Leonardtown, MD –  The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County have scheduled a series of seven public hearings to gather comments about a proposal to convert to Code Home Rule form of government.

Code Home Rule is a local government option which has been part of the Maryland Constitution since 1966. Code Home Rule would not significantly change the familiar county commissioner form of government. Rather, it would authorize the Commissioners to enact local laws on a number of subjects without awaiting action by the Maryland General Assembly. Under Code Home Rule commissioners would not have the authority to enact any new taxes or regulatory fees.

Under the current system, enacting a local law could take as long as 21 months, even when the Commissioners, legislators and the public agree that a new law is a good idea. Under Code Home Rule, the Commissioners would have legislative authority throughout the year. All public hearings on legislation would be held in Leonardtown, rather than in Annapolis during winter months.  Also, the public would have the right to demand a referendum on any new public local law, a right which does not presently exist. St. Mary’s County is one of only six counties in Maryland which has yet to adopt some form of home rule.

St. Mary’s County voters would have to approve a referendum to adopt Code Home Rule on the ballot in the November, 2016 general election.

The following is the list of scheduled Code Home Rule public hearings:

Thursday, September 17
Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
13820 Point Lookout Road
Ridge, MD  20680

Wednesday, October 14
Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad
23469 Rescue Lane
Hollywood, MD  20636

Tuesday, November 10
Seventh District Volunteer Fire Dept.
21660 Colton’s Point Road
Avenue, MD  20609

Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Bay District Volunteer Fire Department
46900 South Shangri-La Drive
Lexington Park, MD  20653

Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Second District Volunteer Fire Dept.
45245 Drayden Road
Valley Lee, MD  20692

Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Golden Beach Volunteer Fire Department
29848 Therese Circle
Mechanicsville, MD  20659

Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department
22733 Lawrence Avenue
Leonardtown, MD  20650

All hearings begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

More information about Code Home Rule can be found at  www.stmarysmd.com/pio/codehome.asp     Questions and comments can be sent to:  CodeHomeRule@stmarysmd.com.