Anne Arundel Delegation Approves Local Property-tax Deferral Eligibility Bill

The Anne Arundel County delegation voted to adopt House Bill 606 on Feb. 6, advancing a local change to eligibility for residential property tax payment deferrals in the county. Vice Chair Gary Simmons made the motion to adopt the bill; the chair called for a roll-call vote and the secretary recorded 13 yeas, 0 nays, 1 excused and 2 absent, after which the chair announced that the bill passed.

The bill, described by the sponsor as clarifying local eligibility for deferred residential property tax payments, was heard at the Feb. 6 delegation meeting. Delegation leaders followed standard procedure for local bills: the sponsor presented background in committee the previous week and the delegation took a formal vote during the session.

The vote was taken during a regularly scheduled delegation meeting where members also considered several other local bills and heard presentations from local project sponsors. The secretary read the roll call and individual members answered in the affirmative as their names were called, yielding the 13–0 tally announced by the chair.

No amendments or conditions were recorded at the time of the vote and the chair indicated the measure will move forward in the legislative process. The delegation will convene again on Feb. 13, when several bills heard on Feb. 6 are scheduled for votes or further consideration.