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HB 1266 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Task Force to Study Land Use Issues in Prince George's County - Establishment MC/PG 117-25

HB 1266 establishes a framework for Prince George's County to allow its district council to review certain zoning and planning decisions previously handled solely by the county planning board. It directly affects residents, developers, and local businesses in Prince George's County by changing how zoning approvals and appeals are processed. Key provisions include requiring the district council to review specific planning board decisions, modifying timelines for zoning hearings, and altering standing requirements for judicial appeals. The bill also prohibits council members from voting on certain appeals and restricts how the council can amend zoning classifications. These changes aim to adjust the balance of power between county planning and legislative bodies for local land use matters.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Last action Apr 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Montgomery County and Prince George's County - Zoning and Land Use - Fairness in Zoning MC/PG 117-25 → Third - Task Force to Study Land Use Issues in Prince George's County - Establishment MC/PG 117-25 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to rename and restructure its purpose from focusing on 'Fairness in Zoning' to establishing a 'Task Force to Study Land Use Issues in Prince George's County.' The substantive policy content regarding zoning authority remains largely the same, but the legislative vehicle changed from a direct zoning reform bill to one that creates a study committee to examine land use issues.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from immediate zoning authority changes to establishing a study task force, though the underlying zoning provisions remain similar to the original version.
SCOPE

The bill title and purpose were changed from 'Fairness in Zoning' to 'Task Force to Study Land Use Issues in Prince George's County - Establishment', indicating a shift from direct legislative action to creating a study committee.

REQUIREMENT

A new Task Force was established consisting of seven voting members including delegation chairs, council chair, planning board chair, municipal association president, department representative, and two public members, plus five nonvoting industry experts.

The Task Force is required to study the current role of the Prince George's County Planning Board and its powers under existing zoning laws.

TECHNICAL

Formatting changes removed the original 'Fairness in Zoning' title and replaced it with the new Task Force establishment language, while keeping the core zoning provisions intact.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 8, 2025

How they voted

138–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 140
Mar 8, 2025
D Democratic101
100 Yea 1
99% Yea
R Republican39
38 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 8, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-2)
house of delegates
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.