LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 336 – 1 – Chapter 336 (House Bill 927) AN ACT concerning Housing and Community Development – Affordable Housing – Listing and Disposal of Excess Real Property FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Planning to provide a list of excess real property owned by the State to the Department of Housing and Community Development; requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to determine whether any of the listed properties are suitable for use or redevelopment as affordable housing; requiring units of State government to develop proposals to donate or sell excess real property determined to be suitable for use or redevelopment as affordable housing; requiring the Comptroller to distribute a certain amount of income tax revenue from individuals to the Rental Housing Fund on or before a certain date; and generally relating to the listing and disposal of excess real property for use as and affordable housing. BY adding to Article – Housing and Community Development Section 2–203 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article – Housing and Community Development Section 4–504(b), (c), and (d) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article – Housing and Community Development Section 4–504(e) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article – Housing and Community Development Section 4–504(b) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article – Housing and Community Development Section 4–504(e) Ch. 336 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 2 – Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article – State Finance and Procurement Section 5–310(a) and (b) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article – State Finance and Procurement Section 5–310(d) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article – State Finance and Procurement Section 10–305(b) and 10–306(c) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume) BY adding to Article – Tax – General Section 2–605.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Housing and Community Development 4–504. (b) There is a Rental Housing Fund. (c) The Department shall use the Fund to operate, make loans, and pay expenses of the Rental Housing Program, including reserves for anticipated future losses directly related to the Rental Housing Program, as provided in the State budget. (d) The Department shall administer the Fund either directly or through the Administration. (e) The Fund consists of: LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 336 – 3 – (1) money appropriated by the State for the Rental Housing Program under § 4–402 of this title; (2) repayments and prepayments of loans made under the Rental Housing Program and from loan programs under this title that have been repealed; (3) money appropriated under § 4–501(c) of this subtitle; (4) money transferred to the Fund in accordance with §§ 4–502(e), 4–503(d), and 4–505(h) of this subtitle and § 3–203(i) of this article; (5) funds received by the Department or the Administration from the federal government or other public or private sources; [and] (6) investment earnings of the Fund; AND (7) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUND UNDER § 2–605.2 OF THE TAX – GENERAL ARTICLE. Article – Tax – General 2–605.2. AFTER MAKING THE DIST RIBUTIONS REQUIRED U NDER §§ 2–604 AND 2–605 OF THIS SUBTITLE , ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 2022, THE COMPTROLLER SHALL DISTRIBUTE $30,000,000 OF THE INCOME TAX RE VENUE FROM INDIVIDUA LS TO THE RENTAL HOUSING FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 4–504 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE. SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Housing and Community Development 2–203. (A) IN THIS SECTION , “AFFORDABLE HOUSING ” MEANS RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THAT IS : (1) RENTED TO THE PUBLIC AT A RATE THAT ALLOW S A HOUSEHOLD OF LOW– OR MODERATE –INCOME IN THE STATE TO PAY NOT MORE THAN 30% OF ITS MONTHLY INCOME IN RE NT; OR (2) SOLD TO THE PUBLIC A T A PRICE THAT IS AF FORDABLE TO A HOUSEHOLD OF LO W– OR MODERATE –INCOME IN THE STATE. Ch. 336 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 4 – (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (2) “AFFORDABLE HOUSING ” MEANS RESIDENTIAL PR OPERTY THAT IS RENTED OR SOLD TO THE PUBLIC AS LOW –INCOME HOUSING OR WO RKFORCE HOUSING. (3) “AREA MEDIAN INCOME ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 4–1801 OF THIS ARTICLE. (4) “LOW–INCOME HOUSING ” MEANS HOUSING THAT I S AFFORDABLE FOR A HOUSEHOLD WITH AN AGGREGATE ANNUAL INCOME THAT IS BELOW 60% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCO ME. (5) “WORKFORCE HOUSING ” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 4–1801 OF THIS ARTICLE. (B) (1) (I) ON RECEIPT OF THE LIS T OF EXCESS REAL PRO PERTY NOT LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE NOTIC E PROVIDED UNDER § 5–310 5–310(D) OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL , IN CONSULTATION WITH TH E UNITS UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT CONTROL CONTROLS THE PROPERTIES PROPERTY, DETERMINE IF ANY OF THE LISTED PROPERTIES ARE THE PROPERTY IS SUITABLE FOR USE OR REDEVELOPMENT AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING . (II) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IDENTIFY A PROPERTY AS SUITABLE FOR USE OR REDEVELOPMENT AS AFF ORDABLE HOUSING IF T HE PROPERTY: 1. IS LOCATED IN AN ARE A DESIGNATED AS A PR IORITY FUNDING AREA UNDER TITLE 5, SUBTITLE 7B OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE; 2. DOES NOT BE LONG IN A CATEGORY O F PROPERTY LISTED IN § 5–310(C)(1)(I) OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE; 3. IS ADEQUATELY SIZED FOR ANY TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL USE ; 4. HAS ACCESS TO PUBLIC UTILITIES; AND LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 336 – 5 – 5. HAS ACCESS TO FEASIB LE INGRESS AND EGRE SS POINTS. (III) THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONSID ER OTHER FACTORS IN ADDITION TO THE PROV ISIONS OF SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH WH EN DETERMINING THE SUIT ABILITY OF A PROPERT Y FOR USE OR REDEVEL OPMENT AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING . (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2023, AND EACH DECEMBER 31 THEREAFTER , THE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COMP ILE AND REGULARLY UPDATE A LIST OF PROPERTIES I T HAS DETERMINED ARE SUITABLE FOR USE OR REDEVELOPMENT AS AFF ORDABLE HOUSING . (3) FOR EACH PROPERTY INC LUDED IN THE LIST RE QUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : (I) GIVE NOTICE OF THE D ETERMINATION TO : 1. THE UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT CONTROLS THE PROPERTY ; AND 2. THE STATE TREASURER; AND (II) ADVISE THE UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBS ECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION. (4) THE LIST REQUIRED UND ER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE MADE AVAILA BLE TO THE PUBLIC . (C) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPHS (4) AND (5) OF THIS SUBSECTION, ON RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE REQUIRED UNDE R SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION, A THE UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT SHAL L, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, DEVELOP A PROPOSAL T O DISPOSE OF THE A DONATE OR SELL THE LISTED PROPERTY BY : 1. DONATING OR SELLING THE PROPERTY TO A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON THAT INTENDS CONTRACTS TO USE OR REDEVELOP THE PROPERTY AS AFFORDAB LE HOUSING; OR 2. SELLING THE PROPERTY TO A BUYER THAT INTENDS CONTRACTS TO USE OR REDEVELOP THE PROPERTY AS AFFO RDABLE HOUSING. (II) IF, AFTER REASONABLE EFF ORT, THE UNIT IS UNABLE T O IDENTIFY A SUITABLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON OR BUYER IN ACCOR DANCE WITH Ch. 336 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 6 – SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE UNIT SHALL DEVEL OP A PROPOSAL TO SELL THE PROPERTY AT AUCTION. (III) A PROPOSAL DEVELOPED UN DER THIS PARAGRAPH S HALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR CONSIDERATI ON IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 10–305 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. (2) ANY PROCEEDS FROM A S ALE OF EXCESS REAL P ROPERTY THAT RESULTS FROM A P ROPOSAL DEVELOPED UN DER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE APPLIED TO THE RENTAL HOUSING FUND UNDER § 4–504 OF THIS ARTICLE THE UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT SHAL L CONSIDER THE PROPO SED PERIOD OF AFFORDABILITY , THE NUMBER OF AFFORD ABLE HOUSING UNITS C REATED, AND THE VIABILITY OF AN OFFER WH EN EVALUATING OFFERS FROM MULTIPLE NONPRO FIT ORGANIZATIONS OR BUY ERS UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION. (3) WHEN A PROPERTY IS DISPOSED OF DONATED OR SOLD IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PR OPOSAL DEVELOPED UND ER THIS SUBSECTION , THE UNIT SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF THE DISPOSITION T O THE DEPARTMENT . (4) A UNIT MAY NOT PROPOSE TO DISPOSE OF DONATE OR SELL A PROPERTY UNDER THIS SUBSECTION IN A MANNER THAT IF THE DONATION OR S ALE WOULD: (I) VIOLATE ANY COVENANT OR APPLICABLE FEDERA L LAW; OR (II) IN THE OPINION OF THE STATE TREASURER, ADVERSELY AFFECT THE TAX –EXEMPT STATUS OF AN OUTSTANDING STATE BOND , THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WE RE ALLOCATED TO PURC HASE OR IMPROVE THE PROPERTY. (5) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSE CTION SHALL BE CONST RUED TO SUPERSEDE THE RIGHT OF A PERSON FROM WHO M REAL PROPERTY WAS ACQUIRED OR THEIR SUCCESSOR I N INTEREST TO REACQU IRE THE PROPERTY UND ER § 8–309 OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARTICLE. (D) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2024, AND EACH DECEMBER 31 THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE: (1) THE NUMBER OF PROPOS ALS SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS UNDER THIS SECT ION; LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 336 – 7 – (2) THE NUMBE R OF PROPERTIES THAT WERE DONATED PURSUAN T TO PROPOSALS DEVELOP ED UNDER THIS SECTIO N; AND (3) THE NUMBER OF PROPER TIES THAT WERE SOLD PURSUANT TO PROPOSALS DEVELOPED UNDER THIS SECTION ; AND (4) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PROCEEDS APPLIED TO THE RENTAL HOUSING FUND AS A RESULT OF P ROPOSALS DEVELOPED U NDER THIS SECTION . 4–504. (b) There is a Rental Housing Fund. (e) The Fund consists of: (1) money appropriated by the State for the Rental Housing Program under § 4–402 of this title; (2) repayments and prepayments of loans made under the Rental Housing Program and from loan programs under this title that have been repealed; (3) money appropriated under § 4–501(c) of this subtitle; (4) money transferred to the Fund in accordance with §§ 4 –502(e), 4–503(d), and 4–505(h) of this subtitle and § 3–203(i) of this article; (5) funds received by the Department or the Administration from the federal government or other public or private sources; [and] (6) investment earnings of the Fund; AND (7) PROCEEDS FROM SALES OF EXCESS REAL PROPE RTY CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH P ROPOSALS DEVELOPED U NDER § 2–203(C) OF THIS ARTICLE. Article – State Finance and Procurement 5–310. (a) Each unit of the State government shall notify the Department in writing of: (1) any real property that is in excess of the needs of the unit; or (2) any substantial change to any real property owned by the State. Ch. 336 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 8 – (b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, for any real property identified under subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall: (1) study the proper disposition of the property; (2) determine whether any local government or unit of the State government is interested in the property; and (3) make an appropriate recommendation to the using unit of the State government and to the Board of Public Works. (D) ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1, 2023, AND EACH JUNE 1 THEREAFTER , THE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A LIST OF AL L PROPERTIES NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE SENATE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, THE SENATE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OF ANY PROPERTY SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SUBS ECTION (A)(1) OF THIS SECTION WHICH HAS NOT BEEN D ISPOSED OF UNDER SUB SECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT . 10–305. (b) (1) (i) Except as provided under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, this subsection applies to the sale, transfer, grant, or exchange of: 1. real property identified under § 5–310(c)(1) of this article; and 2. State–owned real or personal property, funded in accordance with an appropriation act of the General Assembly, that has an appraised value over $100,000. (ii) This subsection does not apply to the following dispositions of property identified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph: 1. leasing the property; or 2. the sale, transfer, grant, or exchange of a corrective or access easement on the property. (2) The Board may not approve the sale, transfer, exchange, or grant of property until: LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 336 – 9 – (i) the Department of General Services or the Department of Natural Resources under Title 1, Subtitle 1 of the Natural Resources Article has submitted to the Board two independent appraisals of the property that: 1. with regard to real property, consider the value of any restrictive covenant that may be placed on the property; and 2. may not be publicly disclosed if the property is to be sold at auction; (ii) the following information has been submitted, by electronic mail or facsimile and by certified mail, to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and, for property that meets both criteria of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Legislative Policy Committee: 1. a description of the property; and 2. if applicable, any justification for not selling, transferring, exchanging, or granting the property in a manner that generates the highest return for the State; (iii) 45 days have elapsed since: 1. the information required by item (ii) of this paragraph was received by the appropriate committees; and 2. the Board declared the property surplus; and (iv) except for property sold under paragraph (4) of this subsection, for property that meets both criteria under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection and for which the Board intends to approve a fee simple sale, transfer, exchange, or grant, the General Assembly has approved the proposed disposition as provided under paragraph (3) of this subsection. (3) (i) Within 45 days after receiving the information submitted under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Legislative Policy Committee shall: 1. review the information and the public record created by the Department of Planning for the property; and 2. A. approve the proposed disposition of the surplus property and refer the property back to the Board for final disposition; or B. refer the proposed disposition of the property to the full General Assembly and notify the Board of the referral. Ch. 336 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 10 – (ii) If the Legislative Policy Committee fails to take any action under subparagraph (i)2 of this paragraph within the specified time period, the proposed disposition shall be deemed approved by the Committee. (iii) 1. If the proposed disposition of the surplus property is referred by the Legislative Policy Committee to the full General Assembly, the proposed disposition may not be approved by the Board unless it is approved by the passage of legislation during the next legislative session of the General Assembly. 2. In any legislation passed in accordance with subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph, the General Assembly may approve the proposed disposition with or without conditions. (4) If the Board has declared the property surplus, the Board shall sell the property to the federal government, a local government, or a unit of federal or local government for $1.00, if: (i) the government or unit has indicated its interest in acquiring the land; and (ii) a restrictive covenant is placed on the deed of transfer, in accordance with § 5–906(e)(7) and (8) of the Natural Resources Article, that requires the property to be maintained in a use that is consistent with its use at the time of transfer. (5) Any revenues derived from the sale, transfer, exchange, or grant of property identified under paragraph (1)(i)1 of this subsection shall be deposited in the Advance Option and Purchase Fund under § 5–904(b) of the Natural Resources Article. (6) (I) IF THE BOARD HAS DECLARED TH E PROPERTY SURPLUS , THE BOARD SHALL DISPOSE OF DONATE OR SELL THE PROPERTY DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO BE SUI TABLE FOR USE OR REDEVELOP MENT AS AFFORDABLE H OUSING IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PROPOSAL DEVELOPED U NDER § 2–203 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE. (II) ANY REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE SALE , TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR GRANT OF PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PROPOSAL DEVELOPED UNDER § 2–203 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE SHALL BE DEPO SITED IN THE RENTAL HOUSING FUND UNDER § 4–504 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE. 10–306. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 336 – 11 – (c) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO PROPERT Y DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PROPOSAL DEVELOPED U NDER § 2–203 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE. (2) Except as provided in paragraphs [(2) and] (3) AND (4) of this subsection, if cash is received as consideration for the disposition of a capital asset of the State or any unit of the State government, the cash shall be applied to the State Annuity Bond Fund Account for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonded indebtedness of the State. [(2)] (3) If the capital asset is real property that is being leased or sold to a private party for the purpose of realizing a transit–oriented development as defined under § 7–101 of the Transportation Article, at the discretion of the State agency that is disposing of the property, all or a portion of the cash proceeds resulting from the transaction shall be deposited in the Baltimore City Community Enhancement Transit–Oriented Development Fund established under Title 15 of the Economic Development Article for the purposes of that Fund. [(3)] (4) (i) If cash is received as consideration for the disposition of a capital asset, and if the capital asset was originally purchased with special funds, the cash shall be applied to the special fund. (ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, cash received as consideration for the disposition of helicopters, auxiliary helicopter equipment, ground support equipment, or other capital equipment related to helicopters shall be applied to the State Annuity Bond Fund Account for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonded indebtedness of the State. [(4)] (5) If cash is received as consideration for the disposition of any real or personal property of the State or any unit of the State government, other than a capital asset, the cash shall be accounted for and paid into the State Treasury. SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take effect October 1, 2022. SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as provided in Section 3 of this Act, this Act shall take effect June 1, 2022. Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2022.