Transportation - Highways - Tourist Area and Corridor Signage Program
Impact
The bill delineates specific criteria that attractions must meet to be eligible for signage, including providing recreational, historical, cultural, or leisure activities and being primarily non-retail in nature. Moreover, attractions must be accessible and open to the public for a minimum number of hours and days each week, promoting better access and encouraging higher tourist visitation. This is anticipated to enhance local economies by driving more visitors to attractions, which can lead to increased business for surrounding services.
Summary
Senate Bill 734 establishes the Tourist Area and Corridor Signage Program in Maryland, aiming to improve the visibility of attractions by directing motorists to eligible locations. The program will be managed by the State Highway Administration in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, which will oversee an Eligibility Committee responsible for reviewing applications from attractions seeking to participate. The primary goal is to create a supplemental guide signage system that supports tourism by grouping attractions together for easier access.
Contention
Notably, there are provisions for the Eligibility Committee to approve attractions that may not meet all the requirements if deemed significant to the local or state economy. This aspect may lead to discussions about how subjective eligibility determinations could influence which attractions are prioritized and supported. Additionally, the bill outlines that the costs associated with constructing and installing signage will be shared between the applicants and the program, which may raise questions regarding funding and resource allocation among various attractions, especially smaller or community-based entities.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; provision related to officeholders raising funds when facing a recall; modify, and require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; funds donated to a candidate for recall efforts; require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
A concurrent resolution recognizing wild rice as sacred and central to the culture and health of Indigenous Peoples in Minnesota and critical to the health and identity of all Minnesota citizens and ecosystems and establishing a commitment to passing legislation to protect wild rice and the freshwater resources upon which it depends.