MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB896

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB896 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 635
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 635
5-(Senate Bill 896)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
9+ *sb0896*
810
9-Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority
10-Task Force
11+SENATE BILL 896
12+C8 (4lr3275)
13+ENROLLED BILL
14+— Finance/Appropriations —
15+Introduced by Senator Carter (By Request – Baltimore City Administration)
1116
12-FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment
13-and Operating Authority Task Force to study and make recommendations
14-concerning the membership, purpose, and function of an authority entity or strategy
15-to govern the renovation, revitalization, financing, and ongoing maintenance and
16-management of a certain Baltimore Convention site and certain surrounding areas;
17-and generally relating to the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and
18-Operating Authority Task Force.
17+Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
1918
20-Preamble
19+_______________________________________________
20+Proofreader.
21+_______________________________________________
22+Proofreader.
2123
22- WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the general welfare of the people of
23-Maryland is directly dependent on the continual encouragement, development, growth, and
24-expansion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism within the State and, thus, the
25-promotion, attraction, stimulation, development, and expansion of business, industry,
26-commerce, and tourism in the State should be fostered; and
24+Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
2725
28- WHEREAS, The Baltimore Convention site, because of its size and location in a
29-first–class city, is vital in attracting business, industry, commerce, and tourism to
30-Baltimore City, the surrounding counties, and the State as a whole; and
26+_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
3127
32- WHEREAS, To redevelop, revitalize, and promote the Baltimore Convention site
33-within this State, the Baltimore Convention Center commissioned an independent study of
34-convention and visitor industry governance models, day–to–day management approaches,
35-and funding models prevalent nationally and approaches that would be appropriate for the
36-future success of the Baltimore Convention Center; and
28+______________________________________________
29+President.
3730
38- WHEREAS, An important aspect of the redevelopment and successful continuation
39-of the Baltimore Convention Center should be a holistic evaluation of the immediate
40-surrounding area and the identification of underutilized State and local real property
41-assets, including the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel; and
31+CHAPTER ______
4232
43- WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds, for the benefit of the people of the State,
44-it is necessary to provide additional and flexible means of governing, redeveloping,
45-revitalizing, constructing, designing, managing, financing, operating, and promoting the
46-Baltimore Convention site and the immediate surrounding area; now, therefore,
33+AN ACT concerning 1
4734
48- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
49-That: Ch. 635 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
35+Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority 2
36+Task Force 3
5037
51-– 2 –
38+FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment 4
39+and Operating Authority Task Force to study and make recommendations 5
40+concerning the membership, purpose, and function of an authority entity or strategy 6
41+to govern the renovation, revitalization, financing, and ongoing maintenance and 7
42+management of a certain Baltimore Convention site and certain surrounding areas; 8
43+and generally relating to the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and 9
44+Operating Authority Task Force. 10
5245
53- (a) In this section, “Baltimore Convention site” has the meaning stated in §
54-10–601 of the Economic Development Article.
46+Preamble 11
5547
56- (b) There is a Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating
57-Authority Task Force.
48+ WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the general welfare of the people of 12
49+Maryland is directly dependent on the continual encouragement, development, growth, and 13 2 SENATE BILL 896
5850
59- (c) The Task Force consists of the following members:
6051
61- (1) the Mayor of Baltimore City, or the Mayor’s designee;
52+expansion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism within the State and, thus, the 1
53+promotion, attraction, stimulation, development, and expansion of business, industry, 2
54+commerce, and tourism in the State should be fostered; and 3
6255
63- (2) one member of the Senate of Maryland who is a member of the
64-Baltimore City Delegation, appointed by the President of the Senate;
56+ WHEREAS, The Baltimore Convention site, because of its size and location in a 4
57+first–class city, is vital in attracting business, industry, commerce, and tourism to 5
58+Baltimore City, the surrounding counties, and the State as a whole; and 6
6559
66- (3) one member of the House of Delegates who is a member of the Baltimore
67-City Delegation, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
60+ WHEREAS, To redevelop, revitalize, and promote the Baltimore Convention site 7
61+within this State, the Baltimore Convention Center commissioned an independent study of 8
62+convention and visitor industry governance models, day–to–day management approaches, 9
63+and funding models prevalent nationally and approaches that would be appropriate for the 10
64+future success of the Baltimore Convention Center; and 11
6865
69- (4) the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;
66+ WHEREAS, An important aspect of the redevelopment and successful continuation 12
67+of the Baltimore Convention Center should be a holistic evaluation of the immediate 13
68+surrounding area and the identification of underutilized State and local real property 14
69+assets, including the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel; and 15
7070
71- (5) the Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, or the
72-Administrator’s designee;
71+ WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds, for the benefit of the people of the State, 16
72+it is necessary to provide additional and flexible means of governing, redeveloping, 17
73+revitalizing, constructing, designing, managing, financing, operating, and promoting the 18
74+Baltimore Convention site and the immediate surrounding area; now, therefore, 19
7375
74- (6) the Chair of the Maryland Tourism Development Board, or the Chair’s
75-designee;
76+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
77+That: 21
7678
77- (7) the Chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority, or the Chair’s designee;
79+ (a) In this section, “Baltimore Convention site” has the meaning stated in § 22
80+10–601 of the Economic Development Article. 23
7881
79- (6) (8) the Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, or the
80-Chair’s designee;
82+ (b) There is a Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating 24
83+Authority Task Force. 25
8184
82- (7) (9) the Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center;
85+ (c) The Task Force consists of the following members: 26
8386
84- (8) (10) the Chair of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board;
87+ (1) the Mayor of Baltimore City, or the Mayor’s designee; 27
8588
86- (9) (11) the President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Baltimore;
89+ (2) one member of the Senate of Maryland who is a member of the 28
90+Baltimore City Delegation, appointed by the President of the Senate; 29
8791
88- (10) (12) the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore
89-Development Corporation;
92+ (3) one member of the House of Delegates who is a member of the Baltimore 30
93+City Delegation, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 31
9094
91- (11) (13) the President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore;
95+ (4) the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; 32
9296
93- (12) (14) the Executive Director of the Maryland Tourism Coalition;
97+ (5) the Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, or the 33
98+Administrator’s designee; 34 SENATE BILL 896 3
9499
95- (13) (15) a representative from the restaurant industry in Baltimore City,
96-appointed by the Restaurant Association of Maryland;
97- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 635
98100
99-– 3 –
100- (14) (16) a representative of the hotel industry in Baltimore City,
101-appointed by the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association; and
102101
103- (17) a representative of the Greater Baltimore Committee, appointed by the
104-Greater Baltimore Committee; and
102+ (6) the Chair of the Maryland Tourism Development Board, or the Chair’s 1
103+designee; 2
105104
106- (15) (18) a representative of the American Federation of State, County, and
107-Municipal Employees, Council 3, appointed by the American Federation of State, County,
108-and Municipal Employees, Council 3;
105+ (7) the Chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority, or the Chair’s designee; 3
109106
110- (19) a representative of UNITE HERE Local 7, appointed by UNITE HERE
111-Local 7; and
107+ (6) (8) the Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, or the 4
108+Chair’s designee; 5
112109
113- (20) the following members appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City:
110+ (7) (9) the Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center; 6
114111
115- (i) a representative of the African American business community
116-within a 0.5–mile radius of the Baltimore Convention site;
112+ (8) (10) the Chair of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board; 7
117113
118- (ii) a representative from a an African American–owned
119-development entity with significant financial investment in property within a 0.5–mile
120-radius of the Baltimore Convention site; and
114+ (9) (11) the President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Baltimore; 8
121115
122- (iii) a resident who lives within a 0.5–mile radius of the Baltimore
123-Convention site.
116+ (10) (12) the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore 9
117+Development Corporation; 10
124118
125- (d) The Chair of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board shall serve as the
126-chair of the Task Force.
119+ (11) (13) the President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore; 11
127120
128- (e) The Department of Commerce shall provide staff for the Task Force.
121+ (12) (14) the Executive Director of the Maryland Tourism Coalition; 12
129122
130- (f) A member of the Task Force:
123+ (13) (15) a representative from the restaurant industry in Baltimore City, 13
124+appointed by the Restaurant Association of Maryland; 14
131125
132- (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but
126+ (14) (16) a representative of the hotel industry in Baltimore City, 15
127+appointed by the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association; and 16
133128
134- (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
135-Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
129+ (17) a representative of the Greater Baltimore Committee, appointed by the 17
130+Greater Baltimore Committee; and 18
136131
137- (g) The Task Force shall:
132+ (15) (18) a representative of the American Federation of State, County, and 19
133+Municipal Employees, Council 3, appointed by the American Federation of State, County, 20
134+and Municipal Employees, Council 3; 21
138135
139- (1) study the establishment of a Baltimore Convention and Tourism
140-Redevelopment and Operating Authority an entity or strategy to govern and redevelop,
141-revitalize, construct, design, manage, finance, and operate certain State and local real
142-property assets while promoting the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate
143-surrounding area; and
136+ (19) a representative of UNITE HERE Local 7, appointed by UNITE HERE 22
137+Local 7; and 23
144138
145- (2) make recommendations on: Ch. 635 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
139+ (20) the following members appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City: 24
146140
147-– 4 –
141+ (i) a representative of the African American business community 25
142+within a 0.5–mile radius of the Baltimore Convention site; 26
148143
149- (i) the membership of the Authority any recommended entity;
144+ (ii) a representative from a an African American–owned 27
145+development entity with significant financial investment in property within a 0.5–mile 28
146+radius of the Baltimore Convention site; and 29
147+ 4 SENATE BILL 896
150148
151- (ii) the Authority’s purpose and function of any recommended entity,
152-including its ability to:
153149
154- 1. acquire by purchase, gift, or devise any property,
155-franchises, and other interests in the Baltimore Convention site and any offices, parking
156-lots or garages, access roads, hotels, restaurants, railroad sidings, and other structures,
157-improvements, equipment, furnishings, or other property functionally related to and
158-located in the immediate surrounding area of the Baltimore Convention site, including the
159-Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, and take title to the property in the name of the
160-Authority recommended entity or its designated agent;
150+ (iii) a resident who lives within a 0.5–mile radius of the Baltimore 1
151+Convention site. 2
161152
162- 2. determine the character of any renovation, revitalization,
163-or development projects relating to the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate
164-surrounding area, excluding Areas 13, 14, and 15A as designated by the City of Baltimore
165-Inner Harbor Project I Urban Renewal Plan;
153+ (d) The Chair of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board shall serve as the 3
154+chair of the Task Force. 4
166155
167- 3. enter into any agreements, leases, partnerships, or
168-contracts necessary to renovate, revitalize, maintain, and manage the Baltimore
169-Convention site or any other State or local real property assets identified by the Task Force;
156+ (e) The Department of Commerce shall provide staff for the Task Force. 5
170157
171- 4. fix and collect rates, rentals, fees, and charges for services
172-required to successfully operate the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local
173-real property assets;
158+ (f) A member of the Task Force: 6
174159
175- 5. establish rules and regulations for the use of the Baltimore
176-Convention site or any other State or local real property assets; and
160+ (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 7
177161
178- 6. issue bonds for renovation, revitalization, and ongoing
179-maintenance and management of the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local
180-real property assets identified by the Task Force, including operating expenses; and
162+ (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 8
163+Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 9
181164
182- (iii) any other matter the Task Force deems necessary for the
183-establishment and implementation of an effective Authority entity or strategy.
165+ (g) The Task Force shall: 10
184166
185- (h) In conducting its study and making recommendations in accordance with
186-subsection (g) of this section, the Task Force shall consider the findings and
187-recommendations in the Baltimore Convention Industry Benchmark Study previously
188-commissioned by the Baltimore Convention Center.
167+ (1) study the establishment of a Baltimore Convention and Tourism 11
168+Redevelopment and Operating Authority an entity or strategy to govern and redevelop, 12
169+revitalize, construct, design, manage, finance, and operate certain State and local real 13
170+property assets while promoting the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate 14
171+surrounding area; and 15
189172
190- (i) The Task Force shall consider and make recommendations of at least one
191-option that does not include a public–private partnership, and that is not the status quo.
192- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 635
173+ (2) make recommendations on: 16
193174
194-– 5 –
195- (j) On or before December 1, 2024, the Task Force shall report its findings and
196-recommendations to the Mayor of Baltimore City, the Governor, and, in accordance with §
197-2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.
175+ (i) the membership of the Authority any recommended entity; 17
198176
199- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
200-1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2025, this
201-Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no
202-further force and effect.
177+ (ii) the Authority’s purpose and function of any recommended entity, 18
178+including its ability to: 19
203179
204-Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.
180+ 1. acquire by purchase, gift, or devise any property, 20
181+franchises, and other interests in the Baltimore Convention site and any offices, parking 21
182+lots or garages, access roads, hotels, restaurants, railroad sidings, and other structures, 22
183+improvements, equipment, furnishings, or other property functionally related to and 23
184+located in the immediate surrounding area of the Baltimore Convention site, including the 24
185+Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, and take title to the property in the name of the 25
186+Authority recommended entity or its designated agent; 26
187+
188+ 2. determine the character of any renovation, revitalization, 27
189+or development projects relating to the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate 28
190+surrounding area, excluding Areas 13, 14, and 15A as designated by the City of Baltimore 29
191+Inner Harbor Project I Urban Renewal Plan; 30
192+
193+ 3. enter into any agreements, leases, partnerships, or 31
194+contracts necessary to renovate, revitalize, maintain, and manage the Baltimore 32
195+Convention site or any other State or local real property assets identified by the Task Force; 33
196+ SENATE BILL 896 5
197+
198+
199+ 4. fix and collect rates, rentals, fees, and charges for services 1
200+required to successfully operate the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local 2
201+real property assets; 3
202+
203+ 5. establish rules and regulations for the use of the Baltimore 4
204+Convention site or any other State or local real property assets; and 5
205+
206+ 6. issue bonds for renovation, revitalization, and ongoing 6
207+maintenance and management of the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local 7
208+real property assets identified by the Task Force, including operating expenses; and 8
209+
210+ (iii) any other matter the Task Force deems necessary for the 9
211+establishment and implementation of an effective Authority entity or strategy. 10
212+
213+ (h) In conducting its study and making recommendations in accordance with 11
214+subsection (g) of this section, the Task Force shall consider the findings and 12
215+recommendations in the Baltimore Convention Industry Benchmark Study previously 13
216+commissioned by the Baltimore Convention Center. 14
217+
218+ (i) The Task Force shall consider and make recommendations of at least one 15
219+option that does not include a public–private partnership, and that is not the status quo. 16
220+
221+ (j) On or before December 1, 2024, the Task Force shall report its findings and 17
222+recommendations to the Mayor of Baltimore City, the Governor, and, in accordance with § 18
223+2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 19
224+
225+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take e ffect July 20
226+1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2025, this 21
227+Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no 22
228+further force and effect. 23
229+
230+
231+
232+Approved:
233+________________________________________________________________________________
234+ Governor.
235+________________________________________________________________________________
236+ President of the Senate.
237+________________________________________________________________________________
238+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.