Rockville Sets Its 2027 Legislative Priorities for Annapolis: Tax Relief, Schools, Tenant Protections and Safer Streets
Rockville's Mayor and Council will take a full agenda to the Maryland General Assembly's 451st session, which opens January 13 in Annapolis — from an expanded property tax credit to good-cause eviction rules and two bond requests totaling $1.25 million.
Rockville has written its wish list for Annapolis. The Mayor and Council have established the city's legislative priorities for the 2027 Maryland General Assembly session — the legislature's 451st — which opens on Wednesday, January 13, and concludes on Monday, April 12. The priorities, considered at a September 14 work session, run from property tax relief to tenant protections to the safety of the state roads that cut through the city.
On household costs, the city will seek expanded eligibility for the state Homeowners' Property Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income homeowners, including seniors and people with disabilities. On schools, Rockville wants state support for construction and operations and a fair Montgomery County share of Blueprint for Maryland's Future funding, which it says is needed to avoid larger classes, furloughs and layoffs. The tenant package asks for good-cause requirements for evictions and lease nonrenewals, disclosure of rental fees and annual rent history, and prohibitions on certain algorithmic tools used to set residential rents. The transportation list is built around the city's Vision Zero plan: comparative-negligence reform for injured pedestrians, state responsibility for sidewalks and streetlights along state roads, local stop-sign and crosswalk monitoring authority, 'Don't Block the Box' legislation, and Complete Streets work on Rockville Pike and Veirs Mill Road.
Two capital requests will be shared with the District 17 delegation, which represents Rockville in the legislature, for guidance on their prospects. The first is $700,000 in playground equity improvements — $350,000 to replace 25-year-old equipment at Lone Oak Park with an inclusive playground, and $350,000 for accessibility at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park. The second is $550,000 for City Hall accessibility and security, including restroom upgrades with a gender-neutral restroom and adult-changing station. The city will also monitor bills on spotted lanternfly control, local planning and zoning authority, paid-leave rules for municipalities, and single-staircase buildings, among others.
