EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1039*
HOUSE BILL 1039
Q3 3lr1795
By: Delegate D. Jones
Introduced and read first time: February 10, 2023
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Task Force on Financial Incentives for Pet–Friendly Housing 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force on Financial Incentives for Pet–Friendly 3
Housing to study certain matters and make recommendations on how to financially 4
incentivize the expansion of pet–friendly housing; and generally relating to the Task 5
Force on Financial Incentives for Pet–Friendly Housing. 6
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
That: 8
(a) There is a Task Force on Financial Incentives for Pet–Friendly Housing. 9
(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 10
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 11
the Senate; 12
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 13
House; 14
(3) the Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the 15
Secretary’s designee; and 16
(4) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 17
(i) one representative of a county or municipal animal shelter or 18
animal control organization; 19
(ii) one representative of a nongovernmental animal shelter or 20
rescue that provides services to individuals in the community; 21
2 HOUSE BILL 1039
(iii) two representatives of organizations that engage in advocacy on 1
animal–related issues; 2
(iv) two representatives of organizations that represent landlords in 3
Maryland; and 4
(v) two representatives of organizations that represent realtors in 5
Maryland. 6
(c) The Governor shall designate the chair of the Task Force. 7
(d) The Department of Housing and Community Development shall provide staff 8
for the Task Force. 9
(e) A member of the Task Force: 10
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 11
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 12
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 13
(f) The Task Force shall: 14
(1) study matters relating to pet–friendly housing, including: 15
(i) financial incentives that have potential to influence rental 16
housing owners to create more pet–friendly housing; 17
(ii) insurance or liability structures that place burdens on the ability 18
of landlords to offer pet–friendly housing; and 19
(iii) barriers on varied sizes and breeds that prohibit landlords from 20
allowing pets; and 21
(2) make recommendations on how to financially incentivize the expansion 22
of pet–friendly housing. 23
(g) On or before November 1, 2024, the Task Force shall report its findings and 24
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 25
Government Article, the General Assembly. 26
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 27
1, 2023. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 6 months and, at the end of 28
December 31, 2024, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall 29
be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 30