Maryland 2025 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1016 Engrossed / Bill

Filed 03/15/2025

                     
 
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. 
          *hb1016*  
  
HOUSE BILL 1016 
C8   	5lr3390 
    	CF SB 672 
By: Delegate Wells (By Request – Baltimore City Administration) 
Introduced and read first time: February 3, 2025 
Assigned to: Ways and Means 
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments 
House action: Adopted 
Read second time: March 6, 2025 
 
CHAPTER ______ 
 
AN ACT concerning 1 
 
Economic Development – Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment 2 
and Operating Authority – Established Task Force – Revisions 3 
 
FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment 4 
and Operating Authority to govern the renovation, revitalization, and ongoing 5 
maintenance and operations of the Baltimore Convention site and the marketing of 6 
Baltimore City as a tourist destination in a certain manner requiring the Baltimore 7 
Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority Task Force to 8 
identify certain funding sources and mechanisms; extending the termination date 9 
for the Task Force; and generally relating to the Baltimore Convention and Tourism 10 
Redevelopment and Operating Authority Task Force. 11 
 
BY adding to 12 
 Article – Economic Development 13 
Section 12–1201 through 12–1210 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 12. 14 
Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority” 15 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 16 
 (2024 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18 
 Chapter 635 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 19 
 Section 1(g) and (j) and 2  20 
 
Preamble 21 
  2 	HOUSE BILL 1016  
 
 
 WHEREAS, Chapter 635 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 established the 1 
Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority Task Force 2 
to, among other things, study and make recommendations concerning the membership, 3 
purpose, and function of an entity or strategy to govern the renovation, revitalization, 4 
financing, and ongoing maintenance and management of the Baltimore Convention site 5 
and certain surrounding areas; and 6 
 
 WHEREAS, In accordance with Chapter 635 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 7 
2024, the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority 8 
Task Force reported its findings and recommendations to the Mayor of Baltimore City, the 9 
Governor, and the General Assembly; and 10 
 
 WHEREAS, The report recommends the establishment of a joint authority to govern 11 
the Baltimore Convention site and Baltimore City destination marketing organization; and 12 
 
 WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that, for the benefit of the people of the 13 
State, it is necessary to establish the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment 14 
and Operating Authority; now, therefore, 15 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17 
 
Article – Economic Development 18 
 
SUBTITLE 12. BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND TOURISM REDEVELOPMENT AND 19 
OPERATING AUTHORITY. 20 
 
12–1201. 21 
 
 (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 22 
INDICATED. 23 
 
 (B) “AUTHORITY” MEANS THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND TOURISM 24 
REDEVELOPMENT AND OPERATING AUTHORITY. 25 
 
 (C) “BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN §  26 
10–601 OF THIS ARTICLE. 27 
 
12–1202. 28 
 
 (A) THERE IS A BALTIMORE CONVENTION A ND TOURISM REDEVELOPMENT 29 
AND OPERATING AUTHORITY. 30 
 
 (B) THE AUTHORITY IS A BODY P OLITIC AND CORPORATE AND IS AN 31 
INSTRUMENTALITY OF T HE STATE. 32 
   	HOUSE BILL 1016 	3 
 
 
 (C) THE EXERCISE BY THE AUTHORITY OF A POWER UNDER THIS SUBTITLE 1 
IS THE PERFORMANCE O F AN ESSENTIAL GOVER NMENTAL FUNCTION. 2 
 
12–1203. 3 
 
 (A) THE AUTHORITY CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S: 4 
 
 (1) ONE MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, 5 
WHO IS NOT AN ELECTE D OFFICIAL AND IS A RESIDENT OF OR REPRE SENTS A 6 
BUSINESS THAT OPERAT ES IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, 7 
BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR HOWARD COUNTY; 8 
 
 (2) ONE MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHO 9 
IS NOT AN ELECTED OF FICIAL AND IS A RESI DENT OF OR REPRESENT S A BUSINESS 10 
THAT OPERATES IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE 11 
COUNTY, OR HOWARD COUNTY; 12 
 
 (3) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUS TRY IN 13 
BALTIMORE CITY, APPOINTED BY THE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND; 14 
 
 (4) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY I N BALTIMORE 15 
CITY, APPOINTED BY THE MARYLAND HOTEL LODGING ASSOCIATION;  16 
 
 (5) NINE MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY, 17 
FROM THE CENTRAL BUS INESS DISTRICT OF BALTIMORE CITY, AS DEFINED BY THE 18 
ZONING CODE OF BALTIMORE CITY, OF WHOM: 19 
 
 (I) ONE SHALL BE AN ATTO RNEY; 20 
 
 (II) ONE SHALL HAVE EXPER IENCE IN THE FINANCIAL SERVIC ES 21 
INDUSTRY; 22 
 
 (III) ONE SHALL BE A REPRE SENTATIVE OF A PROFE SSIONAL 23 
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FRANCHISE TH AT IS A LESSEE OF A STADIUM IN 24 
BALTIMORE CITY, OR A PROFESSIONAL FO OTBALL (NFL) FRANCHISE THAT IS A 25 
LESSEE OF A STADIUM IN BALTIMORE CITY; AND 26 
 
 (IV) ONE SHALL HAVE EXPER	IENCE IN REAL ESTATE 27 
DEVELOPMENT ; AND 28 
 
 (6) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH 29 
THE ADVICE AND CONSE NT OF THE SENATE: 30 
  4 	HOUSE BILL 1016  
 
 
 (I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A BUSINESS THAT OPER ATES IN 1 
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR HOWARD 2 
COUNTY; AND 3 
 
 (II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORGANIZED LABOR G ROUP 4 
ASSOCIATED WITH THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE OR TH E TOURISM INDUSTRY 5 
IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR HOWARD 6 
COUNTY. 7 
 
 (B) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY IS 4 YEARS. 8 
 
 (2) THE TERMS OF THE MEMB ERS ARE STAGGERED AS REQUIRED BY 9 
THE TERMS PROVIDED F OR MEMBERS ON JULY 1, 2025. 10 
 
 (3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY 11 
CONTINUES TO SERVE U NTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED AN D QUALIFIES. 12 
 
 (4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 13 
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINT ED AND 14 
QUALIFIES. 15 
 
 (C) THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY SHALL DESIGNATE A CHAIR OF THE 16 
AUTHORITY FROM AMONG THE MEMBERS AP POINTED IN ACCORDANC E WITH 17 
SUBSECTION (A)(5) OF THIS SECTION. 18 
 
 (D) A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY MAY BE REMO VED FOR INCOMPETENCE , 19 
MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PERFOR M THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION BY: 20 
 
 (1) THE GOVERNOR, IF APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; 21 
 
 (2) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, IF APPOINTED BY THE 22 
PRESIDENT; 23 
 
 (3) THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, IF APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER; 24 
 
 (4) THE APPOINTING ASSOC IATION, IF APPOINTED IN ACCO RDANCE 25 
WITH SUBSECTION (A)(3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION; OR 26 
 
 (5) THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY, IF APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR. 27 
 
12–1204. 28 
 
 (A) THE AUTHORITY SHALL DETER MINE THE TIMES AND P LACES OF ITS 29 
MEETINGS. 30   	HOUSE BILL 1016 	5 
 
 
 
 (B) (1) NINE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY ARE A QUORU M. 1 
 
 (2) ACTION BY THE AUTHORITY REQUIRES TH E AFFIRMATIVE VOTE 2 
OF AT LEAST NINE MEM BERS OF THE AUTHORITY. 3 
 
 (C) A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY: 4 
 
 (1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 5 
AUTHORITY; BUT 6 
 
 (2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 7 
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 8 
 
12–1205. 9 
 
 THE AUTHORITY MAY EMPLOY OR RETAIN, EITHER AS EMPLOYEES OR AS 10 
INDEPENDENT CONTRACT ORS, CONSULTANTS , ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, 11 
ACCOUNTANTS , ATTORNEYS, FINANCIAL EXPERTS , CONSTRUCTION EXPERTS AND 12 
PERSONNEL , SUPERINTENDENTS , MANAGER S AND OTHER PROFESSI ONAL 13 
PERSONNEL , PERSONNEL, AND AGENTS AS THE AUTHORITY CONSIDERS 14 
NECESSARY, AND SET THEIR COMPEN SATION. 15 
 
12–1206. 16 
 
 THE AUTHORITY SHALL : 17 
 
 (1) DETERMINE THE CHARAC	TER OF ANY RENOVATIO	N, 18 
REVITALIZATION , OR DEVELOPMENT PROJE CTS RELATING TO THE BALTIMORE 19 
CONVENTION SITE ; 20 
 
 (2) ENTER INTO ANY AGREE MENTS, LEASES, PARTNERSHIPS , OR 21 
CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO RENOVATE , REVITALIZE, MAINTAIN, AND MANAGE THE 22 
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE , AUTHORITY–OWNED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS, AND 23 
ANY OTHER CONTIGUOUS OR NEARBY REAL PROPERTY ASSET THAT THE AUTHORITY 24 
IDENTIFIES AND OVER WHICH THE AUTHORITY OBTAINS SIT E CONTROL; 25 
 
 (3) ANALYZE AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO T HE MAYOR AND 26 
CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE CITY, THE GOVERNOR, AND THE GENERAL 27 
ASSEMBLY REGARDING TH E SUSTAINABILITY , RENOVATION , AND MODERNIZATION 28 
OF AND FUNDING STREA MS TO RENOVATE , REVITALIZE, OR DEVELOP THE 29 
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE , AUTHORITY–OWNED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS, AND 30 
ANY OTHER CONTIGUOUS OR NEARBY REAL PROPE RTY ASSET THAT THE AUTHORITY 31 
IDENTIFIES AND OVER WHICH TH E AUTHORITY OBTAINS SIT E CONTROL; 32  6 	HOUSE BILL 1016  
 
 
 
 (4) FIX AND COLLECT RATE S, RENTALS, FEES, AND CHARGES FOR 1 
SERVICES REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY OPERATE , MAINTAIN, AND MANAGE THE 2 
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE OR AN Y OTHER AUTHORITY–OWNED OR 3 
CONTROLLED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS ; 4 
 
 (5) ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF THE 5 
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE OR AN Y OTHER AUTHORITY–OWNED OR 6 
CONTROLLED REAL PROP ERTY ASSETS; 7 
 
 (6) ADOPT BYLAWS FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE AUTHORITY’S 8 
BUSINESS, INCLUDING A PROCESS TO APPOINT AN ADVISORY B OARD TO THE 9 
AUTHORITY; 10 
 
 (7) GOVERN THE STRATEGIC AND CAPITAL PLANNING AND RESOURCE 11 
ALLOCATION OF THE DE STINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION FOR BALTIMORE 12 
CITY, VISIT BALTIMORE, TO ENSURE THE ABILIT Y OF THE ORGANIZATIO N TO 13 
SUCCESSFULLY MAR KET BALTIMORE CITY AS A TOURISM DES TINATION WITH A 14 
SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON MEETINGS AND CONVENT IONS; AND 15 
 
 (8) MAKE ANY OTHER RECOM MENDATIONS THE AUTHORITY DEEMS 16 
NECESSARY. 17 
 
12–1207. 18 
 
 THE AUTHORITY MAY : 19 
 
 (1) ADOPT A SEAL; 20 
 
 (2) MAINTAIN OFFICES AT A PLACE THE AUTHORITY DESIGNATES IN 21 
THE STATE; 22 
 
 (3) ACCEPT LOANS , GRANTS, OR ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND FROM THE 23 
FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT , A LOCAL GOVERNMENT , A COLLEGE OR 24 
UNIVERSITY, OR A PRIVATE SOURCE ; 25 
 
 (4) ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AND OTHER LEGAL INST RUMENTS; 26 
 
 (5) RETAIN, EMPLOY, OR HIRE AN INDEPENDE NT FIRM FOR THE 27 
PURPOSES OF RENOVATI NG, REVITALIZING, MAINTAINING, AND MANAGING THE 28 
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE , AUTHORITY–OWNED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS, AND 29 
ANY OTHER CONTIGUOUS OR NEARBY REAL PROPE RTY ASSET THAT THE AUTHORITY 30 
IDENTIFIES AND OVER WHICH THE AUTHORITY OBTAINS SIT E CONTROL; 31 
   	HOUSE BILL 1016 	7 
 
 
 (6) SUE OR BE SUED; 1 
 
 (7) ACQUIRE, PURCHASE, HOLD, LEASE AS LESSEE , AND USE ANY 2 
REAL, PERSONAL, MIXED, TANGIBLE, OR INTANGIBLE PROPER TY; 3 
 
 (8) SELL, LEASE AS LESSOR , TRANSFER, LICENSE, ASSIGN, OR 4 
DISPOSE OF PROPERTY OR A PROPERTY INTERE ST THAT IT ACQUIRES ; 5 
 
 (9) CHARGE FOR SERVICES AND RESOURCES THE AUTHORITY 6 
PROVIDES OR MAKES AV AILABLE; 7 
 
 (10) CREATE, OWN, CONTROL, OR BE A MEMBER OF A CORPORATION , 8 
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, PARTNERSHIP , OR OTHER ENTITY , WHETHER 9 
OPERATED FOR PROFIT OR NOT FOR PROFIT ; 10 
 
 (11) EXERCISE POWER USUAL LY POSSESSED BY A PR	IVATE 11 
CORPORATION IN PERFO RMING SIMILAR FUNCTI ONS UNLESS TO DO SO WOULD 12 
CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW; AND 13 
 
 (12) DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY AND CONVEN IENT TO CARRY OUT TH E 14 
POWERS GRANTED BY TH IS SUBTITLE. 15 
 
12–1208. 16 
 
 (A) THE AUTHORITY IS EXEMPT : 17 
 
 (1) FROM TAXATION BY STATE AND LOCAL GOVER NMENT; 18 
 
 (2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N TITLE 12, SUBTITLE 4 AND TITLE 14, 19 
SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, FROM DIVISION 20 
II OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE; 21 
 
 (3) FROM § 15–112 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT 22 
ARTICLE; AND 23 
 
 (4) FROM THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION I OF THE STATE PERSONNEL 24 
AND PENSIONS ARTICLE THA T GOVERN THE STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 25 
SYSTEM. 26 
 
 (B) (1) THE AUTHORITY IS SUBJECT TO: 27 
 
 (I) THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT; AND 28 
 
 (II) THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. 29 
  8 	HOUSE BILL 1016  
 
 
 (2) FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, A PROJECT SITE 1 
VISIT OR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TOUR MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A MEETING OF THE 2 
AUTHORITY IF NO ORGAN IZATIONAL BUSINESS I S CONDUCTED . 3 
 
 (C) THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS EMP LOYEES ARE SUBJECT 4 
TO THE PUBLIC ETHICS LAW. 5 
 
12–1209. 6 
 
 (A) (1) AS SOON AS PRACTICABL E AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL 7 
YEAR, AN INDEPENDENT CERTI FIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTA NT SHALL AUDIT THE 8 
FINANCIAL BOOKS , RECORDS, AND ACCOUNTS OF THE AUTHORITY. 9 
 
 (2) THE AUDIT SHALL INCLU DE REVENUE AND EXPEN SE DETAIL FOR 10 
EACH OF THE OPERATIN G FACILITIES OF THE AUTHORITY. 11 
 
 (3) THE AUTHORITY SHALL SELECT AN ACCO UNTANT TO CONDUCT 12 
THE AUDIT WHO : 13 
 
 (I) IS LICENSED TO PRACT ICE ACCOUNTANCY IN T HE STATE; 14 
 
 (II) IS EXPERIENCED AND Q UALIFIED IN THE ACCO UNTING AND 15 
AUDITING OF PUBLIC E NTITIES; AND 16 
 
 (III) DOES NOT HAVE A DIRE CT OR INDIRECT PERSO NAL 17 
INTEREST IN THE FISC AL AFFAIRS OF THE AUTHORITY. 18 
 
 (4) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 19 
PARAGRAPH , ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1 AFTER EACH FISCAL YE AR, THE 20 
ACCOUNTANT SHALL REP ORT THE RESULTS OF T HE AUDIT, INCLUDING THE 21 
ACCOUNTANT ’S UNQUALIFIED OPINION OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL 22 
POSITION OF THE FUND S OF THE AUTHORITY, INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL DETAIL FOR 23 
EACH OF THE OPERATIN G FACILITIES OF THE AUTHORITY, AND THE RESULTS OF 24 
THE FINANCIAL OPERAT IONS OF THE AUTHORITY. 25 
 
 (II) IF THE ACCOUNTANT CANNOT EXPRESS AN UNQUALIFI ED 26 
OPINION, THE ACCOUNTANT SHALL EXPLAIN IN DETAIL TH E REASONS FOR THE 27 
QUALIFICATIONS , DISCLAIMERS, OR OPINIONS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDA TIONS 28 
FOR CHANGES THAT COU LD MAKE FUTURE UNQUA LIFIED OPINIONS POSS IBLE. 29 
 
 (B) THE STATE MAY AUDIT THE B OOKS, RECORDS, AND ACCOUNTS OF THE 30 
AUTHORITY. 31 
 
12–1210. 32   	HOUSE BILL 1016 	9 
 
 
 
 (A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND EACH OCTOBER 1 THEREAFTER , 1 
THE AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMI T A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR OF 2 
BALTIMORE CITY, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 3 
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 4 
 
 (B) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE A COMPLETE OPERA TING AND FINANCIAL 5 
STATEMENT AND SUMMAR IZE THE ACTIVITIES O F THE AUTHORITY DURING THE 6 
PRECEDING FISCAL YEA R. 7 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 8 
members of the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating 9 
Authority shall expire as follows: 10 
 
 (1) five members in 2027, including one member described under § 11 
12–1203(a)(6) and one member described under § 12–1203(a)(3); 12 
 
 (2) five members in 2028, including one member described under § 13 
12–1203(a)(1) and one member described under § 12–1203(a)(4); and 14 
 
 (3) five members in 2029, including one member described under § 15 
12–1203(a)(6) and one member described under 12–1203(a)(2). 16 
 
Chapter 635 of the Acts of 2024 17 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18 
That: 19 
 
 (g) The Task Force shall: 20 
 
 (1) study the establishment of an entity or strategy to govern and 21 
redevelop, revitalize, construct, design, manage, finance, and operate certain State and 22 
local real property assets while promoting the Baltimore Convention site and the 23 
immediate surrounding area; [and] 24 
 
 (2) IDENTIFY FUNDING SOU RCES AND MECHANISMS TO: 25 
 
 (I) RENOVATE, REVITALIZE, AND DEVELOP PROJECTS 26 
RELATING TO THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE AND T HE IMMEDIATE 27 
SURROUNDING AREA , EXCLUDING AREAS 13, 14, AND 15A AS DESIGNATED BY THE 28 
CITY OF BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR PROJECT I URBAN RENEWAL PLAN; AND 29 
 
 (II) ESTABLISH AND SUSTAI N THE OPERATIONS OF 	A 30 
BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND TOURISM REDEVELOPMENT AND OPERATING 31 
AUTHORITY; AND 32 
  10 	HOUSE BILL 1016  
 
 
 (3) make recommendations on: 1 
 
 (i) the membership of any recommended entity; 2 
 
 (ii) the purpose and function of any recommended entity, including 3 
its ability to: 4 
 
 1. acquire by purchase, gift, or devise any property, 5 
franchises, and other interests in the Baltimore Convention site and any offices, parking 6 
lots or garages, access roads, hotels, restaurants, railroad sidings, and other structures, 7 
improvements, equipment, furnishings, or other property functionally related to and 8 
located in the immediate surrounding area of the Baltimore Convention site, and take title 9 
to the property in the name of the recommended entity or its designated agent; 10 
 
 2. determine the character of any renovation, revitalization, 11 
or development projects relating to the Baltimore Convention site and the immediate 12 
surrounding area, excluding Areas 13, 14, and 15A as designated by the City of Baltimore 13 
Inner Harbor Project I Urban Renewal Plan; 14 
 
 3. enter into any agreements, leases, partnerships, or 15 
contracts necessary to renovate, revitalize, maintain, and manage the Baltimore 16 
Convention site or any other State or local real property assets identified by the Task Force; 17 
 
 4. fix and collect rates, rentals, fees, and charges for services 18 
required to successfully operate the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local 19 
real property assets; 20 
 
 5. establish rules and regulations for the use of the Baltimore 21 
Convention site or any other State or local real property assets; and 22 
 
 6. issue bonds for renovation, revitalization, and ongoing 23 
maintenance and management of the Baltimore Convention site or any other State or local 24 
real property assets identified by the Task Force, including operating expenses; [and] 25 
 
 (iii) THE FUNDING SOURCES AND MECHANISMS IDENT IFIED IN 26 
ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; AND 27 
 
 (IV) any other matter the Task Force deems necessary for the 28 
establishment and implementation of an effective entity or strategy. 29 
 
 (j) (1) On or before December 1, 2024, the Task Force shall report its findings 30 
and recommendations to the Mayor of Baltimore City, the Governor, and, in accordance 31 
with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 32 
 
 (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2025, THE TASK FORCE SHALL 33 
REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON FUNDING SOURCES A ND 34   	HOUSE BILL 1016 	11 
 
 
MECHANISMS MADE IN A CCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (G)(3)(III) OF THIS SECTION 1 
TO THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY, THE GOVERNOR, AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 
§ 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 3 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 4 
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of [1 year] 2 YEARS and, at the end of June 5 
30, [2025] 2026, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall 6 
be abrogated and of no further force and effect.  7 
 
 SECTION 3. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 8 
July June 1, 2025.  9 
 
 
 
 
Approved: 
________________________________________________________________________________  
 Governor. 
________________________________________________________________________________  
  Speaker of the House of Delegates. 
________________________________________________________________________________  
         President of the Senate.