WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 434
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Chapter 434
(Senate Bill 448)
AN ACT concerning
Commission to Study on Commission to Study African American Civil War
Soldiers in Maryland
FOR the purpose of establishing the Commission to Study African American Civil War
Soldiers in Maryland to study requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs, in
coordination with certain entities, to conduct a study on establishing the Commission
to Study African American Civil War Soldiers in Maryland to study the history of
the African American soldiers who fought for the Union Army and make certain
recommendations regarding a memorial one or more memorials a memorial
dedicated to African American Civil War soldiers; and generally relating to the
Commission to Study a study on the Commission to Study African American Civil
War Soldiers in Maryland.
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That:
(a) There is a Commission to Study African American Civil War Soldiers in
Maryland.
(b) The Commission consists of the following members:
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House; and
(3) the following members, appointed by the Governor:
(i) one representative from the State Archives;
(ii) one representative from the Department of Planning;
(iii) one representative from the Governor’s Commission on
Maryland Military Monuments;
(iv) one representative from the Commission on African American
History and Culture;
(v) one representative from Preservation Maryland, Inc.; and
Ch. 434 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(vi) one representative from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage
Area, Inc.
(c) The Governor shall designate the chair of the Commission.
(d) The State Archives shall provide staff for the Commission.
(e) A member of the Commission:
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(f) The Commission The Department of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with
the State Archives, the Department of Planning, the Governor’s Commission on Maryland
Military Monuments, the Commission on African American History and Culture,
Preservation Maryland, Inc., and the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, Inc., shall:
(a) There is a Commission to Study African American Civil War Soldiers in
Maryland.
(b) The Commission consists of the following members:
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the
Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House; and
(3) the following members, appointed by the Governor:
(i) one representative from the State Archives;
(ii) one representative from the Department of Planning;
(iii) one representative from the Governor’s Commission on Maryland
Military Monuments;
(iv) one representative from the Commission on African American
History and Culture;
(v) one representative from Preservation Maryland, Inc.; and
(vi) one representative from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area,
Inc. WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 434
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(c) The Governor shall designate the chair of the Commission.
(d) The State Archives shall provide staff for the Commission.
(e) A member of the Commission:
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(f) The Commission shall:
(1) study the history of African American Civil War soldiers who fought for
the Union Army in Maryland, including muster rolls, locations of service, and all
distinguished honors and recognitions awarded; and
(2) make findings and recommendations regarding the funding, design,
construction, and location of an one or more an appropriate memorial memorials memorial
dedicated to the African American Civil War soldiers in Maryland.
(g) (b) (g) On or before December 1, 2024, the Commission Department of
Veterans Affairs Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General
Assembly.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2025, this
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no
further force and effect.
Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.