Bill > HB243

This bill, titled "Land Use - Comprehensive and General Plans - Alteration of Elements," proposes to update and reorganize the required elements within comprehensive and general plans for local jurisdictions in Maryland. It renumbers existing sections of Article - Land Use and introduces new elements such as "Economy," "Equity," "Resilience," "Place," and "Ecology" into these plans, while also refining the descriptions and requirements for existing elements like "Land" and "Transportation." The bill emphasizes that these elements should guide orderly and balanced future development, considering economic, social, physical, environmental, and fiscal aspects. It also clarifies that local planning commissions have the flexibility to determine the format and structure of these elements, provided all required components are addressed. Furthermore, the bill outlines the information and state plans that should inform each element, and specifies the roles of state agencies like the Department of Planning, Department of Transportation, and Department of the Environment in providing data and technical assistance to local jurisdictions. The bill also includes provisions for municipal growth elements and aims to ensure that plans consider factors like fair housing, environmental justice, and resilience to changing conditions and disasters, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Business and Industry

Economic Matters (House)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0243?ys=2026RS