Maryland 2024 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB516 Engrossed / Bill

Filed 03/15/2024

                     
 
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. 
          *sb0516*  
  
SENATE BILL 516 
C8   	4lr1580 
    	CF HB 685 
By: Senator A. Washington 
Introduced and read first time: January 24, 2024 
Assigned to: Finance 
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments 
Senate action: Adopted 
Read second time: March 2, 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 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 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 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	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 REG ULATIONS 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 TECHNO LOGY 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 THE 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 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (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) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE 20 
PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 21 
 
 (11) THE DIRECTOR OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS APPLIED PHYSICS 22 
LABORATORY , OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; 23 
 
 (12) THE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES FOR 24 
RESEARCH IN ASTRONOMY, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 25 
 
 (13) THE DIRECTOR OF THE SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE, 26 
OR THE DIRECTOR ’S DESIGNEE; AND 27 
 
 (14) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH 28 
THE ADVICE AND CONSE NT OF THE SENATE: 29 
 
 (I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER 30 
EDUCATION; 31   	SENATE BILL 516 	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 APPLIES TO A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED 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 B Y THE 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 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (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 THE PLEASU RE 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 OPERATION 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   	SENATE BILL 516 	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 EDUCATION AL FIELD TOUR MAY NO T BE CONSIDERED A ME ETING 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 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
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 APPROP RIATE STANDARDS 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 FURTHER THE DEV ELOPMENT OF EM ERGING 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 THA T 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   	SENATE BILL 516 	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 REPOR T TO THE BOARD REGARD ING COMPLIANCE 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 SUBMIT TED TO THE BOARD FOR 11 
CONSIDERATION . 12 
 
10–1108. 13 
 
5–2506.  14 
 
 (A) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP AND ANNUALLY UPD ATE A 15 
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR T HE PROMOTION OF SPAC E, AERONAUTICS , AND AVIATION 16 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE. 17 
 
 (B) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS 18 
SECTION SHALL INCLUD E A LIST OF POTENTIA L PROJECTS THAT FURT HER THE 19 
PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION AND , FOR EACH PROJECT , DESCRIBE: 20 
 
 (1) THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST FOR COMPLETION , INCLUDING A 21 
POTENTIAL STATE MATCHIN G COST; AND 22 
 
 (2) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF EXTE RNAL FUNDING 23 
SOURCES. 24 
 
 (C) THE STRATEGIC PLAN DE SCRIBED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 25 
SECTION MAY INCLUDE ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THAT THE COMMISSION 26 
DETERMINES TO BE REL EVANT TO FURTHERING THE PURP OSES OF THE 27 
COMMISSION. 28 
 
10–1109. 29 
 
 (A) IN THIS SECTION, “ELIGIBLE ENTITY” MEANS: 30 
  10 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (1) A BUSINESS OR NONPRO FIT INVOLVED IN SPAC E EXPLORATION ; 1 
 
 (2) A GOVERNMENTAL ENTIT Y; OR 2 
 
 (3) AN INSTITUTION OF HI GHER EDUCATION THAT CONDUCTS 3 
AEROSPACE RESEARCH WITHIN THE STATE. 4 
 
 (B) THE COMMISSION MAY PROVID E GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES FOR 5 
THE PURPOSE OF : 6 
 
 (1) DEVELOPMENT OF EMERG ING TECHNOLOGIES REQ UIRED FOR 7 
ANY ASPECT OF HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT; 8 
 
 (2) RESEARCH INVOLVING S PACE EXPLORATION AND SPACE FLIGHT; 9 
 
 (3) WORKFORCE TRAINING T O PROMOTE SPACE EXPL ORATION AND 10 
SPACE FLIGHT; AND 11 
 
 (4) DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPRO VEMENTS 12 
THAT ENHANCE THE STATE’S ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE AEROSPACE IND USTRY. 13 
 
 (C) A GRANT AWARDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L BE CONSISTENT 14 
WITH THE STRATEGIC P LAN DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION. 15 
 
 (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO EST ABLISH: 16 
 
 (1) A COMPETITIVE APPLIC ATION PROCESS ; 17 
 
 (2) CRITERIA AND PROCEDU RES FOR MAKING AWARD S, INCLUDING 18 
PRIVATE LEVERAGE REQ UIREMENTS FOR AWARDS; AND 19 
 
 (3) PROCESSES AND METRIC S FOR MONITORING THE SUCCESS AND 20 
IMPACT OF AWARDS . 21 
 
10–1110. 22 
 
5–2507.  23 
 
 (A) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SECTIO N, THE COMMISSION 24 
SHALL DESIGNATE A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY ZONE AEROSPACE 25 
AND TECHNOLOG Y ZONES WITHIN THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING 26 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT , FACILITATING LAND AC QUISITION, PROVIDING 27 
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUN ITIES, AND PROMOTING THE AE ROSPACE INDUSTRY 28 
WITHIN THE BOUNDARIE S OF THE ZONE ZONES. 29 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	11 
 
 
 (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL DETE RMINE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ZONE 1 
ZONES.  2 
 
 (C) THE COMMISSION SHALL PART NER WITH LOCAL COMMU NITIES TO 3 
PROMOTE LOCAL AEROSP ACE EDUCATION OPPORT UNITIES WITHIN EACH ZONE AND 4 
IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES TO CONNECT LOCAL AER OSPACE FACILITIES WITHIN THE 5 
ZONE TO THE SURROUND ING COMMUNITIES .  6 
 
10–1111. 7 
 
 (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND SPACE ECONOMY 8 
COLLABORATIVE . 9 
 
 (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATIVE IS TO A DVISE THE COMMISSION 10 
AND RECOMMEND AND PR OMOTE ACTIONS AND OP PORTUNITIES IN PARTNERSHIP 11 
WITH THE LOCAL COMMU NITY WITHIN THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND 12 
TECHNOLOGY ZONE DESIGNATED UNDER § 10–1110 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 13 
 
 (C) THE COLLABORATIVE CONSIST S OF THE FOLLOWING M EMBERS: 14 
 
 (1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION, OR THE 15 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 16 
 
 (2) A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF 17 
THE SENATE; 18 
 
 (3) A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 19 
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 20 
 
 (4) THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 21 
ADMINISTRATI ON’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, OR THE DIRECTOR’S 22 
DESIGNEE; 23 
 
 (5) THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 24 
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION , OR THE ADMINISTRATOR ’S DESIGNEE; 25 
 
 (6) A REPRESENTATIVE OF 	THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 26 
INVESTIGATION , DESIGNATED BY TH E DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF 27 
INVESTIGATION ; 28 
 
 (7) THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, OR THE 29 
COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S DESIGNEE; 30 
  12 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (8) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF GREENBELT, OR THE MANAGER’S 1 
DESIGNEE; 2 
 
 (9) THE MANAGER OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, OR THE 3 
MANAGER’S DESIGNEE; 4 
 
 (10) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE 5 
PARK, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 6 
 
 (11) THE PRESIDENT OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COMMUNITY 7 
COLLEGE, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 8 
 
 (12) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF T HE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 9 
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, OR THE SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE; AND 10 
 
 (13) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR: 11 
 
 (I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GODDARD CONTRACTORS ’ 12 
ASSOCIATION; 13 
 
 (II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER GROUP 14 
WITHIN THE ZONE; AND 15 
 
 (III) A MEMBER OF THE AERO	SPACE MANUFACTURING 16 
INDUSTRY. 17 
 
 (D) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION SHALL CHAI R THE 18 
COLLABORATIVE . 19 
 
 (E) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COLLABORATIVE . 20 
 
 (F) A MEMBER OF THE COLLABORATIVE : 21 
 
 (1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 22 
COLLABORATIVE ; 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 
 
 (G) (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 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	13 
 
 
 (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 
 
 (H) THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL D EVELOP PLANS TO : 6 
 
 (1) IMPROVE LOCAL AEROSP ACE EDUCATION OPPORT UNITIES 7 
WITHIN THE ZONE; 8 
 
 (2) UPGRADE AND IMPROVE 	PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCT URE 9 
SURROUNDING : 10 
 
 (I) THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 11 
ADMINISTRATION HEADQU ARTERS; 12 
 
 (II) THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 13 
ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER; AND 14 
 
 (III) THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK; 15 
 
 (3) ENSURE THAT PUBLIC T RANSPORTATION TO AND FROM LOCAL 16 
AEROSPACE LEADERS IS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFOR DABLE TO THE LOCAL 17 
COMMUNITY ; 18 
 
 (4) WORK WITH BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WITHIN THE ZONE TO 19 
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMEN T STRATEGIES TO CONN ECT THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 20 
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER TO THE 21 
SURROUNDING COMMUNIT Y; AND 22 
 
 (5) ASSESS AND IMPROVE P UBLIC SAFETY WITHIN ALL AREAS OF THE 23 
ZONE. 24 
 
 (I) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND EVERY 2 YEARS THEREAFTER , 25 
THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL S UBMIT A REPORT OF TH E PLANS DEVELOPED UN DER 26 
SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION TO T HE COMMISSION. 27 
 
10–1112. 28 
 
 (A) THERE IS A MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY FUND IN THE 29 
COMMISSION. 30 
  14 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (B) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDING TO PROMOTE THE 1 
GROWTH OF THE SPACE EXPLORATION AND AERO SPACE TECHNOLOGY IND USTRIES 2 
IN THE STATE IN A MANNER CON SISTENT WITH THE COMMISSION’S STRATEGIC 3 
PLAN.  4 
 
 (C) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 5 
 
 (D) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 6 
SUBJECT TO REVERSION UNDER § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND 7 
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 8 
 
 (2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 9 
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 10 
 
 (E) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 11 
 
 (1) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 12 
 
 (2) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 13 
 
 (3) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 14 
THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 15 
 
 (F) THE COMMISSION MAY USE TH E FUND TO: 16 
 
 (1) AWARD GRANTS IN ACCO RDANCE WITH § 10–1109 OF THIS 17 
SUBTITLE; AND 18 
 
 (2) PAY THE COSTS NECESS ARY TO IMPLEMENT THI S SUBTITLE AND 19 
TO ADMINISTER THE FUND. 20 
 
 (G) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL AN 21 
APPROPRIATION TO THE FUND. 22 
 
 (H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 23 
IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 24 
 
 (2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 25 
THE FUND. 26 
 
 (I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 27 
WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 28 
 
10–1113. 29 
   	SENATE BILL 516 	15 
 
 
 THE COMMISSION IS EXEMPT FROM STATE AND LOCAL T AXES. 1 
 
10–1114. 2 
 
 THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE COMMISSION ARE SUBJEC T TO AUDIT: 3 
 
 (1) AT ANY TIME BY THE STATE; AND 4 
 
 (2) EACH YEAR BY AN INDE PENDENT AUDITOR . 5 
 
10–1115. 6 
 
5–2508.  7 
 
 (A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL 8 
SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 9 
COMMISSION, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 10 
ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 11 
 
 (B) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE A COMPLETE OPERATING AND FINANCIAL 12 
STATEMENT AND SUMMAR IZE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE 13 
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R: 14 
 
 (1) A SUMMARY OF THE ACT IVITIES OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE 15 
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R; AND 16 
 
 (2) A CURRENT COPY OF TH E STRATEGIC PLAN DEV ELOPED UNDER § 17 
5–2506 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 18 
 
 (C) IN ADDITION TO THE INFO RMATION REQUIRED UND ER SUBSECTION (B) 19 
OF THIS SECTION, THE REPORT SHALL INC LUDE: 20 
 
 (1) A REVIEW OF EACH GRA NT APPLICATION SUBMI TTED TO THE 21 
COMMISSION DURING THE PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R 22 
THE GRANT APPLICATIO N WAS FUNDED BY THE COMMISSION OR WITHDRA WN AFTER 23 
SUBMISSION; AND 24 
 
 (2) A REVIEW OF THE GRAN T–FUNDED ACTIVITIES UN DERTAKEN BY 25 
EACH GRANT RECIPIENT . 26 
 
Article – State Finance and Procurement 27 
 
6–226. 28 
  16 	SENATE BILL 516  
 
 
 (a) (2) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 1 
inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 2 
terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 3 
State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 4 
receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 5 
Fund of the State. 6 
 
 (ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 7 
to the following funds: 8 
 
 189. the Teacher Retention and Development Fund; [and] 9 
 
 190. the Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Fund; AND 10 
 
 191. THE MARYLAND AEROSPACE AND TECHNOLOGY 11 
FUND. 12 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 13 
appointed members of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Aerospace and Technology 14 
Commission shall expire as follows: 15 
 
 (1) one member in 2025; and 16 
 
 (2) one member in 2026; 17 
 
 (3) one member in 2027; and 18 
 
 (4) one member in 2028. 19 
 
 SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms 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. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Maryland Aerospace 26 
and Technology Commission shall may hire a consultant to advise the Commission during 27 
the first 2 years of the Commission’s existence to aid in the development and 28 
implementation of the strategic plan described under § 10–1108 § 5–2506 of the Economic 29 
Development Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act. 30 
 
 SECTION 5. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 31 
October 1, 2024.  32