Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB190: Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule
Status: In committee, February 20, 2026
Requiring each county to adopt a charter by December 31, 2032, using a certain procedure; altering the method by which a county shall adopt a charter under certain circumstances; requiring the charter to provide for the election of members of the county council by the voters of councilmanic districts; limiting the applicability of certain constitutional provisions governing code home rule counties; and requiring the amendment proposed by the Act be submitted to the qualified voters of the State for approval or rejection.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule FOR the purpose of requiring each county to adopt a charter on or before a certain date using a certain procedure; altering the method by which a county shall adopt a charter under certain circumstances; requiring the charter to provide for the election of members of the county council by the voters of councilmanic districts; and limiting the applicability of certain constitutional provisions governing code home rule counties…
From the introduced text, January 11, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule FOR the purpose of requiring each county to adopt a charter on or before a certain date using a certain procedure; altering the method by which a county shall adopt a charter under certain circumstances; requiring the charter to provide for the election of members of the county council by the voters of councilmanic districts; and limiting the applicability of certain constitutional provisions governing code home rule counties. BY proposing a repeal of the Maryland Constitution Article XI-A - Local Legislation Section BY proposing an addition to the Maryland Constitution Article XI-A - Local Legislation Section BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution Article XI-A - Local Legislation Section 1A and 3A BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution Article XI-F - Home Rule for Code Counties Section SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, (Three-fifths of all the members elected to each of the two Houses concurring), That it be proposed that the Maryland Constitution read as follows: EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb0190* HOUSE BILL Article XI-A - Local Legislation [1. On demand of the Mayor of Baltimore …