Legislative Initiatives Led By Izzy Patoka

〰️

ENVIRONMENT

Bill No. 1-23: Bring Your Own Bag Act

Baltimore County’s Bring Your Own Bag Act aims to reduce litter, plastic pollution, and waste due to single-use carryout bags and to increase the use of reusable bags.

EDUCATION

The legislation updates the County’s APFO to address school overcrowding by revising capacity standards, creating a school capacity committee, and establishing rules for managing school capacity in residential developments

GOOD GOVERNMENT

The number of Baltimore County Councilmembers and councilmanic districts will increase from seven to nine starting in the 2026 election cycle. The changes revise district boundaries, align related boards and commissions with the expanded Council, update procedural language, adjust rules for redistricting and Charter amendments, and make structural changes. I see this as a perfect storm of opportunity to enhance representation and modernize governance in the County.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

This act requires the installation of assistive listening systems in County-funded assembly areas during construction or renovation, establishes compliance and waiver processes, and involves the Commission on Disabilities in project consultations to enhance accessibility.

COMMUNITY

Bill 95-20: Tenant Protections During an Emergencies

The act establishes protections for residential tenants during emergencies by defining terms, restricting rent increases and fees, requiring notice of rental assistance programs, mandating publication of tenant protection information, and setting stricter requirements for obtaining and maintaining rental housing licenses.

The revitalization plan focuses on the Pikesville Commercial Revitalization District (CRD). The Pikesville CRD has been largely neglected and the area’s aesthetic decline is apparent throughout the district. The vision of the Pikesville action plan is to begin addressing longstanding issues through achievable revitalization goals.

This bill introduces the Pikesville Armory areas as permitted as a Central Community Hub in certain areas of the D.R. Zone. A local non -profit organization was formed to facilitate a redevelopment of the Pikesville Armory as a tremendous benefit the surrounding community and could serve as a economic and cultural engine to transform the Pikesville community and the Reisterstown Road corridor.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The SMART Policing Act enhances police accountability and transparency through mandatory training, restrictions on use of force, policies affirming the value of life, protections for officers who report misconduct, and robust data collection and public reporting requirements

Bill 47- 20 : School Bus Monitoring Cameras

This bill authorizes the use of school bus monitoring cameras in Baltimore County. Drivers who are photographed driving past a school bus with an extended stop sign, are now subject to a fine of $250. It will ensure a safer journey for the roughly 80,000 school students transported by bus in Baltimore County.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Bill 9-24: Zoning Regulations - Mixed-Use Overlay District

Mixed-use developments are permitted within a new Mixed-Use (M.U.) Overlay District, subject to specified uses, residential density limits, parking and open space requirements, inclusionary housing set-asides, and design standards.

The West Baltimore County Redevelopment Authority is created to oversee redevelopment projects within the boundary defined by Liberty Road to the north, Baltimore National Pike to the south, Rolling Road to the west, and the boundary line between Baltimore County and Baltimore City to the east, including all contiguous parcels up to one block, except at the city-county boundary. It has powers including budget approval, capital program management, and adherence to local ethics laws, while involving a community advisory committee and requiring financial disclosures.