Press Releases - County Council

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 13, 2026

The County Council will hold public hearings to receive testimony on new items introduced to the Council as follows:

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.

Resolution to approve an Amendment to the FY25-30 Capital Improvement Program, Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), North Branch Trail Project (P871541) and a Special Appropriation to the FY26 Capital Budget, M-NCPPC, North Branch Trail (P871541), $2.9 million (Source of Funds: $900,000 GO Bonds and $2,000,000 Federal Aid)

March 10, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is March 9 at 12 p.m.

Resolution to approve Supplemental Appropriation #26-59 to the FY26 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Recreation, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), $53,788 (Source of Funds: General Funds: Undesignated Reserves)
Bill 7-26, Buildings - Scope and applicability - Exemptions - Buildings or Structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes - Amendments, would clarify the agricultural purposes exemption to building permitting requirements, and generally amend the law regarding buildings.
Expedited Bill 10-26, Arts and Humanities Council - Amendments, would establish requirements for the board of directors of the Arts and Humanities Council, establish appointment and confirmation requirements for members of the board of the Arts and Humanities Council, establish certain operational requirements of the Arts and Humanities Council, require the establishment of a racial equity and social justice policy by the Arts and Humanities Council, establish a plan and timeline for implementation, and generally amend the law regarding the Arts and Humanities Council.
Bill 11-26, Fire and Rescue Services - Length of Service Awards Program for Volunteers - Amendments, would increase the amount of length of service benefits to certain local fire and rescue department volunteers, and generally amend the law regarding local fire and rescue department volunteers.
Bill 12-26, Finance - Payments to Service Providers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, would amend requirements concerning the formulation of payments to certain service providers for persons with developmental disabilities in the County, amend eligibility criteria to receive payment, and generally amend the law governing the payment to providers of direct services to persons with developmental disabilities.

March 10, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Deadline to sign up to speak is March 9 at 2 p.m.

Bill 8-26, Landlord-Tenant Relations - Prohibition Against Price Coordination and Rent-Setting Algorithms, would prohibit the use of algorithmic devices to establish rents or rental terms in the County, prohibit price coordination regarding rents or rental terms in the County, provide for the enforcement of the prohibitions, and generally amend the law regarding landlord-tenant relations.
Bill 9-26, Rental Housing - Maintenance Standards and Essential Services - Air-Conditioning, would require detached single-family homes offered for rent to meet certain air-conditioning standards, alter the times of year in which air-conditioning requirements apply, and generally amend the law regarding housing and building maintenance and landlord-tenant affairs.

A full list of upcoming public hearings is available on the Council Calendar. Review the public hearing frequently asked questions for additional information.

To testify in-person or remotely during a live public hearing at the Council Office Building, residents need to preregister on the Council's web page. Residents may also choose to provide pre-recorded testimony in written, audio or video formats or submit testimony by mail.

Send testimony by mail to County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850; or residents may sign up to testify remotely by phone (call 240-777-7803 for information). To express an opinion call 240-777-7900.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Montgomery County Council provides reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to testify at public hearings. Email [email protected] or call the public hearing line (240-777-7803) at least five business days prior to the public hearing date to request an ADA accommodation (MD Relay - Dial 711 or 800-201-7165).

The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.

Public hearings will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM) on Xfinity channels 6 and 996, RCN channels 6 and 1056; and FiOS channel 30. Also available live via streaming through the Council website, Facebook Live (@MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil or @ConcejodelCondadodeMontgomery), or YouTube (@MoCoCouncilMD).

How to Sign Up for Public Hearings

The Stay Council Connected video series is a step-by-step guide to navigating the Montgomery County Council that offers instructions for residents.

Release ID: 26-057
Media Contact: Sara Tenenbaum