WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 505

Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Craig Hart and 2 co-sponsors

Expands who can sign and vote on annexation petitions by allowing charter county redevelopment authorities meeting criteria to be treated as a “person” for annexation processes.

To House Energy and Public Works
#utilities
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 505

Summary — SB 505: Local Government — Municipal Annexation — Petition and Referendum (Maryland)

Status: Withdrawn by sponsor (3/11/2025)
Introduced: Jan 23 / Feb 19, 2025 (first reader Jan 28, 2025)
Sponsor: Senator Zucker
Cross‑file: HB 532 (Delegate Barnes)
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
Type: Emergency bill

Purpose / Intent

SB 505 would modify Maryland’s municipal annexation petition and referendum rules to allow certain redevelopment authorities in charter counties to be treated as a “person” for purposes of signing an annexation petition and voting in a referendum on an annexation. The change was prompted by ongoing annexation litigation involving the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority.

Key provisions

  • Amends Local Government Article §4‑413 (and references §4‑402) to expand the definition of “person” for annexation petition and referendum rules to include a redevelopment authority in a charter county, provided the authority meets all of the following conditions:
    1. It was created by statute.
    2. It owns property that has received State capital funds for redevelopment.
    3. It has entered into a contract (following a competitive solicitation) with a for‑profit entity to redevelop that property.
  • Retains existing rule that, when fewer than 20 residents in an area to be annexed are eligible to sign a petition and vote, any person owning real property in the area may sign and vote; SB 505 explicitly makes qualifying redevelopment authorities fall within that “person” category.
  • Designated an emergency measure (intended to take immediate effect upon enactment).

Who would be affected

  • Redevelopment authorities in Maryland charter counties that meet the three statutory criteria (Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority is the primary, identified example; Baltimore County may also be affected if conditions are met).
  • Municipalities pursuing annexation and the residents/landowners in areas proposed for annexation — the bill could change who is authorized to sign annexation petitions and to vote in related referenda.
  • Potentially alters the dynamics of ongoing annexation-related litigation and local annexation outcomes.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal note: no material effect on State or local finances.
  • Procedural history: introduced and assigned to committee; scheduled hearings and committee action occurred in early 2025. Sponsor withdrew the bill on March 11, 2025, so it did not proceed to enactment in this session.
  • Cross‑filed as HB 532; tied to specific county redevelopment authority circumstances cited in fiscal materials and committee documents.

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

Sign in to ask a question.