Petition to the Maryland General Assembly Regarding HB1190 and SB26

The citizens of Allegany County were never given the opportunity to weigh in on HB1190 and SB26 before our County Commissioners formally voted to support these bills on February 26, 2025.

The matter was placed on the County Commission agenda the same day as the meeting, without prior public notice. Residents had no meaningful opportunity to review the legislation, understand its impact, or prepare informed comments. Despite this, the Commission proceeded.

Several citizens spoke at the meeting and specifically requested that any vote of support be delayed until the broader community could be informed and provide input. Those requests were ignored.

Without discussion or deliberation, the Commissioners voted to support HB1190 and SB26.

A vote taken without transparency, public notice, or meaningful deliberation does not reflect the will of the people of Allegany County.

For this reason, we respectfully request that any expression of support for HB1190 and SB26 attributed to Allegany County be disregarded. Furthermore, the undersigned citizens ask members of the Maryland General Assembly to vote against both bills.