EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. *sb0804* SENATE BILL 804 C8 3lr2263 By: Senator Ellis Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2023 Assigned to: Finance and Budget and Taxation A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning 1 Maryland Technology Development Corporation – Community Technology 2 Program for Maryland – Establishment 3 FOR the purpose of establishing the Community Technology Program for Maryland in the 4 Maryland Technology Development Corporation to provide technology education and 5 assistance to certain communities; requiring the Program to allocate certain funding 6 to certain counties; requiring counties to adopt certain application procedures for 7 certain funding; and generally relating to the Community Technology Program for 8 Maryland. 9 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10 Article – Economic Development 11 Section 10–401(a) and (c) 12 Annotated Code of Maryland 13 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 14 BY adding to 15 Article – Economic Development 16 Section 10–496 17 Annotated Code of Maryland 18 (2018 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 19 Preamble 20 WHEREAS, School systems cannot provide all of the necessary activities that attract 21 students to positive learning and actualization of technology for social and employment 22 skills in the new environment that advanced technologies require of individuals; and 23 WHEREAS, Nonprofit entities are well established in local counties with outreach 24 that business and governmental entities lack; and 25 2 SENATE BILL 804 WHEREAS, Initial start–up costs are not readily available to local organizations 1 positioned to provide these services; and 2 WHEREAS, Providing these services by local nongovernmental organizations 3 promotes community improvement for citizens of all ages; and 4 WHEREAS, Equity and access to technology education and certification are 5 challenges for youth and certain members of Maryland’s workforce; and 6 WHEREAS, Creative grassroots strategies are needed to expand an understanding 7 of details of the digital divide; and 8 WHEREAS, There is value in funding technology hubs, community spaces, and 9 STEM learning centers for residents of Maryland to develop a pipeline for innovation and 10 invention; and 11 WHEREAS, Community technology corporations will provide outlets for all citizens 12 to increase their skill and knowledge of technology for education, employment, and business 13 ownership; now, therefore, 14 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15 That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16 Article – Economic Development 17 10–401. 18 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 19 (c) “Corporation” means the Maryland Technology Development Corporation. 20 10–496. 21 (A) IN THIS SECTION, “PROGRAM” MEANS THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY 22 PROGRAM FOR MARYLAND. 23 (B) THERE IS A COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR MARYLAND IN 24 THE CORPORATION . 25 (C) THE CORPORATION SHALL ADM INISTER THE PROGRAM. 26 (D) THE PROGRAM SHALL: 27 (1) DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE SERVICES THA T 28 PROMOTE AFTER –SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY CL UBS; 29 SENATE BILL 804 3 (2) ESTABLISH LEARNING CENTERS FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING 1 BASIC TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMEN T; AND 2 (3) PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS IN THE C OMMUNITY WITH THE NECESSARY 3 SKILLS TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO OBTAIN ESSENTIAL AID FROM THE GOVERNMENT 4 AND BUSINESSES . 5 (E) (1) FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR , THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE 6 ANNUAL BUDGET BILL A N APPROPRIATION OF $2,400,000 TO THE PROGRAM. 7 (2) FROM THE ANNUAL APPRO PRIATION, THE PROGRAM SHALL 8 ALLOCATE $100,000 FOR USE IN EACH COUNTY OF THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSES 9 OF THE PROGRAM. 10 (3) THE PROGRAM SHALL IDENTIF Y ONE LOCAL NONGOVER NMENTAL 11 ORGANIZATION IN EACH COUNTY TO RECEIVE FU NDING FROM THE APPR OPRIATION 12 AND: 13 (I) DEVELOP ONE OR MORE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY 14 CORPORATIONS IN THE COUNTY; AND 15 (II) IMPLEMENT ONE OR MOR E LOCAL PROGRAMS TO 16 IMPLEMENT THE PURPOS ES OF THIS SECTION . 17 (F) EACH COUNTY SHALL DEV ELOP APPLICATION PRO CEDURES FOR LOCAL 18 NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATI ONS TO OBTAIN FUNDIN G FROM THE PROGRAM, 19 CONSISTENT WITH APPL ICATION PROCEDURES O F THE CORPORATION . 20 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 21 1, 2023. 22