EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1181*
HOUSE BILL 1181
M1 5lr3111
CF SB 781
By: Delegate Baker
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans’ Care 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park 3
Dedicated to Veterans’ Care to study issues and estimate costs related to the 4
establishment of a State park dedicated to providing recreational opportunities and 5
therapeutic services to veterans; and generally relating to the Task Force on the 6
Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans’ Care. 7
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That: 9
(a) There is a Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to 10
Veterans’ Care. 11
(b) (1) The Task Force shall include the following members: 12
(i) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the 13
President of the Senate; 14
(ii) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker 15
of the House; 16
(iii) the Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee; 17
(iv) the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families, or the 18
Secretary’s designee; 19
(v) the Director of the Maryland Park Service, or the Director’s 20
designee; 21
2 HOUSE BILL 1181
(vi) one county commissioner of Washington County, appointed by 1
the President of the Washington County Board of Commissioners; 2
(vii) the County Administrator of Washington County, or the County 3
Administrator’s designee; 4
(viii) the following members, appointed by the Secretary of Natural 5
Resources: 6
1. one representative of the Hagerstown –Washington 7
County Convention and Visitors Bureau; 8
2. one representative of an organization that provides 9
therapeutic services to veterans; and 10
3. the owner of land located in the Southern portion of 11
Washington County that has been proposed for transfer to the State for the purpose of 12
establishing a State park dedicated to veterans’ care; and 13
(ix) one resident from legislative district 2 in Washington County. 14
(2) In addition to the members specified under paragraph (1) of this 15
subsection, the Secretary of Natural Resources may invite a representative of the National 16
Park Service and any other relevant stakeholders to serve as members of the Task Force. 17
(c) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall designate the chair of the Task 18
Force. 19
(d) The Department of Natural Resources shall provide staff for the Task Force. 20
(e) A member of the Task Force: 21
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 22
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 23
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 24
(f) The Task Force shall: 25
(1) study issues and estimate costs related to the establishment of a State 26
park dedicated to providing recreational opportunities and therapeutic services to veterans; 27
(2) make recommendations regarding: 28
(i) services and amenities to be provided by the park; 29
HOUSE BILL 1181 3
(ii) operational models for the park, including how operational and 1
maintenance responsibilities could be shared between the Maryland Park Service and 2
partner organizations; 3
(iii) options for funding the initial start–up costs of the park, 4
including infrastructure and capital costs; and 5
(iv) self–sustaining funding models for the ongoing operational costs 6
of the park; and 7
(3) develop an action plan identifying next steps for the establishment of 8
the park. 9
(g) On or before December 1, 2026, the Task Force shall report its findings and 10
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 11
Government Article, the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and 12
the House Environment and Transportation Committee. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 14
1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and, at the end of June 30, 2027, 15
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 16
of no further force and effect. 17