EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*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
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 20, 2024
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Economic Development – Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission in 3
the Department of Commerce to promote innovation in the fields of space exploration 4
and commercial aerospace opportunities; establishing the Maryland Aerospace and 5
Technology Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; requiring interest earnings from the 6
Fund to be credited to the Fund; and generally relating to the Maryland Aerospace 7
and Technology Commission. 8
BY adding to 9
Article – Economic Development 10
Section 10–1101 through 10–1115 5–2501 through 5–2508 to be under the new 11
subtitle “Subtitle 11. 25. 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 2 HOUSE BILL 685
Annotated Code of Maryland 1
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 2
BY adding to 3
Article – State Finance and Procurement 4
Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)191. 5
Annotated Code of Maryland 6
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 7
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 9
Article – Economic Development 10
SUBTITLE 11. 25. MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION. 11
10–1101. 5–2501. 12
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 13
INDICATED. 14
(B) “BOARD” MEANS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMISSION. 15
(C) “COLLABORATIVE ” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE RESEARCH 16
AND SPACE ECONOMY COLLABORATIVE . 17
(D) (B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND 18
TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION. 19
(E) “FUND” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY FUND. 20
(F) (C) “INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION” MEANS AN EDUCATIONAL 21
INSTITUTION IN THE STATE THAT: 22
(1) BY LAW OR CHARTER : 23
(I) IS A PUBLIC OR NONPR OFIT EDUCATIONAL INS TITUTION; 24
AND 25
(II) IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVID E: 26
1. A PROGRAM OF EDUCATI ON BEYOND THE HIGH 27
SCHOOL LEVEL AND AWA RD A BACHELOR ’S OR ADVANCED DEGREE ; OR 28
HOUSE BILL 685 3
2. A PROGRAM OF 2 OR MORE YEARS ’ DURATION THAT IS 1
ACCEPTED FOR FULL CR EDIT TOWARD A BACHEL OR’S DEGREE; AND 2
(2) MEETS THE STANDARDS AND RE GULATIONS THAT THE MARYLAND 3
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION PRESCRIBES AND IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A 4
CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, OR DEGREE UNDER TITLE 12 OF THE EDUCATION 5
ARTICLE. 6
(G) (D) “ZONE” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY 7
ZONE AN AEROSPACE AND TECH NOLOGY ZONE DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 § 8
5–2507 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 9
10–1102. 5–2502. 10
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION 11
IN THE DEPARTMENT . 12
(B) THE COMMISSION IS A BODY POLITIC AND CORPORAT E AND IS A PUBLIC 13
INSTRUMENTALITY OF T HE STATE. 14
(C) (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROM OTE INNOVATION 15
IN THE FIELDS OF SPA CE EXPLORATION AND C OMMERCIAL AEROSPACE 16
OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING THE INTEGR ATION OF SPACE , AERONAUTICS , AND 17
AVIATION INDUSTRIES INTO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE. 18
10–1103. 5–2503. 19
(A) A BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL MANAG E THE COMMISSION AND 20
EXERCISE ITS POWERS . 21
(B) (A) THE BOARD COMMISSION CONSISTS OF THE FOLL OWING 22
MEMBERS: 23
(1) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 24
(2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 25
THE SENATE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX OFFICIO NONVOTI NG MEMBER ; 26
(3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 27
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX OFFICIO NONVOTI NG 28
MEMBER; 29
4 HOUSE BILL 685
(4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 1
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 2
DESIGNEE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX OFFICIO NONVOTI NG MEMBER ; 3
(5) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 4
ADMINISTRATION ’S WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 5
(6) (5) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 6
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE, WHO 7
SHALL SERVE AS AN EX OFFICIO NONVOTING ME MBER; 8
(7) (6) THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 9
INVESTIGATION , OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX 10
OFFICIO NONVOTING ME MBER; 11
(8) (7) THE PRESIDENT OF THE GODDARD CONTRACTORS ’ 12
ASSOCIATION, OR THE PRESIDENT ’S DESIGNEE; 13
(8) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE 14
COUNTY, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 15
(9) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND NAVY ALLIANCE, 16
OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 17
(9) (10) THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND SPACE BUSINESS 18
ROUNDTABLE , OR THE PRESIDENT ’S DESIGNEE; 19
(10) (11) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, 20
COLLEGE PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 21
(11) (12) THE DIRECTOR OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS APPLIED PHYSICS 22
LABORATORY , OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; 23
(12) (13) THE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES 24
FOR RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY, OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; 25
(13) (14) THE DIRECTOR OF THE SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE 26
INSTITUTE, OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; AND 27
(14) (15) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR 28
WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE: 29
(I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF INST ITUTIONS OF HIGHER 30
EDUCATION; 31 HOUSE BILL 685 5
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK 1
ENGINEERS; 2
(I) (III) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE 3
MANUFACTURING COMMUN ITY; AND 4
(II) (IV) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AEROSPACE 5
TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY . 6
(C) (B) A MEMBER OF THE BOARD COMMISSION: 7
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD 8
COMMISSION; BUT 9
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 10
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 11
(C) THE COMMISSION AND ITS ME MBERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE MARYLAND 12
PUBLIC ETHICS LAW. 13
(D) (1) THE TERM OF AN APPOIN TED MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 14
(2) THE TERMS OF THE APPO INTED MEMBERS ARE ST AGGERED AS 15
REQUIRED BY THE TERM S PROVIDED FOR MEMBE RS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 16
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 17
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES . 18
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 19
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM UNTIL A SUC CESSOR IS APPOINTED AND 20
QUALIFIES. 21
(E) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES TO A MEMBER WHO I S APPOINTED BY 22
THE GOVERNOR UNDER SUBSEC TION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 23
(2) THE GOVERNOR MAY REMOVE AN APPOINTED MEMBER FOR 24
INCOMPETENCE , MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PERFOR M THE DUTIES OF THE 25
POSITION A MEMBER APPOINTED BY T HE GOVERNOR WITH OR WITH OUT CAUSE. 26
(F) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBER S, THE BOARD COMMISSION SHALL ELECT A 27
CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR . 28
10–1104. 29
6 HOUSE BILL 685
(A) (1) SUBJECT TO THE APPROV AL OF THE GOVERNOR, THE BOARD 1
SHALL APPOINT AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. 2
(2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVES AT TH E PLEASURE OF THE 3
BOARD. 4
(3) THE BOARD SHALL DETERMINE THE SALARY OF THE EXECUTIVE 5
DIRECTOR. 6
(B) (1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE 7
OFFICER OF THE COMMISSION. 8
(2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL MANAGE THE 9
ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAI RS AND TECHNICAL ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION IN 10
ACCORDANCE WITH POLI CIES AND PROCEDURES THAT THE BOARD ESTABLISHES . 11
(C) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S 12
DESIGNEE, SHALL: 13
(1) ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD; 14
(2) ACT AS SECRETARY OF THE BOARD; 15
(3) KEEP MINUTES OF ALL PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD; 16
(4) APPROVE ALL SALARIES , PER DIEM PAYMENTS , AND ALLOWABLE 17
EXPENSES OF THE COMMISSION, ITS EMPLOYEES , AND ITS CONSULTANTS ; 18
(5) APPROVE ANY EXPENSES INCIDENTAL TO THE OPERA TION OF THE 19
COMMISSION; AND 20
(6) PERFORM THE OTHER DU TIES THAT THE BOARD DIRECTS IN 21
CARRYING OUT THIS SU BTITLE. 22
10–1105. 23
(A) THE BOARD SHALL EMPLOY AN Y ADDITIONAL PROFESS IONAL AND 24
CLERICAL STAFF AS NE CESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBTITLE. 25
(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 26
COMMISSION MAY ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH T HE 27
DEPARTMENT FOR THE PR OVISION OF ADMINISTR ATIVE SUPPORT TO THE 28
COMMISSION BY INDIVID UALS EMPLOYED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ’S DIVISION OF 29
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT . 30 HOUSE BILL 685 7
(2) THE COMMISSION SHALL REIM BURSE THE DEPARTMENT FOR 1
ANY EXPENSES INCURRE D FOR THE PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SU PPORT BY 2
EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDA NCE WITH PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 3
SUBSECTION. 4
5–2504. 5
(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF SUPPORT TO THE 6
COMMISSION. 7
(C) (B) THE BOARD COMMISSION MAY RETAIN CONSULTAN TS AS 8
NECESSARY. 9
10–1106. 10
(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (B), (C), AND (E) OF THIS 11
SECTION, THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM TITLE 10 AND DIVISION II OF THE 12
STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 13
(B) (1) THE COMMISSION IS SUBJECT TO: 14
(I) THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT; AND 15
(II) THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. 16
(2) FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, A PROJECT SITE 17
VISIT OR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TOUR MAY NOT B E CONSIDERED A MEETI NG OF THE 18
COMMISSION IF NO ORGA NIZATIONAL BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED . 19
(C) THE BOARD, THE OFFICERS AND EMP LOYEES OF THE COMMISSION, 20
AND MEMBERS OF ANY A DVISORY COMMITTEE AP POINTED ARE SUBJECT TO THE 21
PUBLIC ETHICS LAW. 22
(D) THE OFFICERS AND EMPL OYEES OF THE COMMISSION ARE NOT 23
SUBJECT TO THE PROVI SIONS OF DIVISION I OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND 24
PENSIONS ARTICLE THAT GOVERN T HE STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 25
(E) (1) THE COMMISSION, THE BOARD, AND COMMISSION EMPLOYEES 26
ARE SUBJECT TO TITLE 12, SUBTITLE 4 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 27
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 28
(2) THE BOARD, THE OFFICERS AND EMP LOYEES OF THE 29
COMMISSION, AND THE MEMBERS OF A NY ADVISORY COMMITTE E APPOINTED SHALL 30 8 HOUSE BILL 685
DISCLOSE TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION WHETHER TH EY ARE EMPLOYED BY 1
OR HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN AN ENTIT Y THAT CURRENTLY HAS OR WILL 2
APPLY FOR FUNDS OR A N INVESTMENT IN A PR OGRAM ADMINISTERED B Y THE 3
COMMISSION. 4
10–1107. 5–2505. 5
(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL : 6
(1) ESTABLISH THE APPROPRIATE STANDARD S AND EXECUTIVE 7
BODIES TO ENSURE THE PROPER USE OF FUNDS AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S SUBTITLE 8
FOR RESEARCH ; 9
(2) (1) IDENTIFY RESEARCH AN D FUNDING OPPORTUNIT IES FOR 10
ENTITIES IN THIS STATE THAT: 11
(I) STRENGTHEN AND ENHAN CE THE STATE’S LEADERSHIP 12
POSITION IN CIVIL , COMMERCIAL , AND MILITARY AEROSPA CE RESEARCH AND 13
DEVELOPMENT ; 14
(II) INTEGRATE THE AEROSP ACE INDUSTRY INTO TH E 15
ECONOMY OF THE STATE; 16
(III) CAPITALIZE, PROMOTE, AND ASSIST IN THE DE VELOPMENT 17
OF WORKFORCE TRAININ G TO FURTHE R THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGING 18
TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRE D FOR ALL ASPECTS OF SPACE EXPLORATION ; AND 19
(IV) DEVELOP PUBLIC –PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADVANCE 20
BOTH THE STATE’S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY ; 21
(3) (2) ESTABLISH ADVISORY C OMMITTEES AS NEEDED; 22
(4) PROCURE INSURANCE TH AT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS 23
NECESSARY; 24
(5) (3) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AEROSPACE–RELATED 25
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUN ITIES WITHIN THE STATE IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL 26
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUT IONS; AND 27
(6) (4) EMPLOY DEVELOP AND ANNUALLY UPDATE THE A 28
STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPED IN AC CORDANCE WITH § 10–1108 OF THIS SUBTITLE 29
§ 5–2506 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO IMPLEMENT THE GOALS OF THE COMMISSION. 30
(B) THE BOARD SHALL: 31 HOUSE BILL 685 9
(1) DIRECT THE ACTIVITIE S OF, ESTABLISH GOALS FOR , AND PROVIDE 1
OVERSIGHT TO THE COMMISSION; AND 2
(2) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T A STRATEGIC PLAN I N ACCORDANCE 3
WITH § 10–1108 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO IMPLEMENT THE GOALS OF THE COMMISSION. 4
(C) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL EMPL OY A CHIEF COMPLIANC E OFFICER 5
TO MONITOR AND REPORT TO THE BOARD REGARDING COMPL IANCE WITH THIS 6
SUBTITLE. 7
(2) THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL ENSURE THAT GRANT 8
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SUBTIT LE 9
COMPLY WITH THE SUBT ITLE AND ANY REGULAT IONS ADOPTED BY THE 10
COMMISSION BEFORE THO SE PROPOSALS ARE SUB MITTED TO THE BOARD FOR 11
CONSIDERATION . 12
10–1108. 5–2506. 13
(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP AND ANNUALLY UPD ATE A 14
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR T HE PROMOTION OF SPAC E, AERONAUTICS , AND AVIATION 15
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE. 16
(B) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 17
SECTION SHALL INCLUD E A LIST OF POTENTIA L PROJECTS THAT FURT HER THE 18
PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION AND , FOR EACH PROJECT , DESCRIBE: 19
(1) THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST FOR COMPLETION , INCLUDING A 20
POTENTIAL STATE MATCHING COST ; AND 21
(2) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTE RNAL FUNDING 22
SOURCES. 23
(C) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 24
SECTION MAY INCLUDE ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THAT THE COMMISSION 25
DETERMINES TO BE REL EVANT TO FURTHERING TH E PURPOSES OF THE 26
COMMISSION. 27
10–1109. 28
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “ELIGIBLE ENTITY” MEANS: 29
(1) A BUSINESS OR NONPRO FIT INVOLVED IN SPAC E EXPLORATION ; 30
10 HOUSE BILL 685
(2) A GOVERNMENTAL ENTIT Y; OR 1
(3) AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION THAT CONDUCTS 2
AEROSPACE RESEARCH W ITHIN THE STATE. 3
(B) THE COMMISSION MAY PROVID E GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES FOR 4
THE PURPOSE OF : 5
(1) DEVELOPMENT OF EMERG ING TECHNOLOGIES REQ UIRED FOR 6
ANY ASPECT OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT; 7
(2) RESEARCH INVOLVING S PACE EXPLORATION AND SPACE FLIGHT ; 8
(3) WORKFORCE TRAINING T O PROMOTE SPACE EXPL ORATION AND 9
SPACE FLIGHT; AND 10
(4) DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPRO VEMENTS 11
THAT ENHANCE THE STATE’S ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE AEROSPACE IND USTRY. 12
(C) A GRANT AWARDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE C ONSISTENT 13
WITH THE STRATEGIC P LAN DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION. 14
(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO EST ABLISH: 15
(1) A COMPETITIVE APPLIC ATION PROCESS ; 16
(2) CRITERIA AND PROCEDU RES FOR MAKING AWARD S, INCLUDING 17
PRIVATE LEVERAGE REQUIREMENT S FOR AWARDS; AND 18
(3) PROCESSES AND METRIC S FOR MONITORING THE SUCCESS AND 19
IMPACT OF AWARDS . 20
10–1110. 5–2507. 21
(A) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SECTIO N, THE COMMISSION 22
SHALL DESIGNATE A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY ZONE AEROSPACE 23
AND TECHNOLOGY ZONES WITHIN THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING 24
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT , FACILITATING LAND AC QUISITION, PROVIDING 25
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUN ITIES, AND PROMOTING THE AE ROSPACE INDUSTRY 26
WITHIN THE BOUNDARIE S OF THE ZONE ZONES. 27
(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL DETE RMINE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONE 28
ZONES. 29
HOUSE BILL 685 11
(C) THE COMMISSION SHALL PART NER WITH LOCAL COMMU NITIES TO 1
PROMOTE LOCAL AEROSP ACE EDUCATION OPPORT UNITIES WITHIN EACH ZONE AND 2
IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES TO CONNECT LOCAL AER OSPACE FACILITIES WI THIN THE 3
ZONE TO THE SURROUND ING COMMUNITIES . 4
10–1111. 5
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND SPACE ECONOMY 6
COLLABORATIVE . 7
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATIVE IS TO A DVISE THE COMMISSION 8
AND RECOMMEND AND PR OMOTE ACTIONS AND OP PORTUNITIES IN PARTNERSHIP 9
WITH THE LOCAL COMMU NITY WITHIN THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND 10
TECHNOLOGY ZONE DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 11
(C) THE COLLABORATIVE CONSIST S OF THE FOLLOWING M EMBERS: 12
(1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION, OR THE 13
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 14
(2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 15
THE SENATE; 16
(3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 17
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 18
(4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 19
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 20
DESIGNEE; 21
(5) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 22
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE; 23
(6) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 24
INVESTIGATION , DESIGNATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 25
INVESTIGATION ; 26
(7) THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, OR THE 27
COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S DESIGNEE; 28
(8) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF GREENBELT, OR THE MANAGER’S 29
DESIGNEE; 30
12 HOUSE BILL 685
(9) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, OR THE 1
MANAGER’S DESIGNEE; 2
(10) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE 3
PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 4
(11) THE PRESIDENT OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COMMUNITY 5
COLLEGE, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 6
(12) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 7
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, OR THE SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE; AND 8
(13) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR: 9
(I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GODDARD CONTRACTORS ’ 10
ASSOCIATION; 11
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER GROUP 12
WITHIN THE ZONE; AND 13
(III) A MEMBER OF THE AERO SPACE MANUFACTURING 14
INDUSTRY. 15
(D) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION SHALL CHAI R THE 16
COLLABORATIVE . 17
(E) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COLLABORATIVE . 18
(F) A MEMBER OF THE COLLABORATIVE : 19
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 20
COLLABORATIVE ; BUT 21
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 22
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 23
(G) (1) THE TERM OF AN APPOIN TED MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 24
(2) THE TERMS OF THE APPO INTED MEMBERS ARE ST AGGERED AS 25
REQUIRED BY THE TERM S PROVIDED FOR MEMBE RS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 26
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 27
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES . 28
HOUSE BILL 685 13
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 1
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM UNTIL A SUC CESSOR IS APPOINTED AND 2
QUALIFIES. 3
(H) THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL D EVELOP PLANS TO : 4
(1) IMPROVE LOCAL AEROSP ACE EDUCATION OPPORT UNITIES 5
WITHIN THE ZONE; 6
(2) UPGRADE AND IMPROVE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCT URE 7
SURROUNDING : 8
(I) THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 9
ADMINISTRATION HEADQU ARTERS; 10
(II) THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 11
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER; AND 12
(III) THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK; 13
(3) ENSURE THAT PUBLIC T RANSPORTATION TO AND FROM LOCAL 14
AEROSPACE LEADERS IS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFOR DABLE TO THE LOCAL 15
COMMUNITY ; 16
(4) WORK WITH BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WITHIN THE ZONE TO 17
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T STRATEGIES TO CONN ECT THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 18
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER TO THE 19
SURROUNDING COMMUNIT Y; AND 20
(5) ASSESS AND IMPROVE P UBLIC SAFETY WITHIN ALL AREAS OF THE 21
ZONE. 22
(I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND EVERY 2 YEARS THEREAFTER , 23
THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL S UBMIT A REPORT OF TH E PLANS DEVELOPED UN DER 24
SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE COMMISSION. 25
10–1112. 26
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY FUND IN THE 27
COMMISSION. 28
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING TO PROMOTE THE 29
GROWTH OF THE SPACE EXPLORATION AND AERO SPACE TECHNOLOGY IND USTRIES 30 14 HOUSE BILL 685
IN THE STATE IN A MANNER CON SISTENT WITH THE COMMISSION’S STRATEGIC 1
PLAN. 2
(C) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 3
(D) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 4
SUBJECT TO REVERSION UNDER § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 5
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 6
(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 7
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 8
(E) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 9
(1) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 10
(2) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 11
(3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 12
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 13
(F) THE COMMISSION MAY USE TH E FUND TO: 14
(1) AWARD GRANTS IN ACCO RDANCE WITH § 10–1109 OF THIS 15
SUBTITLE; AND 16
(2) PAY THE COSTS NECESS ARY TO IMPLEMENT THI S SUBTITLE AND 17
TO ADMINISTER THE FUND. 18
(G) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN 19
APPROPRIATION TO THE FUND. 20
(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 21
IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 22
(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 23
THE FUND. 24
(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 25
WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 26
10–1113. 27
THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES. 28
HOUSE BILL 685 15
10–1114. 1
THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE COMMISSION ARE SUBJEC T TO AUDIT: 2
(1) AT ANY TIME BY THE STATE; AND 3
(2) EACH YEAR BY AN INDE PENDENT AUDITOR . 4
10–1115. 5–2508. 5
(A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL 6
SUBMIT A REPOR T TO THE GOVERNOR, THE MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 7
COMMISSION, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 8
ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 9
(B) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE A COMPLETE OPERATING AND FINANCIAL 10
STATEMENT AND SUMMAR IZE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE 11
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R: 12
(1) A SUMMARY OF THE ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE 13
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R; AND 14
(2) A CURRENT COPY OF TH E STRATEGIC PLAN DEV ELOPED UNDER § 15
5–2506 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 16
(C) IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATIO N REQUIRED UNDER SUB SECTION (B) 17
OF THIS SECTION, THE REPORT SHALL INC LUDE: 18
(1) A REVIEW OF EACH GRA NT APPLICATION SUBMI TTED TO THE 19
COMMISSION DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R 20
THE GRANT APPLICATIO N WAS FUNDED BY THE COMMISSION OR WITHDRA WN AFTER 21
SUBMISSION; AND 22
(2) A REVIEW OF THE GRAN T–FUNDED ACTIVITIES UN DERTAKEN BY 23
EACH GRANT RECIPIENT . 24
Article – State Finance and Procurement 25
6–226. 26
(a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 27
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 28
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 29
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 30 16 HOUSE BILL 685
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 1
Fund of the State. 2
(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 3
to the following funds: 4
189. the Teacher Retention and Development Fund; [and] 5
190. the Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Fund; AND 6
191. THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY 7
FUND. 8
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 9
appointed members of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Aerospace and Technology 10
Commission shall expire as follows: 11
(1) one member in 2025; and 12
(2) one member in 2026; 13
(3) one member in 2027; and 14
(4) one member in 2028. 15
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 16
appointed members of the Maryland Aerospace Research and Space Economy Collaborative 17
shall expire as follows: 18
(1) one member in 2025; 19
(2) one member in 2026; and 20
(3) one member in 2027. 21
SECTION 4. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Aerospace 22
and Technology Commission shall may hire a consultant to advise the Commission during 23
the first 2 years of the Commission’s existence to aid in the development and 24
implementation of the strategic plan described under § 10–1108 § 5–2506 of the Economic 25
Development Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act. 26
SECTION 5. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 27
October 1, 2024. 28