From Panhandling Crackdown To Lost Judgeship: Key Laws Impacting St. Mary’s County

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — As Maryland’s 2026 legislative session came to a close in a flurry of last-minute votes, Deputy County Attorney John Houser walked county commissioners through what passed, what failed, and what it all means locally during the April 14 meeting.

“They were voting on bills, trying to get things through at 12:00 before the confetti broke out … and business came to a close with sine die,” Houser said.

Local Bills See Strong Success

Houser said both bills requested by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County passed this year, marking a productive legislative session for local priorities.

One of those, House Bill 600 — St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission, updates requirements for bonding, planning authority, and penalties within the county’s water and sewer system.

According to the County Attorney’s tracking report, the bill “increas[es] the amount of a certain required bond … and alter[s] the scope of those studies, plans, and estimates” related to MetCom operations.

“MetCom’s bill … George Erichsen’s annual fix-it bill, that went through early on. No worries about that one,” Houser said.

Roadway Safety Bill Targets Dangerous Intersections

Another key measure, House Bill 668 — St. Mary’s County Prohibition on Standing in Inherently Dangerous Highway, gives local officials authority to restrict pedestrian activity in hazardous roadways.

The legislation “prohibit[s] a person … from standing in a roadway, a shoulder, a median divide, or an intersection determined … to be inherently dangerous” and limits enforcement until signage is installed.

“We will not see people panhandling at the corner of Route 4 and 235,” Commissioner Mike Hewitt said.

The law takes effect Oct. 1 and requires coordination with the State Highway Administration for state-maintained roads.

“Once a roadway has been designated inherently dangerous … then it becomes a citable offense,” Houser said.

“Those are your two conditions precedent … before we exercise this new authority.”

Gaming License Requirement Formalized

Another local bill, House Bill 610 — St. Mary’s County Gaming by Qualified Organization, establishes new oversight for gaming activities.

The bill requires organizations to obtain a license and allows commissioners to regulate gaming operations within the county.

Living Shorelines Bill Amended Before Passage

A closely watched environmental measure, House Bill 613/Senate Bill 368 — Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures, passed after significant revisions.

Originally designed to shift authority locally, the final bill instead modifies the state’s process. It “establish[es] requirements for the use of living shorelines and nonstructural stabilization measures” while maintaining oversight by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

“It’s not the original bill … but it was amended to create a heightened, more modern, more streamlined waiver process,” Houser said.

The updated law requires the state to consider local recommendations and conduct site visits when requested. You can view the mapping zone here.

“They have to physically set foot on the property … before acting on the waiver application,” he added.

Fourth Judgeship Removed At The Last Minute

Efforts to secure a fourth Circuit Court judgeship for St. Mary’s County fell short after late-stage amendments stripped the county from the bill.

The broader legislation, House Bill 493 — Judgeships: Circuit Court and District Court, would have increased the number of judges statewide, including in St. Mary’s County.

The bill proposed “increasing … the number of resident judges of the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County,” but the local provision was removed before final passage.

“There is no Fourth Circuit Court judgeship in St. Mary’s County this coming year,” Houser said.

“It was a very last-minute … amendment to specifically exclude St. Mary’s County.”

Capital Funding Brings Millions To Local Projects

Houser said the state’s capital budget includes approximately $2.19 million in funding for St. Mary’s County projects.

“Of the six projects … five got funding in some amount,” he said.

However, a request for additional YMCA funding in Great Mills did not receive support this cycle.

Housing Bills Largely Stall — One Major Exception

While many anticipated sweeping housing reforms, Houser said most proposals failed.

“What promised to be the session of housing really did not turn out to be all that much on the housing front,” he said.

One major exception was House Bill 548 — Land Use: Permitting and Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act).

The bill “grant[s] … certain vested rights related to use and development” once a substantially complete application is submitted.

“They are locked into the regulations that exist as of that day for five years,” Houser explained.

Budget Passes Amid Long-Term Concerns

At the state level, Houser said the budget passed largely unchanged but warned about future financial challenges.

“It’s a budget that was funded … but your biggest source of revenues … were one-time fund shifts,” he said.

“Three billion is the looming structural deficit for next year.”

Final Legislative Picture Still Developing

Houser cautioned that final bill language is still being compiled, meaning the full impact of the session is not yet fully clear.

“It’s going to be a day or two before we totally see the field of battle,” he said.

For now, St. Mary’s County emerges from the 2026 session with key legislative wins, a few setbacks, and several issues likely to return in the year ahead.

You can watch the legislation updates below at 1:08:04.

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