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Chapter 635
(Senate Bill 896)
AN ACT concerning
Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority
Task Force
FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment
and Operating Authority Task Force to study and make recommendations
concerning the membership, purpose, and function of an authority entity or strategy
to govern the renovation, revitalization, financing, and ongoing maintenance and
management of a certain Baltimore Convention site and certain surrounding areas;
and generally relating to the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and
Operating Authority Task Force.
Preamble
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that the general welfare of the people of
Maryland is directly dependent on the continual encouragement, development, growth, and
expansion of business, industry, commerce, and tourism within the State and, thus, the
promotion, attraction, stimulation, development, and expansion of business, industry,
commerce, and tourism in the State should be fostered; and
WHEREAS, The Baltimore Convention site, because of its size and location in a
first–class city, is vital in attracting business, industry, commerce, and tourism to
Baltimore City, the surrounding counties, and the State as a whole; and
WHEREAS, To redevelop, revitalize, and promote the Baltimore Convention site
within this State, the Baltimore Convention Center commissioned an independent study of
convention and visitor industry governance models, day–to–day management approaches,
and funding models prevalent nationally and approaches that would be appropriate for the
future success of the Baltimore Convention Center; and
WHEREAS, An important aspect of the redevelopment and successful continuation
of the Baltimore Convention Center should be a holistic evaluation of the immediate
surrounding area and the identification of underutilized State and local real property
assets, including the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds, for the benefit of the people of the State,
it is necessary to provide additional and flexible means of governing, redeveloping,
revitalizing, constructing, designing, managing, financing, operating, and promoting the
Baltimore Convention site and the immediate surrounding area; now, therefore,
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That: Ch. 635 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(a) In this section, “Baltimore Convention site” has the meaning stated in §
10–601 of the Economic Development Article.
(b) There is a Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating
Authority Task Force.
(c) The Task Force consists of the following members:
(1) the Mayor of Baltimore City, or the Mayor’s designee;
(2) one member of the Senate of Maryland who is a member of the
Baltimore City Delegation, appointed by the President of the Senate;
(3) one member of the House of Delegates who is a member of the Baltimore
City Delegation, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(4) the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;
(5) the Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, or the
Administrator’s designee;
(6) the Chair of the Maryland Tourism Development Board, or the Chair’s
designee;
(7) the Chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority, or the Chair’s designee;
(6) (8) the Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, or the
Chair’s designee;
(7) (9) the Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center;
(8) (10) the Chair of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board;
(9) (11) the President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Baltimore;
(10) (12) the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore
Development Corporation;
(11) (13) the President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore;
(12) (14) the Executive Director of the Maryland Tourism Coalition;
(13) (15) a representative from the restaurant industry in Baltimore City,
appointed by the Restaurant Association of Maryland;
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(14) (16) a representative of the hotel industry in Baltimore City,
appointed by the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association; and
(17) a representative of the Greater Baltimore Committee, appointed by the
Greater Baltimore Committee; and
(15) (18) a representative of the American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees, Council 3, appointed by the American Federation of State, County,
and Municipal Employees, Council 3;
(19) a representative of UNITE HERE Local 7, appointed by UNITE HERE
Local 7; and
(20) the following members appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City:
(i) a representative of the African American business community
within a 0.5–mile radius of the Baltimore Convention site;
(ii) a representative from a an African American–owned
development entity with significant financial investment in property within a 0.5–mile
radius of the Baltimore Convention site; and
(iii) a resident who lives within a 0.5–mile radius of the Baltimore
Convention site.
(d) The Chair of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board shall serve as the
chair of the Task Force.
(e) The Department of Commerce shall provide staff for the Task Force.
(f) A member of the Task Force:
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(g) The Task Force shall:
(1) study the establishment of a Baltimore Convention and Tourism
Redevelopment and Operating Authority an entity or strategy to govern and redevelop,
revitalize, construct, design, manage, finance, and operate certain State and local real
property assets while promoting the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate
surrounding area; and
(2) make recommendations on: Ch. 635 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(i) the membership of the Authority any recommended entity;
(ii) the Authority’s purpose and function of any recommended entity,
including its ability to:
1. acquire by purchase, gift, or devise any property,
franchises, and other interests in the Baltimore Convention site and any offices, parking
lots or garages, access roads, hotels, restaurants, railroad sidings, and other structures,
improvements, equipment, furnishings, or other property functionally related to and
located in the immediate surrounding area of the Baltimore Convention site, including the
Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, and take title to the property in the name of the
Authority recommended entity or its designated agent;
2. determine the character of any renovation, revitalization,
or development projects relating to the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate
surrounding area, excluding Areas 13, 14, and 15A as designated by the City of Baltimore
Inner Harbor Project I Urban Renewal Plan;
3. enter into any agreements, leases, partnerships, or
contracts necessary to renovate, revitalize, maintain, and manage the Baltimore
Convention site or any other State or local real property assets identified by the Task Force;
4. fix and collect rates, rentals, fees, and charges for services
required to successfully operate the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local
real property assets;
5. establish rules and regulations for the use of the Baltimore
Convention site or any other State or local real property assets; and
6. issue bonds for renovation, revitalization, and ongoing
maintenance and management of the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local
real property assets identified by the Task Force, including operating expenses; and
(iii) any other matter the Task Force deems necessary for the
establishment and implementation of an effective Authority entity or strategy.
(h) In conducting its study and making recommendations in accordance with
subsection (g) of this section, the Task Force shall consider the findings and
recommendations in the Baltimore Convention Industry Benchmark Study previously
commissioned by the Baltimore Convention Center.
(i) The Task Force shall consider and make recommendations of at least one
option that does not include a public–private partnership, and that is not the status quo.
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(j) On or before December 1, 2024, the Task Force shall report its findings and
recommendations to the Mayor of Baltimore City, 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.