Baltimore City Council Convenes Today to Tackle 2026 Legislative Priorities

City Council Resumes March Legislative Session

The Baltimore City Council is scheduled to convene today, Monday, March 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Du Burns Council Chamber at City Hall. This meeting marks the first session of the month and serves as a critical juncture for Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration as it continues to push its 2026 legislative agenda through both local and state channels. The session is expected to focus on the fiscal health of the city and the ongoing efforts to address the high number of vacant properties.

Mayor Scott’s Bold Tax and Housing Agenda

As the council meets today, much of the political discussion centers on Mayor Scott’s ambitious proposal to restructure the city’s tax revenue. A primary focus of the administration is a legislative push at the state level that would require the Maryland General Assembly to remit one-third of the 6% sales tax generated within Baltimore City back to the municipality. Estimated to generate approximately $142 million, the mayor has proposed splitting these funds equally between two major initiatives:

• Property Tax Rebates: Providing a $1,000 rebate to every homeowner in Baltimore City to provide immediate financial relief and encourage residential stability.
• Vacant Property Reduction: Funding a comprehensive strategy to reduce the number of vacant structures, which recently reached its lowest level in two decades.

Public Safety and Charter Reform

In addition to tax reform, the City Council is evaluating measures to strengthen local law enforcement and regulatory oversight. Mayor Scott is seeking to amend the City Charter to increase the cap on civil and criminal penalties from $1,000 to $5,000 for code violations. Furthermore, the administration is advocating for the reauthorization of access for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) to juvenile records, a move officials say is necessary to improve youth intervention services and public safety outcomes.

Regional Activity: Baltimore County Council Session

Beyond the city limits, the Baltimore County Council is also holding a legislative session today at 6:00 p.m. Significant items on the county agenda include Bill 18-26, which addresses the conduct of law enforcement officers by potentially prohibiting the use of certain masks and requiring clearer identification during duty. The county is also slated to vote on Bill 10-26, which would provide supplemental funding for the Department of Health to support homeless outreach services and the Federal Continuum of Care program.

Looking Ahead

These local meetings occur as the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session enters its second half. City leaders remain focused on securing state support for transportation funding and public safety measures before the legislative session in Annapolis concludes in mid-April. Residents can view the City Council meeting live through CharmTV or attend in person at City Hall.