Staff Report

MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Requests for State Legislation

DATE: September 1, 2009

The following are four legislative proposals for which Council may wish to request that the three Members of the House of Delegates representing Legislative District 23 introduce as local bills before the Prince George’s County and Montgomery County House Delegations for the 2010 Session of the Maryland General Assembly:

Reintroduction of House Bill 1143 (2009) – This bill would require the District Council of Prince George’s County to grant upon request of a municipality in Prince George’s County minimal land use authority to that municipality.
Full Land Use Authority to City of Bowie – This bill would grant the City of Bowie full land use authority with the District Council retaining full zoning authority over the City of Bowie including amendments to the Zoning Code and changes in zoning classifications of real property within the City limits.
Withdrawal from the Metropolitan District – This bill would add the City of Bowie to the list of municipalities in Prince George’s County that are legislatively carved out of the Metropolitan District (District Heights, Greenbelt, Laurel) and would contain uncodified language requiring the City and the M-NCPPC to report back to the Delegation with a plan for the disposition of M-NCPPC property within the City limits.
Tax Differential for Metropolitan District Tax – This bill would make the provisions of the Prince George’s County Code regarding municipal tax differential applicable to the amount of Metropolitan District Tax paid by commercial and residential property taxpayers within the City limits by recognizing park and recreation services provided by the City of Bowie that are not provided by the M-NCPPC within the City limits.

This matter is brought to Council at this time as the deadline for requesting local legislation is in the early fall.

DJD/LLL