EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXIS TING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0685*
HOUSE BILL 685
C8 4lr2363
CF SB 516
By: Delegates Harris and Chang
Introduced and read first time: January 25, 2024
Assigned to: Ways and Means
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Economic Development – Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission to 3
promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace 4
opportunities; establishing the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Fund as a 5
special, nonlapsing fund; requiring interest earnings from the Fund to be credited to 6
the Fund; and generally relating to the Maryland Aerospace and Technology 7
Commission. 8
BY adding to 9
Article – Economic Development 10
Section 10–1101 through 10–1115 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 11. 11
Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission” 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 14
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 15
Article – State Finance and Procurement 16
Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 19
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 20
Article – State Finance and Procurement 21
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)189. and 190. 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 24
BY adding to 25
Article – State Finance and Procurement 26
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)191. 27 2 HOUSE BILL 685
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 2
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 3
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 4
Article – Economic Development 5
SUBTITLE 11. MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION. 6
10–1101. 7
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWI NG WORDS HAVE THE ME ANINGS 8
INDICATED. 9
(B) “BOARD” MEANS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMISSION. 10
(C) “COLLABORATIVE ” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE RESEARCH 11
AND SPACE ECONOMY COLLABORATIVE . 12
(D) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY 13
COMMISSION. 14
(E) “FUND” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY FUND. 15
(F) “INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION” MEANS AN EDUCATIONAL 16
INSTITUTION IN THE STATE THAT: 17
(1) BY LAW OR CHARTER : 18
(I) IS A PUBLIC OR NONPR OFIT EDUCATIONA L INSTITUTION; 19
AND 20
(II) IS AUTHORIZED TO PRO VIDE: 21
1. A PROGRAM OF EDUCATI ON BEYOND THE HIGH 22
SCHOOL LEVEL AND AWA RD A BACHELOR ’S OR ADVANCED DEGREE ; OR 23
2. A PROGRAM OF 2 OR MORE YEARS ’ DURATION THAT IS 24
ACCEPTED FOR FULL CR EDIT TOWARD A BACHELOR’S DEGREE; AND 25
(2) MEETS THE STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS THAT THE MARYLAND 26
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION PRESCRIBES AND IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A 27
CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, OR DEGREE UNDER TITLE 12 OF THE EDUCATION 28 HOUSE BILL 685 3
ARTICLE. 1
(G) “ZONE” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY ZONE 2
DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 3
10–1102. 4
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION. 5
(B) THE COMMISSION IS A BODY POLITIC AND CORPORAT E AND IS A PUBLIC 6
INSTRUMENTALITY OF T HE STATE. 7
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROM OTE INNOVATION IN 8
THE FIELDS OF SPACE EXPLORATION AND COMM ERCIAL AEROSPACE 9
OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING THE INTEGR ATION OF SPACE , AERONAUTICS , AND 10
AVIATION INDUSTRIES INTO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE. 11
10–1103. 12
(A) A BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL MANAG E THE COMMISSION AND 13
EXERCISE ITS POWERS . 14
(B) THE BOARD CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS : 15
(1) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 16
(2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 17
THE SENATE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS AN EX OFFICIO NON VOTING MEMBER ; 18
(3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 19
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX OFFICIO NONVOTI NG 20
MEMBER; 21
(4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 22
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 23
DESIGNEE; 24
(5) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 25
ADMINISTRATION ’S WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 26
(6) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 27
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE; 28
4 HOUSE BILL 685
(7) THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION , 1
OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 2
(8) THE PRESIDENT OF THE GODDARD CONTRACTORS ’ 3
ASSOCIATION, OR THE PRESIDENT ’S DESIGNEE; 4
(9) THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND SPACE BUSINESS 5
ROUNDTABLE , OR THE PRESIDENT ’S DESIGNEE; 6
(10) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE 7
PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 8
(11) THE DIRECTOR OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS APPLIED PHYSICS 9
LABORATORY , OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; 10
(12) THE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES FOR 11
RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY, OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; 12
(13) THE DIRECTOR OF THE SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE, 13
OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; AND 14
(14) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH 15
THE ADVICE AND CONSE NT OF THE SENATE: 16
(I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE 17
MANUFACTURING COMMUN ITY; AND 18
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AEROSPACE TECHNO LOGY 19
INDUSTRY. 20
(C) A MEMBER OF THE BOARD: 21
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD; 22
BUT 23
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 24
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 25
(D) (1) THE TERM OF AN APPOIN TED MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 26
(2) THE TERMS OF THE APPO INTED MEMBERS ARE ST AGGERED AS 27
REQUIRED BY THE TERM S PROVIDED FOR MEMBE RS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 28
HOUSE BILL 685 5
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 1
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES . 2
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 3
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINT ED AND 4
QUALIFIES. 5
(E) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES TO A MEMBER WHO I S APPOINTED BY 6
THE GOVERNOR UNDER SUBSEC TION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 7
(2) THE GOVERNOR MAY REMOVE A N APPOINTED MEMBER F OR 8
INCOMPETENCE , MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PERFOR M THE DUTIES OF THE 9
POSITION. 10
(F) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBER S, THE BOARD SHALL ELECT A C HAIR AND 11
VICE CHAIR. 12
10–1104. 13
(A) (1) SUBJECT TO THE APPROV AL OF THE GOVERNOR, THE BOARD 14
SHALL APPOINT AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. 15
(2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVES AT TH E PLEASURE OF THE 16
BOARD. 17
(3) THE BOARD SHALL DETERMINE THE SALARY OF THE EXECUTIVE 18
DIRECTOR. 19
(B) (1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE 20
OFFICER OF THE COMMISSION. 21
(2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL MANAGE THE 22
ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAI RS AND TECHNICAL ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION IN 23
ACCORDANCE WITH POLI CIES AND PROCEDURES THAT THE BOARD ESTABLISHES . 24
(C) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S 25
DESIGNEE, SHALL: 26
(1) ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD; 27
(2) ACT AS SECRETARY OF THE BOARD; 28
(3) KEEP MINUTES OF ALL PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD; 29 6 HOUSE BILL 685
(4) APPROVE ALL SALARIES , PER DIEM PAYMENTS , AND ALLOWABLE 1
EXPENSES OF THE COMMISSION, ITS EMPLOYEES , AND ITS CONSULTANTS ; 2
(5) APPROVE ANY EXPENSES INCIDENTAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE 3
COMMISSION; AND 4
(6) PERFORM THE OTHER DU TIES THAT THE BOARD DIRECTS IN 5
CARRYING OUT THIS SU BTITLE. 6
10–1105. 7
(A) THE BOARD SHALL EMPLOY AN Y ADDITIONAL PROFESS IONAL AND 8
CLERICAL STAFF AS NE CESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBTITLE. 9
(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 10
COMMISSION MAY ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH T HE 11
DEPARTMENT FOR THE PR OVISION OF ADMINISTR ATIVE SUPPORT TO THE 12
COMMISSION BY INDIVID UALS EMPLOYED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ’S DIVISION OF 13
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT . 14
(2) THE COMMISSION SHALL REIM BURSE THE DEPARTMENT FOR 15
ANY EXPENSES INCURRE D FOR THE PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SU PPORT BY 16
EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDA NCE WITH PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 17
SUBSECTION. 18
(C) THE BOARD MAY RETAIN CONSU LTANTS AS NECESSARY . 19
10–1106. 20
(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (B), (C), AND (E) OF THIS 21
SECTION, THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM TITLE 10 AND DIVISION II OF THE 22
STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 23
(B) (1) THE COMMISSION IS SUBJECT TO: 24
(I) THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT; AND 25
(II) THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. 26
(2) FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, A PROJECT SITE 27
VISIT OR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TOUR MAY NOT B E CONSIDERED A MEETI NG OF THE 28
COMMISSION IF NO ORGA NIZATIONAL BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED . 29 HOUSE BILL 685 7
(C) THE BOARD, THE OFFICERS AND EMP LOYEES OF THE COMMISSION, 1
AND MEMBERS OF ANY A DVISORY COMMITTEE AP POINTED ARE SUBJECT TO THE 2
PUBLIC ETHICS LAW. 3
(D) THE OFFICERS AND EMPL OYEES OF THE COMMISSION ARE NOT 4
SUBJECT TO THE PROVI SIONS OF DIVISION I OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND 5
PENSIONS ARTICLE THAT GOVERN T HE STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 6
(E) (1) THE COMMISSION, THE BOARD, AND COMMISSION EMPLOYEES 7
ARE SUBJECT TO TITLE 12, SUBTITLE 4 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 8
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 9
(2) THE BOARD, THE OFFICERS AND EMP LOYEES OF THE 10
COMMISSION, AND THE MEMBERS OF A NY ADVISORY COMMITTE E APPOINTED SHALL 11
DISCLOSE TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION WHETHER TH EY ARE EMPLOYED BY 12
OR HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN AN ENTIT Y THAT CURRENTLY HAS OR WILL 13
APPLY FOR FUNDS OR AN INVESTMENT IN A PROG RAM ADMINISTERED BY THE 14
COMMISSION. 15
10–1107. 16
(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL : 17
(1) ESTABLISH THE APPROP RIATE STANDARDS AND EXECUTIVE 18
BODIES TO ENSURE THE PROPER USE OF FUNDS AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S SUBTITLE 19
FOR RESEARCH ; 20
(2) IDENTIFY RESEARCH AN D FUNDING OPPORTUNIT IES FOR 21
ENTITIES IN THIS STATE THAT: 22
(I) STRENGTHEN AND ENHAN CE THE STATE’S LEADERSHIP 23
POSITION IN CIVIL , COMMERCIAL , AND MILITARY AEROSPA CE RESEARCH AND 24
DEVELOPMENT ; 25
(II) INTEGRATE THE AEROSP ACE INDUSTRY INTO THE 26
ECONOMY OF THE STATE; 27
(III) CAPITALIZE, PROMOTE, AND ASSIST IN THE DE VELOPMENT 28
OF WORKFORCE TRAININ G TO FURTHER THE DEV ELOPMENT OF EMERGING 29
TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRE D FOR ALL ASPECTS OF SPACE EXPLORATION ; AND 30
(IV) DEVELOP PUBLIC –PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADVANCE 31 8 HOUSE BILL 685
BOTH THE STATE’S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY ; 1
(3) ESTABLISH ADVISORY C OMMITTEES AS NEEDED ; 2
(4) PROCURE INSURANCE TH AT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS 3
NECESSARY; 4
(5) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T AEROSPACE–RELATED EDUCATIONAL 5
OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE STATE IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL EDUCATION AL 6
INSTITUTIONS; AND 7
(6) EMPLOY AND ANNUALLY UPDATE THE STRATEGIC PLAN 8
DEVELOPED IN ACCORDA NCE WITH § 10–1108 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 9
(B) THE BOARD SHALL: 10
(1) DIRECT THE ACTIV ITIES OF, ESTABLISH GOALS FOR , AND PROVIDE 11
OVERSIGHT TO THE COMMISSION; AND 12
(2) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T A STRATEGIC PLAN I N ACCORDANCE 13
WITH § 10–1108 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO IMPLEMENT THE GOALS OF THE COMMISSION. 14
(C) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL EMPL OY A CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER 15
TO MONITOR AND REPOR T TO THE BOARD REGARDING COMPL IANCE WITH THIS 16
SUBTITLE. 17
(2) THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL ENSURE THAT GRANT 18
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SUBTIT LE 19
COMPLY WITH THE SUBT ITLE AND A NY REGULATIONS ADOPT ED BY THE 20
COMMISSION BEFORE THO SE PROPOSALS ARE SUB MITTED TO THE BOARD FOR 21
CONSIDERATION . 22
10–1108. 23
(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP AND ANNUALLY UPD ATE A 24
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR T HE PROMOTION OF SPAC E, AERONAUTICS , AND AVIATION 25
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE. 26
(B) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 27
SECTION SHALL INCLUD E A LIST OF POTENTIA L PROJECTS THAT FURT HER THE 28
PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION AND , FOR EACH PROJECT , DESCRIBE: 29
(1) THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST FOR CO MPLETION, INCLUDING A 30 HOUSE BILL 685 9
POTENTIAL STATE MATCHING COST ; AND 1
(2) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTE RNAL FUNDING 2
SOURCES. 3
(C) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 4
SECTION MAY INCLUDE ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THAT THE COMMISSION 5
DETERMINES TO BE RELEVA NT TO FURTHERING THE PURPOSES OF THE 6
COMMISSION. 7
10–1109. 8
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “ELIGIBLE ENTITY” MEANS: 9
(1) A BUSINESS OR NONPRO FIT INVOLVED IN SPAC E EXPLORATION ; 10
(2) A GOVERNMENTAL ENTIT Y; OR 11
(3) AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER ED UCATION THAT CONDUCT S 12
AEROSPACE RESEARCH W ITHIN THE STATE. 13
(B) THE COMMISSION MAY PROVID E GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES FOR 14
THE PURPOSE OF : 15
(1) DEVELOPMENT OF EMERG ING TECHNOLOGIES REQ UIRED FOR 16
ANY ASPECT OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT; 17
(2) RESEARCH INVOLVING SPACE EXPLORATION AN D SPACE FLIGHT; 18
(3) WORKFORCE TRAINING T O PROMOTE SPACE EXPL ORATION AND 19
SPACE FLIGHT; AND 20
(4) DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPRO VEMENTS 21
THAT ENHANCE THE STATE’S ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE AEROSPACE IND USTRY. 22
(C) A GRANT AWARDED UNDER THIS S UBSECTION SHALL BE C ONSISTENT 23
WITH THE STRATEGIC P LAN DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION. 24
(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO EST ABLISH: 25
(1) A COMPETITIVE APPLIC ATION PROCESS ; 26
(2) CRITERIA AND PROCEDU RES FOR MAKING AWARD S, INCLUDING 27 10 HOUSE BILL 685
PRIVATE LEVERAGE REQ UIREMENTS FOR AWARDS ; AND 1
(3) PROCESSES AND METRIC S FOR MONITORING THE SUCCESS AND 2
IMPACT OF AWARDS . 3
10–1110. 4
(A) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SECTIO N, THE COMMISSION 5
SHALL DESIGNATE A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLO GY ZONE WITHIN THE 6
STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING BUSIN ESS DEVELOPMENT , 7
FACILITATING LAND AC QUISITION, PROVIDING EDUCATIONA L OPPORTUNITIES , AND 8
PROMOTING THE AEROSP ACE INDUSTRY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF TH E ZONE. 9
(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL DETE RMINE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONE. 10
10–1111. 11
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND SPACE ECONOMY 12
COLLABORATIVE . 13
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATIVE IS TO A DVISE THE COMMISSION 14
AND RECOMMEND AND PR OMOTE ACTIONS AND OP PORTUNITIES IN PARTN ERSHIP 15
WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WITHIN THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND 16
TECHNOLOGY ZONE DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 17
(C) THE COLLABORATIVE CONSIST S OF THE FOLLOWING M EMBERS: 18
(1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION, OR THE 19
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 20
(2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 21
THE SENATE; 22
(3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 23
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 24
(4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 25
ADMINISTRATION’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 26
DESIGNEE; 27
(5) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 28
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE; 29
HOUSE BILL 685 11
(6) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 1
INVESTIGATION , DESIGNATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 2
INVESTIGATION ; 3
(7) THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, OR THE 4
COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S DESIGNEE; 5
(8) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF GREENBELT, OR THE MANAGER’S 6
DESIGNEE; 7
(9) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, OR THE 8
MANAGER’S DESIGNEE; 9
(10) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE 10
PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 11
(11) THE PRESIDENT OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COMMUNITY 12
COLLEGE, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 13
(12) THE SUPERINTEND ENT OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 14
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, OR THE SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE; AND 15
(13) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR: 16
(I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GODDARD CONTRACTORS ’ 17
ASSOCIATION; 18
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER GRO UP 19
WITHIN THE ZONE; AND 20
(III) A MEMBER OF THE AERO SPACE MANUFACTURING 21
INDUSTRY. 22
(D) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION SHALL CHAI R THE 23
COLLABORATIVE . 24
(E) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COLLABORATIVE . 25
(F) A MEMBER OF THE COLLABORATIVE : 26
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 27
COLLABORATIVE ; BUT 28
12 HOUSE BILL 685
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 1
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 2
(G) (1) THE TERM OF AN APP OINTED MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 3
(2) THE TERMS OF THE APPO INTED MEMBERS ARE ST AGGERED AS 4
REQUIRED BY THE TERM S PROVIDED FOR MEMBE RS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 5
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 6
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES . 7
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 8
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM UNTIL A SUC CESSOR IS APPOINTED AND 9
QUALIFIES. 10
(H) THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL D EVELOP PLANS TO : 11
(1) IMPROVE LOCAL AEROSP ACE EDUCATION OPPORT UNITIES 12
WITHIN THE ZONE; 13
(2) UPGRADE AND IMPROVE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCT URE 14
SURROUNDING : 15
(I) THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 16
ADMINISTRATION HEADQU ARTERS; 17
(II) THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 18
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER; AND 19
(III) THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK; 20
(3) ENSURE THAT PUBLIC T RANSPORTATION TO AND FROM LOCAL 21
AEROSPACE LEADERS IS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFOR DABLE TO THE LOCAL 22
COMMUNITY ; 23
(4) WORK WITH BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WITHIN THE ZONE TO 24
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T STRATEGIES TO C ONNECT THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 25
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER TO THE 26
SURROUNDING COMMUNIT Y; AND 27
(5) ASSESS AND IMPROVE P UBLIC SAFETY WITHIN ALL AREAS OF THE 28
ZONE. 29
HOUSE BILL 685 13
(I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND EVERY 2 YEARS THEREAFTER , 1
THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL S UBMIT A REPORT OF TH E PLANS DEVELOPED UN DER 2
SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE COMMISSION. 3
10–1112. 4
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY FUND IN THE 5
COMMISSION. 6
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING TO PROMOTE THE 7
GROWTH OF THE SPACE EXPLORATION AND AERO SPACE TECHNOLOGY IND USTRIES 8
IN THE STATE IN A MANNER CON SISTENT WITH THE COMMISSION’S STRATEGIC 9
PLAN. 10
(C) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 11
(D) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND T HAT IS NOT 12
SUBJECT TO REVERSION UNDER § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 13
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 14
(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 15
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 16
(E) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 17
(1) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 18
(2) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 19
(3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 20
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 21
(F) THE COMMISSION MAY USE TH E FUND TO: 22
(1) AWARD GRANTS IN ACCO RDANCE WITH § 10–1109 OF THIS 23
SUBTITLE; AND 24
(2) PAY THE COSTS NECESS ARY TO IMPLEMENT THI S SUBTITLE AND 25
TO ADMINISTER THE FUND. 26
(G) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN 27
APPROPRIATION TO THE FUND. 28
14 HOUSE BILL 685
(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 1
IN THE SAME MANN ER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 2
(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 3
THE FUND. 4
(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 5
WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 6
10–1113. 7
THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES. 8
10–1114. 9
THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE COMMISSION ARE SUBJEC T TO AUDIT: 10
(1) AT ANY TIME BY THE STATE; AND 11
(2) EACH YEAR BY AN INDE PENDENT AUDITOR . 12
10–1115. 13
(A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL 14
SUBMIT A REPORT T O THE GOVERNOR, THE MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 15
COMMISSION, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 16
ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 17
(B) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE A COMPLETE OPERA TING AND FINANCIAL 18
STATEMENT AND SUMMAR IZE THE ACTIVITIES O F THE COMMISSION DURING THE 19
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R. 20
(C) IN ADDITION TO THE IN FORMATION REQUIRED U NDER SUBSECTION (B) 21
OF THIS SECTION, THE REPORT SHALL INC LUDE: 22
(1) A REVIEW OF EACH GRA NT APPLICATION SUBMI TTED TO THE 23
COMMISSION DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R 24
THE GRANT APPLICATIO N WAS FUNDED BY THE COMMISSION OR WITHDRA WN AFTER 25
SUBMISSION; AND 26
(2) A REVIEW OF THE GRAN T–FUNDED ACTIVITIES UN DERTAKEN BY 27
EACH GRANT RECIPIENT . 28
HOUSE BILL 685 15
Article – State Finance and Procurement 1
6–226. 2
(a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 3
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 4
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 5
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 6
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 7
Fund of the State. 8
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 9
to the following funds: 10
189. the Teacher Retention and Development Fund; [and] 11
190. the Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Fund; AND 12
191. THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY 13
FUND. 14
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 15
appointed members of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Aerospace and Technology 16
Commission shall expire as follows: 17
(1) one member in 2025; and 18
(2) one member in 2026. 19
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the te rms of the initial 20
appointed members of the Maryland Aerospace Research and Space Economy Collaborative 21
shall expire as follows: 22
(1) one member in 2025; 23
(2) one member in 2026; and 24
(3) one member in 2027. 25
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, Th at the Maryland Aerospace and 26
Technology Commission shall hire a consultant to advise the Commission during the first 27
2 years of the Commission’s existence to aid in the development and implementation of the 28
strategic plan described under § 10–1108 of the Economic Development Article, as enacted 29
by Section 1 of this Act. 30
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 31
October 1, 2024. 32 16 HOUSE BILL 685