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HB 28

Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Bouchat

Maryland constitutional amendment mandating all counties adopt home rule charters, decentralizing governance authority from state to county level with implementation and consistency concerns.

Hearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 28

Legislative bill overview

HB 28 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require all Maryland counties to adopt a charter establishing home rule governance. Currently, counties operate under general state law unless they have voluntarily adopted their own charter. This amendment would mandate that every county establish its own charter, giving them greater local autonomy in structuring their government and determining their powers.

Why is this important

This change would significantly shift power from the state legislature to county governments, allowing local communities to design governance structures tailored to their specific needs rather than operating under one-size-fits-all state regulations. It could affect how counties levy taxes, organize departments, elect officials, and manage local affairs—potentially streamlining decision-making but also fragmenting policy consistency across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • State oversight concerns: Mandatory home rule could reduce the state legislature's ability to ensure uniform standards in areas like education funding, environmental protection, and public safety across all counties
  • Implementation burden: Requiring all 24 counties to develop and adopt charters simultaneously would demand significant resources and legal expertise, with potential disparities based on county wealth and capacity
  • Charter conflict risk: Multiple independent county charters could create contradictions with state law or between neighboring counties, complicating interstate/county coordination and litigation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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