MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB541

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB541 Compare Versions

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1- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
2-
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 39
5-(Senate Bill 541)
6-
7-AN ACT concerning
8-
9-Natural Resources – Maryland Park Service and State Parks – Alterations
10-(Great Maryland Outdoors Act)
11-
12-FOR the purpose of repealing the Park Advisory Commission in the Department of Natural
13-Resources and establishing the Parks and Recreation Commission in the
14-Department of Natural Resources to provide oversight of the Maryland Park Service;
15-addressing infrastructure, capacity, and accessibility needs within the Maryland
16-Park Service and State parks, including establishing systems and processes for
17-surveying infrastructure and critical maintenance needs, increasing the number of
18-Maryland Park Service full–time employees, requiring the Department of Budget
19-and Management to conduct certain staff reviews, requiring the Department of
20-Natural Resources to develop a certain capital improvement plan and a
21-comprehensive long–range strategic plan for the Park Service, requiring the
22-Department of Legislative Services to hire an independent consultant to study
23-certain aspects of the Maryland Park Service and State parks, requiring the
24-Department of Natural Resources to adopt certain design principles and make
25-certain considerations relating to the accessibility, inclusivity, safety, and location of
26-State parks, and establishing the Freedman’s State Historical Park and the Port of
27-Deposit State Historical Park, and authorizing the Department of Natural Resources
28-to enter into a certain memorandum of understanding or partnership agreement to
29-establish or manage a partnership park in the State; establishing the Park System
30-Critical Maintenance Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide funding for
31-certain critical maintenance projects; requiring interest earnings of the Park System
32-Critical Maintenance Fund to be credited to the Fund; establishing the Park System
33-Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide
34-funding for certain capital improvement projects and the acquisition of certain land;
35-requiring interest earnings of the Park System Capital Improvements and
36-Acquisition Fund to be credited to the Fund; establishing the Great Maryland
37-Outdoors Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide funding related to outdoor
38-recreation in the State; requiring interest earnings of the Great Maryland Outdoors
39-Fund to be credited to the Fund; increasing the amount of Program Open Space
40-grants awarded to Baltimore City beginning in a certain fiscal year; requiring the
41-Governor, for a certain fiscal year, to include in the annual budget bill an
42-appropriation of a certain amount to the Rural Legacy Program, the Park System
43-Critical Maintenance Fund, the Park System Capital Improvements and Acquisition
44-Fund, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, and the Maryland
45-Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation; authorizing
46-the Governor, for certain fiscal years, to include in the annual budget bill an
47-appropriation not exceeding a certain amount to the Great Maryland Outdoors Fund;
48-extending the termination of certain provisions of law relating to the State Lakes
49-Protection and Restoration Fund; requiring the Bainbridge Development Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
50-
51-– 2 –
52-Corporation, on or before a certain date, to transfer to the Department a portion of the
53-Bainbridge Naval Training Center site; requiring the Department of Budget and
54-Management to revise a certain job title on or before a certain date; and generally
55-relating to the Maryland Park Service.
56-
57-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
58- Article – Natural Resources
59-Section 5–204, 5–206(c), 5–307(f), 5–903(a)(2)(ii)2., and 5–9A–01
60- Annotated Code of Maryland
61- (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
62-
63-BY adding to
64- Article – Natural Resources
65-Section 5–210.1, and 5–220, and 5–221 through 5–222; 5–2A–01 through 5–2A–05
66-to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 2A. Maryland Park Service”; and
67-5–1012
68- Annotated Code of Maryland
69- (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
70-
71-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
72- Article – Natural Resources
73- Section 5–307(a) through (e) and 5–903(a)(2)(ii)1. and 3.
74- Annotated Code of Maryland
75- (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
76-
77-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
78- Article – Agriculture
79-Section 2–505(a) and (b)
80- Annotated Code of Maryland
81- (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
82-
83-BY adding to
84- Article – Agriculture
85-Section 2–505(i)
86- Annotated Code of Maryland
87- (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
88-
89-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
90- Article – Economic Development
91-Section 10–501(a) and (f)
92- Annotated Code of Maryland
93- (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
94-
95-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
96- Article – Economic Development
97-Section 10–523(a) LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
98-
99-– 3 –
100- Annotated Code of Maryland
101- (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
102-
103-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
104- Article – State Finance and Procurement
105-Section 6–226(a)(2)(i)
106- Annotated Code of Maryland
107- (2021 Replacement Volume)
108-
109-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
110- Article – State Finance and Procurement
111-Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)144. and 145. and 13–109
112- Annotated Code of Maryland
113- (2021 Replacement Volume)
114-
115-BY adding to
116- Article – State Finance and Procurement
117-Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)146. and 147. through 148.
118- Annotated Code of Maryland
119- (2021 Replacement Volume)
120-
121-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
122- Article – Tax – Property
123-Section 13–209(g)
124- Annotated Code of Maryland
125- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
126-
127-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
128- Article – Labor and Employment
129-Section 9–207 and 9–503 9–503(d) and (e)
130- Annotated Code of Maryland
131- (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
132-
133-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
134- Article – Tax – General
135-Section 10–209
136- Annotated Code of Maryland
137- (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
138-
139-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
140- Chapter 698 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2018
141- Section 3
142-
143- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
144-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
145- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
146-
147-– 4 –
148-Article – Natural Resources
149-
150-5–204.
151-
152- (a) (1) There is a Sustainable Forestry Council in the Department.
153-
154- (2) The purpose of the Council is to advise the Department on all matters
155-related to:
156-
157- (i) Sustainable forestry management in the State;
158-
159- (ii) The expenditure of funds from the Mel Noland Woodland
160-Incentives Fund under § 5–307 of this title;
161-
162- (iii) Existing regulatory and statutory policies that are perceived as
163-economic barriers to a viable forest products industry;
164-
165- (iv) New markets to enhance forest health, including renewable
166-energy development through biomass energy, to offset fossil fuel consumption and reduce
167-greenhouse gas emissions;
168-
169- (v) Creative strategies to help privately owned forest lands better
170-compete with real estate market values that are driving forest conversion and
171-fragmentation;
172-
173- (vi) The means to promote forest–based economies and processing
174-capability that contribute to economic and employment growth; and
175-
176- (vii) Assigning a nutrient efficiency benefit to forest stewardship
177-plans and other forest conservation management plans that can be measurably tracked and
178-reported by the number of forested acres covered by the plans.
179-
180- (b) [There is a Park Advisory Commission in the Department.
181-
182- (c)] (1) The Sustainable Forestry Council shall have 9 members.
183-
184- (2) Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor, with the
185-advice of the Secretary, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
186-
187- [(d) (1) The Park Advisory Commission shall have 12 members.
188-
189- (2) Members of the Park Advisory Commission shall be appointed by the
190-Governor, with the advice of the Secretary, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.]
191-
192-5–206.
193- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
194-
195-– 5 –
196- (c) A [park services associate] PARK RANGER who is not commissioned as a law
197-enforcement officer under subsection (b) of this section may issue a citation for a parking
198-violation on:
199-
200- (1) Property owned by the State and managed by the Department;
201-
202- (2) Public and private property that is within the boundaries of State
203-property managed by the Department;
204-
205- (3) Public and private property that adjoins property owned by the State
206-and managed by the Department; and
207-
208- (4) A roadway within the boundaries of, or that portion of a roadway that
209-adjoins, property owned by the State and managed by the Department.
210-
211-5–210.1.
212-
213- (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COOR DINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
214-GENERAL SERVICES TO:
215-
216- (1) DEVELOP AN ELECTRONIC ASSET MANAGEMENT SYS TEM FOR ITS
217-INFRASTRUCTURE , INCLUDING:
218-
219- (I) A LIST OF MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AT EACH SIT E; AND
220-
221- (II) THE STATUS OF EACH MA INTENANCE PROJECT ; AND
222-
223- (III) THE DATE ON WHICH EAC H PROJECT WAS ADDED TO THE
224-SYSTEM; AND
225-
226- (IV) FEATURES THAT ALLOW T HE DEPARTMENT TO MANAGE
227-THE PLANNING , SCHEDULING , WORK ORDER , AND COST OF EACH MAI NTENANCE
228-PROJECT;
229-
230- (2) DEVELOP A FACILITY CO NDITION INDEX ASSESS MENT PROCESS
231-FOR ALL PARK SERVICE SITES, MODELED AFTER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S
232-FACILITY CONDITION I NDEX; AND
233-
234- (3) ESTABLISH A DEDICATED ASSET EVALUATION TEA M TO:
235-
236- (I) ASSESS THE CONDITION OF MARYLAND PARK SERVICE
237-SITES STRUCTURES , INFRASTRUCTURE , AND LANDSCAPES ; AND
238-
239- (II) UPDATE INDIVIDUAL FAC ILITY CONDITION INDICES ON AN
240-ONGOING BASIS ; AND Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
241-
242-– 6 –
243-
244- (III) CROSS–REFERENCE THE CONDIT ION OF PARK SERVICE
245-SITES AND FACILITY C ONDITION INDICES WIT H THE DISTRIBUTION O F PARK
246-SERVICE ASSETS WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTIC E COMMUNITIES AS IDE NTIFIED
247-BY THE DEPARTMENT USI NG THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREEN
248-TOOL.
249-
250- (B) WHEN DETERMINING WHET HER TO REPAIR OR REP LACE
251-INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLO GY, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
252-CONSIDER HOW THE REP LACEMENT VALUE OF AN ASSET WILL CHANGE IF ONLY
253-SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLO GY IS USED, INCLUDING ANY ONGOIN G COST SAVINGS.
254-
255- (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL :
256-
257- (I) TAKE INVENTORY OF ALL STATE LAND MANAGED BY THE
258-DEPARTMENT , INCLUDING:
259-
260- 1. ACREAGE;
261-
262- 2. ANY STRUCTURES ON EAC H PROPERTY; AND
263-
264- 3. THE USE OF EACH PROPE RTY; AND
265-
266- 4. WHETHER A PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN AN
267-ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTIC E COMMUNITY AS IDENT IFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT USING
268-THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREEN TOOL;
269-
270- (II) DEVELOP A MAINTENANCE PROJECT PRIORITIZATI ON
271-PROCESS MODELED AFTER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S ASSET PRIORITY IND EX
272-THAT INCLUDES A LAYE R INDICATING WHETHER A MAINTENANCE PROJEC T IS
273-LOCATED IN AN ENVIRO NMENTAL JUSTICE COMM UNITY AS IDENTIFIED BY THE
274-DEPARTMENT USING THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREEN TOOL;
275-AND
276-
277- (III) DEVELOP AND PUBLISH O N ITS WEBSITE A LIST OF
278-MAINTENANCE PROJECTS IN EVERY UNIT OF THE STATE PARK SYSTEM THA T ARE
279-EXPECTED TO COST MOR E THAN $25,000.
280-
281- (2) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COND UCT A SYSTEMWIDE
282-SURVEY OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURA L RESOURCES WITH A FOCUS ON RACI AL AND
283-LINGUISTIC INCLUSIVI TY, INCLUDING AN ESTIMAT ION OF RESTORATION ,
284-PRESERVATION , AND MAINTENANCE COST S.
285- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
286-
287-– 7 –
288- (II) THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT DE LAY THE PRESERVATION
289-AND RESTORATION OF H ISTORICAL AND CULTUR AL RESOURCES WHILE
290-CONDUCTING THE SYSTEMW IDE SURVEY.
291-
292-5–220.
293-
294- (A) IN THIS SECTION , “FUND” MEANS THE PARK SYSTEM CRITICAL
295-MAINTENANCE FUND.
296-
297- (B) THERE IS A PARK SYSTEM CRITICAL MAINTENANCE FUND.
298-
299- (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING FOR COMPLETING
300-STATE PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS CRITICA L MAINTENANCE CONCER NS ON LANDS
301-MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.
302-
303- (D) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND.
304-
305- (E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT
306-SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.
307-
308- (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY ,
309-AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND.
310-
311- (F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF :
312-
313- (1) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED T O THE FUND UNDER § 13–209(G) OF THE
314-TAX – PROPERTY ARTICLE;
315-
316- (2) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND;
317-
318- (3) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND
319-
320- (4) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR
321-THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND.
322-
323- (G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR STATE PARK PROJECTS THAT
324-ADDRESS CRITICAL MAI NTENANCE CONCERNS ON LANDS MA NAGED BY THE
325-DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.
326-
327- (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND
328-IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED.
329-
330- (2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO
331-THE FUND. Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
332-
333-– 8 –
334-
335- (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE
336-WITH THE STATE BUDGET .
337-
338- (J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR CRITICAL MAI NTENANCE IN
339-THE STATE’S PARKS IS SUPPLEMEN TAL TO AND IS NOT IN TENDED TO TAKE THE
340-PLACE OF FUNDING THA T OTHERWISE WO ULD BE APPROPRIATED FOR CRITICAL
341-MAINTENANCE IN THE STATE’S PARKS.
342-
343- (K) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 ONLY, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN
344-THE ANNUAL BUDGET BI LL A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF
345-$80,000,000 $70,000,000 TO THE FUND FOR STATE PROJECT S THAT ADDRESS
346-CRITICAL MAINTENANCE CONCERNS ON LANDS MA NAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT
347-FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES .
348-
349- (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EXPE ND THE FUNDS ALLOCAT ED
350-UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N BEFORE JULY 1, 2026.
351-
352-5–221.
353-
354- (A) IN THIS SECTION , “FUND” MEANS THE PARK SYSTEM CAPITAL
355-IMPROVEMENTS AND ACQUISITION FUND.
356-
357- (B) THERE IS A PARK SYSTEM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND ACQUISITION
358-FUND.
359-
360- (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING FOR:
361-
362- (1) COMPLETING STATE PARK PROJECTS RELATED TO CAPITAL
363-IMPROVEMENTS ON LANDS MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES;
364-AND
365-
366- (2) ACQUIRING LAND TO BE MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR
367-PUBLIC PURPOSES AS A STATE PARK.
368-
369- (D) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND.
370-
371- (E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT
372-SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.
373-
374- (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY ,
375-AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND.
376-
377- (F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
378-
379-– 9 –
380-
381- (1) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND;
382-
383- (2) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND
384-
385- (3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR
386-THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND.
387-
388- (G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR:
389-
390- (1) COMPLETING STATE PARK PROJECTS RELATED TO CAPITAL
391-IMPROVEMENTS ON LAND S MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES;
392-AND
393-
394- (2) ACQUIRING LAND TO BE MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR
395-PUBLIC PURPOSES AS A STATE PARK.
396-
397- (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND
398-IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED.
399-
400- (2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO
401-THE FUND.
402-
403- (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE
404-WITH THE STATE BUDGET .
405-
406- (J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR CAPITAL IMPR OVEMENTS IN
407-THE STATE’S PARKS IS SUPPLEMEN TAL TO AND IS NOT INTENDED TO T AKE THE
408-PLACE OF FUNDING THA T OTHERWISE WOULD BE APPROPRIATED FOR CAP ITAL
409-IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STATE’S PARKS AND THE ACQU ISITION OF LAND BY T HE
410-DEPARTMENT THAT WILL BE MANAGED FOR PUBLI C PURPOSES.
411-
412- (K) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 ONLY, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUDE IN THE
413-ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF
414-$70,000,000 $36,873,928 TO THE FUND TO BE USED AS FOLLOW S:.
415-
416- (L) THE FIRST $70,000,000 RECEIVED BY THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY AS
417-FOLLOWS:
418-
419- (1) $5,000,000 FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJE CTS THAT MITIGATE
420-THE EFFECTS OF CLIMA TE CHANGE, INCLUDING:
421-
422- (I) FLOOD BARRIERS ;
423- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
424-
425-– 10 –
426- (II) FOREST BUFFERS ;
427-
428- (III) GREEN SPACES;
429-
430- (IV) BUILDING ELEVATION ;
431-
432- (V) STORMWATER INFRASTRUC TURE; AND
433-
434- (VI) WETLANDS RESTORATION ; AND
435-
436- (VII) ADDRESSING ENVIRONMEN TAL JUSTICE CONCERNS ;
437-
438- (2) $5,000,000 FOR HISTORIC PRESERV ATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
439-SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION;
440-
441- (3) $20,000,000 FOR TRANSPORTATION I MPROVEMENTS ,
442-INCLUDING:
443-
444- (I) IMPROVING BIKE LANES AND TRAILS , INCREASING
445-WALKABILITY, AND EXPANDING PARKIN G AVAILABILITY; AND
446-
447- (II) TARGETING TRANSPORTAT ION INVESTMENTS TO A VOID
448-CAPACITY SHUTDOWNS ;
449-
450- (4) $10,000,000 FOR INCREASING WATER ACCESS, INCLUDING KAYAK
451-AND BOAT LAUNCHES AN D AREAS FOR PICNICKI NG NEAR WATER AND SWIMMING ;
452-AND
453-
454- (5) $30,000,000 FOR LAND ACQUISITION , INCLUDING:
455-
456- (I) AREAS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN REGIONS OF THE
457-STATE THAT WILL:
458-
459- 1. RELIEVE OVERCROWDING AT EXISTING STATE
460-PARKS; AND
461-
462- 2. EXPAND PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PARKS AND
463-OUTDOOR RECREATION ;
464-
465- (II) SITES WITH HISTORICAL SIGN IFICANCE TO MINORITY
466-COMMUNITIES OF SIGNIFICANCE TO T HE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN, ASIAN,
467-INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO POPULATIONS IN
468-THE STATE; AND
469- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
470-
471-– 11 –
472- (III) BEACHFRONT OR WATERFR ONT PROPERTY FOR PUB LIC
473-ACCESS.
474-
475- (M) FUNDING FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION UNDER S UBSECTION (L) OF
476-THIS SECTION SHALL B E USED TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO, PARTICIPATE IN
477-COOPERATIVE AGREEMEN TS WITH, OR USE OTHER FINANCI AL INSTRUMENTS TO
478-FUND TH E REHABILITATION OF STATE–OWNED HISTORIC RESOU RCES IN THE
479-MARYLAND STATE PARK SYSTEM PERFORMED BY A NONGOVERNMENTAL
480-ORGANIZATION CAPABLE OF:
481-
482- (1) PROJECT MANAGEMENT ;
483-
484- (2) HISTORIC REHABILITATI ON;
485-
486- (3) PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ; OR
487-
488- (4) PUBLIC SERVICE CO RPS MANAGEMENT .
489-
490- (N) IF THE FUND RECEIVES MORE TH AN $70,000,000, THE DEPARTMENT
491-MAY USE UP TO $10,000,000 FOR ANY OF THE PURPO SES IDENTIFIED UNDER
492-SUBSECTION (L) OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING LAND:
493-
494- (1) LAND ACTIVATION AND NEW;
495-
496- (2) NEW STRUCTURES ; AND
497-
498- (3) ANY CAPITAL IMPROVEME NTS NECESSARY TO MAK E STATE PARKS
499-ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES , INCLUDING PROVIDING ADULT
500-CHANGING TABLES .
501-
502-5–222.
503-
504- (A) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE GREAT MARYLAND OUTDOORS
505-FUND.
506-
507- (B) THERE IS A GREAT MARYLAND OUTDOORS FUND IN THE DEPARTMENT .
508-
509- (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO:
510-
511- (1) SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE
512-DEPARTMENT ;
513-
514- (2) PROVIDE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE EXISTING AND CREATE NEW
515-OUTDOOR RECREATION O PPORTUNITIES ; AND Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
516-
517-– 12 –
518-
519- (3) IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF T HE MARYLAND
520-OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC COMMISSION TO PROMOTE AND GROW THE
521-OUTDOOR RECREATION S ECTOR IN THE STATE.
522-
523- (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND.
524-
525- (E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT
526-SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.
527-
528- (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY ,
529-AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND.
530-
531- (F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF :
532-
533- (1) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND IN
534-ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (J) OF THIS SECTION;
535-
536- (2) INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND; AND
537-
538- (3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR
539-THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND.
540-
541- (G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR:
542-
543- (1) IMPLEMENTING THE RECO MMENDATIONS OF THE MARYLAND
544-OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC COMMISSION, INCLUDING ESTABLISHI NG AND
545-SUPPORTING AN OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE DEPARTMENT ;
546-
547- (2) DEPARTMENT PROJECTS A ND PROGRAMS THAT PRO VIDE,
548-PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE OU TDOOR RECREATION OPP ORTUNITIES IN THE STATE;
549-AND
550-
551- (3) AWARDING GRANTS TO DE STINATION MARKETING
552-ORGANIZATIONS FOR TH E PURPOSE OF PROMOTI NG AND MARKETING STATE PARKS.
553-
554- (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND
555-IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED.
556-
557- (2) ANY INTEREST OR INVES TMENT EARNINGS OF TH E FUND SHALL
558-BE CREDITED TO THE FUND.
559-
560- (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE
561-WITH THE STATE BUDGET . LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
562-
563-– 13 –
564-
565- (J) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER , THE
566-GOVERNOR MAY INCLUDE IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATIO N NOT
567-EXCEEDING $3,000,000 TO THE FUND.
568-
569- (K) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR EXISTING PRO GRAMS IN THE
570-DEPARTMENT THAT PROVI DE, PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE OUTDOOR RECREATION
571-OPPORTUNI TIES IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO AND IS NOT INTEND ED TO TAKE THE PLACE
572-OF FUNDING THAT OTHE RWISE WOULD BE APPRO PRIATED FOR THOSE PR OGRAMS.
573-
574-SUBTITLE 2A. MARYLAND PARK SERVICE.
575-
576-5–2A–01.
577-
578- (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
579-INDICATED.
580-
581- (B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION.
582-
583- (C) “PARK SERVICE” MEANS THE MARYLAND PARK SERVICE.
584-
585-5–2A–02.
586-
587- (A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
588-INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FULL–TIME EMPLOYEES IN TH E PARK SERVICE BY 100
589-PERMANE NT, CLASSIFIED POSITIONS .
590-
591- (2) EACH STAFF POSITION R EQUIRED UNDER PARAGR APH (1) OF
592-THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGE T
593-ALLOCATION TO PROVID E ADEQUATE SUPPORT F OR EACH EMPLOYEE .
594-
595- (3) THE STAFF POSITIONS R EQUIRED UNDER PARAGR APH (1) OF THIS
596-SUBSECTION SHALL INC LUDE:
597-
598- (I) FIVE POSITIONS IN THE ENGINEERING AND
599-CONSTRUCTION UNIT;
600-
601- (II) FIVE POSITIONS IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND PLANNING
602-UNIT; AND
603-
604- (III) ONE VOLUNTEER MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM COORDINA TOR.
605- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
606-
607-– 14 –
608- (A) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT OF
609-BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL INCR EASE THE NUMBER OF F ULL–TIME
610-EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT BY 100 PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED POSITIONS .
611-
612- (II) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL
613-BUDGET THE 100 POSITIONS REQUI RED UNDER SUBPARAGRA PH (I) OF THIS
614-PARAGRAPH AS FOLLOWS :
615-
616- 1. 90 POSITIONS IN THE PARK SERVICE, INCLUDING 1
617-VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR ;
618-
619- 2. 5 POSITIONS IN THE ENGINEERING AND
620-CONSTRUCTION UNIT; AND
621-
622- 3. 5 3 POSITIONS IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND
623-PLANNING UNIT; AND
624-
625- 4. 2 ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL WITH
626-EXPERIENCE IN REAL E STATE LAW ASSIGNED T O THE DEPARTMENT AND
627-DESIGNATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADVISE ON REAL ESTATE AND
628-TRANSACTIONAL MATTER S.
629-
630- (2) TWO OF THE POSITIONS IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND
631-PLANNING UNIT SHALL BE FILLED BY ASSISTANT ATTORNE YS GENERAL IN THE
632-STATE WITH EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE LAW .
633-
634- (3) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE
635-ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $12,000,000 TO FUND THE 100
636-PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED POSITIONS REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS
637-SUBSECTION AND RELAT ED OPERATING COSTS .
638-
639- (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL :
640-
641- (I) CONDUCT A STAFF ADEQU ACY REVIEW OF THE PARK
642-SERVICE EVERY 2 YEARS; AND
643-
644- (II) REPORT ITS FINDINGS T O THE COMMISSION AND , IN
645-ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL
646-ASSEMBLY.
647-
648- (2) AS A PART OF THE REPO RT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS
649-SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHAL L CONSIDER
650-STAFFING GOALS FOR T HE PARK SERVICE. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
651-
652-– 15 –
653-
654- (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL :
655-
656- (I) CONDUCT A STAFF SALAR Y REVIEW OF THE PARK SERVICE
657-EVERY 3 YEARS; AND
658-
659- (II) REPORT ITS FINDINGS T O THE COMMISSION AND , IN
660-ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL
661-ASSEMBLY.
662-
663- (2) THE SALARY REVIEW REQ UIRED UNDER PARAGRAP H (1)(I) OF
664-THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L FOCUS ON THE GOALS OF IMPROVING :
665-
666- (I) HIRING BY COMPENSATIN G PARK SERVICE EMPLOYEES AT
667-A LEVEL COMMENSURATE WITH:
668-
669- 1. LOCAL PARK SYSTEMS ;
670-
671- 2. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; AND
672-
673- 3. FOR PARK SERVICE MAINTENANCE P ERSONNEL WHO
674-PERFORM SKILLED AND LICENSED TRADE FUNCT IONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR ; AND
675-
676- (II) RETENTION BY PROMOTIN G UPWARD MOBILITY WI THIN A
677-JOB SERIES.
678-
679- (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL RECO GNIZE PARK SERVICE ASSOCIATES AN D
680-FOREST RANGERS , PARK RANGERS , AND WILDLIFE RANGERS AS EMERGENCY
681-SERVICES PERSONNEL .
682-
683- (E) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPL EMENT A VOLUNTEER
684-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM T O STRATEGICALLY MANA GE VOLUNTEER SERVICE S
685-PROVIDED BY INDIVIDU ALS AND STATE PARKS FRIENDS G ROUPS.
686-
687- (II) THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM IMPLEMEN TED
688-UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE MODELED ON THE
689-NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S VOLUNTEERS–IN–PARKS PROGRAM .
690-
691- (2) THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM SHALL BE MANAGED
692-BY A VOLUNTEER PROGR AM MANAGER DEDICATED TO OVERSEEING THE
693-VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
694-
695- (3) THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER SHALL :
696- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
697-
698-– 16 –
699- (I) CONDUCT ANNUAL TRAINI NG FOR STAFF AND VOL UNTEERS;
700-
701- (II) DEVELOP AND PROMOTE V OLUNTEER OPPORTUNITI ES;
702-
703- (III) PERFORM AUDITS , EVALUATIONS , AND MONITORING TO
704-DETERMINE THE EFFICA CY OF THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ; AND
705-
706- (IV) DEVELOP AN ANNUAL REP ORT ON VOLUNTEER STA TISTICS
707-AND IMPACTS.
708-
709- (F) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EXPA ND ITS WORK WITH PAR K–FOCUSED
710-ORGANIZATIONS TO LEV ERAGE CHARITABLE FUN DING FOR PARK ENHANC EMENTS.
711-
712-5–2A–03.
713-
714- (A) (1) THERE IS A PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION IN THE
715-DEPARTMENT .
716-
717- (2) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROV IDE OVERSIGHT
718-OF THE PARK SERVICE.
719-
720- (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IST OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS:
721-
722- (1) A CHAIR, APPOINTED JOINTLY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
723-SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE;
724-
725- (2) TWO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY
726-THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;
727-
728- (3) TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY
729-THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; AND
730-
731- (4) ONE CITIZEN MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
732-SENATE;
733-
734- (5) ONE CITIZEN MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE
735-HOUSE; AND
736-
737- (4) (6) FOUR MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO
738-REFLECT THE RACIAL , GENDER, ETHNIC, AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THE
739-STATE; AND
740- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
741-
742-– 17 –
743- (7) TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL
744-JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES , DESIGNATED BY THE CHAIR OF THE
745-COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES .
746-
747- (C) THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE STAFF
748-FOR THE COMMISSION.
749-
750- (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ANNU ALLY PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH
751-A BRIEFING ON THE ST ATUS OF THE PARK SERVICE AND PARK SYST EM, INCLUDING:
752-
753- (1) THE NUMBER OF ANNUAL CAPACITY CLOSURES , LISTED BY
754-LOCATION;
755-
756- (2) THE CRITICAL MAINTENA NCE BACKLOG ;
757-
758- (3) VACANT STAFF POSITION S; AND
759-
760- (4) A DESCRIPTION OF THE C ONDITION OF THE PARK SYSTEM’S
761-NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING ANY VULNER ABILITIES; AND
762-
763- (5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION :
764-
765- (I) RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONING OF THE PARK SERVICE; OR
766-
767- (II) REQUESTED BY THE MEMB ERS OF THE COMMISSION.
768-
769- (E) THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET QUARTERLY TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF
770-THE PARK SERVICE.
771-
772- (F) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, AND EACH DECEMBER 1
773-THEREAFTER , THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE SENATE BUDGET
774-AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, THE SENATE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND
775-ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
776-COMMITTEE, AND THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
777-IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE.
778-
779- (2) THE REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS
780-SUBSECTION SHALL INC LUDE THE COMMISSION’S:
781-
782- (I) FINDINGS ON THE STATU S OF THE PARK SERVICE; AND
783-
784- (II) RECOMMENDATIONS ON HO W THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
785-CAN SUPPORT THE PARK SERVICE.
786- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
787-
788-– 18 –
789-5–2A–04.
790-
791- (A) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2023, AND EVERY 5 YEARS
792-THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP AND PUBLISH A 5–YEAR CAPITAL
793-IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE PARK SERVICE.
794-
795- (2) IN DEVELOPING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, THE
796-DEPARTMENT SHALL , IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSION, ANNUALLY HOLD
797-AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE OPP ORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
798-
799- (3) THE 5–YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHALL INCLUDE :
800-
801- (I) A LIST OF ALL OUTSTAND ING CRITICAL MAINTEN ANCE
802-PROJECTS AND THE PROJECT ED COST OF EACH PROJ ECT;
803-
804- (II) A PRIORITIZATION OF CR ITICAL MAINTENANCE P ROJECTS
805-AND AN EXPLANATION O F THE PROCESS FOR PR IORITIZING THE PROJE CTS; AND
806-
807- (III) SCORING AND RANKING F OR EACH CRITICAL MAI NTENANCE
808-PROJECT, AS DETERMINED BY THE PRIORITIZATION PROCE SS.
809-
810- (4) THE 5–YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHALL INCLUDE TH E
811-INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION
812-DISAGGREGATED BY REG ION.
813-
814- (5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
815-IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE 5–YEAR
816-CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE PARK SERVICE.
817-
818- (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES SHALL HIRE A N
819-INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO CONDUC T AN INDEPENDENT STU DY OF:
820-
821- (I) WHETHER THE PARK SERVICE IS PRODUCING OUTCOMES
822-CONSISTENT WITH ITS MISSION;
823-
824- (II) THE VISITOR EXPERIENC E FOR STATE PARKS, INCLUDING:
825-
826- 1. PARKING AVAILABILITY ;
827-
828- 2. CLEANLINESS; AND
829-
830- 3. WHETHER FACILITIES , AMENITIES, OR AREAS ARE
831-CLOSED, INCLUDING WHETHER TH E CLOSURES ARE DUE T O DEFERRED
832-MAINTENANCE ; AND LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
833-
834-– 19 –
835-
836- (III) HOW FUNDING CAN BE US ED TO ENABLE THE PARK
837-SERVICE TO PRODUCE OU TCOMES CONSISTENT WI TH ITS MISSION; AND
838-
839- (IV) HOW PARK SERVICE PROJECTS CAN SU PPORT:
840-
841- 1. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGA TION, ADAPTATION, AND
842-RESILIENCY; AND
843-
844- 2. PUBLIC HEALTH .
845-
846- (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2023, THE INDEPENDENT
847-CONSULTANT SHALL SUB MIT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE
848-GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, A REPORT ON ITS FIND INGS AND RECOMMENDAT IONS TO
849-THE COMMISSION.
850-
851- (C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL :
852-
853- (1) RECOGNIZE AS A FORMAL POLICY THAT THE STATE’S FORESTS,
854-TREES, AND WETLANDS ARE A M AJOR TOOL FOR ADDRES SING CLIMATE CHANGE
855-WITH REGARD TO MITIG ATION, ADAPTATION, AND RESILIENCY ; AND
856-
857- (2) REQUIRE ALL PARK SERVICE PROJECTS TO C ONTRIBUTE, TO THE
858-EXTENT POSS IBLE, TO THE IMPROVEMENT O F LOCAL WATER QUALIT Y.
859-
860- (D) (1) THE PARK SERVICE SHALL ADOPT U NIVERSAL DESIGN
861-PRINCIPLES IN ITS PR OGRAMMING AND AMENIT IES TO ENSURE MAXIMU M ACCESS
862-BY ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WIT H DISABILITIES AND S ENIORS. AND SAFETY
863-FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITO RS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WI TH DISABILITIES,
864-OLDER ADULTS , AND SENIORS.
865-
866- (2) TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILI TY FOR INDIVIDUALS W HO ARE DEAF ,
867-BLIND, OR BOTH, THE PARK SERVICE WEBSITE AND A LL OTHER DIGITAL OUT REACH
868-PLATFORMS SHALL ADHE RE TO WEB CONTENT ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES 2.1
869-AND SECTION 508 OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
870-
871- (E) THE PARK SERVICE SHALL ADOPT D ESIGN PRINCIPLES REL ATED TO
872-CRIME PREVENTION IN ITS PROGRAMMING AND AMENITIES TO ENSURE MAXIMUM
873-PUBLIC SAFETY FOR AL L RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
874-
875- (F) (1) THE DEPARTMENT ’S DECISIONS RELATED TO THE LOCATION AND
876-ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW STATE PARKS OR AMENIT IES SHALL TARGET ARE AS:
877- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
878-
879-– 20 –
880- (I) IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT ’S PARK EQUITY TOOL A S
881-IN NEED OF RECREATIO NAL OPPORTUNITIES ; OR
882-
883- (II) THAT WOULD RELIEVE OVERCR OWDING IN EXISTING STATE
884-PARKS THAT HAVE CONS ISTENTLY HAD TO CLOS E TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO CAPACITY
885-RESTRICTIONS .
886-
887- (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS IDER THE CULTURAL AN D
888-ECOLOGICAL CARRYING CAPACITIES OF STATE PARK AREAS WHEN EXAMINING THE
889-DEVELOPMENT OF NEW A MENITIES IN EXISTING STATE PARKS.
890-
891- (3) THE DEPARTMENT ’S DECISIONS RELATED TO THE
892-ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE HISTORICAL PARK S OR OTHER UNITS THA T PRESERVE
893-AND INTERPRET THE STORY OF HISTORICALL Y UNDERSERVED , MINORITY, AND
894-OTHER UNDERREPRES ENTED COMMUNITIES HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN,
895-ASIAN, INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO
896-POPULATIONS IN THE STATE SHALL BE MADE :
897-
898- (I) IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSION; AND
899-
900- (II) WITH INPUT FROM GROUP S ACTIVE IN THE PRES ERVATION
901-OF HISTORICAL SITES OF UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES , INCLUDING:
902-
903- 1. THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
904-AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ;
905-
906- 2. THE COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
907-AND CULTURE;
908-
909- 3. THE GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON ASIAN PACIFIC
910-AMERICAN AFFAIRS;
911-
912- 4. THE COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS; AND
913-
914- 5. THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS.
915-
916-5–2A–05.
917-
918- (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL :
919-
920- (1) DEVELOP AND PUBLISH A COMPREHENSIVE LONG–RANGE
921-STRATEGIC PLAN BY DECEMBER 1, 2023; AND
922- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
923-
924-– 21 –
925- (2) UPDATE THE COMPREHENSIVE LONG–RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN
926-EVERY 5 YEARS TO REFLECT MAJ OR GOALS AND PROGRES S TOWARD MEETING
927-THOSE GOALS; AND
928-
929- (3) SUBMIT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH §
930-2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE COMPREHENSIVE
931-LONG–RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANY UPDATES TO THE PLAN.
932-
933- (B) THE COMPREHENSIVE LONG–RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN SHALL
934-INCLUDE:
935-
936- (1) THE FEASIBILITY OF:
937-
938- (I) ESTABLISHING NEW STATE PARKS THROUGH:
939-
940- 1. LAND ACQUISITION ; OR
941-
942- 2. REDESIGNATING EXISTIN G STATE LAND, INCLUDING
943-CEDARVILLE STATE FOREST, TO BE A STATE PARK; AND
944-
945- (II) DEVELOPING NEW AMENIT IES IN CURRENT STATE PARKS,
946-INCLUDING:
947-
948- 1. TRAILS AND TRAIL CONNECTORS ;
949-
950- 2. WATER ACCESS;
951-
952- 3. PARKING AREAS ; AND
953-
954- 4. OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVE MENTS THAT INCREASE
955-PARK CAPACITY ;
956-
957- (2) NEW STATE HISTORICAL PARK S OR OTHER UNITS THA T
958-PRESERVE AND INTERPR ET THE STORY OF MINORITIES AND OTHER
959-UNDERREPRESENTED COM MUNITIES HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN, ASIAN,
960-INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO POPULATIONS IN
961-THE STATE;
962-
963- (3) A MULTILATERAL , WHOLE–SYSTEM PLAN FOR OUTD OOR
964-RECREATION IN THE STATE, INCLUDING:
965-
966- (I) THE RESULTS OF ANY CO ORDINATION BETWEEN T HE
967-DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY , MUNICIPAL, AND FEDERAL PARK SYS TEMS TO
968-INCREASE TRAIL CONN ECTIVITY BETWEEN PAR K SYSTEMS; AND Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
969-
970-– 22 –
971-
972- (II) AN ECONOMIC A PARTNERSHIP PLAN DEVELOPED BY TH E
973-DEPARTMENT IN CONSULT ATION WITH:
974-
975- 1. THE OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION;
976-
977- 2. THE PARK SERVICE’S BUSINESS MANAGER ;
978-
979- 3. COUNTY TOURISM ENTITI ES AND ECONOM IC
980-DEVELOPMENT OFFICES ;
981-
982- 4. THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE;
983-
984- 5. THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES; AND
985-
986- 6. THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ROUNDTABLE ; AND
987-
988- 7. THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
989-AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ;
990-
991- (4) THE FEASIBILITY OF EX PANDING THE DAY –USE RESERVATION
992-SYSTEM BEYOND THE FALLING BRANCH AREA OF ROCKS STATE PARK TO ALL
993-PARKS EXPERIENCING C APACITY SHUTDOWNS , INCLUDING CONSIDERAT IONS ON
994-HOW THE EXPANSION OF THE DAY–USE RESERVATION SYST EM MAY IMPACT STATE
995-PARK VISITORS IN TERMS OF EQUITY AND ACCESS ;
996-
997- (5) AN ANALYSIS OF HOW TH E DEPARTMENT CAN INTEGR ATE
998-INFRASTRUCTURE MESSA GING WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND LOCAL
999-GOVERNMENTS , INCLUDING THE DEVELO PMENT AND MAINTENANC E OF A
1000-COORDINATED WEBSITE AND DIGITAL APPLICATION THAT PRO VIDES INFORMATION
1001-ON:
1002-
1003- (I) WHERE PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ARE LOCATED ;
1004-
1005- (II) AVAILABLE AMENITIES ; AND
1006-
1007- (III) REAL–TIME INFORMATION ON THE OPERATIONAL STAT US
1008-OF A PARK, INCLUDING CAPACITY ;
1009-
1010- (6) LONG–TERM MEASURES TO :
1011-
1012- (I) RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE OF COLOR AND BILINGUAL
1013-STAFF INTO PARK SERVICE POSITIONS A DIVERSE PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE , IN LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1014-
1015-– 23 –
1016-ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S DIVERSITY STRATEGY UNDER
1017-DIRECTOR’S ORDER #16B; AND
1018-
1019- (II) PROVIDE ONGOING UPDAT ES ON EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND
1020-RETAIN A DIVERSE PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE ;
1021-
1022- (7) DETAILS AND UPDATES O N THE CREATION AND IMPLEME NTATION
1023-OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING:
1024-
1025- (I) PROGRAMS IN COLLABORATION WIT H THE STATE’S
1026-HISTORICALLY BLACK C OLLEGES AND UNIVERSI TIES; THAT ARE:
1027-
1028- (I) (II) MODELED PROGRAMS MODELED ON THE CADET
1029-PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SERVICE’S DIVERSITY
1030-STRATEGY UNDER DIRECTOR’S ORDER #16B; AND
1031-
1032- (II) (III) FOCUSED PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON CREATING A
1033-PIPELINE OF NEW RANG ERS AND OTHER FULL –TIME STAFF FROM AMON G
1034-VOLUNTEERS , THE STATE FOSTER YOUTH SY STEM, AND HISTORICALLY
1035-UNDERSERVED COMMUNIT IES; AND
1036-
1037- (8) THE RESULTS OF:
1038-
1039- (I) IMPLEMENTING A VOLUNT EER MANAGEMENT PROGR AM
1040-UNDER § 5–2A–02(E) OF THIS SUBTITLE;
1041-
1042- (II) LEVERAGING CHARITABLE FUNDING FOR PARK
1043-ENHANCEMENTS UNDER § 5–2A–02(F) OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND
1044-
1045- (III) ANY COLLABORATION BET WEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND
1046-THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND LO CAL TRANSPORTATION A GENCIES
1047-TO IMPROVE BICYCLE , SIDEWALK, AND TRAIL ACCESS TO STATE PARKS.
1048-
1049-5–2A–06.
1050-
1051- IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE PARK SERVICE
1052-IDENTIFY AND ACQUIRE LAND TO BE USED FOR A STATE PARK IN PRINCE GEORGE’S
1053-COUNTY WITHIN THE BOU NDARY CREATED BY INTERSTATE 495 IN THE STATE AND
1054-THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
1055-
1056-5–307.
1057-
1058- (a) In this section, “Fund” means the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and
1059-Fellowship Fund. Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1060-
1061-– 24 –
1062-
1063- (b) There is a Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund in the
1064-Department.
1065-
1066- (c) The purpose of the Fund is to finance:
1067-
1068- (1) The Woodland Incentives Program and the cost –share assistance
1069-established under this subtitle; and
1070-
1071- (2) The Mel Noland Fellowship Program established under this subtitle.
1072-
1073- (d) The Department shall administer the Fund.
1074-
1075- (e) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of
1076-the State Finance and Procurement Article.
1077-
1078- (2) The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall
1079-account for the Fund.
1080-
1081- (f) (1) The Fund consists of:
1082-
1083- (i) As provided in § 13–306 of the Tax – Property Article, up to
1084-$200,000 annually of the proceeds of the tax imposed by § 13–302 of the Tax – Property
1085-Article that are attributable to the taxation of instruments of writing that transfer title to
1086-parcels of land that are entirely woodland;
1087-
1088- (ii) Revenues collected by the Department from the payment of
1089-charges imposed for Department assistance in implementation of an approved practice;
1090-
1091- (iii) Money distributed from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal
1092-Bays 2010 Trust Fund under § 8–2A–04 of this article;
1093-
1094- (iv) Subject to approval by the Secretary and the Board of Public
1095-Works, a portion of the revenues derived from the forestry practices on designated lands
1096-owned and managed by the Department, that are conducted in accordance with applicable
1097-State law and regulation; and
1098-
1099- (v) Money appropriated to the Fund under paragraph (2) of this
1100-subsection.
1101-
1102- (2) For fiscal year [2021] 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor
1103-shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of [$50,000] $1,000,000 to the
1104-Fund.
1105-
1106-5–903.
1107- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1108-
1109-– 25 –
1110- (a) (2) (ii) 1. As specified in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, a
1111-portion of the State’s share of funds available under subparagraph (i)1A of this paragraph
1112-for this program shall be utilized to make grants to Baltimore City for projects which meet
1113-park purposes. The grants shall be in addition to any funds Baltimore City is eligible to
1114-receive under subsection (b) of this section, and may be used for acquisition or development.
1115-In order for Baltimore City to be eligible for a State grant, the Department shall review
1116-projects or land to be acquired within Baltimore City, and upon the Department’s
1117-recommendation, the Board of Public Works may approve projects and land including the
1118-cost. Title to the land shall be in the name of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City.
1119-The State is not responsible for costs involved in the development or maintenance of the
1120-land.
1121-
1122- 2. The grants to Baltimore City under subsubparagraph 1 of
1123-this subparagraph shall be made in the following amounts:
1124-
1125- A. For fiscal year 2017, $1,500,000;
1126-
1127- B. For fiscal year 2018, $3,500,000;
1128-
1129- C. For fiscal year 2019, $5,500,000; [and]
1130-
1131- D. For fiscal [year] YEARS 2020 THROUGH 2023, [and for
1132-each subsequent fiscal year,] $6,000,000; AND
1133-
1134- E. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR
1135-THEREAFTER , $10,000,000.
1136-
1137- 3. The grants made under this subparagraph supplement
1138-rather than supplant any other funding for park purposes in Baltimore City, no matter the
1139-source.
1140-
1141-5–9A–01.
1142-
1143- (a) The General Assembly declares that:
1144-
1145- (1) Sprawl development and other modifications to the landscape in
1146-Maryland continue at an alarming rate, consuming land rich in natural resource,
1147-agricultural, and forestry value, adversely affecting water quality, wetlands and habitat,
1148-threatening resource–based economies and cultural assets, and rending the fabric of rural
1149-life;
1150-
1151- (2) Current State, county, and local land conservation programs help to
1152-limit the effect of sprawl development but lack sufficient funding and focus to preserve key
1153-areas before escalating land values make their protection impossible or the land is lost to
1154-development; and
1155- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1156-
1157-– 26 –
1158- (3) A grant program that leverages available funding, focuses on
1159-preservation of strategic resources, including those resources threatened by sprawl
1160-development, streamlines real property acquisition procedures to expedite land
1161-preservation, takes advantage of innovative preservation techniques such as transferable
1162-development rights and the purchase of development rights, and promotes a greater level
1163-of natural and environmental resources protection than is provided by existing efforts, will
1164-establish a rural legacy for future generations.
1165-
1166- (b) (1) A Rural Legacy Program is established to enhance natural resource,
1167-agricultural, forestry, and environmental protection as provided in subsection (a) of this
1168-section while maintaining the viability of resource–based land usage and proper
1169-management of tillable and wooded areas through accepted agricultural and silvicultural
1170-practices for farm production and timber harvests.
1171-
1172- (2) The Program provides funds to the local governments and land trusts
1173-to purchase interests in real property from willing sellers, including easements,
1174-transferable development rights, and fee estates, focused in designated Rural Legacy
1175-Areas.
1176-
1177- (3) The Program shall encourage partnerships among the federal, State,
1178-and local governments, and nonprofit land trust organizations and encourage local land
1179-conservation initiatives.
1180-
1181- (4) The Program is administered by a Rural Legacy Board in the
1182-Department of Natural Resources, an advisory committee, and existing State staff.
1183-
1184- (c) The Program is funded:
1185-
1186- (1) Pursuant to § 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article and § 5–903(a)(2)(iii)
1187-of this title; [and]
1188-
1189- (2) By the proceeds from the sale of general obligation bonds as provided
1190-in § 5–9A–09 of this subtitle; AND
1191-
1192- (3) BY MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE
1193-PROGRAM.
1194-
1195- (d) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE
1196-ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $5,444,127 TO THE PROGRAM.
1197-
1198- (E) When negotiating and awarding grants, the Board shall encourage sponsors
1199-to utilize zero coupon bonds in the implementation of the Rural Legacy Plan in order to
1200-reduce the utilization of general obligation bonds in funding the grants.
1201-
1202-5–1012. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1203-
1204-– 27 –
1205-
1206- (A) IN THIS SECTION, “PARTNERSHIP PARK ” MEANS A UNIT OF THE STATE
1207-PARK SYSTEM MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN PARTNER SHIP WITH A LOCAL
1208-GOVERNMENT , A BICOUNTY AGENCY , OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION.
1209-
1210- (B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ENTER INTO:
1211-
1212- (1) A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERS TANDING WITH A LOCAL
1213-GOVERNMENT , BICOUNTY AGENCY , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ESTA BLISH A
1214-PARTNERSHIP PARK IN THE STATE; OR
1215-
1216- (2) A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMEN T WITH A LOCAL GOVER NMENT,
1217-BICOUNTY AGENCY , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZ ATION TO MANAGE A PA RTNERSHIP
1218-PARK IN THE STATE.
1219-
1220- (B) (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH THE FREEDMAN’S
1221-STATE HISTORICAL PARK AS A PARTNERSHIP PARK THAT SEEKS TO E DUCATE THE
1222-PUBLIC ABOUT AND PRE SERVE AND INTERPRET THE LIVES AND EXPERI ENCES OF
1223-BLACK AMERICANS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE ABOLIT ION OF SLAVERY.
1224-
1225- (2) FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL BE HELD BY THE
1226-STATE AS A STATE PARK UNDER THE PROTECTION AND ADMIN ISTRATION OF THE
1227-DEPARTMENT .
1228-
1229- (C) (D) THE PARK FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL
1230-CONSIST OF PROPERTIE S IN NORTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN OR NEAR
1231-THE COMMUNITIES OF BROOKEVILLE, OLNEY, SANDY SPRING, ZION, AND
1232-LAYTONSVILLE THAT ARE :
1233-
1234- (1) OWNED BY THE STATE AND DESIGNATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AS
1235-PART OF THE PARK ; AND
1236-
1237- (2) (I) OWNED BY A LOCAL GOVE RNMENT, A BICOUNTY AGENCY ,
1238-OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION; AND
1239-
1240- (II) DESIGNATED AS PART OF THE PARK BY A PARTNE RSHIP
1241-AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E OWNER OF THE PROPE RTY AND THE STATE.
1242-
1243- (D) (E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A STAKEHOLDE R
1244-ADVISORY COMMITTEE T O ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCO PE AND
1245-MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK.
1246-
1247- (2) THE STAKEHOLDER ADVIS ORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF
1248-THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S: Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1249-
1250-– 28 –
1251-
1252- (I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF MONTGOMERY PARKS,
1253-DESIGNATED BY MONTGOMERY PARKS’ DIRECTOR OF PARKS;
1254-
1255- (II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E HERITAGE TOURISM
1256-ALLIANCE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, DESIGNATED BY THE ALLIANCE’S
1257-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR;
1258-
1259- (III) A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E SANDY SPRING SLAVE
1260-MUSEUM, DESIGNATED BY THE MUSEUM’S DIRECTOR;
1261-
1262- (IV) A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E SANDY SPRING MUSEUM,
1263-DESIGNATED BY THE MUSEUM’S PRESIDENT; AND
1264-
1265- (V) ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED BY THE
1266-DEPARTMENT .
1267-
1268- (3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE STAKEHOLDER ADVI SORY
1269-COMMITTEE SHALL REFL ECT THE DIVERSITY OF NORTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY
1270-COUNTY.
1271-
1272- (E) (F) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
1273-SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF
1274-THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON:
1275-
1276- (1) PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE IN NORTHEASTERN
1277-MONTGOMERY COUNTY THAT IS SUITAB LE FOR INCLUSIO N IN FREEDMAN’S STATE
1278-HISTORICAL PARK;
1279-
1280- (2) PROPERTY OWNED BY A L OCAL GOVERNMENT , A BICOUNTY
1281-AGENCY, OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION IN NORTHEAST ERN MONTGOMERY
1282-COUNTY THAT IS SUITAB LE FOR INCLUSION IN THE PARK FREEDMAN’S STATE
1283-HISTORICAL PARK AND FOR WHICH THE LANDOWNERS ARE W ILLING TO ENTER
1284-INTO A PARTNERSHIP A GREEMENT; AND
1285-
1286- (3) THE FUNDING NEEDED TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOT E THE PARK
1287-FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK.
1288-
1289- (G) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH THE PORT OF
1290-DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK AS A PARTNERSHIP PARK THA T SEEKS TO
1291-EDUCATE THE PUBLIC A BOUT AND PRESERVE AN D INTERPRET THE LIVE S AND
1292-EXPERIENCES OF BLACK AMERICANS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE ABOLIT ION OF
1293-SLAVERY. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1294-
1295-– 29 –
1296-
1297- (II) PORT OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL BE
1298-HELD BY THE STATE AS A STATE PARK UNDER THE PROTECTION AND
1299-ADMINISTRATION OF TH E DEPARTMENT .
1300-
1301- (2) PORT OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL CONSIST OF
1302-A PORTION OF THE BAINBRIDGE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER SITE, MEASURING NOT
1303-LESS THAN 120 ACRES AND NOT MORE T HAN 150 ACRES, THAT THE BAINBRIDGE
1304-DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TRANSFERS TO THE DEPARTMENT , INCLUDING:
1305-
1306- (I) THE HISTORIC TOME SCHOOL;
1307-
1308- (II) THE SNOW HILL ARCHAEOLOGICAL S ITE; AND
1309-
1310- (III) THE ADJACENT WOODED C ONSERVATION AREA .
1311-
1312- (3) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A STAKEHOLDER
1313-ADVISORY COMMITTEE T O ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCO PE AND
1314-MANAGEMENT OF PORT OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK.
1315-
1316- (II) THE STAKEHOLDER ADVIS ORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST
1317-OF THE FOLLOWING MEM BERS:
1318-
1319- 1. ONE MEMBER DESIGNATED BY THE MAYOR AND TOWN
1320-COUNCIL OF PORT DEPOSIT;
1321-
1322- 2. TWO MEMBERS DESIGNATE D BY THE CECIL COUNTY
1323-DELEGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY;
1324-
1325- 3. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF CECIL COUNTY, OR THE
1326-COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S DESIGNEE;
1327-
1328- 4. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CECIL COUNTY COUNCIL, OR
1329-THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
1330-
1331- 5. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CECIL COUNTY BRANCH OF
1332-THE NAACP, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
1333-
1334- 6. THE PRESIDENT OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF
1335-CECIL COUNTY, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
1336-
1337- 7. THE DIRECTOR OF THE CECIL COUNTY DEPARTMENT
1338-OF PARKS AND RECREATION;
1339- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1340-
1341-– 30 –
1342- 8. THE FOLLOWING NONVOTI NG EX OFFICIO MEMBER S:
1343-
1344- A. THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE;
1345-
1346- B. THE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL
1347-TRUST, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE;
1348-
1349- C. THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA
1350-HERITAGE GREENWAY, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
1351-
1352- D. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC
1353-SCHOOLS;
1354-
1355- E. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CECIL COUNTY
1356-PUBLIC LIBRARY; AND
1357-
1358- F. THE PRESIDENT OF CECIL COLLEGE; AND
1359-
1360- 9. ANY OTHER MEMB ERS AS DETERMINED BY THE
1361-DEPARTMENT .
1362-
1363- (III) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE STAKEHOLDER
1364-ADVISORY COMMITTEE S HALL REFLECT THE DIV ERSITY OF CECIL COUNTY.
1365-
1366- (4) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
1367-SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF
1368-THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE ON:
1369-
1370- (I) PROPERTY THAT IS SUIT ABLE FOR INCLUSION I N PORT OF
1371-DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK; AND
1372-
1373- (II) THE FUNDING NEEDED TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOT E PORT
1374-OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK.
1375-
1376- (H) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IF THE STATE
1377-ACQUIRES CARR’S BEACH FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE PROPER TY A STATE
1378-PARK, THAT THE PROPERTY SH ALL BE A PARTNERSHIP PARK ESTABLISHED AND
1379-MAINTAINED IN A MANN ER SUBSTANTIALLY SIM ILAR TO THE REQUIREM ENTS
1380-ESTABLISHED UNDER SU BSECTIONS (B) THROUGH (D) OF THIS SECTION.
1381-
1382- (H) (I) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “WALDORF CORE ZONE ” MEANS A
1383-GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN CHARLES COUNTY WITHIN THE FOL LOWING BOUNDARIES :
1384-
1385- (I) NORTH OF BILLINGSLEY ROAD; LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1386-
1387-– 31 –
1388-
1389- (II) SOUTH OF MATTAWOMAN CREEK;
1390-
1391- (III) EAST OF BENSVILLE ROAD; AND
1392-
1393- (IV) WEST OF MARYLAND ROUTE 5.
1394-
1395- (2) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IF THE
1396-STATE ACQUIRES PROPER TY IN THE WALDORF CORE ZONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
1397-MAKING THE PROPERTY A STATE PARK, THE PROPERTY SHALL BE A PARTNERSHIP
1398-PARK ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED IN A MANN ER SUBSTANTIALLY SIM ILAR TO
1399-THE REQUIREMENTS EST ABLISHED UNDER SUBSE CTIONS (B) THROUGH (D) OF THIS
1400-SECTION.
1401-
1402- (I) (J) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IF THE
1403-STATE ACQUIRES HILL ROAD PARK IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY FOR THE
1404-PURPOSE OF MAKING TH E PROPERTY A STATE PARK, THE PROPERTY SHALL B E A
1405-PARTNERSHIP PARK EST ABLISHED AND MAINTAI NED IN A MANNER SUBS TANTIALLY
1406-SIMILAR TO THE REQUI REMENTS ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBSECTIONS (B) THROUGH
1407-(D) OF THIS SECTION.
1408-
1409-Article – Agriculture
1410-
1411-2–505.
1412-
1413- (a) The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund is created and continued
1414-for the purposes specified in this subtitle.
1415-
1416- (b) The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund shall comprise:
1417-
1418- (1) Any money made available to the Fund by general or special fund
1419-appropriations;
1420-
1421- (2) Any money made available to the Fund by grants or transfers from
1422-governmental or private sources; and
1423-
1424- (3) Any money received under § 2–513(c) of this subtitle.
1425-
1426- (I) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE
1427-ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $18,564,469 $16,564,469 TO THE
1428-FUND.
1429-
1430-Article – Economic Development
1431-
1432-10–501. Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1433-
1434-– 32 –
1435-
1436- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
1437-
1438- (f) “Corporation” means the Maryland Agricultural and Resource –Based
1439-Industry Development Corporation.
1440-
1441-10–523.
1442-
1443- (a) (1) The Corporation may receive annual funding through an appropriation
1444-in the State budget.
1445-
1446- (2) The Corporation may also receive money for projects included in the
1447-budgets of State units.
1448-
1449- (3) (i) To assist the Corporation in complying with subsection (c) of this
1450-section, the Governor shall include each year in the State budget bill an appropriation to
1451-the Corporation for rural business development and assistance as follows:
1452-
1453- 1. for fiscal year 2021, $2,875,000; and
1454-
1455- 2. for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2025, $2,735,000.
1456-
1457- (ii) 1. [In] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 2
1458-OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , IN addition to any money provided under subparagraph (i) of
1459-this paragraph, the Governor may include each year in the State budget bill an
1460-appropriation to the Corporation in an amount not exceeding $5,000,000 for rural land
1461-acquisition and easement programs, including programs to assist young and beginning
1462-farmers.
1463-
1464- 2. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL
1465-INCLUDE IN THE ANNUA L BUDGET BILL A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION IN THE
1466-AMOUNT OF $10,000,000 TO THE CORPORATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
1467-FARMLAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM.
1468-
1469-Article – State Finance and Procurement
1470-
1471-6–226.
1472-
1473- (a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless
1474-inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the
1475-terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the
1476-State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to
1477-receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General
1478-Fund of the State.
1479- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1480-
1481-– 33 –
1482- (ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply
1483-to the following funds:
1484-
1485- 144. the Health Equity Resource Community Reserve Fund;
1486-[and]
1487-
1488- 145. the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund;
1489-
1490- 146. THE PARK SYSTEM CRITICAL MAINTENANCE FUND;
1491-AND
1492-
1493- 147. THE PARK SYSTEM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND
1494-ACQUISITION FUND; AND
1495-
1496- 148. THE GREAT MARYLAND OUTDOORS FUND.
1497-
1498-13–109.
1499-
1500- (a) In this section, “small procurement” means a procurement for which:
1501-
1502- (1) a unit spends $50,000 or less;
1503-
1504- (2) a contractor provides services subject to § 11–202(3) of this article for
1505-expected annual revenues of $50,000 or less;
1506-
1507- (3) the Department of General Services or the Department of
1508-Transportation is seeking to award a procurement contract for a construction with a value
1509-that is $100,000 or less; [or]
1510-
1511- (4) THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS SEEKING TO
1512-AWARD A PROCUREMENT CONTRACT FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS OR MAINTENA NCE
1513-WITH A VALUE THAT IS $100,000 OR LESS; OR
1514-
1515- (5) for purposes of administering Title 29, Subtitle 1 of the State Personnel
1516-and Pensions Article, the State Retirement Agency spends $50,000 or less during a fiscal
1517-year for:
1518-
1519- (i) expenses related to independent medical evaluations by a
1520-physician; and
1521-
1522- (ii) any expenses related to testimony by the physician at
1523-administrative hearings on behalf of the Agency.
1524-
1525- (b) A unit may make small procurements in accordance with the regulations of
1526-primary procurement units. Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1527-
1528-– 34 –
1529-
1530- (c) A primary procurement unit may not create a small procurement by artificial
1531-division of a procurement.
1532-
1533- (d) Any regulation of a primary procurement unit to govern small procurements:
1534-
1535- (1) shall provide for a simplified administrative procedure;
1536-
1537- (2) shall be consistent with the basic intent of this Division II; and
1538-
1539- (3) may not be disadvantageous economically to the State.
1540-
1541- (e) At least every 3 years, the Board shall:
1542-
1543- (1) review the prevailing costs of labor and materials; and
1544-
1545- (2) if warranted by changes in cost, recommend to the General Assembly
1546-appropriate adjustments in the ceiling for a small procurement.
1547-
1548-Article – Tax – Property
1549-
1550-13–209.
1551-
1552- (g) (1) [(i) For each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, the
1553-Governor shall include in the budget bill a General Fund appropriation in the amount of
1554-$2,500,000 to the Maryland Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development
1555-Corporation for the Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program authorized under §
1556-10–523(a)(3)(ii) of the Economic Development Article.
1557-
1558- (ii) The appropriation required under subparagraph (i) of this
1559-paragraph:
1560-
1561- 1. represents reimbursement for 13.9% of the cumulative
1562-amount appropriated or transferred from the special fund to the General Fund for fiscal
1563-year 2006; and
1564-
1565- 2. is not subject to the provisions of subsections (a) through
1566-(f) of this section.
1567-
1568- (2) (i) 1. The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill for
1569-fiscal year 2021 a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of
1570-$5,690,501.]
1571-
1572- [2.] (I) The Governor shall include in [each of] the annual
1573-budget [bills] BILL for fiscal [years 2022 and] YEAR 2023 a General Fund appropriation to
1574-the special fund in the amount of $12,500,000. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1575-
1576-– 35 –
1577-
1578- [3. The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill for
1579-fiscal year 2024 a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of
1580-$6,809,499.]
1581-
1582- (ii) The [appropriations] APPROPRIATION required under
1583-subparagraph (i) of this paragraph:
1584-
1585- 1. [are] IS not subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b),
1586-(c), and (f) of this section;
1587-
1588- 2. shall be allocated as provided in subsection (d) of this
1589-section and § 5–903 of the Natural Resources Article; and
1590-
1591- 3. shall be reduced by the amount of any appropriation from
1592-the General Fund to the special fund that:
1593-
1594- A. exceeds the required appropriation under this paragraph;
1595-and
1596-
1597- B. is identified as an appropriation for reimbursement under
1598-this paragraph.
1599-
1600- [(3)] (2) (i) [1.] The Governor shall include in [each of] the annual
1601-budget [bills] BILL for fiscal year [2019 and fiscal years] 2023 [through 2026] a General
1602-Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of $6,000,000 [and for fiscal year
1603-2027 a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of $4,000,000] for
1604-park development and the critical maintenance of State projects located on lands managed
1605-by the Department of Natural Resources for public purposes.
1606-
1607- [2. The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill for
1608-fiscal year 2022 only a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of
1609-$21,930,475 for the critical maintenance of State projects located on lands managed by the
1610-Department of Natural Resources for public purposes.]
1611-
1612- (ii) The [appropriations] APPROPRIATION required under
1613-subparagraph (i) of this paragraph:
1614-
1615- 1. [are] IS not subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b),
1616-(c), and (f) of this section; AND
1617-
1618- 2. [shall be made until the cumulative total amount
1619-appropriated under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is equal to $55,930,475; and
1620- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1621-
1622-– 36 –
1623- 3.] shall be reduced by the amount of any appropriation from
1624-the General Fund to the special fund that:
1625-
1626- A. exceeds the required appropriation under this paragraph;
1627-
1628- B. is identified as an appropriation for reimbursement under
1629-this paragraph; and
1630-
1631- C. supplements rather than supplants the Department of
1632-Natural Resources funding for the critical maintenance of State projects on State lands,
1633-based on the average critical maintenance budget of the 10 years pr eceding the
1634-appropriation.
1635-
1636- [(4)] (3) (i) 1. [Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the
1637-Governor shall appropriate from the General Fund to the special fund $119,800,225, which
1638-equals the cumulative amount of the appropriations or transfers from the special fund to
1639-the General Fund for fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018, less $104,365,475.
1640-
1641- 2. For fiscal year 2022 only, the Governor shall include in the
1642-annual budget bill a General Fund appropriation in the amount of $1,200,000 to the State
1643-Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund established under § 8–205 of the Natural Resources
1644-Article to be used only to fund a pilot dredging project at Deep Creek Lake, which is not
1645-required to be matched by local funds.
1646-
1647- 3.] For [each of] fiscal [years] YEAR 2023, [2024, 2025, 2026,
1648-and 2027,] the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill a General Fund
1649-appropriation in the amount of $2,500,000 to the Maryland Agricultural and
1650-Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation for the Next Generation Farmland
1651-Acquisition Program authorized under § 10–523(a)(3)(ii) of the Economic Development
1652-Article.
1653-
1654- [4.] 2. For fiscal year 2025 only, the Governor shall include in the
1655-annual budget bill a General Fund appropriation in the amount of $2,735,000 to the
1656-Maryland Agricultural and Resource –Based Industry Development Corporation
1657-established under Title 10, Subtitle 5 of the Economic Development Article to be used as
1658-follows:
1659-
1660- A. $2,300,000 to support the Corporation’s rural business
1661-loan programs and small matching grant programs; and
1662-
1663- B. $435,000 for grants and near–equity investments to:
1664-
1665- I. support the creation or expansion of agricultural product
1666-aggregation and storage sites; and
1667- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1668-
1669-– 37 –
1670- II. facilitate participation in the Certified Local Farm
1671-Enterprise Program.
1672-
1673- (ii) [The Governor shall appropriate at least:
1674-
1675- 1. $8,230,475 on or before June 30, 2022;
1676-
1677- 2. an additional $37,986,900 on or before June 30, 2026;
1678-
1679- 3. an additional $48,221,900 on or before June 30, 2030; and
1680-
1681- 4. an additional $25,360,950 on or before June 30, 2031.
1682-
1683- (iii)] The appropriations required under [subparagraphs]
1684-SUBPARAGRAPH (i) [and (ii)] of this paragraph:
1685-
1686- 1. [represent reimbursement for the cumulative amount of
1687-any appropriation or transfer from the special fund to the General Fund for fiscal years
1688-2016, 2017, and 2018, less $104,365,475;
1689-
1690- 2.] are not subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c),
1691-and (f) of this section;
1692-
1693- [3.] 2. Shall be allocated as provided in subsection (d) of this
1694-section and § 5–903 of the Natural Resources Article; AND
1695-
1696- [4. Shall be made until the cumulative total appropriated
1697-under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph is equal to the cumulative amount of any
1698-appropriation or transfer from the special fund to the General Fund for fiscal years 2016,
1699-2017, and 2018, less $104,365,475; and]
1700-
1701- [5.] 3. shall be reduced by the amount of any appropriation from
1702-the General Fund to the special fund that:
1703-
1704- A. exceeds the required appropriation under this paragraph;
1705-and
1706-
1707- B. is identified as an appropriation for reimbursement under
1708-this paragraph.
1709-
1710-Article – Labor and Employment
1711-
1712-9–207.
1713- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1714-
1715-– 38 –
1716- (a) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, A FOREST RANGER , A PARK RANGER , A
1717-WILDLIFE RANGER , A registered crew member, a paid law enforcement employee, or an
1718-individual engaged for fire fighting by the Department of Natural Resources is a covered
1719-employee.
1720-
1721- (b) Notwithstanding § 9–203 of this subtitle, an individual engaged for fire
1722-fighting who otherwise would be a covered employee under subsection (a) of this section is
1723-a covered employee even if the fire fighting takes place outside of the State.
1724-
1725- (c) Notwithstanding § 9–205 of this subtitle, an individual who otherwise would
1726-be a covered employee under subsection (a) of this section is a covered employee even if
1727-engaged temporarily or part time.
1728-
1729- (d) For the purpose of this title, the Department of Natural Resources is the
1730-employer of an individual who is a covered employee under this section.
1731-
1732-9–503.
1733-
1734- (a) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER ,
1735-WILDLIFE RANGER , paid firefighter, paid fire fighting instructor, paid rescue squad
1736-member, paid advanced life support unit member, or sworn member of the Office of the
1737-State Fire Marshal employed by an airport authority, a county, a fire control district, a
1738-municipality, or the State or a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor,
1739-volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member who is a
1740-covered employee under § 9–234 of this title is presumed to have an occupational disease
1741-that was suffered in the line of duty and is compensable under this title if:
1742-
1743- (1) the individual has heart disease, hypertension, or lung disease;
1744-
1745- (2) the heart disease, hypertension, or lung disease results in partial or
1746-total disability or death; and
1747-
1748- (3) in the case of a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor,
1749-volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member, the
1750-individual has met a suitable standard of physical examination before becoming a
1751-firefighter, fire fighting instructor, rescue squad member, or advanced life support unit
1752-member.
1753-
1754- (b) (1) A paid police officer employed by an airport authority, a county, the
1755-Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a municipality, or the State,
1756-a deputy sheriff of Montgomery County, or, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a
1757-deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy
1758-sheriff of Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, Prince George’s County
1759-deputy sheriff, Prince George’s County correctional officer, or deputy sheriff of Allegany
1760-County is presumed to be suffering from an occupational disease that was suffered in the
1761-line of duty and is compensable under this title if: LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1762-
1763-– 39 –
1764-
1765- (i) the police officer, deputy sheriff, or correctional officer is
1766-suffering from heart disease or hypertension; and
1767-
1768- (ii) the heart disease or hypertension results in partial or total
1769-disability or death.
1770-
1771- (2) (i) A deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County
1772-detention officer, deputy sheriff of Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer,
1773-Prince George’s County deputy sheriff, or Prince George’s County correctional officer is
1774-entitled to the presumption under this subsection only to the extent that the individual
1775-suffers from heart disease or hypertension that is more severe than the individual’s heart
1776-disease or hypertension condition existing prior to the individual’s employment as a deputy
1777-sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy sheriff of
1778-Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, Prince George’s County deputy
1779-sheriff, or Prince George’s County correctional officer.
1780-
1781- (ii) To be eligible for the presumption under this subsection, a deputy
1782-sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy sheriff of
1783-Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, Prince George’s County deputy
1784-sheriff, or Prince George’s County correctional officer, as a condition of employment, shall
1785-submit to a medical examination to determine any heart disease or hypertension condition
1786-existing prior to the individual’s employment as a deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County,
1787-Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy sheriff of Baltimore City, Montgomery
1788-County correctional officer, Prince George’s County deputy sheriff, or Prince George’s
1789-County correctional officer.
1790-
1791- (c) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER, PARK RANGER ,
1792-WILDLIFE RANGER , paid firefighter, paid fire fighting instructor, paid rescue squad
1793-member, paid advanced life support unit member, or a sworn member of the Office of the
1794-State Fire Marshal employed by an airport authority, a county, a fire control district, a
1795-municipality, or the State or a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor,
1796-volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member who is a
1797-covered employee under § 9–234 of this title is presumed to be suffering from an
1798-occupational disease that was suffered in the line of duty and is compensable under this
1799-title if:
1800-
1801- (1) the individual has leukemia or prostate, rectal, throat, multiple
1802-myeloma, non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain, testicular, bladder, kidney or renal cell, or
1803-breast cancer that is caused by contact with a toxic substance that the individual has
1804-encountered in the line of duty;
1805-
1806- (2) the individual has completed at least 10 years of cumulative service
1807-within the State as a firefighter, a fire fighting instructor, a rescue squad member, or an
1808-advanced life support unit member or in a combination of those jobs;
1809- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1810-
1811-– 40 –
1812- (3) the cancer or leukemia results in partial or total disability or death; and
1813-
1814- (4) in the case of a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor,
1815-volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member, the
1816-individual has met a suitable standard of physical examination before becoming a
1817-firefighter, fire fighting instructor, rescue squad member, or advanced life support unit
1818-member.
1819-
1820- (d) (1) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER ,
1821-WILDLIFE RANGER , paid law enforcement employee of the Department of Natural
1822-Resources who is a covered employee under § 9–207 of this title, and a park police officer of
1823-the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission is presumed to have an
1824-occupational disease that was suffered in the line of duty and is compensable under this
1825-title if the [employee] INDIVIDUAL:
1826-
1827- (i) is suffering from Lyme disease; and
1828-
1829- (ii) was not suffering from Lyme disease before assignment to a
1830-position that regularly places the employee in an outdoor wooded environment.
1831-
1832- (2) The presumption under this subsection for a park police officer of the
1833-Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission shall only apply:
1834-
1835- (i) during the time that the park police officer is assigned to a
1836-position that regularly places the park police officer in an outdoor wooded environment;
1837-and
1838-
1839- (ii) for 3 years after the last date that the park police officer was
1840-assigned by the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission to a position
1841-that regularly placed the officer in an outdoor wooded environment.
1842-
1843- (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any paid
1844-firefighter, paid fire fighting instructor, sworn member of the Office of the State Fire
1845-Marshal, paid police officer, PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK
1846-RANGER, WILDLIFE RANGER , paid law enforcement employee of the Department of
1847-Natural Resources, deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County
1848-detention officer, park police officer of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning
1849-Commission, deputy sheriff of Montgomery County, deputy sheriff of Baltimore City,
1850-Montgomery County correctional officer, deputy sheriff of Prince George’s County, or Prince
1851-George’s County correctional officer who is eligible for benefits under subsection (a), (b), (c),
1852-or (d) of this section or the dependents of those individuals shall receive the benefits in
1853-addition to any benefits that the individual or the dependents of the individual are entitled
1854-to receive under the retirement system in which the individual was a participant at the
1855-time of the claim.
1856- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1857-
1858-– 41 –
1859- (2) The benefits received under this title shall be adjusted so that the
1860-weekly total of those benefits and retirement benefits does not exceed the weekly salary
1861-that was paid to [the paid law enforcement employee of the Department of Natural
1862-Resources, a park police officer of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning
1863-Commission, firefighter, fire fighting instructor, sworn member of the Office of the State
1864-Fire Marshal, police officer, deputy sheriff, Prince George’s County or Montgomery County
1865-correctional officer, or Anne Arundel County detention officer] AN INDIVIDUAL SPECIF IED
1866-UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION .
1867-
1868-Article – Tax – General
1869-
1870-10–209.
1871-
1872- (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
1873-
1874- (2) “Correctional officer” means an individual who:
1875-
1876- (i) was employed in:
1877-
1878- 1. a State correctional facility, as defined in § 1–101 of the
1879-Correctional Services Article;
1880-
1881- 2. a local correctional facility, as defined in § 1–101 of the
1882-Correctional Services Article;
1883-
1884- 3. a juvenile facility included in § 9–226 of the Human
1885-Services Article; or
1886-
1887- 4. a facility of the United States that is equivalent to a State
1888-or local correctional facility or a juvenile facility included in § 9–226 of the Human Services
1889-Article; and
1890-
1891- (ii) is eligible to receive retirement income attributable to the
1892-individual’s employment under item (i) of this paragraph.
1893-
1894- (3) “Emergency services personnel” means emergency medical technicians
1895-or paramedics.
1896-
1897- (4) (i) “Employee retirement system” means a plan:
1898-
1899- 1. established and maintained by an employer for the benefit
1900-of its employees; and
1901-
1902- 2. qualified under § 401(a), § 403, or § 457(b) of the Internal
1903-Revenue Code.
1904- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
1905-
1906-– 42 –
1907- (ii) “Employee retirement system” does not include:
1908-
1909- 1. an individual retirement account or annuity under § 408
1910-of the Internal Revenue Code;
1911-
1912- 2. a Roth individual retirement account under § 408A of the
1913-Internal Revenue Code;
1914-
1915- 3. a rollover individual retirement account;
1916-
1917- 4. a simplified employee pension under Internal Revenue
1918-Code § 408(k); or
1919-
1920- 5. an ineligible deferred compensation plan under § 457(f) of
1921-the Internal Revenue Code.
1922-
1923- (b) Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section, to determine Maryland
1924-adjusted gross income, if, on the last day of the taxable year, a resident is at least 65 years
1925-old or is totally disabled or the resident’s spouse is totally disabled, or the resident is at
1926-least 55 years old and is a retired PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK
1927-RANGER, WILDLIFE RANGER , correctional officer, law enforcement officer, or fire, rescue,
1928-or emergency services personnel of the United States, the State, or a political subdivision
1929-of the State, an amount is subtracted from federal adjusted gross income equal to the lesser
1930-of:
1931-
1932- (1) the cumulative or total annuity, pension, or endowment income from an
1933-employee retirement system included in federal adjusted gross income; or
1934-
1935- (2) the maximum annual benefit under the Social Security Act computed
1936-under subsection (c) of this section, less any payment received as old age, survivors, or
1937-disability benefits under the Social Security Act, the Railroad Retirement Act, or both.
1938-
1939- (c) For purposes of subsection (b)(2) of this section, the Comptroller:
1940-
1941- (1) shall determine the maximum annual benefit under the Social Security
1942-Act allowed for an individual who retired at age 65 for the prior calendar year; and
1943-
1944- (2) may allow the subtraction to the nearest $100.
1945-
1946- (d) Military retirement income that is included in the subtraction under §
1947-10–207(q) of this subtitle may not be taken into account for purposes of the subtraction
1948-under this section.
1949-
1950- (e) In the case of a retired PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER ,
1951-PARK RANGER , WILDLIFE RANGER , correctional officer, law enforcement officer, or fire,
1952-rescue, or emergency services personnel of the United States, the State, or a political LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 39
1953-
1954-– 43 –
1955-subdivision of the State, the amount included under subsection (b)(1) of this section is
1956-limited to the first $15,000 of retirement income that is attributable to the resident’s
1957-employment as a PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER ,
1958-WILDLIFE RANGER , correctional officer, [a] law enforcement officer, or fire, rescue, or
1959-emergency services personnel of the United States, the State, or a political subdivision of
1960-the State unless:
1961-
1962- (1) the resident is at least 65 years old or is totally disabled; or
1963-
1964- (2) the resident’s spouse is totally disabled.
1965-
1966-Chapter 698 of the Acts of 2018
1967-
1968- SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1969-1, 2018. It shall remain effective for a period of [4] 7 years and, at the end of June 30,
1970-[2022] 2025, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be
1971-abrogated and of no further force and effect.
1972-
1973- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other
1974-provision of law, on or before June 30, 2022, the Governor may transfer to the Park System
1975-Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund established in § 5–221 of the Natural
1976-Resources Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, $60,000,000 $43,126,072 of the funds
1977-for State land acquisition under Program Open Space in the special fund established under
1978-§ 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article. A transfer of funds from the special fund established
1979-under § 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article to the Park System Capital Improvements
1980-and Acquisition Fund under this section may not be taken into account for purposes of
1981-determining any allocation or appropriation required under § 13–209(f) or (g) of the Tax –
1982-Property Article.
1983-
1984- SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Parks and Recreation
1985-Commission established in § 5–2A–03 of the Natural Resources Article, as enacted by
1986-Section 1 of this Act, shall provide oversight to the Maryland Park Service on the
1987-implementation of this Act.
1988-
1989- SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1,
1990-2022, the Department of Natural Resources shall report to the General Assembly, in
1991-accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the possibility of reopening
1992-Fort Tonoloway State Park after the conclusion of the archaeological excavation of the park,
1993-including:
1994-
1995- (1) whether the site of historic Fort Tonoloway is determined to be located
1996-within the park;
1997-
1998- (2) if the site of historic Fort Tonoloway is located within the park, whether
1999-the site will be redesignated from a State park to be a historic site; and
2000- Ch. 39 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
2001-
2002-– 44 –
2003- (3) if the site of historic Fort Tonoloway is not located within the park,
2004-when the site will be reopened to the public for recreational use.
2005-
2006- SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before June 1, 2023, the
2007-Bainbridge Development Corporation shall transfer to the Department of Natural Resources
2008-a portion of the Bainbridge Naval Training Center site consisting of not less than 120 acres
2009-and not more than 150 acres, including:
2010-
2011- (1) the historic Tome School;
2012-
2013- (2) the Snow Hill archaeological site; and
2014-
2015- (3) the adjacent wooded conservation area.
2016-
2017- SECTION 5. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before July 1, 2022,
2018-the Department of Budget and Management shall revise the job title of employees with the
2019-job title “Park Service Associate” to have the job title “State Park Ranger”.
2020-
2021- SECTION 6. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That on or before October 1,
2022-2023, the Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Maryland
2023-Department of Labor, shall:
2024-
2025- (1) identify opportunities to create registered apprenticeship programs to
2026-help address workforce shortages and the career workforce needs of the Department of
2027-Natural Resources, including:
2028-
2029- (i) apprenticeships that allow an individual to earn a college degree;
2030-and
2031-
2032- (ii) registered apprenticeships for high school students; and
2033-
2034- (2) report the findings under subsection (1) of this section to the Senate
2035-Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance
2036-with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.
2037-
2038- SECTION 7. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That if Chapter ____ (S.B.
2039-942/H.B. 855) does not take effect, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an
2040-appropriation of $2,000,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, in
2041-addition to any other funds required to be appropriated to the Fund under this Act.
2042-
2043- SECTION 4. 8. 9. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
2044-July June 1, 2022.
2045-
2046-Enacted under Article II, § 17(b) of the Maryland Constitution, April 9, 2022.
1+
2+
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
9+ *sb0541*
10+
11+SENATE BILL 541
12+M1, B5 (2lr1782)
13+ENROLLED BILL
14+— Budget and Taxation and Education, Health, and Environmental
15+Affairs/Environment and Transportation and Appropriations —
16+Introduced by Senators Elfreth, Hester, Zucker, Augustine, Bailey, Beidle,
17+Corderman, Eckardt, Edwards, Ellis, Feldman, Ferguson, Griffith,
18+Guzzone, Hettleman, Jackson, King, Klausmeier, Kramer, Lam, Patterson,
19+Pinsky, Ready, Rosapepe, Sydnor, Waldstreicher, Washington, West, and
20+Young Young, Carozza, McCray, and Salling
21+
22+Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
23+
24+_______________________________________________
25+Proofreader.
26+_______________________________________________
27+Proofreader.
28+
29+Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
30+
31+_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
32+
33+______________________________________________
34+President.
35+
36+CHAPTER ______
37+
38+AN ACT concerning 1
39+
40+Natural Resources – Maryland Park Service and State Parks – Alterations 2
41+(Great Maryland Outdoors Act) 3
42+
43+FOR the purpose of repealing the Park Advisory Commission in the Department of Natural 4
44+Resources and establishing the Parks and Recreation Commission in the 5
45+Department of Natural Resources to provide oversight of the Maryland Park Service; 6
46+addressing infrastructure, capacity, and accessibility needs within the Maryland 7
47+Park Service and State parks, including establishing systems and processes for 8
48+surveying infrastructure and critical maintenance needs, increasing the number of 9
49+Maryland Park Service full–time employees, requiring the Department of Budget 10 2 SENATE BILL 541
50+
51+
52+and Management to conduct certain staff reviews, requiring the Department of 1
53+Natural Resources to develop a certain capital improvement plan and a 2
54+comprehensive long–range strategic plan for the Park Service, requiring the 3
55+Department of Legislative Services to hire an independent consultant to study 4
56+certain aspects of the Maryland Park Service and State parks, requiring the 5
57+Department of Natural Resources to adopt certain design principles and make 6
58+certain considerations relating to the accessibility, inclusivity, safety, and location of 7
59+State parks, and establishing the Freedman’s State Historical Park and the Port of 8
60+Deposit State Historical Park, and authorizing the Department of Natural Resources 9
61+to enter into a certain memorandum of understanding or partnership agreement to 10
62+establish or manage a partnership park in the State; establishing the Park System 11
63+Critical Maintenance Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide funding for 12
64+certain critical maintenance projects; requiring interest earnings of the Park System 13
65+Critical Maintenance Fund to be credited to the Fund; establishing the Park System 14
66+Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide 15
67+funding for certain capital improvement projects and the acquisition of certain land; 16
68+requiring interest earnings of the Park System Capital Improvements and 17
69+Acquisition Fund to be credited to the Fund; establishing the Great Maryland 18
70+Outdoors Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide funding related to outdoor 19
71+recreation in the State; requiring interest earnings of the Great Maryland Outdoors 20
72+Fund to be credited to the Fund; increasing the amount of Program Open Space 21
73+grants awarded to Baltimore City beginning in a certain fiscal year; requiring the 22
74+Governor, for a certain fiscal year, to include in the annual budget bill an 23
75+appropriation of a certain amount to the Rural Legacy Program, the Park System 24
76+Critical Maintenance Fund, the Park System Capital Improvements and Acquisition 25
77+Fund, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, and the Maryland 26
78+Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation; authorizing 27
79+the Governor, for certain fiscal years, to include in the annual budget bill an 28
80+appropriation not exceeding a certain amount to the Great Maryland Outdoors Fund; 29
81+extending the termination of certain provisions of law relating to the State Lakes 30
82+Protection and Restoration Fund; requiring the Bainbridge Development 31
83+Corporation, on or before a certain date, to transfer to the Department a portion of the 32
84+Bainbridge Naval Training Center site; requiring the Department of Budget and 33
85+Management to revise a certain job title on or before a certain date; and generally 34
86+relating to the Maryland Park Service. 35
87+
88+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 36
89+ Article – Natural Resources 37
90+Section 5–204, 5–206(c), 5–307(f), 5–903(a)(2)(ii)2., and 5–9A–01 38
91+ Annotated Code of Maryland 39
92+ (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 40
93+
94+BY adding to 41
95+ Article – Natural Resources 42
96+Section 5–210.1, and 5–220, and 5–221 through 5–222; 5–2A–01 through 5–2A–05 43
97+to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 2A. Maryland Park Service”; and 44
98+5–1012 45 SENATE BILL 541 3
99+
100+
101+ Annotated Code of Maryland 1
102+ (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 2
103+
104+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 3
105+ Article – Natural Resources 4
106+ Section 5–307(a) through (e) and 5–903(a)(2)(ii)1. and 3. 5
107+ Annotated Code of Maryland 6
108+ (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 7
109+
110+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
111+ Article – Agriculture 9
112+Section 2–505(a) and (b) 10
113+ Annotated Code of Maryland 11
114+ (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 12
115+
116+BY adding to 13
117+ Article – Agriculture 14
118+Section 2–505(i) 15
119+ Annotated Code of Maryland 16
120+ (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 17
121+
122+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
123+ Article – Economic Development 19
124+Section 10–501(a) and (f) 20
125+ Annotated Code of Maryland 21
126+ (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 22
127+
128+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
129+ Article – Economic Development 24
130+Section 10–523(a) 25
131+ Annotated Code of Maryland 26
132+ (2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 27
133+
134+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 28
135+ Article – State Finance and Procurement 29
136+Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 30
137+ Annotated Code of Maryland 31
138+ (2021 Replacement Volume) 32
139+
140+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 33
141+ Article – State Finance and Procurement 34
142+Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)144. and 145. and 13–109 35
143+ Annotated Code of Maryland 36
144+ (2021 Replacement Volume) 37
145+
146+BY adding to 38
147+ Article – State Finance and Procurement 39 4 SENATE BILL 541
148+
149+
150+Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)146. and 147. through 148. 1
151+ Annotated Code of Maryland 2
152+ (2021 Replacement Volume) 3
153+
154+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 4
155+ Article – Tax – Property 5
156+Section 13–209(g) 6
157+ Annotated Code of Maryland 7
158+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 8
159+
160+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
161+ Article – Labor and Employment 10
162+Section 9–207 and 9–503 9–503(d) and (e) 11
163+ Annotated Code of Maryland 12
164+ (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 13
165+
166+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
167+ Article – Tax – General 15
168+Section 10–209 16
169+ Annotated Code of Maryland 17
170+ (2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 18
171+
172+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
173+ Chapter 698 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2018 20
174+ Section 3 21
175+
176+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 22
177+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 23
178+
179+Article – Natural Resources 24
180+
181+5–204. 25
182+
183+ (a) (1) There is a Sustainable Forestry Council in the Department. 26
184+
185+ (2) The purpose of the Council is to advise the Department on all matters 27
186+related to: 28
187+
188+ (i) Sustainable forestry management in the State; 29
189+
190+ (ii) The expenditure of funds from the Mel Noland Woodland 30
191+Incentives Fund under § 5–307 of this title; 31
192+
193+ (iii) Existing regulatory and statutory policies that are perceived as 32
194+economic barriers to a viable forest products industry; 33
195+ SENATE BILL 541 5
196+
197+
198+ (iv) New markets to enhance forest health, including renewable 1
199+energy development through biomass energy, to offset fossil fuel consumption and reduce 2
200+greenhouse gas emissions; 3
201+
202+ (v) Creative strategies to help privately owned forest lands better 4
203+compete with real estate market values that are driving forest conversion and 5
204+fragmentation; 6
205+
206+ (vi) The means to promote forest–based economies and processing 7
207+capability that contribute to economic and employment growth; and 8
208+
209+ (vii) Assigning a nutrient efficiency benefit to forest stewardship 9
210+plans and other forest conservation management plans that can be measurably tracked and 10
211+reported by the number of forested acres covered by the plans. 11
212+
213+ (b) [There is a Park Advisory Commission in the Department. 12
214+
215+ (c)] (1) The Sustainable Forestry Council shall have 9 members. 13
216+
217+ (2) Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor, with the 14
218+advice of the Secretary, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. 15
219+
220+ [(d) (1) The Park Advisory Commission shall have 12 members. 16
221+
222+ (2) Members of the Park Advisory Commission shall be appointed by the 17
223+Governor, with the advice of the Secretary, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.] 18
224+
225+5–206. 19
226+
227+ (c) A [park services associate] PARK RANGER who is not commissioned as a law 20
228+enforcement officer under subsection (b) of this section may issue a citation for a parking 21
229+violation on: 22
230+
231+ (1) Property owned by the State and managed by the Department; 23
232+
233+ (2) Public and private property that is within the boundaries of State 24
234+property managed by the Department; 25
235+
236+ (3) Public and private property that adjoins property owned by the State 26
237+and managed by the Department; and 27
238+
239+ (4) A roadway within the boundaries of, or that portion of a roadway that 28
240+adjoins, property owned by the State and managed by the Department. 29
241+
242+5–210.1. 30
243+ 6 SENATE BILL 541
244+
245+
246+ (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COOR DINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF 1
247+GENERAL SERVICES TO: 2
248+
249+ (1) DEVELOP AN ELECTRONIC ASSET MANAGEMENT SYS TEM FOR ITS 3
250+INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING: 4
251+
252+ (I) A LIST OF MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AT EACH SIT E; AND 5
253+
254+ (II) THE STATUS OF EACH MA INTENANCE PROJECT ; AND 6
255+
256+ (III) THE DATE ON WHICH EAC H PROJECT WAS ADDED TO THE 7
257+SYSTEM; AND 8
258+
259+ (IV) FEATURES THAT ALLOW T HE DEPARTMENT TO MANAGE 9
260+THE PLANNING , SCHEDULING , WORK ORDER , AND COST OF EACH MAI NTENANCE 10
261+PROJECT; 11
262+
263+ (2) DEVELOP A FACILITY CO NDITION INDEX ASSESS MENT PROCESS 12
264+FOR ALL PARK SERVICE SITES, MODELED AFTER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S 13
265+FACILITY CONDITION I NDEX; AND 14
266+
267+ (3) ESTABLISH A DEDICATED ASSET EVALUATION TEA M TO: 15
268+
269+ (I) ASSESS THE CONDITION OF MARYLAND PARK SERVICE 16
270+SITES STRUCTURES , INFRASTRUCTURE , AND LANDSCAPES ; AND 17
271+
272+ (II) UPDATE INDIVIDUAL FAC ILITY CONDITION INDI CES ON AN 18
273+ONGOING BASIS ; AND 19
274+
275+ (III) CROSS–REFERENCE THE CONDIT ION OF PARK SERVICE 20
276+SITES AND FACILITY C ONDITION INDICES WIT H THE DISTRIBUTION O F PARK 21
277+SERVICE ASSETS WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTIC E COMMUNITIES AS IDE NTIFIED 22
278+BY THE DEPARTMENT USING THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREEN 23
279+TOOL. 24
280+
281+ (B) WHEN DETERMINING WHET HER TO REPAIR OR REP LACE 25
282+INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLO GY, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 26
283+CONSIDER HOW THE REP LACEMENT VALUE OF AN ASSET WILL CHANGE IF ONLY 27
284+SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLO GY IS USED, INCLUDING ANY ONGOIN G COST SAVINGS. 28
285+
286+ (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 29
287+
288+ (I) TAKE INVENTORY OF ALL STATE LAND MANAGED BY THE 30
289+DEPARTMENT , INCLUDING: 31 SENATE BILL 541 7
290+
291+
292+
293+ 1. ACREAGE; 1
294+
295+ 2. ANY STRUCTURES ON EAC H PROPERTY; AND 2
296+
297+ 3. THE USE OF EACH PROPE RTY; AND 3
298+
299+ 4. WHETHER A PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN AN 4
300+ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTIC E COMMUNITY AS IDENT IFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT USING 5
301+THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREEN TOOL; 6
302+
303+ (II) DEVELOP A MAINTENANCE PROJECT PRIORITIZATI ON 7
304+PROCESS MODELED AFTE R THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S ASSET PRIORITY IND EX 8
305+THAT INCLU DES A LAYER INDICATI NG WHETHER A MAINTEN ANCE PROJECT IS 9
306+LOCATED IN AN ENVIRO NMENTAL JUSTICE COMM UNITY AS IDENTIFIED BY THE 10
307+DEPARTMENT USING THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREEN TOOL; 11
308+AND 12
309+
310+ (III) DEVELOP AND PUBLISH O N ITS WEBSITE A LIST OF 13
311+MAINTENANCE PROJECTS IN EVERY UNIT OF THE STATE PARK SYSTEM THA T ARE 14
312+EXPECTED TO COST MOR E THAN $25,000. 15
313+
314+ (2) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COND UCT A SYSTEMWIDE 16
315+SURVEY OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURC ES WITH A FOCUS ON RACI AL AND 17
316+LINGUISTIC INCLUSIVI TY, INCLUDING AN ESTIMATION OF RESTORATION , 18
317+PRESERVATION , AND MAINTENANCE COST S. 19
318+
319+ (II) THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT DE LAY THE PRESERVATION 20
320+AND RESTORATION OF H ISTORICAL AND CULTUR AL RESOURCES WHILE 21
321+CONDUCTING THE SYSTE MWIDE SURVEY . 22
322+
323+5–220. 23
324+
325+ (A) IN THIS SECTION , “FUND” MEANS THE PARK SYSTEM CRITICAL 24
326+MAINTENANCE FUND. 25
327+
328+ (B) THERE IS A PARK SYSTEM CRITICAL MAINTENANCE FUND. 26
329+
330+ (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING FOR COMPLETING 27
331+STATE PROJECTS THAT A DDRESS CRITICAL MAIN TENANCE CONCERNS ON LANDS 28
332+MANAGED BY TH E DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES. 29
333+
334+ (D) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND. 30
335+ 8 SENATE BILL 541
336+
337+
338+ (E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 1
339+SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 2
340+
341+ (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY, 3
342+AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 4
343+
344+ (F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 5
345+
346+ (1) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED T O THE FUND UNDER § 13–209(G) OF THE 6
347+TAX – PROPERTY ARTICLE; 7
348+
349+ (2) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 8
350+
351+ (3) INTEREST EARNINGS; AND 9
352+
353+ (4) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 10
354+THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 11
355+
356+ (G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR STATE PARK PROJECTS THAT 12
357+ADDRESS CRITICAL MAI NTENANCE CONCERNS ON LANDS MANAGED BY THE 13
358+DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES. 14
359+
360+ (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 15
361+IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 16
362+
363+ (2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 17
364+THE FUND. 18
365+
366+ (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 19
367+WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 20
368+
369+ (J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR CRITICAL MAI NTENANCE IN 21
370+THE STATE’S PARKS IS SUPPLEMEN TAL TO AND IS NOT IN TENDED TO TAKE THE 22
371+PLACE OF FUNDING THA T OTHERWISE WOULD BE APPROPRIATED FOR CRI TICAL 23
372+MAINTENANCE IN THE STATE’S PARKS. 24
373+
374+ (K) (1) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 ONLY, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN 25
375+THE ANNUAL BUDGET BI LL A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF 26
376+$80,000,000 $70,000,000 TO THE FUND FOR STATE PROJECTS THAT A DDRESS 27
377+CRITICAL MAINTENANCE CONCERNS ON LANDS MA NAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT 28
378+FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES . 29
379+
380+ (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EXPE ND THE FUNDS ALLOCAT ED 30
381+UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N BEFORE JULY 1, 2026. 31 SENATE BILL 541 9
382+
383+
384+
385+5–221. 1
386+
387+ (A) IN THIS SEC TION, “FUND” MEANS THE PARK SYSTEM CAPITAL 2
388+IMPROVEMENTS AND ACQUISITION FUND. 3
389+
390+ (B) THERE IS A PARK SYSTEM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND ACQUISITION 4
391+FUND. 5
392+
393+ (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING FOR: 6
394+
395+ (1) COMPLETING STATE PARK PROJECTS RELATED TO CAPITAL 7
396+IMPROVEMENTS ON LAND S MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES; 8
397+AND 9
398+
399+ (2) ACQUIRING LAND TO BE MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR 10
400+PUBLIC PURPOSES AS A STATE PARK. 11
401+
402+ (D) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND. 12
403+
404+ (E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 13
405+SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 14
406+
407+ (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 15
408+AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 16
409+
410+ (F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 17
411+
412+ (1) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 18
413+
414+ (2) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 19
415+
416+ (3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 20
417+THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 21
418+
419+ (G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR: 22
420+
421+ (1) COMPLETING STATE PARK PROJECTS RELATED TO CAPITAL 23
422+IMPROVEMENTS ON L ANDS MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES; 24
423+AND 25
424+
425+ (2) ACQUIRING LAND TO BE MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR 26
426+PUBLIC PURPOSES AS A STATE PARK. 27
427+ 10 SENATE BILL 541
428+
429+
430+ (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 1
431+IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTED. 2
432+
433+ (2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 3
434+THE FUND. 4
435+
436+ (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 5
437+WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 6
438+
439+ (J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR CAPITAL IMPR OVEMENTS IN 7
440+THE STATE’S PARKS IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO AND IS NOT INTENDED TO T AKE THE 8
441+PLACE OF FUNDING THA T OTHERWISE WOULD BE APPROPRIATED FOR CAP ITAL 9
442+IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STATE’S PARKS AND THE ACQU ISITION OF LAND BY T HE 10
443+DEPARTMENT THAT WILL BE MANAGED FOR PUBLI C PURPOSES. 11
444+
445+ (K) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 ONLY, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE 12
446+ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF 13
447+$70,000,000 $36,873,928 TO THE FUND TO BE USED AS FOLLOW S:. 14
448+
449+ (L) THE FIRST $70,000,000 RECEIVED BY THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY AS 15
450+FOLLOWS: 16
451+
452+ (1) $5,000,000 FOR INFRASTRUCTURE P ROJECTS THAT MITIGAT E 17
453+THE EFFECTS OF CLIMA TE CHANGE, INCLUDING: 18
454+
455+ (I) FLOOD BARRIERS ; 19
456+
457+ (II) FOREST BUFFERS ; 20
458+
459+ (III) GREEN SPACES; 21
460+
461+ (IV) BUILDING ELEVATION ; 22
462+
463+ (V) STORMWATER INFRASTRUC TURE; AND 23
464+
465+ (VI) WETLANDS RESTORATION ; AND 24
466+
467+ (VII) ADDRESSING ENVIRONMEN TAL JUSTICE CONCERNS ; 25
468+
469+ (2) $5,000,000 FOR HISTORIC PRESERV ATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 26
470+SUBSECTION (M) OF THIS SECTION; 27
471+
472+ (3) $20,000,000 FOR TRANSPORTATION I MPROVEMENTS , 28
473+INCLUDING: 29 SENATE BILL 541 11
474+
475+
476+
477+ (I) IMPROVING BIKE LANES AND TRAILS , INCREASING 1
478+WALKABILITY, AND EXPANDING PARKIN G AVAILABILITY; AND 2
479+
480+ (II) TARGETING TRANSPORTAT ION INVESTMENTS TO A VOID 3
481+CAPACITY SHUTDOWNS ; 4
482+
483+ (4) $10,000,000 FOR INCREASING WATER ACCESS, INCLUDING KAYAK 5
484+AND BOAT LAUNCHES A ND AREAS FOR PICNICK ING NEAR WATER AND S WIMMING; 6
485+AND 7
486+
487+ (5) $30,000,000 FOR LAND ACQUISITION , INCLUDING: 8
488+
489+ (I) AREAS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN REGIONS OF THE 9
490+STATE THAT WILL: 10
491+
492+ 1. RELIEVE OVERCROWDING AT EXISTING STATE 11
493+PARKS; AND 12
494+
495+ 2. EXPAND PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PARKS AND 13
496+OUTDOOR RECREATION ; 14
497+
498+ (II) SITES WITH HISTORICAL SIGN IFICANCE TO MINORITY 15
499+COMMUNITIES OF SIGNIFICANCE TO T HE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN, ASIAN, 16
500+INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO POPULATIONS IN 17
501+THE STATE; AND 18
502+
503+ (III) BEACHFRONT OR WATERFR ONT PROPERTY FOR PUB LIC 19
504+ACCESS. 20
505+
506+ (M) FUNDING FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION UNDER S UBSECTION (L) OF 21
507+THIS SECTION SHALL B E USED TO PROVIDE GR ANTS TO, PARTICIPATE IN 22
508+COOPERATIVE AGREEMEN TS WITH, OR USE OTHER FINAN CIAL INSTRUMENTS TO 23
509+FUND THE REHABILITAT ION OF STATE–OWNED HISTORIC RESOU RCES IN THE 24
510+MARYLAND STATE PARK SYSTEM PERFORMED BY A NONGOVERNMENTAL 25
511+ORGANIZATION CAPABLE OF: 26
512+
513+ (1) PROJECT MANAGEMENT ; 27
514+
515+ (2) HISTORIC REHABILITATI ON; 28
516+
517+ (3) PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ; OR 29
518+
519+ (4) PUBLIC SERVICE CORPS MANAGEMENT . 30 12 SENATE BILL 541
520+
521+
522+
523+ (N) IF THE FUND RECEIVES MORE TH AN $70,000,000, THE DEPARTMENT 1
524+MAY USE UP TO $10,000,000 FOR ANY OF THE PURPO SES IDENTIFIED UNDER 2
525+SUBSECTION (L) OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING LAND: 3
526+
527+ (1) LAND ACTIVATION AND NEW; 4
528+
529+ (2) NEW STRUCTURES ; AND 5
530+
531+ (3) ANY CAPITAL IMPROVEME NTS NECESSARY TO MAK E STATE PARKS 6
532+ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES , INCLUDING PROVIDING ADULT 7
533+CHANGING TABLES . 8
534+
535+5–222. 9
536+
537+ (A) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE GREAT MARYLAND OUTDOORS 10
538+FUND. 11
539+
540+ (B) THERE IS A GREAT MARYLAND OUTDOORS FUND IN THE DEPARTMENT . 12
541+
542+ (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO: 13
543+
544+ (1) SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE 14
545+DEPARTMENT ; 15
546+
547+ (2) PROVIDE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE EXISTING AND CREATE NEW 16
548+OUTDOOR RECREATION O PPORTUNITIES ; AND 17
549+
550+ (3) IMPLEMENT THE RECOMME NDATIONS OF THE MARYLAND 18
551+OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC COMMISSION TO PROMOTE AND GROW THE 19
552+OUTDOOR RECREATION S ECTOR IN THE STATE. 20
553+
554+ (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 21
555+
556+ (E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FU ND THAT IS NOT 22
557+SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 23
558+
559+ (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 24
560+AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 25
561+
562+ (F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 26
563+
564+ (1) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND IN 27
565+ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (J) OF THIS SECTION; 28 SENATE BILL 541 13
566+
567+
568+
569+ (2) INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND; AND 1
570+
571+ (3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 2
572+THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 3
573+
574+ (G) THE FUND MAY BE USED O NLY FOR: 4
575+
576+ (1) IMPLEMENTING THE RECO MMENDATIONS OF THE MARYLAND 5
577+OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMIC COMMISSION, INCLUDING ESTABLISHI NG AND 6
578+SUPPORTING AN OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE DEPARTMENT ; 7
579+
580+ (2) DEPARTMENT PROJECTS A ND PROGRAMS THAT PRO VIDE, 8
581+PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNI TIES IN THE STATE; 9
582+AND 10
583+
584+ (3) AWARDING GRANTS TO DE STINATION MARKETING 11
585+ORGANIZATIONS FOR TH E PURPOSE OF PROMOTI NG AND MARKETING STATE PARKS. 12
586+
587+ (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 13
588+IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 14
589+
590+ (2) ANY INTEREST OR INVES TMENT EARNINGS OF TH E FUND SHALL 15
591+BE CREDITED TO THE FUND. 16
592+
593+ (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 17
594+WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 18
595+
596+ (J) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREA FTER, THE 19
597+GOVERNOR MAY INCLUDE IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET BILL AN APPROPRIATIO N NOT 20
598+EXCEEDING $3,000,000 TO THE FUND. 21
599+
600+ (K) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR EXISTING PRO GRAMS IN THE 22
601+DEPARTMENT THAT PROVI DE, PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE OUTDOOR RECREATION 23
602+OPPORTUNITIES IS SUP PLEMENTAL TO AND IS NOT INTENDED TO TAKE THE PLACE 24
603+OF FUNDING THAT OTHE RWISE WOULD BE APPRO PRIATED FOR THOSE PR OGRAMS. 25
604+
605+SUBTITLE 2A. MARYLAND PARK SERVICE. 26
606+
607+5–2A–01. 27
608+
609+ (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 28
610+INDICATED. 29
611+ 14 SENATE BILL 541
612+
613+
614+ (B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. 1
615+
616+ (C) “PARK SERVICE” MEANS THE MARYLAND PARK SERVICE. 2
617+
618+5–2A–02. 3
619+
620+ (A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 4
621+INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FULL–TIME EMPLOYEES IN TH E PARK SERVICE BY 100 5
622+PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED POSITIONS . 6
623+
624+ (2) EACH STAFF POSITION R EQUIRED UNDER PARAGR APH (1) OF 7
625+THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGE T 8
626+ALLOCATION TO PROVID E ADEQUATE SUPPORT F OR EACH EMPLOYEE . 9
627+
628+ (3) THE STAFF POSITIONS R EQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 10
629+SUBSECTION SHALL INC LUDE: 11
630+
631+ (I) FIVE POSITIONS IN THE ENGINEERING AND 12
632+CONSTRUCTION UNIT; 13
633+
634+ (II) FIVE POSITIONS IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND PLANNING 14
635+UNIT; AND 15
636+
637+ (III) ONE VOLUNTEER MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM COORDINA TOR. 16
638+
639+ (A) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT OF 17
640+BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL INCR EASE THE NUMBER OF F ULL–TIME 18
641+EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT BY 100 PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED POSITIONS . 19
642+
643+ (II) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL 20
644+BUDGET THE 100 POSITIONS REQUIRED U NDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS 21
645+PARAGRAPH AS FOLLOWS : 22
646+
647+ 1. 90 POSITIONS IN THE PARK SERVICE, INCLUDING 1 23
648+VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR ; 24
649+
650+ 2. 5 POSITIONS IN THE ENGINEERING AND 25
651+CONSTRUCTION UNIT; AND 26
652+
653+ 3. 5 3 POSITIONS IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND 27
654+PLANNING UNIT; AND 28
655+
656+ 4. 2 ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL WITH 29
657+EXPERIENCE IN REAL E STATE LAW ASSIGNED T O THE DEPARTMENT AND 30 SENATE BILL 541 15
658+
659+
660+DESIGNATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADVISE ON REAL ESTATE AND 1
661+TRANSACTIONAL MATTER S. 2
662+
663+ (2) TWO OF THE POSITIONS IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND 3
664+PLANNING UNIT SHALL BE FILLED BY ASSISTANT ATTORNE YS GENERAL IN THE 4
665+STATE WITH EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE LAW . 5
666+
667+ (3) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE 6
668+ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $12,000,000 TO FUND THE 100 7
669+PERMANENT , CLASSIFIED POSITIONS REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS 8
670+SUBSECTION AND RELAT ED OPERATING COSTS . 9
671+
672+ (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL : 10
673+
674+ (I) CONDUCT A STAFF ADEQU ACY REVIEW OF THE PARK 11
675+SERVICE EVERY 2 YEARS; AND 12
676+
677+ (II) REPORT ITS FINDINGS T O THE COMMISSION AND , IN 13
678+ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL 14
679+ASSEMBLY. 15
680+
681+ (2) AS A PART OF THE REPO RT UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS 16
682+SUBSECTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL CONS IDER 17
683+STAFFING GOALS FOR T HE PARK SERVICE. 18
684+
685+ (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT SHALL : 19
686+
687+ (I) CONDUCT A STAFF SALAR Y REVIEW OF THE PARK SERVICE 20
688+EVERY 3 YEARS; AND 21
689+
690+ (II) REPORT ITS FINDINGS T O THE COMMISSION AND , IN 22
691+ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL 23
692+ASSEMBLY. 24
693+
694+ (2) THE SALARY REVIEW REQ UIRED UNDER PARAGRAP H (1)(I) OF 25
695+THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L FOCUS ON THE GOALS OF IMPROVING : 26
696+
697+ (I) HIRING BY COMPENSATIN G PARK SERVICE EMPLOYEES AT 27
698+A LEVEL COMMENSURATE WITH: 28
699+
700+ 1. LOCAL PARK SYSTEMS ; 29
701+
702+ 2. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; AND 30
703+ 16 SENATE BILL 541
704+
705+
706+ 3. FOR PARK SERVICE MAINTENANCE P ERSONNEL WHO 1
707+PERFORM SKILLED AND LICENSED TRADE FUNCT IONS, THE PRIVATE SECT OR; AND 2
708+
709+ (II) RETENTION BY PROMOTIN G UPWARD MOBILITY WI THIN A 3
710+JOB SERIES. 4
711+
712+ (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL RECO GNIZE PARK SERVICE ASSOCIATES AN D 5
713+FOREST RANGERS , PARK RANGERS , AND WILDLIFE RANGERS AS EMERGENCY 6
714+SERVICES PERSONNEL . 7
715+
716+ (E) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPL EMENT A VOLUNTEER 8
717+MANAGEMENT PROGRAM T O STRATEGICALLY MANA GE VOLUNTEER SERVICE S 9
718+PROVIDED BY INDIVIDU ALS AND STATE PARKS FRIENDS G ROUPS. 10
719+
720+ (II) THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM IMPLEMEN TED 11
721+UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE MODELED ON THE 12
722+NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S VOLUNTEERS–IN–PARKS PROGRAM . 13
723+
724+ (2) THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM SHALL BE MANAGED 14
725+BY A VOLUNTEER PROGR AM MANAGER DEDICATED TO OVERSEEING THE 15
726+VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. 16
727+
728+ (3) THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER SHALL : 17
729+
730+ (I) CONDUCT ANNUAL TRAINI NG FOR STAFF AND VOL UNTEERS; 18
731+
732+ (II) DEVELOP AND PROMOTE V OLUNTEER OPPORTUNITI ES; 19
733+
734+ (III) PERFORM AUDITS , EVALUATIONS , AND MONITORING TO 20
735+DETERMINE THE EFFICA CY OF THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ; AND 21
736+
737+ (IV) DEVELOP AN ANNUAL REP ORT ON VOLUNTEER STA TISTICS 22
738+AND IMPACTS. 23
739+
740+ (F) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EXPA ND ITS WORK WITH PAR K–FOCUSED 24
741+ORGANIZATIONS TO LEV ERAGE CHARITABLE FUN DING FOR PARK ENHANC EMENTS. 25
742+
743+5–2A–03. 26
744+
745+ (A) (1) THERE IS A PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION I N THE 27
746+DEPARTMENT . 28
747+
748+ (2) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROV IDE OVERSIGHT 29
749+OF THE PARK SERVICE. 30 SENATE BILL 541 17
750+
751+
752+
753+ (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IST OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: 1
754+
755+ (1) A CHAIR, APPOINTED JOINTLY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE 2
756+SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 3
757+
758+ (2) TWO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY 4
759+THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 5
760+
761+ (3) TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY 6
762+THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; AND 7
763+
764+ (4) ONE CITIZEN MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE 8
765+SENATE; 9
766+
767+ (5) ONE CITIZEN MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE 10
768+HOUSE; AND 11
769+
770+ (4) (6) FOUR MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO 12
771+REFLECT THE RACIAL , GENDER, ETHNIC, AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVER SITY OF THE 13
772+STATE; AND 14
773+
774+ (7) TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL 15
775+JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES , DESIGNATED BY THE CHAIR OF THE 16
776+COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES . 17
777+
778+ (C) THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE STAFF 18
779+FOR THE COMMISSION. 19
780+
781+ (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ANNU ALLY PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH 20
782+A BRIEFING ON THE ST ATUS OF THE PARK SERVICE AND PARK SYST EM, INCLUDING: 21
783+
784+ (1) THE NUMBER OF ANNUAL CAPACITY CLOSURES , LISTED BY 22
785+LOCATION; 23
786+
787+ (2) THE CRITICAL MAINTENA NCE BACKLOG ; 24
788+
789+ (3) VACANT STAFF POSITIONS ; AND 25
790+
791+ (4) A DESCRIPTION OF THE C ONDITION OF THE PARK SYSTEM’S 26
792+NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING ANY VULNER ABILITIES; AND 27
793+
794+ (5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION : 28
795+ 18 SENATE BILL 541
796+
797+
798+ (I) RELATED TO THE FUNCTI ONING OF THE PARK SERVICE; OR 1
799+
800+ (II) REQUESTED BY THE MEMBERS OF TH E COMMISSION. 2
801+
802+ (E) THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET QUARTERLY TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF 3
803+THE PARK SERVICE. 4
804+
805+ (F) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, AND EACH DECEMBER 1 5
806+THEREAFTER , THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBM IT A REPORT TO THE SENATE BUDGET 6
807+AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, THE SENATE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND 7
808+ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS 8
809+COMMITTEE, AND THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 9
810+IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 10
811+
812+ (2) THE REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS 11
813+SUBSECTION SHALL INC LUDE THE COMMISSION’S: 12
814+
815+ (I) FINDINGS ON THE STATU S OF THE PARK SERVICE; AND 13
816+
817+ (II) RECOMMENDATIONS ON HO W THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 14
818+CAN SUPPORT THE PARK SERVICE. 15
819+
820+5–2A–04. 16
821+
822+ (A) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2023, AND EVERY 5 YEARS 17
823+THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP AND PUBLISH A 5–YEAR CAPITAL 18
824+IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE PARK SERVICE. 19
825+
826+ (2) IN DEVELOPING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, THE 20
827+DEPARTMENT SHALL , IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSION, ANNUALLY HOLD 21
828+AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE OPP ORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. 22
829+
830+ (3) THE 5–YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHALL INCLUDE : 23
831+
832+ (I) A LIST OF ALL OUTSTAND ING CRITICAL MAINTEN ANCE 24
833+PROJECTS AND THE PRO JECTED COST OF EACH PROJECT; 25
834+
835+ (II) A PRIORITIZATION OF CR ITICAL MAINTENANCE P ROJECTS 26
836+AND AN EXPLANATION O F THE PROCESS FOR PR IORITIZING THE PROJE CTS; AND 27
837+
838+ (III) SCORING AND RANKING F OR EACH CRITICAL MAI NTENANCE 28
839+PROJECT, AS DETERMINED BY THE PRIORITIZATION PROCE SS. 29
840+ SENATE BILL 541 19
841+
842+
843+ (4) THE 5–YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHALL INCLUDE TH E 1
844+INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION 2
845+DISAGGREGATED BY REG ION. 3
846+
847+ (5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 4
848+IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE 5–YEAR 5
849+CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE PARK SERVICE. 6
850+
851+ (B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES SHALL HIRE A N 7
852+INDEPENDENT CONSULTA NT TO CONDUCT AN IND EPENDENT STUDY OF : 8
853+
854+ (I) WHETHER THE PARK SERVICE IS PRODUCING OUTCOMES 9
855+CONSISTENT WITH ITS MISSION; 10
856+
857+ (II) THE VISITOR EXPERIENC E FOR STATE PARKS, INCLUDING: 11
858+
859+ 1. PARKING AVAILABILITY ; 12
860+
861+ 2. CLEANLINESS; AND 13
862+
863+ 3. WHETHER FACILITIES , AMENITIES, OR AREAS ARE 14
864+CLOSED, INCLUDING WHETHER TH E CLOSURES ARE DUE T O DEFERRED 15
865+MAINTENANCE ; AND 16
866+
867+ (III) HOW FUNDING CAN BE US ED TO ENABLE THE PARK 17
868+SERVICE TO PRODUCE OU TCOMES CONSISTENT WI TH ITS MISSION; AND 18
869+
870+ (IV) HOW PARK SERVICE PROJECTS CAN SU PPORT: 19
871+
872+ 1. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGA TION, ADAPTATION, AND 20
873+RESILIENCY; AND 21
874+
875+ 2. PUBLIC HEALTH . 22
876+
877+ (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2023, THE INDEPENDENT 23
878+CONSULTANT SHALL SUB MIT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 24
879+GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, A REPORT ON ITS FIND INGS AND RECOMMENDAT IONS TO 25
880+THE COMMISSION. 26
881+
882+ (C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 27
883+
884+ (1) RECOGNIZE AS A FORMAL POLICY THAT THE STATE’S FORESTS, 28
885+TREES, AND WETLANDS ARE A M AJOR TOOL FOR ADDRES SING CLIMATE CHANGE 29
886+WITH REGARD TO MITIG ATION, ADAPTATION, AND RESILIENCY ; AND 30 20 SENATE BILL 541
887+
888+
889+
890+ (2) REQUIRE ALL PARK SERVICE PROJECTS TO C ONTRIBUTE, TO THE 1
891+EXTENT POSSIBLE , TO THE IMPROVEMENT O F LOCAL WATER QUALIT Y. 2
892+
893+ (D) (1) THE PARK SERVICE SHALL ADOPT U NIVERSAL DESIGN 3
894+PRINCIPLES IN ITS PR OGRAMMING AND AMENIT IES TO ENSURE MAXIMU M ACCESS 4
895+BY ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WIT H DISABILITIES AND S ENIORS. AND SAFETY 5
896+FOR ALL RESIDENTS AN D VISITORS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WI TH DISABILITIES, 6
897+OLDER ADULTS , AND SENIORS. 7
898+
899+ (2) TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILI TY FOR INDIVIDUALS W HO ARE DE AF, 8
900+BLIND, OR BOTH, THE PARK SERVICE WEBSITE AND A LL OTHER DIGITAL OUT REACH 9
901+PLATFORMS SHALL ADHE RE TO WEB CONTENT ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES 2.1 10
902+AND SECTION 508 OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. 11
903+
904+ (E) THE PARK SERVICE SHALL ADOPT D ESIGN PRINCIPLES REL ATED TO 12
905+CRIME PREVENTION IN ITS PROGRAMMING AND AMENITIES TO ENSURE MAXIMUM 13
906+PUBLIC SAFETY FOR AL L RESIDENTS AND VISI TORS. 14
907+
908+ (F) (1) THE DEPARTMENT ’S DECISIONS RELATED TO THE LOCATION AND 15
909+ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW STATE PARKS OR AMENIT IES SHALL TARGET ARE AS: 16
910+
911+ (I) IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT ’S PARK EQUITY TOOL A S 17
912+IN NEED OF RECREATIO NAL OPPORTUNITIES ; OR 18
913+
914+ (II) THAT WOULD RELIEVE OV ERCROWDING IN EXISTI NG STATE 19
915+PARKS THAT HAVE CONS ISTENTLY HAD TO CLOS E TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO CAPACITY 20
916+RESTRICTIONS . 21
917+
918+ (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSID ER THE CULTURAL AND 22
919+ECOLOGICAL CARRYING CAPACITIES OF STATE PARK AREAS WHEN EXAMINING THE 23
920+DEVELOPMENT OF NEW A MENITIES IN EXISTING STATE PARKS. 24
921+
922+ (3) THE DEPARTMENT ’S DECISIONS RELATED TO THE 25
923+ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE HISTORICAL PARK S OR OTHER UNITS THAT PRE SERVE 26
924+AND INTERPRET THE STORY OF HISTORICALL Y UNDERSERVED , MINORITY, AND 27
925+OTHER UNDERREPRESENT ED COMMUNITIES HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN, 28
926+ASIAN, INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO 29
927+POPULATIONS IN THE STATE SHALL BE MADE : 30
928+
929+ (I) IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSION; AND 31
930+
931+ (II) WITH INPUT FROM GROUP S ACTIVE IN THE PRES ERVATION 32
932+OF HISTORICAL SITES OF UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES , INCLUDING: 33 SENATE BILL 541 21
933+
934+
935+
936+ 1. THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 1
937+AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ; 2
938+
939+ 2. THE COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 3
940+AND CULTURE; 4
941+
942+ 3. THE GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON ASIAN PACIFIC 5
943+AMERICAN AFFAIRS; 6
944+
945+ 4. THE COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS; AND 7
946+
947+ 5. THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS. 8
948+
949+5–2A–05. 9
950+
951+ (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 10
952+
953+ (1) DEVELOP AND PUBLISH A COMPREHENSIVE LONG–RANGE 11
954+STRATEGIC PLAN BY DECEMBER 1, 2023; AND 12
955+
956+ (2) UPDATE THE COMPREHENSIVE LONG–RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN 13
957+EVERY 5 YEARS TO REFLECT MAJ OR GOALS AND PROGRES S TOWARD MEETING 14
958+THOSE GOALS; AND 15
959+
960+ (3) SUBMIT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 16
961+2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE COMPREHENSIVE 17
962+LONG–RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANY UPDATES TO THE PLAN. 18
963+
964+ (B) THE COMPREHENSIVE LONG–RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN SHALL 19
965+INCLUDE: 20
966+
967+ (1) THE FEASIBILITY OF: 21
968+
969+ (I) ESTABLISHING NEW STATE PARKS THROUGH: 22
970+
971+ 1. LAND ACQUISITION ; OR 23
972+
973+ 2. REDESIGNATING EXISTIN G STATE LAND, INCLUDING 24
974+CEDARVILLE STATE FOREST, TO BE A STATE PARK; AND 25
975+
976+ (II) DEVELOPING NEW AMENIT IES IN CURRENT STATE PARKS, 26
977+INCLUDING: 27
978+ 22 SENATE BILL 541
979+
980+
981+ 1. TRAILS AND TRAIL CONNECTORS ; 1
982+
983+ 2. WATER ACCESS; 2
984+
985+ 3. PARKING AREAS ; AND 3
986+
987+ 4. OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVE MENTS THAT INCREASE 4
988+PARK CAPACITY ; 5
989+
990+ (2) NEW STATE HISTORICAL PARK S OR OTHER UNITS THA T 6
991+PRESERVE AND INTERPR ET THE STORY OF MINORITIES AND OTHER 7
992+UNDERREPRESENTED COM MUNITIES HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN, ASIAN, 8
993+INDIGENOUS OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND HISPANIC OR LATINO POPULATIONS IN 9
994+THE STATE; 10
995+
996+ (3) A MULTILATERAL , WHOLE–SYSTEM PLAN FOR OUTD OOR 11
997+RECREATION IN THE STATE, INCLUDING: 12
998+
999+ (I) THE RESULTS O F ANY COORDINATION B ETWEEN THE 13
1000+DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY , MUNICIPAL, AND FEDERAL PARK SYS TEMS TO 14
1001+INCREASE TRAIL CONNE CTIVITY BETWEEN PARK SYSTEMS; AND 15
1002+
1003+ (II) AN ECONOMIC A PARTNERSHIP PLAN DEVELOPED BY TH E 16
1004+DEPARTMENT IN CONSULT ATION WITH: 17
1005+
1006+ 1. THE OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION; 18
1007+
1008+ 2. THE PARK SERVICE’S BUSINESS MANAGER ; 19
1009+
1010+ 3. COUNTY TOURISM ENTITI ES AND ECONOMIC 20
1011+DEVELOPMENT OFFICES ; 21
1012+
1013+ 4. THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE; 22
1014+
1015+ 5. THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES; AND 23
1016+
1017+ 6. THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ROUNDTABLE ; AND 24
1018+
1019+ 7. THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 25
1020+AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ; 26
1021+
1022+ (4) THE FEASIBILITY OF EX PANDING THE DAY –USE RESERVATION 27
1023+SYSTEM BEYOND THE FALLING BRANCH AREA OF ROCKS STATE PARK TO ALL 28
1024+PARKS EXPERIENCING C APACITY SHUTDOWNS , INCLUDING CONSIDERAT IONS ON 29 SENATE BILL 541 23
1025+
1026+
1027+HOW THE EXPANSION OF THE DAY–USE RESERVATION SYST EM MAY IMPACT STATE 1
1028+PARK VISITORS IN TER MS OF EQUITY AND ACC ESS; 2
1029+
1030+ (5) AN ANALYSIS OF HOW TH E DEPARTMENT CAN INTEGR ATE 3
1031+INFRASTRUCTURE MESSA GING WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND LOCAL 4
1032+GOVERNMENTS , INCLUDING THE DEVELO PMENT AND MAINTENANC E OF A 5
1033+COORDINATED WEBSITE AND DIGITAL APPLICAT ION THAT PROVIDES IN FORMATION 6
1034+ON: 7
1035+
1036+ (I) WHERE PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ARE LOCATED ; 8
1037+
1038+ (II) AVAILABLE AMENITIES ; AND 9
1039+
1040+ (III) REAL–TIME INFORMATION ON THE O PERATIONAL STATUS 10
1041+OF A PARK, INCLUDING CAPACITY ; 11
1042+
1043+ (6) LONG–TERM MEASURES TO : 12
1044+
1045+ (I) RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE OF COLOR AND BILINGUAL 13
1046+STAFF INTO PARK SERVICE POSITIONS A DIVERSE PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE , IN 14
1047+ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S DIVERSITY STRATEGY UNDER 15
1048+DIRECTOR’S ORDER #16B; AND 16
1049+
1050+ (II) PROVIDE ONGOING UPDAT ES ON EFFORTS TO REC RUIT AND 17
1051+RETAIN A DIVERSE PARK SERVICE WORKFORCE ; 18
1052+
1053+ (7) DETAILS AND UPDATES O N THE CREATION AND IMPLEME NTATION 19
1054+OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING: 20
1055+
1056+ (I) PROGRAMS IN COLLABORATION WIT H THE STATE’S 21
1057+HISTORICALLY BLACK C OLLEGES AND UNIVERSI TIES; THAT ARE: 22
1058+
1059+ (I) (II) MODELED PROGRAMS MODELED ON THE CADET 23
1060+PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SERVICE’S DIVERSITY 24
1061+STRATEGY UNDER DIRECTOR’S ORDER #16B; AND 25
1062+
1063+ (II) (III) FOCUSED PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON CREATING A 26
1064+PIPELINE OF NEW RANG ERS AND OTHER FULL –TIME STAFF FROM AMON G 27
1065+VOLUNTEERS , THE STATE FOSTER YOUTH SY STEM, AND HISTORICALLY 28
1066+UNDERSERVED COMMUNIT IES; AND 29
1067+
1068+ (8) THE RESULTS OF: 30
1069+ 24 SENATE BILL 541
1070+
1071+
1072+ (I) IMPLEMENTING A VOLUNT EER MANAGEMENT PROGR AM 1
1073+UNDER § 5–2A–02(E) OF THIS SUBTITLE; 2
1074+
1075+ (II) LEVERAGING CHARITABLE FUNDING FOR PARK 3
1076+ENHANCEMENTS UNDER § 5–2A–02(F) OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 4
1077+
1078+ (III) ANY COLLABORATION BET WEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND 5
1079+THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND LO CAL TRANSPORTATION A GENCIES 6
1080+TO IMPROVE BICYCLE , SIDEWALK, AND TRAIL ACCESS TO STATE PARKS. 7
1081+
1082+5–2A–06. 8
1083+
1084+ IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE PARK SERVICE 9
1085+IDENTIFY AND ACQUIRE LAND TO BE USED FOR A STATE PARK IN PRINCE GEORGE’S 10
1086+COUNTY WITHIN THE BOU NDARY CREATED BY INTERSTATE 495 IN THE STATE AND 11
1087+THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 12
1088+
1089+5–307. 13
1090+
1091+ (a) In this section, “Fund” means the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and 14
1092+Fellowship Fund. 15
1093+
1094+ (b) There is a Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund in the 16
1095+Department. 17
1096+
1097+ (c) The purpose of the Fund is to finance: 18
1098+
1099+ (1) The Woodland Incentives Program and the cost –share assistance 19
1100+established under this subtitle; and 20
1101+
1102+ (2) The Mel Noland Fellowship Program established under this subtitle. 21
1103+
1104+ (d) The Department shall administer the Fund. 22
1105+
1106+ (e) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 23
1107+the State Finance and Procurement Article. 24
1108+
1109+ (2) The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall 25
1110+account for the Fund. 26
1111+
1112+ (f) (1) The Fund consists of: 27
1113+
1114+ (i) As provided in § 13–306 of the Tax – Property Article, up to 28
1115+$200,000 annually of the proceeds of the tax imposed by § 13–302 of the Tax – Property 29
1116+Article that are attributable to the taxation of instruments of writing that transfer title to 30
1117+parcels of land that are entirely woodland; 31 SENATE BILL 541 25
1118+
1119+
1120+
1121+ (ii) Revenues collected by the Department from the payment of 1
1122+charges imposed for Department assistance in implementation of an approved practice; 2
1123+
1124+ (iii) Money distributed from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal 3
1125+Bays 2010 Trust Fund under § 8–2A–04 of this article; 4
1126+
1127+ (iv) Subject to approval by the Secretary and the Board of Public 5
1128+Works, a portion of the revenues derived from the forestry practices on designated lands 6
1129+owned and managed by the Department, that are conducted in accordance with applicable 7
1130+State law and regulation; and 8
1131+
1132+ (v) Money appropriated to the Fund under paragraph (2) of this 9
1133+subsection. 10
1134+
1135+ (2) For fiscal year [2021] 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor 11
1136+shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of [$50,000] $1,000,000 to the 12
1137+Fund. 13
1138+
1139+5–903. 14
1140+
1141+ (a) (2) (ii) 1. As specified in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, a 15
1142+portion of the State’s share of funds available under subparagraph (i)1A of this paragraph 16
1143+for this program shall be utilized to make grants to Baltimore City for projects which meet 17
1144+park purposes. The grants shall be in addition to any funds Baltimore City is eligible to 18
1145+receive under subsection (b) of this section, and may be used for acquisition or development. 19
1146+In order for Baltimore City to be eligible for a State grant, the Department shall review 20
1147+projects or land to be acquired within Baltimore City, and upon the Department’s 21
1148+recommendation, the Board of Public Works may approve projects and land including the 22
1149+cost. Title to the land shall be in the name of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City. 23
1150+The State is not responsible for costs involved in the development or maintenance of the 24
1151+land. 25
1152+
1153+ 2. The grants to Baltimore City under subsubparagraph 1 of 26
1154+this subparagraph shall be made in the following amounts: 27
1155+
1156+ A. For fiscal year 2017, $1,500,000; 28
1157+
1158+ B. For fiscal year 2018, $3,500,000; 29
1159+
1160+ C. For fiscal year 2019, $5,500,000; [and] 30
1161+
1162+ D. For fiscal [year] YEARS 2020 THROUGH 2023, [and for 31
1163+each subsequent fiscal year,] $6,000,000; AND 32
1164+ 26 SENATE BILL 541
1165+
1166+
1167+ E. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR 1
1168+THEREAFTER , $10,000,000. 2
1169+
1170+ 3. The grants made under this subparagraph supplement 3
1171+rather than supplant any other funding for park purposes in Baltimore City, no matter the 4
1172+source. 5
1173+
1174+5–9A–01. 6
1175+
1176+ (a) The General Assembly declares that: 7
1177+
1178+ (1) Sprawl development and other modifications to the landscape in 8
1179+Maryland continue at an alarming rate, consuming land rich in natural resource, 9
1180+agricultural, and forestry value, adversely affecting water quality, wetlands and habitat, 10
1181+threatening resource–based economies and cultural assets, and rending the fabric of rural 11
1182+life; 12
1183+
1184+ (2) Current State, county, and local land conservation programs help to 13
1185+limit the effect of sprawl development but lack sufficient funding and focus to preserve key 14
1186+areas before escalating land values make their protection impossible or the land is lost to 15
1187+development; and 16
1188+
1189+ (3) A grant program that leverages available funding, focuses on 17
1190+preservation of strategic resources, including those resources threatened by sprawl 18
1191+development, streamlines real property acquisition procedures to expedite land 19
1192+preservation, takes advantage of innovative preservation techniques such as transferable 20
1193+development rights and the purchase of development rights, and promotes a greater level 21
1194+of natural and environmental resources protection than is provided by existing efforts, will 22
1195+establish a rural legacy for future generations. 23
1196+
1197+ (b) (1) A Rural Legacy Program is established to enhance natural resource, 24
1198+agricultural, forestry, and environmental protection as provided in subsection (a) of this 25
1199+section while maintaining the viability of resource–based land usage and proper 26
1200+management of tillable and wooded areas through accepted agricultural and silvicultural 27
1201+practices for farm production and timber harvests. 28
1202+
1203+ (2) The Program provides funds to the local governments and land trusts 29
1204+to purchase interests in real property from willing sellers, including easements, 30
1205+transferable development rights, and fee estates, focused in designated Rural Legacy 31
1206+Areas. 32
1207+
1208+ (3) The Program shall encourage partnerships among the federal, State, 33
1209+and local governments, and nonprofit land trust organizations and encourage local land 34
1210+conservation initiatives. 35
1211+
1212+ (4) The Program is administered by a Rural Legacy Board in the 36
1213+Department of Natural Resources, an advisory committee, and existing State staff. 37 SENATE BILL 541 27
1214+
1215+
1216+
1217+ (c) The Program is funded: 1
1218+
1219+ (1) Pursuant to § 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article and § 5–903(a)(2)(iii) 2
1220+of this title; [and] 3
1221+
1222+ (2) By the proceeds from the sale of general obligation bonds as provided 4
1223+in § 5–9A–09 of this subtitle; AND 5
1224+
1225+ (3) BY MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 6
1226+PROGRAM. 7
1227+
1228+ (d) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE 8
1229+ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $5,444,127 TO THE PROGRAM. 9
1230+
1231+ (E) When negotiating and awarding grants, the Board shall encourage sponsors 10
1232+to utilize zero coupon bonds in the implementation of the Rural Legacy Plan in order to 11
1233+reduce the utilization of general obligation bonds in funding the grants. 12
1234+
1235+5–1012. 13
1236+
1237+ (A) IN THIS SECTION, “PARTNERSHIP PARK ” MEANS A UNIT OF THE STATE 14
1238+PARK SYSTEM MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN PARTNER SHIP WITH A LOCAL 15
1239+GOVERNMENT , A BICOUNTY AGENCY , OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION. 16
1240+
1241+ (B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ENTER INTO: 17
1242+
1243+ (1) A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERS TANDING WITH A LOCAL 18
1244+GOVERNMENT , BICOUNTY AGENCY , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ESTA BLISH A 19
1245+PARTNERSHIP PARK IN THE STATE; OR 20
1246+
1247+ (2) A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMEN T WITH A LOCAL GOVER NMENT, 21
1248+BICOUNTY AGENCY , OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZ ATION TO MANAGE A PA RTNERSHIP 22
1249+PARK IN THE STATE. 23
1250+
1251+ (B) (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH THE FREEDMAN’S 24
1252+STATE HISTORICAL PARK AS A PARTNERSHIP PARK THAT SEEKS TO E DUCATE THE 25
1253+PUBLIC ABOUT AND PRE SERVE AND INTERPRET THE LIVES AND EXPERI ENCES OF 26
1254+BLACK AMERICANS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE ABOLIT ION OF SLAVERY. 27
1255+
1256+ (2) FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL BE HELD BY THE 28
1257+STATE AS A STATE PARK UNDER THE PROTECTION AND ADMIN ISTRATION OF THE 29
1258+DEPARTMENT . 30
1259+ 28 SENATE BILL 541
1260+
1261+
1262+ (C) (D) THE PARK FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL 1
1263+CONSIST OF PROPERTIE S IN NORTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN OR NEAR 2
1264+THE COMMUNITIES OF BROOKEVILLE, OLNEY, SANDY SPRING, ZION, AND 3
1265+LAYTONSVILLE THAT ARE : 4
1266+
1267+ (1) OWNED BY THE STATE AND DESIGNATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AS 5
1268+PART OF THE PARK ; AND 6
1269+
1270+ (2) (I) OWNED BY A LOCAL GOVE RNMENT, A BICOUNTY AGENCY , 7
1271+OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION; AND 8
1272+
1273+ (II) DESIGNATED AS PART OF THE PARK BY A PARTNE RSHIP 9
1274+AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E OWNER OF THE PROPE RTY AND THE STATE. 10
1275+
1276+ (D) (E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A STAKEHOLDER 11
1277+ADVISORY COMMITTEE T O ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCO PE AND 12
1278+MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK. 13
1279+
1280+ (2) THE STAKEHOLDER ADVIS ORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF 14
1281+THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S: 15
1282+
1283+ (I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF MONTGOMERY PARKS, 16
1284+DESIGNATED BY MONTGOMERY PARKS’ DIRECTOR OF PARKS; 17
1285+
1286+ (II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E HERITAGE TOURISM 18
1287+ALLIANCE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, DESIGNATED BY THE ALLIANCE’S 19
1288+EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; 20
1289+
1290+ (III) A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E SANDY SPRING SLAVE 21
1291+MUSEUM, DESIGNATED BY THE MUSEUM’S DIRECTOR; 22
1292+
1293+ (IV) A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E SANDY SPRING MUSEUM, 23
1294+DESIGNATED BY THE MUSEUM’S PRESIDENT; AND 24
1295+
1296+ (V) ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED BY THE 25
1297+DEPARTMENT . 26
1298+
1299+ (3) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE STAKEHOLDER ADVI SORY 27
1300+COMMITTEE SHALL REFL ECT THE DIVERSITY OF NORTHEAST ERN MONTGOMERY 28
1301+COUNTY. 29
1302+
1303+ (E) (F) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 30
1304+SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF 31
1305+THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON: 32 SENATE BILL 541 29
1306+
1307+
1308+
1309+ (1) PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE IN NORTHEASTERN 1
1310+MONTGOMERY COUNTY THAT IS SUITABL E FOR INCLUSION IN FREEDMAN’S STATE 2
1311+HISTORICAL PARK; 3
1312+
1313+ (2) PROPERTY OWNED BY A L OCAL GOVERNMENT , A BICOUNTY 4
1314+AGENCY, OR A NONPROFIT ORGAN IZATION IN NORTHEAST ERN MONTGOMERY 5
1315+COUNTY THAT IS SUITAB LE FOR INCLUSION IN THE PARK FREEDMAN’S STATE 6
1316+HISTORICAL PARK AND FOR WHICH THE LA NDOWNERS ARE WILLING TO ENTER 7
1317+INTO A PARTNERSHIP A GREEMENT; AND 8
1318+
1319+ (3) THE FUNDING NEEDED TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOT E THE PARK 9
1320+FREEDMAN’S STATE HISTORICAL PARK. 10
1321+
1322+ (G) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH THE PORT OF 11
1323+DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK AS A PARTNERSHIP PARK THAT SEEKS TO 12
1324+EDUCATE THE PUBLIC A BOUT AND PRESERVE AN D INTERPRET THE LIVE S AND 13
1325+EXPERIENCES OF BLACK AMERICANS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE ABOLIT ION OF 14
1326+SLAVERY. 15
1327+
1328+ (II) PORT OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL BE 16
1329+HELD BY THE STATE AS A STATE PARK UNDER THE PROTECTION AND 17
1330+ADMINISTRATION OF TH E DEPARTMENT . 18
1331+
1332+ (2) PORT OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK SHALL CONSIST OF 19
1333+A PORTION OF THE BAINBRIDGE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER SITE, MEASURING NOT 20
1334+LESS THAN 120 ACRES AND NOT MORE THAN 150 ACRES, THAT THE BAINBRIDGE 21
1335+DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TRANSFERS TO THE DEPARTMENT , INCLUDING: 22
1336+
1337+ (I) THE HISTORIC TOME SCHOOL; 23
1338+
1339+ (II) THE SNOW HILL ARCHAEOLOGICAL S ITE; AND 24
1340+
1341+ (III) THE ADJACENT WOODED C ONSERVATION AREA . 25
1342+
1343+ (3) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A STAKEHOLDER 26
1344+ADVISORY COMMITTEE T O ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE SCO PE AND 27
1345+MANAGEMENT OF PORT OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK. 28
1346+
1347+ (II) THE STAKEHOLDER ADVIS ORY COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST 29
1348+OF THE FOLLOWING MEM BERS: 30
1349+
1350+ 1. ONE MEMBER DESIGNATED BY THE MAYOR AND TOWN 31
1351+COUNCIL OF PORT DEPOSIT; 32 30 SENATE BILL 541
1352+
1353+
1354+
1355+ 2. TWO MEMBERS DESIGNATE D BY THE CECIL COUNTY 1
1356+DELEGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; 2
1357+
1358+ 3. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF CECIL COUNTY, OR THE 3
1359+COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S DESIGNEE; 4
1360+
1361+ 4. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CECIL COUNTY COUNCIL, OR 5
1362+THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 6
1363+
1364+ 5. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CECIL COUNTY BRANCH OF 7
1365+THE NAACP, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 8
1366+
1367+ 6. THE PRESIDENT OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF 9
1368+CECIL COUNTY, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 10
1369+
1370+ 7. THE DIRECTOR OF THE CECIL COUNTY DEPARTMENT 11
1371+OF PARKS AND RECREATION; 12
1372+
1373+ 8. THE FOLLOWING NONVOTI NG EX OFFICIO MEMBER S: 13
1374+
1375+ A. THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 14
1376+
1377+ B. THE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL 15
1378+TRUST, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 16
1379+
1380+ C. THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA 17
1381+HERITAGE GREENWAY, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 18
1382+
1383+ D. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC 19
1384+SCHOOLS; 20
1385+
1386+ E. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CECIL COUNTY 21
1387+PUBLIC LIBRARY; AND 22
1388+
1389+ F. THE PRESIDENT OF CECIL COLLEGE; AND 23
1390+
1391+ 9. ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED BY THE 24
1392+DEPARTMENT . 25
1393+
1394+ (III) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE STAKEHOLDER 26
1395+ADVISORY COMMITTEE S HALL REFLECT THE DIV ERSITY OF CECIL COUNTY. 27
1396+ SENATE BILL 541 31
1397+
1398+
1399+ (4) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 1
1400+SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF 2
1401+THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE ON: 3
1402+
1403+ (I) PROPERTY THAT IS SUIT ABLE FOR INCLUSION I N PORT OF 4
1404+DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK; AND 5
1405+
1406+ (II) THE FUNDING NEEDED TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOT E PORT 6
1407+OF DEPOSIT STATE HISTORICAL PARK. 7
1408+
1409+ (H) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IF THE STATE 8
1410+ACQUIRES CARR’S BEACH FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE PROPER TY A STATE 9
1411+PARK, THAT THE PROPERTY SH ALL BE A PAR TNERSHIP PARK ESTABL ISHED AND 10
1412+MAINTAINED IN A MANN ER SUBSTANTIALLY SIM ILAR TO THE REQUIREM ENTS 11
1413+ESTABLISHED UNDER SU BSECTIONS (B) THROUGH (D) OF THIS SECTION. 12
1414+
1415+ (H) (I) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “WALDORF CORE ZONE ” MEANS A 13
1416+GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN CHARLES COUNTY WITHIN THE FOL LOWING BOUNDARIES : 14
1417+
1418+ (I) NORTH OF BILLINGSLEY ROAD; 15
1419+
1420+ (II) SOUTH OF MATTAWOMAN CREEK; 16
1421+
1422+ (III) EAST OF BENSVILLE ROAD; AND 17
1423+
1424+ (IV) WEST OF MARYLAND ROUTE 5. 18
1425+
1426+ (2) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IF THE 19
1427+STATE ACQUIRES PROPER TY IN THE WALDORF CORE ZONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF 20
1428+MAKING THE PROPERTY A STATE PARK, THE PROPERTY SHALL B E A PARTNERSHIP 21
1429+PARK ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED IN A MANN ER SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO 22
1430+THE REQUIREMENTS EST ABLISHED UNDER SUBSE CTIONS (B) THROUGH (D) OF THIS 23
1431+SECTION. 24
1432+
1433+ (I) (J) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IF THE 25
1434+STATE ACQUIRES HILL ROAD PARK IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY FOR THE 26
1435+PURPOSE OF MAKING TH E PROPERTY A STATE PARK, THE PROPERTY SHALL B E A 27
1436+PARTNERSHIP PARK EST ABLISHED AND MAINTAI NED IN A MANNER SUBS TANTIALLY 28
1437+SIMILAR TO THE REQUI REMENTS ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBSECTIONS (B) THROUGH 29
1438+(D) OF THIS SECTION. 30
1439+
1440+Article – Agriculture 31
1441+
1442+2–505. 32 32 SENATE BILL 541
1443+
1444+
1445+
1446+ (a) The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund is created and continued 1
1447+for the purposes specified in this subtitle. 2
1448+
1449+ (b) The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund shall comprise: 3
1450+
1451+ (1) Any money made available to the Fund by general or special fund 4
1452+appropriations; 5
1453+
1454+ (2) Any money made available to the Fund by grants or transfers from 6
1455+governmental or private sources; and 7
1456+
1457+ (3) Any money received under § 2–513(c) of this subtitle. 8
1458+
1459+ (I) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE 9
1460+ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $18,564,469 $16,564,469 TO THE 10
1461+FUND. 11
1462+
1463+Article – Economic Development 12
1464+
1465+10–501. 13
1466+
1467+ (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
1468+
1469+ (f) “Corporation” means the Maryland Agricultural and Resource –Based 15
1470+Industry Development Corporation. 16
1471+
1472+10–523. 17
1473+
1474+ (a) (1) The Corporation may receive annual funding through an appropriation 18
1475+in the State budget. 19
1476+
1477+ (2) The Corporation may also receive money for projects included in the 20
1478+budgets of State units. 21
1479+
1480+ (3) (i) To assist the Corporation in complying with subsection (c) of this 22
1481+section, the Governor shall include each year in the State budget bill an appropriation to 23
1482+the Corporation for rural business development and assistance as follows: 24
1483+
1484+ 1. for fiscal year 2021, $2,875,000; and 25
1485+
1486+ 2. for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2025, $2,735,000. 26
1487+
1488+ (ii) 1. [In] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 2 27
1489+OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH , IN addition to any money provided under subparagraph (i) of 28
1490+this paragraph, the Governor may include each year in the State budget bill an 29 SENATE BILL 541 33
1491+
1492+
1493+appropriation to the Corporation in an amount not exceeding $5,000,000 for rural land 1
1494+acquisition and easement programs, including programs to assist young and beginning 2
1495+farmers. 3
1496+
1497+ 2. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE GOVERNOR SHALL 4
1498+INCLUDE IN THE ANNUA L BUDGET BILL A GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION IN THE 5
1499+AMOUNT OF $10,000,000 TO THE CORPORATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION 6
1500+FARMLAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM. 7
1501+
1502+Article – State Finance and Procurement 8
1503+
1504+6–226. 9
1505+
1506+ (a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 10
1507+inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 11
1508+terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 12
1509+State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 13
1510+receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 14
1511+Fund of the State. 15
1512+
1513+ (ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 16
1514+to the following funds: 17
1515+
1516+ 144. the Health Equity Resource Community Reserve Fund; 18
1517+[and] 19
1518+
1519+ 145. the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund; 20
1520+
1521+ 146. THE PARK SYSTEM CRITICAL MAINTENANCE FUND; 21
1522+AND 22
1523+
1524+ 147. THE PARK SYSTEM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND 23
1525+ACQUISITION FUND; AND 24
1526+
1527+ 148. THE GREAT MARYLAND OUTDOORS FUND. 25
1528+
1529+13–109. 26
1530+
1531+ (a) In this section, “small procurement” means a procurement for which: 27
1532+
1533+ (1) a unit spends $50,000 or less; 28
1534+
1535+ (2) a contractor provides services subject to § 11–202(3) of this article for 29
1536+expected annual revenues of $50,000 or less; 30
1537+ 34 SENATE BILL 541
1538+
1539+
1540+ (3) the Department of General Services or the Department of 1
1541+Transportation is seeking to award a procurement contract for a construction with a value 2
1542+that is $100,000 or less; [or] 3
1543+
1544+ (4) THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS SEEKING TO 4
1545+AWARD A PROCUREMENT CONTRACT FOR CAPITAL P ROJECTS OR MAINTENAN CE 5
1546+WITH A VALUE THAT IS $100,000 OR LESS; OR 6
1547+
1548+ (5) for purposes of administering Title 29, Subtitle 1 of the State Personnel 7
1549+and Pensions Article, the State Retirement Agency spends $50,000 or less during a fiscal 8
1550+year for: 9
1551+
1552+ (i) expenses related to independent medical evaluations by a 10
1553+physician; and 11
1554+
1555+ (ii) any expenses related to testimony by the physician at 12
1556+administrative hearings on behalf of the Agency. 13
1557+
1558+ (b) A unit may make small procurements in accordance with the regulations of 14
1559+primary procurement units. 15
1560+
1561+ (c) A primary procurement unit may not create a small procurement by artificial 16
1562+division of a procurement. 17
1563+
1564+ (d) Any regulation of a primary procurement unit to govern small procurements: 18
1565+
1566+ (1) shall provide for a simplified administrative procedure; 19
1567+
1568+ (2) shall be consistent with the basic intent of this Division II; and 20
1569+
1570+ (3) may not be disadvantageous economically to the State. 21
1571+
1572+ (e) At least every 3 years, the Board shall: 22
1573+
1574+ (1) review the prevailing costs of labor and materials; and 23
1575+
1576+ (2) if warranted by changes in cost, recommend to the General Assembly 24
1577+appropriate adjustments in the ceiling for a small procurement. 25
1578+
1579+Article – Tax – Property 26
1580+
1581+13–209. 27
1582+
1583+ (g) (1) [(i) For each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, the 28
1584+Governor shall include in the budget bill a General Fund appropriation in the amount of 29
1585+$2,500,000 to the Maryland Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development 30 SENATE BILL 541 35
1586+
1587+
1588+Corporation for the Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program authorized under § 1
1589+10–523(a)(3)(ii) of the Economic Development Article. 2
1590+
1591+ (ii) The appropriation required under subparagraph (i) of this 3
1592+paragraph: 4
1593+
1594+ 1. represents reimbursement for 13.9% of the cumulative 5
1595+amount appropriated or transferred from the special fund to the General Fund for fiscal 6
1596+year 2006; and 7
1597+
1598+ 2. is not subject to the provisions of subsections (a) through 8
1599+(f) of this section. 9
1600+
1601+ (2) (i) 1. The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill for 10
1602+fiscal year 2021 a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of 11
1603+$5,690,501.] 12
1604+
1605+ [2.] (I) The Governor shall include in [each of] the annual 13
1606+budget [bills] BILL for fiscal [years 2022 and] YEAR 2023 a General Fund appropriation to 14
1607+the special fund in the amount of $12,500,000. 15
1608+
1609+ [3. The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill for 16
1610+fiscal year 2024 a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of 17
1611+$6,809,499.] 18
1612+
1613+ (ii) The [appropriations] APPROPRIATION required under 19
1614+subparagraph (i) of this paragraph: 20
1615+
1616+ 1. [are] IS not subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b), 21
1617+(c), and (f) of this section; 22
1618+
1619+ 2. shall be allocated as provided in subsection (d) of this 23
1620+section and § 5–903 of the Natural Resources Article; and 24
1621+
1622+ 3. shall be reduced by the amount of any appropriation from 25
1623+the General Fund to the special fund that: 26
1624+
1625+ A. exceeds the required appropriation under this paragraph; 27
1626+and 28
1627+
1628+ B. is identified as an appropriation for reimbursement under 29
1629+this paragraph. 30
1630+
1631+ [(3)] (2) (i) [1.] The Governor shall include in [each of] the annual 31
1632+budget [bills] BILL for fiscal year [2019 and fiscal years] 2023 [through 2026] a General 32
1633+Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of $6,000,000 [and for fiscal year 33 36 SENATE BILL 541
1634+
1635+
1636+2027 a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of $4,000,000] for 1
1637+park development and the critical maintenance of State projects located on lands managed 2
1638+by the Department of Natural Resources for public purposes. 3
1639+
1640+ [2. The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill for 4
1641+fiscal year 2022 only a General Fund appropriation to the special fund in the amount of 5
1642+$21,930,475 for the critical maintenance of State projects located on lands managed by the 6
1643+Department of Natural Resources for public purposes.] 7
1644+
1645+ (ii) The [appropriations] APPROPRIATION required under 8
1646+subparagraph (i) of this paragraph: 9
1647+
1648+ 1. [are] IS not subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b), 10
1649+(c), and (f) of this section; AND 11
1650+
1651+ 2. [shall be made until the cumulative total amount 12
1652+appropriated under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is equal to $55,930,475; and 13
1653+
1654+ 3.] shall be reduced by the amount of any appropriation from 14
1655+the General Fund to the special fund that: 15
1656+
1657+ A. exceeds the required appropriation under this paragraph; 16
1658+
1659+ B. is identified as an appropriation for reimbursement under 17
1660+this paragraph; and 18
1661+
1662+ C. supplements rather than supplants the Department of 19
1663+Natural Resources funding for the critical maintenance of State projects on State lands, 20
1664+based on the average critical maintenance budget of the 10 years preceding the 21
1665+appropriation. 22
1666+
1667+ [(4)] (3) (i) 1. [Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the 23
1668+Governor shall appropriate from the General Fund to the special fund $119,800,225, which 24
1669+equals the cumulative amount of the appropriations or transfers from the special fund to 25
1670+the General Fund for fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018, less $104,365,475. 26
1671+
1672+ 2. For fiscal year 2022 only, the Governor shall include in the 27
1673+annual budget bill a General Fund appropriation in the amount of $1,200,000 to the State 28
1674+Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund established under § 8–205 of the Natural Resources 29
1675+Article to be used only to fund a pilot dredging project at Deep Creek Lake, which is not 30
1676+required to be matched by local funds. 31
1677+
1678+ 3.] For [each of] fiscal [years] YEAR 2023, [2024, 2025, 2026, 32
1679+and 2027,] the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill a General Fund 33
1680+appropriation in the amount of $2,500,000 to the Maryland Agricultural and 34
1681+Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation for the Next Generation Farmland 35 SENATE BILL 541 37
1682+
1683+
1684+Acquisition Program authorized under § 10–523(a)(3)(ii) of the Economic Development 1
1685+Article. 2
1686+
1687+ [4.] 2. For fiscal year 2025 only, the Governor shall include in the 3
1688+annual budget bill a General Fund appropriation in the amount of $2,735,000 to the 4
1689+Maryland Agricultural and Resource –Based Industry Development Corporation 5
1690+established under Title 10, Subtitle 5 of the Economic Development Article to be used as 6
1691+follows: 7
1692+
1693+ A. $2,300,000 to support the Corporation’s rural business 8
1694+loan programs and small matching grant programs; and 9
1695+
1696+ B. $435,000 for grants and near–equity investments to: 10
1697+
1698+ I. support the creation or expansion of agricultural product 11
1699+aggregation and storage sites; and 12
1700+
1701+ II. facilitate participation in the Certified Local Farm 13
1702+Enterprise Program. 14
1703+
1704+ (ii) [The Governor shall appropriate at least: 15
1705+
1706+ 1. $8,230,475 on or before June 30, 2022; 16
1707+
1708+ 2. an additional $37,986,900 on or before June 30, 2026; 17
1709+
1710+ 3. an additional $48,221,900 on or before June 30, 2030; and 18
1711+
1712+ 4. an additional $25,360,950 on or before June 30, 2031. 19
1713+
1714+ (iii)] The appropriations required under [subparagraphs] 20
1715+SUBPARAGRAPH (i) [and (ii)] of this paragraph: 21
1716+
1717+ 1. [represent reimbursement for the cumulative amount of 22
1718+any appropriation or transfer from the special fund to the General Fund for fiscal years 23
1719+2016, 2017, and 2018, less $104,365,475; 24
1720+
1721+ 2.] are not subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b), (c), 25
1722+and (f) of this section; 26
1723+
1724+ [3.] 2. Shall be allocated as provided in subsection (d) of this 27
1725+section and § 5–903 of the Natural Resources Article; AND 28
1726+
1727+ [4. Shall be made until the cumulative total appropriated 29
1728+under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph is equal to the cumulative amount of any 30 38 SENATE BILL 541
1729+
1730+
1731+appropriation or transfer from the special fund to the General Fund for fiscal years 2016, 1
1732+2017, and 2018, less $104,365,475; and] 2
1733+
1734+ [5.] 3. shall be reduced by the amount of any appropriation from 3
1735+the General Fund to the special fund that: 4
1736+
1737+ A. exceeds the required appropriation under this paragraph; 5
1738+and 6
1739+
1740+ B. is identified as an appropriation for reimbursement under 7
1741+this paragraph. 8
1742+
1743+Article – Labor and Employment 9
1744+
1745+9–207. 10
1746+
1747+ (a) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, A FOREST RANGER , A PARK RANGER, A 11
1748+WILDLIFE RANGER , A registered crew member, a paid law enforcement employee, or an 12
1749+individual engaged for fire fighting by the Department of Natural Resources is a covered 13
1750+employee. 14
1751+
1752+ (b) Notwithstanding § 9–203 of this subtitle, an individual engaged for fire 15
1753+fighting who otherwise would be a covered employee under subsection (a) of this section is 16
1754+a covered employee even if the fire fighting takes place outside of the State. 17
1755+
1756+ (c) Notwithstanding § 9–205 of this subtitle, an individual who otherwise would 18
1757+be a covered employee under subsection (a) of this section is a covered employee even if 19
1758+engaged temporarily or part time. 20
1759+
1760+ (d) For the purpose of this title, the Department of Natural Resources is the 21
1761+employer of an individual who is a covered employee under this section. 22
1762+
1763+9–503. 23
1764+
1765+ (a) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER , 24
1766+WILDLIFE RANGER , paid firefighter, paid fire fighting instructor, paid rescue squad 25
1767+member, paid advanced life support unit member, or sworn member of the Office of the 26
1768+State Fire Marshal employed by an airport authority, a county, a fire control district, a 27
1769+municipality, or the State or a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor, 28
1770+volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member who is a 29
1771+covered employee under § 9–234 of this title is presumed to have an occupational disease 30
1772+that was suffered in the line of duty and is compensable under this title if: 31
1773+
1774+ (1) the individual has heart disease, hypertension, or lung disease; 32
1775+ SENATE BILL 541 39
1776+
1777+
1778+ (2) the heart disease, hypertension, or lung disease results in partial or 1
1779+total disability or death; and 2
1780+
1781+ (3) in the case of a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor, 3
1782+volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member, the 4
1783+individual has met a suitable standard of physical examination before becoming a 5
1784+firefighter, fire fighting instructor, rescue squad member, or advanced life support unit 6
1785+member. 7
1786+
1787+ (b) (1) A paid police officer employed by an airport authority, a county, the 8
1788+Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a municipality, or the State, 9
1789+a deputy sheriff of Montgomery County, or, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a 10
1790+deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy 11
1791+sheriff of Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, Prince George’s County 12
1792+deputy sheriff, Prince George’s County correctional officer, or deputy sheriff of Allegany 13
1793+County is presumed to be suffering from an occupational disease that was suffered in the 14
1794+line of duty and is compensable under this title if: 15
1795+
1796+ (i) the police officer, deputy sheriff, or correctional officer is 16
1797+suffering from heart disease or hypertension; and 17
1798+
1799+ (ii) the heart disease or hypertension results in partial or total 18
1800+disability or death. 19
1801+
1802+ (2) (i) A deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County 20
1803+detention officer, deputy sheriff of Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, 21
1804+Prince George’s County deputy sheriff, or Prince George’s County correctional officer is 22
1805+entitled to the presumption under this subsection only to the extent that the individual 23
1806+suffers from heart disease or hypertension that is more severe than the individual’s heart 24
1807+disease or hypertension condition existing prior to the individual’s employment as a deputy 25
1808+sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy sheriff of 26
1809+Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, Prince George’s County deputy 27
1810+sheriff, or Prince George’s County correctional officer. 28
1811+
1812+ (ii) To be eligible for the presumption under this subsection, a deputy 29
1813+sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy sheriff of 30
1814+Baltimore City, Montgomery County correctional officer, Prince George’s County deputy 31
1815+sheriff, or Prince George’s County correctional officer, as a condition of employment, shall 32
1816+submit to a medical examination to determine any heart disease or hypertension condition 33
1817+existing prior to the individual’s employment as a deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, 34
1818+Anne Arundel County detention officer, deputy sheriff of Baltimore City, Montgomery 35
1819+County correctional officer, Prince George’s County deputy sheriff, or Prince George’s 36
1820+County correctional officer. 37
1821+
1822+ (c) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER , 38
1823+WILDLIFE RANGER , paid firefighter, paid fire fighting instructor, paid rescue squad 39
1824+member, paid advanced life support unit member, or a sworn member of the Office of the 40 40 SENATE BILL 541
1825+
1826+
1827+State Fire Marshal employed by an airport authority, a county, a fire control district, a 1
1828+municipality, or the State or a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor, 2
1829+volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member who is a 3
1830+covered employee under § 9–234 of this title is presumed to be suffering from an 4
1831+occupational disease that was suffered in the line of duty and is compensable under this 5
1832+title if: 6
1833+
1834+ (1) the individual has leukemia or prostate, rectal, throat, multiple 7
1835+myeloma, non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain, testicular, bladder, kidney or renal cell, or 8
1836+breast cancer that is caused by contact with a toxic substance that the individual has 9
1837+encountered in the line of duty; 10
1838+
1839+ (2) the individual has completed at least 10 years of cumulative service 11
1840+within the State as a firefighter, a fire fighting instructor, a rescue squad member, or an 12
1841+advanced life support unit member or in a combination of those jobs; 13
1842+
1843+ (3) the cancer or leukemia results in partial or total disability or death; and 14
1844+
1845+ (4) in the case of a volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire fighting instructor, 15
1846+volunteer rescue squad member, or volunteer advanced life support unit member, the 16
1847+individual has met a suitable standard of physical examination before becoming a 17
1848+firefighter, fire fighting instructor, rescue squad member, or advanced life support unit 18
1849+member. 19
1850+
1851+ (d) (1) A PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER , 20
1852+WILDLIFE RANGER , paid law enforcement employee of the Department of Natural 21
1853+Resources who is a covered employee under § 9–207 of this title, and a park police officer of 22
1854+the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission is presumed to have an 23
1855+occupational disease that was suffered in the line of duty and is compensable under this 24
1856+title if the [employee] INDIVIDUAL: 25
1857+
1858+ (i) is suffering from Lyme disease; and 26
1859+
1860+ (ii) was not suffering from Lyme disease before assignment to a 27
1861+position that regularly places the employee in an outdoor wooded environment. 28
1862+
1863+ (2) The presumption under this subsection for a park police officer of the 29
1864+Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission shall only apply: 30
1865+
1866+ (i) during the time that the park police officer is assigned to a 31
1867+position that regularly places the park police officer in an outdoor wooded environment; 32
1868+and 33
1869+
1870+ (ii) for 3 years after the last date that the park police officer was 34
1871+assigned by the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission to a position 35
1872+that regularly placed the officer in an outdoor wooded environment. 36 SENATE BILL 541 41
1873+
1874+
1875+
1876+ (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any paid 1
1877+firefighter, paid fire fighting instructor, sworn member of the Office of the State Fire 2
1878+Marshal, paid police officer, PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK 3
1879+RANGER, WILDLIFE RANGER , paid law enforcement employee of the Department of 4
1880+Natural Resources, deputy sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County 5
1881+detention officer, park police officer of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning 6
1882+Commission, deputy sheriff of Montgomery County, deputy sheriff of Baltimore City, 7
1883+Montgomery County correctional officer, deputy sheriff of Prince George’s County, or Prince 8
1884+George’s County correctional officer who is eligible for benefits under subsection (a), (b), (c), 9
1885+or (d) of this section or the dependents of those individuals shall receive the benefits in 10
1886+addition to any benefits that the individual or the dependents of the individual are entitled 11
1887+to receive under the retirement system in which the individual was a participant at the 12
1888+time of the claim. 13
1889+
1890+ (2) The benefits received under this title shall be adjusted so that the 14
1891+weekly total of those benefits and retirement benefits does not exceed the weekly salary 15
1892+that was paid to [the paid law enforcement employee of the Department of Natural 16
1893+Resources, a park police officer of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning 17
1894+Commission, firefighter, fire fighting instructor, sworn member of the Office of the State 18
1895+Fire Marshal, police officer, deputy sheriff, Prince George’s County or Montgomery County 19
1896+correctional officer, or Anne Arundel County detention officer] AN INDIVIDUAL SPECIF IED 20
1897+UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 21
1898+
1899+Article – Tax – General 22
1900+
1901+10–209. 23
1902+
1903+ (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 24
1904+
1905+ (2) “Correctional officer” means an individual who: 25
1906+
1907+ (i) was employed in: 26
1908+
1909+ 1. a State correctional facility, as defined in § 1–101 of the 27
1910+Correctional Services Article; 28
1911+
1912+ 2. a local correctional facility, as defined in § 1–101 of the 29
1913+Correctional Services Article; 30
1914+
1915+ 3. a juvenile facility included in § 9–226 of the Human 31
1916+Services Article; or 32
1917+
1918+ 4. a facility of the United States that is equivalent to a State 33
1919+or local correctional facility or a juvenile facility included in § 9–226 of the Human Services 34
1920+Article; and 35 42 SENATE BILL 541
1921+
1922+
1923+
1924+ (ii) is eligible to receive retirement income attributable to the 1
1925+individual’s employment under item (i) of this paragraph. 2
1926+
1927+ (3) “Emergency services personnel” means emergency medical technicians 3
1928+or paramedics. 4
1929+
1930+ (4) (i) “Employee retirement system” means a plan: 5
1931+
1932+ 1. established and maintained by an employer for the benefit 6
1933+of its employees; and 7
1934+
1935+ 2. qualified under § 401(a), § 403, or § 457(b) of the Internal 8
1936+Revenue Code. 9
1937+
1938+ (ii) “Employee retirement system” does not include: 10
1939+
1940+ 1. an individual retirement account or annuity under § 408 11
1941+of the Internal Revenue Code; 12
1942+
1943+ 2. a Roth individual retirement account under § 408A of the 13
1944+Internal Revenue Code; 14
1945+
1946+ 3. a rollover individual retirement account; 15
1947+
1948+ 4. a simplified employee pension under Internal Revenue 16
1949+Code § 408(k); or 17
1950+
1951+ 5. an ineligible deferred compensation plan under § 457(f) of 18
1952+the Internal Revenue Code. 19
1953+
1954+ (b) Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section, to determine Maryland 20
1955+adjusted gross income, if, on the last day of the taxable year, a resident is at least 65 years 21
1956+old or is totally disabled or the resident’s spouse is totally disabled, or the resident is at 22
1957+least 55 years old and is a retired PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK 23
1958+RANGER, WILDLIFE RANGER , correctional officer, law enforcement officer, or fire, rescue, 24
1959+or emergency services personnel of the United States, the State, or a political subdivision 25
1960+of the State, an amount is subtracted from federal adjusted gross income equal to the lesser 26
1961+of: 27
1962+
1963+ (1) the cumulative or total annuity, pension, or endowment income from an 28
1964+employee retirement system included in federal adjusted gross income; or 29
1965+
1966+ (2) the maximum annual benefit under the Social Security Act computed 30
1967+under subsection (c) of this section, less any payment received as old age, survivors, or 31
1968+disability benefits under the Social Security Act, the Railroad Retirement Act, or both. 32
1969+ SENATE BILL 541 43
1970+
1971+
1972+ (c) For purposes of subsection (b)(2) of this section, the Comptroller: 1
1973+
1974+ (1) shall determine the maximum annual benefit under the Social Security 2
1975+Act allowed for an individual who retired at age 65 for the prior calendar year; and 3
1976+
1977+ (2) may allow the subtraction to the nearest $100. 4
1978+
1979+ (d) Military retirement income that is included in the subtraction under § 5
1980+10–207(q) of this subtitle may not be taken into account for purposes of the subtraction 6
1981+under this section. 7
1982+
1983+ (e) In the case of a retired PARK SERVICES ASSOCIATE , FOREST RANGER , 8
1984+PARK RANGER , WILDLIFE RANGER , correctional officer, law enforcement officer, or fire, 9
1985+rescue, or emergency services personnel of the United States, the State, or a political 10
1986+subdivision of the State, the amount included under subsection (b)(1) of this section is 11
1987+limited to the first $15,000 of retirement income that is attributable to the resident’s 12
1988+employment as a PARK SERVICES ASSOCI ATE, FOREST RANGER , PARK RANGER , 13
1989+WILDLIFE RANGER , correctional officer, [a] law enforcement officer, or fire, rescue, or 14
1990+emergency services personnel of the United States, the State, or a political subdivision of 15
1991+the State unless: 16
1992+
1993+ (1) the resident is at least 65 years old or is totally disabled; or 17
1994+
1995+ (2) the resident’s spouse is totally disabled. 18
1996+
1997+Chapter 698 of the Acts of 2018 19
1998+
1999+ SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 20
2000+1, 2018. It shall remain effective for a period of [4] 7 years and, at the end of June 30, 21
2001+[2022] 2025, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 22
2002+abrogated and of no further force and effect. 23
2003+
2004+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other 24
2005+provision of law, on or before June 30, 2022, the Governor may transfer to the Park System 25
2006+Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund established in § 5–221 of the Natural 26
2007+Resources Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, $60,000,000 $43,126,072 of the funds 27
2008+for State land acquisition under Program Open Space in the special fund established under 28
2009+§ 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article. A transfer of funds from the special fund established 29
2010+under § 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article to the Park System Capital Improvements 30
2011+and Acquisition Fund under this section may not be taken into account for purposes of 31
2012+determining any allocation or appropriation required under § 13–209(f) or (g) of the Tax – 32
2013+Property Article. 33
2014+
2015+ SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Parks and Recreation 34
2016+Commission established in § 5–2A–03 of the Natural Resources Article, as enacted by 35 44 SENATE BILL 541
2017+
2018+
2019+Section 1 of this Act, shall provide oversight to the Maryland Park Service on the 1
2020+implementation of this Act. 2
2021+
2022+ SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1, 3
2023+2022, the Department of Natural Resources shall report to the General Assembly, in 4
2024+accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the possibility of reopening 5
2025+Fort Tonoloway State Park after the conclusion of the archaeological excavation of the park, 6
2026+including: 7
2027+
2028+ (1) whether the site of historic Fort Tonoloway is determined to be located 8
2029+within the park; 9
2030+
2031+ (2) if the site of historic Fort Tonoloway is located within the park, whether 10
2032+the site will be redesignated from a State park to be a historic site; and 11
2033+
2034+ (3) if the site of historic Fort Tonoloway is not located within the park, 12
2035+when the site will be reopened to the public for recreational use. 13
2036+
2037+ SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before June 1, 2023, the 14
2038+Bainbridge Development Corporation shall transfer to the Department of Natural Resources 15
2039+a portion of the Bainbridge Naval Training Center site consisting of not less than 120 acres 16
2040+and not more than 150 acres, including: 17
2041+
2042+ (1) the historic Tome School; 18
2043+
2044+ (2) the Snow Hill archaeological site; and 19
2045+
2046+ (3) the adjacent wooded conservation area. 20
2047+
2048+ SECTION 5. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before J uly 1, 2022, 21
2049+the Department of Budget and Management shall revise the job title of employees with the 22
2050+job title “Park Service Associate” to have the job title “State Park Ranger”. 23
2051+
2052+ SECTION 6. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That on or before October 1, 24
2053+2023, the Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Maryland 25
2054+Department of Labor, shall: 26
2055+
2056+ (1) identify opportunities to create registered apprenticeship programs to 27
2057+help address workforce shortages and the career workforce needs of the Department of 28
2058+Natural Resources, including: 29
2059+
2060+ (i) apprenticeships that allow an individual to earn a college degree; 30
2061+and 31
2062+
2063+ (ii) registered apprenticeships for high school students; and 32
2064+ SENATE BILL 541 45
2065+
2066+
2067+ (2) report the findings under subsection (1) of this section to the Senate 1
2068+Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance 2
2069+with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 3
2070+
2071+ SECTION 7. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That if Chapter ____ (S.B. 4
2072+942/H.B. 855) does not take effect, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an 5
2073+appropriation of $2,000,000 to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, in 6
2074+addition to any other funds required to be appropriated to the Fund under this Act. 7
2075+
2076+ SECTION 4. 8. 9. AND BE IT FURTHER EN ACTED, That this Act shall take effect 8
2077+July June 1, 2022. 9
2078+
2079+
2080+
2081+
2082+Approved:
2083+________________________________________________________________________________
2084+ Governor.
2085+________________________________________________________________________________
2086+ President of the Senate.
2087+________________________________________________________________________________
2088+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.