July 22, 2026 - ECON Committee Worksession

The Montgomery County Economic Development Committee held a worksession on July 22, 2026, to discuss expedited Bill 19-26, which establishes a temporary moratorium on permits for data centers. The moratorium aims to provide the county time to study and develop appropriate zoning and regulatory frameworks for data centers, addressing concerns such as environmental impact, energy consumption, noise, and public health. After deliberations, the committee agreed to extend the moratorium period from six months to eighteen months to allow sufficient time for comprehensive evaluation and stakeholder engagement. An amendment proposing a 16-member task force to guide this process was introduced but did not receive support. The committee unanimously approved the amended bill, and plans were made to align definitions and related legislation in a subsequent Planning, Housing, and Parks committee session and full council meeting. The session emphasized ongoing community involvement and coordination with state-level studies and reports.