Montgomery County Council introduces street takeover ban, hiring restrictions for former ICE/CBP staff and multiple bond measures

The Montgomery County Council on June 16 introduced several measures addressing public safety, board membership and county hiring policies, and moved forward two expedited bond authorizations.

Public-safety bill: Council Member Andrew Friedson introduced Bill 27-26, described as a public-safety and quality-of-life measure to criminalize unlawful racing, street takeovers and exhibition driving events. Friedson said the draft law would create a new local class A violation and allow police to target not only drivers but people who "aid and abet" organizers and promoters of these events. "Residents deserve to feel safe on our roads and in their neighborhoods," Friedson said. A public hearing is scheduled for July 14, 2026.

IDD commission membership: Bill 28-26, sponsored by Council Members Lukey and Evans, would amend the membership of the county’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission to increase the number of commissioners with lived experience (from 2 to 5) and to refine parent/guardian representation and participation by people receiving self-directed services. Sponsors said the change aligns local practice with the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act model. A public hearing is scheduled for July 14.

Community Trust and County Employees Act: Council Member Kristen Mink introduced Bill 29-26, which would bar the county from hiring individuals employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after 2025, and certain federal staff assigned to immigration enforcement for six months, into county positions that serve the public or control distribution of resources. Mink said the intent is to restore community trust after increased federal immigration enforcement. The bill was introduced with a July 14 hearing.

Bond authorizations and zoning text amendment: The council introduced expedited Bill 30-26, a stormwater management bond authorization with a $125 million cap, and Bill 31-26, a $420 million bond authorization for the White Oak development district; staff said these bond amounts are included in the upcoming CIP. ZTA 26-09 was introduced to allow major and minor auto repair as a limited use in rural village overlay zones (instead of conditional use) and to permit alternative shading structures.

Why it matters: The street-takeover bill would give police new enforcement tools targeting organizers as well as drivers; the hiring restriction bill addresses community concerns about trust in county services and could prompt legal review before enactment; the bonds fund capital projects tied to stormwater obligations and development plans. Public hearings for the bills are scheduled in mid- to late July.

No final votes were taken on the bills during the session; introductions set public hearings and the council will consider public record and staff analysis before any vote.