Maryland 2024 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB516 Introduced / Bill

Filed 01/24/2024

                     
 
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LA W. 
        [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. 
          *sb0516*  
  
SENATE BILL 516 
C8   	4lr1580 
    	CF 4lr2363 
By: Senator A. Washington 
Introduced and read first time: January 24, 2024 
Assigned to: Finance 
 
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 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 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 FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 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 NONPROFIT 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 CREDIT TOWARD A BACH ELOR’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   	SENATE BILL 516 	3 
 
 
CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, OR DEGREE UNDER TITLE 12 OF THE EDUCATION 1 
ARTICLE. 2 
 
 (G) “ZONE” MEANS THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY ZONE 3 
DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 4 
 
10–1102. 5 
 
 (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION. 6 
 
 (B) THE COMMISSION IS A BODY POLITIC AND CORPORAT E AND IS A PUBLIC 7 
INSTRUMENTALITY OF T HE STATE. 8 
 
 (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROMOTE INNOVATIO N IN 9 
THE FIELDS OF SPACE 	EXPLORATION AND COMM	ERCIAL AEROSPACE 10 
OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING THE INTEGR ATION OF SPACE , AERONAUTICS , AND 11 
AVIATION INDUSTRIES INTO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE. 12 
 
10–1103. 13 
 
 (A) A BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL MANAGE THE COMMISSION AND 14 
EXERCISE ITS POWERS . 15 
 
 (B) THE BOARD CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS : 16 
 
 (1) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 17 
 
 (2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 18 
THE SENATE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX OFFICIO NONVOTI NG MEMBER ; 19 
 
 (3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 20 
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS A N EX OFFICIO NONVOTI NG 21 
MEMBER; 22 
 
 (4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 23 
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 24 
DESIGNEE; 25 
 
 (5) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 26 
ADMINISTRATION ’S WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 27 
 
 (6) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 28 
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE; 29  4 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 
 (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 MEMBERS, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH 15 
THE ADVICE AND CONSENT O F 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 COMPENSA TION 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 APPOINTED MEMBER S ARE STAGGERED AS 27 
REQUIRED BY THE TERM S PROVIDED FOR MEMBE RS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 28   	SENATE BILL 516 	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 SUC CESSOR IS APPOINTED 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 FOR 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 
  6 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (3) KEEP MINUTES OF ALL PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD; 1 
 
 (4) APPROVE ALL SALARIES , PER DIEM PAYMENTS , AND ALLOWABLE 2 
EXPENSES OF THE COMMISSION, ITS EMPLOYEES , AND ITS CONSULTANTS ; 3 
 
 (5) APPROVE ANY EXPENSES INCIDENTAL TO THE OP ERATION OF THE 4 
COMMISSION; AND 5 
 
 (6) PERFORM THE OTHER DU TIES THAT THE BOARD DIRECTS IN 6 
CARRYING OUT THIS SU BTITLE. 7 
 
10–1105. 8 
 
 (A) THE BOARD SHALL EMPLOY AN Y ADDITIONAL PROFESS IONAL AND 9 
CLERICAL STAFF AS NE CESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBTITLE. 10 
 
 (B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 11 
COMMISSION MAY ENTER INTO A MEMORAN DUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE 12 
DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPO RT TO THE 13 
COMMISSION BY INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ’S DIVISION OF 14 
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT . 15 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL REIM BURSE THE DEPARTMENT FOR 16 
ANY EXPENSES INCURRE D FOR THE PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SU PPORT BY 17 
EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS 18 
SUBSECTION. 19 
 
 (C) THE BOARD MAY RETAIN CONS ULTANTS AS NECESSARY . 20 
 
10–1106. 21 
 
 (A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (B), (C), AND (E) OF THIS 22 
SECTION, THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM TITLE 10 AND DIVISION II OF THE 23 
STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 24 
 
 (B) (1) THE COMMISSION IS SUBJECT TO: 25 
 
 (I) THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT; AND 26 
 
 (II) THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. 27 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	7 
 
 
 (2) FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, A PROJECT SITE 1 
VISIT OR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TOUR MAY NOT B E CONSIDERED A MEETING OF TH E 2 
COMMISSION IF NO ORGA NIZATIONAL BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED . 3 
 
 (C) THE BOARD, THE OFFICERS AND EMP LOYEES OF THE COMMISSION, 4 
AND MEMBERS OF ANY A DVISORY COMMITTEE AP POINTED ARE SUBJECT TO THE 5 
PUBLIC ETHICS LAW. 6 
 
 (D) THE OFFICERS AND EMPL OYEES OF THE COMMISSION ARE NOT 7 
SUBJECT TO THE PROVI SIONS OF DIVISION I OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND 8 
PENSIONS ARTICLE THAT GOVERN T HE STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 9 
 
 (E) (1) THE COMMISSION, THE BOARD, AND COMMISSION EMPLOYEES 10 
ARE SUBJECT TO TITLE 12, SUBTITLE 4 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 11 
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 12 
 
 (2) THE BOARD, THE OFFICERS AND EMP LOYEES OF THE 13 
COMMISSION, AND THE MEMBERS OF A NY ADVISORY COMMITTE E APPOINTED SHALL 14 
DISCLOSE TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION WHETHER TH EY ARE EMPLOYED BY 15 
OR HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN AN ENTIT Y THAT CURRENTLY HAS OR WILL 16 
APPLY FOR FUNDS OR A N INVESTMENT IN A PR OGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE 17 
COMMISSION. 18 
 
10–1107. 19 
 
 (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL: 20 
 
 (1) ESTABLISH THE APPROP RIATE STANDARDS AND EXECUTIVE 21 
BODIES TO ENSURE THE PROPER USE OF FUNDS AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S SUBTITLE 22 
FOR RESEARCH ; 23 
 
 (2) IDENTIFY RESEARCH AN D FUNDING OPPORTUNIT IES FOR 24 
ENTITIES IN THIS STATE THAT: 25 
 
 (I) STRENGTHEN AND ENHAN CE THE STATE’S LEADERSHIP 26 
POSITION IN CIVIL , COMMERCIAL , AND MILITARY AEROSPA CE RESEARCH AND 27 
DEVELOPMENT ; 28 
 
 (II) INTEGRATE THE AEROSP ACE INDUSTRY INTO TH E 29 
ECONOMY OF THE STATE; 30 
  8 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (III) CAPITALIZE, PROMOTE, AND ASSIST IN THE DE VELOPMENT 1 
OF WORKFORCE TRAININ G TO FURTHER THE DEV ELOPMENT OF EMERGING 2 
TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRE D FOR ALL ASPECTS OF SPACE EXPLORATION ; AND 3 
 
 (IV) DEVELOP PUBLIC –PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT ADVANCE 4 
BOTH THE STATE’S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY AND TH E SURROUNDING COMMUN ITY; 5 
 
 (3) ESTABLISH ADVISORY C OMMITTEES AS NEEDED ; 6 
 
 (4) PROCURE INSURANCE T HAT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS 7 
NECESSARY; 8 
 
 (5) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T AEROSPACE–RELATED EDUCATIONAL 9 
OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE STATE IN COOR DINATION WITH LOCAL EDUCATIONAL 10 
INSTITUTIONS; AND 11 
 
 (6) EMPLOY AND ANNU ALLY UPDATE THE STRATEGIC PLAN 12 
DEVELOPED IN ACCORDA NCE WITH § 10–1108 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 13 
 
 (B) THE BOARD SHALL: 14 
 
 (1) DIRECT THE ACTIVITIE S OF, ESTABLISH GOALS FOR , AND PROVIDE 15 
OVERSIGHT TO THE COMMISSION; AND 16 
 
 (2) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T A STRATEGIC PLAN IN ACCORDANCE 17 
WITH § 10–1108 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO IMPLEMENT THE GOA LS OF THE COMMISSION. 18 
 
 (C) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL EMPL OY A CHIEF COMPLIANC E OFFICER 19 
TO MONITOR AND REPOR T TO THE BOARD REGARDING COMPL IANCE WITH THIS 20 
SUBTITLE. 21 
 
 (2) THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL ENSURE THAT GRANT 22 
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SUBTIT LE 23 
COMPLY WITH THE SUBT ITLE AND ANY REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE 24 
COMMISSION BE FORE THOSE PROPOSALS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD FOR 25 
CONSIDERATION . 26 
 
10–1108. 27 
 
 (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP AND ANNUALLY UPD ATE A 28 
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR T HE PROMOTION OF SPAC E, AERONAUTICS , AND AVIATION 29 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE. 30 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	9 
 
 
 (B) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 1 
SECTION SHALL INCLUD E A LIST OF POTENTIA L PROJECTS THAT FURT HER THE 2 
PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION AND , FOR EACH PROJECT , DESCRIBE: 3 
 
 (1) THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST FOR COMPLETION , INCLUDING A 4 
POTENTIAL STATE MATCHING COST ; AND 5 
 
 (2) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTE RNAL FUNDING 6 
SOURCES. 7 
 
 (C) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 8 
SECTION MAY INCLUDE ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THAT THE COMMISSION 9 
DETERMINES TO BE REL EVANT TO FURTHE RING THE PURPOSE S OF THE 10 
COMMISSION. 11 
 
10–1109. 12 
 
 (A) IN THIS SECTION, “ELIGIBLE ENTITY” MEANS: 13 
 
 (1) A BUSINESS OR NONPRO FIT INVOLVED IN SPACE EX PLORATION; 14 
 
 (2) A GOVERNMENTAL ENTIT Y; OR 15 
 
 (3) AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION THAT CONDUCTS 16 
AEROSPACE RESEARCH WITHIN THE STATE. 17 
 
 (B) THE COMMISSION MAY PROVID E GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES FOR 18 
THE PURPOSE OF : 19 
 
 (1) DEVELOPMENT OF EMERG ING TECHNOLOGIES REQ UIRED FOR 20 
ANY ASPECT OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT; 21 
 
 (2) RESEARCH INVOLVING S PACE EXPLORATION AND SPACE FLIGHT; 22 
 
 (3) WORKFORCE TRAINING T O PROMOTE SPACE EXPL ORATION AND 23 
SPACE FLIGHT; AND 24 
 
 (4) DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPRO VEMENTS 25 
THAT ENHANCE THE STATE’S ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE AEROSPACE IND USTRY. 26 
 
 (C) A GRANT AWARDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSISTENT 27 
WITH THE STRATEGIC P LAN DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION. 28 
  10 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO EST ABLISH: 1 
 
 (1) A COMPETITIVE APPLIC ATION PROCESS ; 2 
 
 (2) CRITERIA AND PROCEDU RES FOR MAKING AWARD S, INCLUDING 3 
PRIVATE LEVERAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWA RDS; AND 4 
 
 (3) PROCESSES AND METRIC S FOR MONITORING THE SUCCESS AND 5 
IMPACT OF AWARDS . 6 
 
10–1110. 7 
 
 (A) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SECTIO N, THE COMMISSION 8 
SHALL DESIGNATE A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY ZONE WITHIN THE 9 
STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF 	ENCOURAGING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT , 10 
FACILITATING LAND ACQUISITION , PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUN ITIES, AND 11 
PROMOTING THE AEROSPACE INDUST RY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONE. 12 
 
 (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL DETE RMINE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONE.  13 
 
10–1111. 14 
 
 (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND SPACE ECONOMY 15 
COLLABORATIVE . 16 
 
 (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATIVE IS TO A DVISE THE COMMISSION 17 
AND RECOMMEND AND PR OMOTE ACTIONS AND OP PORTUNITIES IN PARTN ERSHIP 18 
WITH THE LOCAL COMMU NITY WITHIN THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND 19 
TECHNOLOGY ZONE DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 20 
 
 (C) THE COLLABORATIVE CONSIST S OF THE FOLLOWING M EMBERS: 21 
 
 (1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION, OR THE 22 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 23 
 
 (2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 24 
THE SENATE; 25 
 
 (3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 26 
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 27 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	11 
 
 
 (4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 1 
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 2 
DESIGNEE; 3 
 
 (5) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 4 
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE; 5 
 
 (6) A REPRESENTATIVE OF 	THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 6 
INVESTIGATION , DESIGNATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 7 
INVESTIGATION ; 8 
 
 (7) THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, OR THE 9 
COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S DESIGNEE; 10 
 
 (8) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF GREENBELT, OR THE MANAGER’S 11 
DESIGNEE; 12 
 
 (9) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, OR THE 13 
MANAGER’S DESIGNEE; 14 
 
 (10) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE 15 
PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 16 
 
 (11) THE PRESIDENT OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COMMUNITY 17 
COLLEGE, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 18 
 
 (12) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 19 
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, OR THE SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE; AND 20 
 
 (13) THE FOLLOW ING MEMBERS, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR: 21 
 
 (I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GODDARD CONTRACTORS ’ 22 
ASSOCIATION; 23 
 
 (II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A REAL ESTATE DEVELO PER GROUP 24 
WITHIN THE ZONE; AND 25 
 
 (III) A MEMBER OF THE AEROSPACE MANUFA CTURING 26 
INDUSTRY. 27 
 
 (D) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION SHALL CHAI R THE 28 
COLLABORATIVE . 29 
  12 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (E) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COLLABORATIVE . 1 
 
 (F) A MEMBER OF THE COLLABORATIVE : 2 
 
 (1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 3 
COLLABORATIVE ; BUT 4 
 
 (2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 5 
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 6 
 
 (G) (1) THE TERM OF AN APPOIN TED MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 7 
 
 (2) THE TERMS OF THE APPO INTED MEMBERS ARE ST AGGERED AS 8 
REQUIRED BY THE TERM S PROVIDED FOR MEMBE RS ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 9 
 
 (3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 10 
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES . 11 
 
 (4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SER VES 12 
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM UNTIL A SUC CESSOR IS APPOINTED AND 13 
QUALIFIES. 14 
 
 (H) THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL DEVELOP PLANS TO : 15 
 
 (1) IMPROVE LOCAL AEROSP ACE EDUCATION OPPORT UNITIES 16 
WITHIN THE ZONE; 17 
 
 (2) UPGRADE AND IMPROVE 	PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 18 
SURROUNDING : 19 
 
 (I) THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 20 
ADMINISTRATION HEADQU ARTERS; 21 
 
 (II) THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 22 
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER; AND 23 
 
 (III) THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK; 24 
 
 (3) ENSURE THAT PUBLIC TR ANSPORTATION TO AND FROM LOCAL 25 
AEROSPACE LEADERS IS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFOR DABLE TO THE LOCAL 26 
COMMUNITY ; 27 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	13 
 
 
 (4) WORK WITH BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WITHIN THE ZONE TO 1 
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T STRATEGIES TO CONN ECT THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 2 
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER TO THE 3 
SURROUNDING COMMUNIT Y; AND 4 
 
 (5) ASSESS AND IMPROVE P UBLIC SAFETY WITHIN ALL AREAS OF THE 5 
ZONE. 6 
 
 (I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND EVERY 2 YEARS THEREAFTER , 7 
THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL S UBMIT A REPORT OF THE PLANS DEVELOPED UNDER 8 
SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE COMMISSION. 9 
 
10–1112. 10 
 
 (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY FUND IN THE 11 
COMMISSION. 12 
 
 (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO PROMOTE THE 13 
GROWTH OF THE SPACE EXPLORATION AND AE ROSPACE TECHNOLOGY I NDUSTRIES 14 
IN THE STATE IN A MANNER CON SISTENT WITH THE COMMISSION’S STRATEGIC 15 
PLAN.  16 
 
 (C) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 17 
 
 (D) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 18 
SUBJECT TO REVERSION UNDER § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 19 
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 20 
 
 (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 21 
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 22 
 
 (E) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 23 
 
 (1) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 24 
 
 (2) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 25 
 
 (3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 26 
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 27 
 
 (F) THE COMMISSION MAY USE TH E FUND TO: 28 
  14 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (1) AWARD GRANTS IN ACCO RDANCE WITH § 10–1109 OF THIS 1 
SUBTITLE; AND 2 
 
 (2) PAY THE COSTS NECESSARY TO IMPLEME NT THIS SUBTITLE AND 3 
TO ADMINISTER THE FUND. 4 
 
 (G) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN 5 
APPROPRIATION TO THE FUND. 6 
 
 (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 7 
IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE INVESTE D. 8 
 
 (2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 9 
THE FUND. 10 
 
 (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 11 
WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 12 
 
10–1113. 13 
 
 THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES . 14 
 
10–1114. 15 
 
 THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE COMMISSION ARE SUBJEC T TO AUDIT: 16 
 
 (1) AT ANY TIME BY THE STATE; AND 17 
 
 (2) EACH YEAR BY AN INDE PENDENT AUDITOR . 18 
 
10–1115. 19 
 
 (A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL 20 
SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GOVERNOR, THE MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 21 
COMMISSION, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 22 
ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 23 
 
 (B) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE A COMPLETE OPERA TING AND FINANCIAL 24 
STATEMENT AND SUMMAR IZE THE ACTIVITIES O F THE COMMISSION DURIN G THE 25 
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R. 26 
 
 (C) IN ADDITION TO THE IN FORMATION REQUIRED U NDER SUBSECTION (B) 27 
OF THIS SECTION, THE REPORT SHALL INC LUDE: 28   	SENATE BILL 516 	15 
 
 
 
 (1) A REVIEW OF EACH GRA NT APPLICATION SUBMI TTED TO THE 1 
COMMISSION DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R 2 
THE GRANT APPLICATION WA S FUNDED BY THE COMMISSION OR WITHDRA WN AFTER 3 
SUBMISSION; AND 4 
 
 (2) A REVIEW OF THE GRANT–FUNDED ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY 5 
EACH GRANT RECIPIENT. 6 
 
Article – State Finance and Procurement 7 
 
6–226. 8 
 
 (a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 9 
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 10 
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 11 
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 12 
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 13 
Fund of the State. 14 
 
 (ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 15 
to the following funds: 16 
 
 189. the Teacher Retention and Development Fund; [and] 17 
 
 190. the Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Fund; AND 18 
 
 191. THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY 19 
FUND. 20 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 21 
appointed members of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Aerospace and Technology 22 
Commission shall expire as follows: 23 
 
 (1) one member in 2025; and 24 
 
 (2) one member in 2026. 25 
 
 SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 26 
appointed members of the Maryland Aerospace Research and Space Economy Collaborative 27 
shall expire as follows: 28 
 
 (1) one member in 2025; 29 
 
 (2) one member in 2026; and 30 
  16 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (3) one member in 2027. 1 
 
 SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Aerospace and 2 
Technology Commission shall hire a consultant to advise the Commission during the first 3 
2 years of the Commission’s existence to aid in the development and implementation of the 4 
strategic plan described under § 10–1108 of the Economic Development Article, as enacted 5 
by Section 1 of this Act. 6 
 
 SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 7 
October 1, 2024. 8