On March 25, the Greenbelt City Council held a worksession with the two city contractors who monitor state and county legislation for the city’s information and possible action. The worksession was timed to coincide with crossover day, the point in the legislative session (approximately the 69th day) in which proposed bills cross from one chamber to the other, indicating a bill’s progress toward enactment. All councilmembers attended as contractors Darrell Carrington of Carrington Associates and James Tarlow of LA Perez Consulting presented.
State Bills of Interest
Mayor Emmett Jordan began the session by asking Carrington which, if any, of the proposed state bills required council attention. Carrington noted that coordination between city and county has already begun by City Manager Josué Salmerón for House Bill 34/Senate Bill 189 (HB 34, SB 189), requiring municipalities to improve open drainage and inlet sites. Carrington told council that grant funding to aid municipalities in completing required work was available, but did not offer details.
Carrington informed council that he is especially monitoring other bills for recommended council action. One bill, HB 0172, expanding requirements on body-worn cameras, would have “fiscal impacts” if enacted, according to Carrington. There may be requirements for enforcement, equipment purchases and data retention in the bill. Proposed legislation modifying funding for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (HB 386, SB 281), increasing resources for dementia and other brain health disorders (HB 446, SB 555) and consumer data privacy (HB 711, SB 504) is being closely monitored, Carrington said.
A proposed bill concerning correctional services and detention facilities (HB 1018, SB 985) may, if enacted, have policy implications but limited direct impact on the city.
Not Moving Further
Several bills of interest which are not moving further through the legislative process include the “bottle bill” (SB 342) as it is opposed by some groups. The Voting Rights Act of 2026 (HB 350, SB 255) did not cross over to the Senate. HB 577, SB 159 SB 334 regarding firearm modifications, a bill about ambulance medical services (HB 779, SB 0439) and related to it, HB 797 about employment discrimination against fire and rescue employees, and HB 1223 about farmers markets and street vending, which could have affected inspection and enforcement, also did not cross over.
Pausing the presentation for questions, Jordan expressed disappointment that the bottle bill is not moving forward, as many residents had expressed strong feelings that it would have a positive effect on the environment. Carrington informed council that in states in which it was law, it had become controversial.
County Legislation
Tarlow began his presentation by reminding council that national issues such as immigration, law enforcement and the environment are influencing local legislation without naming specific bills. He said county council is responding aggressively to immigration enforcement and childcare issues. A resolution to set up a workgroup to streamline development, including changing permitting requirements (CB-014-2026), has passed.
“Quality of life” issues were the basis of new legislation now in committee. One bill would raise fees for liquor stores, storage facilities and tobacco and firearm retailers. Tarlow noted that Prince George’s County has the second highest concentration of liquor stores per resident of any municipality [sic] in the country.
A bill that would remove the exemption from site plan review for data centers is in committee, Tarlow reported, from which ensued a council discussion about regulating data centers.
Impact on Greenbelt
Of the legislation he is monitoring, Tarlow said, the recently adopted Prince George’s County Council Community Ownership Program Rules and Regulations resolution (CB-005-2026) may impact Greenbelt most by imposing new requirements on communications within homeowner and condominium associations and housing cooperatives.
Jordan asked Tarlow and Carrington for their opinion on how council may have the most impact on legislation affecting Greenbelt, and both said that attending committee and public hearings would be the most beneficial.
In conclusion, Jordan noted that the end of one legislative session leads to the beginning of the next and council needs to remain continuously informed.
