor: Delegate Lierman)
MCCC Position: Support
Summary: This legislation allows a credit against the State income tax for a certain percentage of an investment made in a qualified innovation business, not to exceed $50,000, or $100,000 for a qualified investor that is a married couple filing jointly or a pass-through entity. The Chamber supports efforts to encourage more business activity, in this case among emerging businesses, while at the same time offering a tax credit to those investors who help to provide much needed capital.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Senate Bill 288: Income Tax - Carried Interest - Additional Tax
Lead Sponsor: Senator Pinsky
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 215 (Sponsor: Delegate Palakovich Carr)
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: This legislation imposes a 17% State income tax on the distributive share or pro-rata share of a pass-through entity’s (PTE) taxable income that is attributable to investment management services provided in the State. This issue is a U.S. federal income tax matter, not a Maryland state tax matter. This is because all types of income are taxed at the same tax rate in Maryland. Imposing an additional Maryland tax to make up for a federal tax difference between the capital gains tax rate versus other income tax rate will result in more than tripling the Maryland tax on this income.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Lead Sponsor: Senator Pinsky
Cross-Filed Bill: House Bill 215 (Sponsor: Delegate Palakovich Carr)
MCCC Position: Oppose
Summary: This legislation imposes a 17% State income tax on the distributive share or pro-rata share of a pass-through entity’s (PTE) taxable income that is attributable to investment management services provided in the State. This issue is a U.S. federal income tax matter, not a Maryland state tax matter. This is because all types of income are taxed at the same tax rate in Maryland. Imposing an additional Maryland tax to make up for a federal tax difference between the capital gains tax rate versus other income tax rate will result in more than tripling the Maryland tax on this income.
Read MCCC's Senate and House testimony on this legislation.
Visit our 2020 State Legislation page for information regarding bills and policy positions from the 2020 Legislative Session.
2020 Montgomery County Legislation
General Countywide Policy Positions
19th Montgomery County Council
The 19th Montgomery County Council was sworn in on Monday, December 8, 2018.
2019-2020 County Council Legislation
- NEW! The Montgomery County Council elected its new officers:
- Read: MCCC's thank you letter to outgoing Council President Sidney Katz
- Read: MCCC's letter congratulating incoming Council President Tom Hucker
- Read: MCCC's letter congratulating incoming Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz
- Read: MCCC's statement on the Montgomery County Executive's failure to distribute $45.6M in federal relief
- Read: MCCC's testimony in support of reopening resources for businesses
- Read: Montgomery County Business Organizations Commit to Addressing Racism and Economic Inequity in Montgomery County, Maryland
- Read Joint Chamber Letter to Councilmember Will Jawando Regarding His Reckless Comments
- Read MCCC's testimony on the FY21 Capital Budget and FY2021-2026 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
- MCCC's recommendations for the Montgomery County Planning Board.
- Read MCCC President and CEO Gigi Godwin's testimony on Montgomery County's Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget.
- Read MCCC's letter to the Montgomery County Council regarding County employee compensation and benefits.
Bill 32-20: Solid Waste (Trash) - Waste Reduction/Source Reduction and Single-Use Straws - Requirements
Lead Sponsors: County Executive
MCCC Position: Oppose
Lead Sponsors: County Executive
MCCC Position: Oppose
Bill 40-20E: Licensing and Regulations - Uniform Trader's License Fee
Lead Sponsors: Councilmembers Glass and Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Lead Sponsors: Councilmembers Glass and Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Bill 35-20: Human Rights and Civil Liberties - Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards - Amendments
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Jawando
MCCC Position: Oppose
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Jawando
MCCC Position: Oppose
Bill 32-20: Solid Waste (Trash) - Waste Reduction/Source Reduction and Single-Use Straws - Requirements
Lead Sponsor: County Executive
MCCC Position: Oppose
Lead Sponsor: County Executive
MCCC Position: Oppose
Bill 16-20E: Economic Development Fund - Public Health Emergency Grant Program - Established
Lead Sponsor: County Council
MCCC Position: Support
Lead Sponsor: County Council
MCCC Position: Support
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Bill 9-20: Economic Development Fund - Local Business Child Care Grant Program - Established
Lead Sponsor: Councilmembers Albornoz and Navarro MCCC Position: Support
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Bill 39-19: Contracts and Procurement - Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) - Amendments
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Jawando MCCC Position: Support |
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ZTA 19-07: Telecommunications Towers - Limited Use
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Riemer
MCCC Position: Support
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Riemer
MCCC Position: Support
Bill 34-19: Taxation - Development Impact Taxes - Affordable Housing - Housing Impact Fairness Act
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Glass
MCCC Position: Oppose
Bill 25-19E: Contracts and Procurement - Local Business Preference Program - Established
Lead Sponsor: County Executive
MCCC Position: Support
Read the joint letter by MCCC, the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce urging the Council to discuss this legislation before the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee. This legislation has been deferred for over a month.
Bill 12-19: Human Rights and Civil Liberties - Building Maintenance Worker - Minimum Work Week
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Riemer
MCCC Position: Oppose
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Bill 10-19: Legislative Branch - Economic Impact Statements - Amendments
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Bill 7-19: Environmental Sustainability - Commercial Propoerty Assessed Clean Energy Program - New Construction
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Hucker
MCCC Position: Support
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Glass
MCCC Position: Oppose
Bill 25-19E: Contracts and Procurement - Local Business Preference Program - Established
Lead Sponsor: County Executive
MCCC Position: Support
Read the joint letter by MCCC, the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce urging the Council to discuss this legislation before the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee. This legislation has been deferred for over a month.
Bill 12-19: Human Rights and Civil Liberties - Building Maintenance Worker - Minimum Work Week
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Riemer
MCCC Position: Oppose
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Bill 10-19: Legislative Branch - Economic Impact Statements - Amendments
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Bill 7-19: Environmental Sustainability - Commercial Propoerty Assessed Clean Energy Program - New Construction
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Hucker
MCCC Position: Support
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
2018 County Council Legislation
Bill 36-18: Transportation Management - Transportation Demand Management Plan - Amendments
Lead Sponsor: County Executive
MCCC Position: Letter of Concern
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Bill 40-18: Secondhand Personal Property - Dealers - License
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Lead Sponsor: County Executive
MCCC Position: Letter of Concern
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
Bill 40-18: Secondhand Personal Property - Dealers - License
Lead Sponsor: Councilmember Friedson
MCCC Position: Support
Click here to read MCCC testimony.
