Minimum Wage Rises in Montgomery County as New Maryland Laws Start Today

| at 8:00 am | Categories Silver Spring

Hundreds of new laws and a hike in vehicle registration fees went into effect in Maryland today, as well as a minimum wage increase in Montgomery County.

According to WTOP, the new laws that went into effect on July 1 (PDF) include:

  • The Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Act grants community organizations proposals in areas with disproportionately high numbers of impoverished children. Gov. Wes Moore has set aside $15 million in this year’s budget to fund the initiative in its first year. The Governor’s Office for Children will administer the program.
  • SB 539 regulates the sale of event tickets by prohibiting speculative sales. Ticket sellers must provide comprehensive details, including the total price, fees, and taxes.
  • HB 808 establishes a local delivery service permit that allows the delivery of alcoholic beverages from businesses authorized to sell them. Delivery drivers can apply for licenses at their local licensing board, which varies by jurisdiction.
  • The Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits vaping in certain indoor public areas, mass transit, and workplaces.
  • HB 4 prohibits colleges and universities that receive state funds from considering a legacy or donor preference when reviewing admissions applications.

The Pava Marie LaPere Act also took effect, which prevents those convicted of first-degree rape and most violent sex crimes from earning early release diminution credits for good behavior, according to CBS News.

Maryland drivers will see a 60 percent increase in vehicle registration fees. The new registration fee for a standard passenger car will be $110 per year; currently, Maryland residents pay $135 for a two-year vehicle registration.

Also effective today, the minimum wage in Montgomery County for large employers with 51 or more employees will increase by 45 cents, bringing the hourly rate to $17.15. For mid-sized employers with 11-50 employees, the rate will increase by 50 cents to $15.50 per hour. 

Following Maryland state law, small employers with ten or fewer employees will maintain the $15 per hour rate that took effect earlier this year.

Section 27-68 of the County Code, which requires the county to adjust minimum wage rates to reflect local inflation, was sponsored by then-County Council member and current County Executive Marc Elrich and was enacted in 2017. The new wage rates will allow employees of large and mid-sized companies to earn approximately $20 more for every 40 hours worked, translating to $1,000 in additional annual earnings.

Additionally, the county will begin enforcing the current noise ordinance due to several complaints in downtown Silver Spring. Blue signs were installed around Veterans Plaza in June, indicating a daily noise limit of 65 decibels and 55 decibels after 9 p.m.

Amplifier users who are creating excessive noise will be asked to lower the volume. Flyers in English and Spanish will be distributed, and crews will use sound-measuring devices to monitor noise levels and collect data for evaluation.

Violators could face a fine of $750.

“Signs are just the first step,” Stoddard said on X (formerly Twitter) last month. “We’ll be out doing education before the first enhanced enforcement takes off. We’re trying to be reasonable while setting clear expectations for good community stewardship.”

According to MCM, gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums are now banned from sale in the county and will be banned from use on July 1 of next year.

Marc Yamada, who was confirmed by a unanimous County Council vote last month, officially starts today as the new Chief of the Montgomery County Police. He is replacing the retiring Chief Marcus Jones, who was recently appointed Chief of Security and Compliance for Montgomery County Public Schools.

Yamada, who lives in Brookeville and is a 35-year veteran of the MCPD, is now the department’s 18th police chief, marking the first time an Asian American to hold the position.

Lastly, Metro fares have increased by 12.5 percent, and the new rates took effect on Sunday.

Photo: © Carsten Reisinger – stock.adobe.com / Montgomery County Graphic

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