Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 246

Bill Title: Charter Counties - Land Use Appeals - Standing

Bill Sponsor(s): Delegates Bobo and V. Clagett

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: ENV

Bill Summary: Authorizing specified persons in a charter county to appeal a decision of a board of appeals or a zoning action of a local legislative body to the circuit court of the county; authorizing specified persons in a charter county to make specified appeals to the Court of Special Appeals; providing specified rules and procedures for specified appeals under specified circumstances to apply to a specified person in a charter county; etc.

History: None

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: HB 246 would say that both charter and non-charter counties must grant standing to an aggrieved party and any taxpayer which is much broad.

Implications of this broadening of standing includes a substantial increase in workload for an already over-taxed judicial branch and undermining the decision-making authority of a local jurisdiction by persons with only a generalized concern. There is already expansive public input built in to the local land use decisionmaking process that allows all citizens to voice concerns over proposed projects.

Therefore, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.