MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL NEW LAWS· Bill 8-26, Landlord-Tenant Relations - Prohibition Against Price Coordination and Rent-Setting Algorithm, prohibits the use of algorithmic devices to establish rents or rental terms in the County, prohibits price coordination regarding rents or rental terms in the County, provides for the enforcement of the prohibitions, and generally amends the law regarding landlord-tenant relations. Effective date: February 1, 2027. · Expedited Bill 16-26, Consumer Protection - Amendments (Financial Exploitation Protection Act), permits the Office of Consumer Protection to operate a voluntary mediation program; defines the term vulnerable adult under the consumer protection law; prohibits, as a deceptive trade practice, the use of deception, intimidation, or undue influence to obtain money, property, or services from a vulnerable adult; prohibits, as a deceptive trade practice, the use of deception, intimidation, or undue influence to obtain money, property, or services from an individual who is at least 68 years old; and generally amends the law regarding consumer protection. Effective date: November 2, 2026. · Expedited Bill 17-26, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Speed Monitoring Systems Authorized - Amendments, authorizes the use of speed monitoring systems within certain school zones; authorizes the use of speed monitoring systems on certain highways in the County; and generally amends the law regarding motor vehicles and traffic control. Effective date: November 2, 2026. · Bill 27-26, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Unlawful Racing and Street Takeovers - Prohibited, prohibits participation in unlawful racing and street takeovers on public highways or roadways; defines certain terms related to unlawful racing and street takeovers; establishes penalties for such violations; and generally amends the law regarding motor vehicles and traffic. Effective date: February 1, 2027. · Expedited Bill 32-26, Employees' Retirement System - Survivor Benefits - Death During Line of Duty - Expanded Eligibility to Groups E and J, increases death benefits to spouses, domestic partners, and children of Group E and Group J members whose deaths are service-connected; and generally amends the law regarding the employees' retirement system, including pension benefits and other benefits available to survivors upon service-connected deaths. Effective date: November 2, 2026. · Bill 33-26, Cable Communications - Community Media Organizations - Requirements, requires a community media organization that contracts with the County to adopt a racial equity and social justice statement; requires a community media organization that contracts with the County to include certain membership on the organization's board of directors; requires a community media organization that contracts with the County to follow certain standards of public ethics and public access; and generally amends the law regarding cable communications and community cable organizations. Effective date: February 1, 2027. · Bill 36-26, Fire and Emergency Services Commission - Duties and Responsibilities, revises the duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the Fire and Emergency Services Commission; establishes a deadline for the Commission's annual report and mandatory meetings; and generally amends the law regarding fire and rescue services in the County. Effective date: February 1, 2027. INFORMATION: Copies available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council or from the Council Office, call 240-777-7900. n13 4212289