Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1253 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3		EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4	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	5		hb1253
9	6
10	7		HOUSE BILL 1253
11	8		P1, D5 5lr1887
12	9
13	10		By: The Speaker
14	11		Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
15	12		Assigned to: Appropriations
16		-	Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17		-	House action: Adopted
18		-	Read second time: March 7, 2025
19	13
20		-	~~CHAPTER ______~~
	14	+	A BILL ENTITLED
21	15
22	16		AN ACT concerning 1
23	17
24		-	Maryland Department of Social Equity ~~and Economic Mobility~~ – Established 2
	18	+	Maryland Department of Social Equity – Established 2
25	19
26		-	FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Department of Social Equity and Economic 3
27		-	Mobility; providing for the Secretary of Social Equity and Economic Mobility; 4
28		-	providing for the administration, staffing, purpose, and duties of the Department; 5
29		-	requiring a unit of State government other than the Department to refer a certain 6
30		-	person to the Department; establishing the Department of Social and Economic 7
31		-	Mobility Special Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; requiring interest earnings of 8
32		-	the Fund to be credited to the Fund; providing that the Department is the successor 9
33		-	of certain units in regard to the operation of social equity programs; authorizing the 10
34		-	Governor to transfer certain positions, associated funds, and unexpended 11
35		-	appropriations; and generally relating to the Maryland Department of Social Equity 12
36		-	and Economic Mobility. 13
	20	+	FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Department of Social Equity; providing for 3
	21	+	the Secretary of Social Equity; providing for the administration, staffing, purpose, 4
	22	+	and duties of the Department; requiring a unit of State government other than the 5
	23	+	Department to refer a certain person to the Department; providing that the 6
	24	+	Department is the successor of certain units in regard to the operation of social 7
	25	+	equity programs; authorizing the Governor to transfer certain positions, associated 8
	26	+	funds, and unexpended appropriations; and generally relating to the Maryland 9
	27	+	Department of Social Equity. 10
37	28
38		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, and transferring 14
39		-	Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 15
40		-	Section 1–309.1 16
41		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 17
42		-	(2024 Replacement Volume) 18
43		-	to be 19
44		-	Article – State Government 20
45		-	Section 9–4108 21
46		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 22
47		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 23
	29	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
	30	+	Article – State Government 12
	31	+	Section 8–201 13
	32	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 14
	33	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
	34	+
	35	+	BY adding to 16
	36	+	Article – State Government 17
	37	+	Section 9–4101 through 9–4106 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 41. Maryland 18
	38	+	Department of Social Equity” 19
	39	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 20
	40	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
	41	+
	42	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 22
	43	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 23
	44	+
	45	+	Article – State Government 24
	46	+
	47	+	8–201. 25
48	48		2 HOUSE BILL 1253
49	49
50	50
51		-	BY renumbering 1
52		-	Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 2
53		-	Section 1–309.2 3
54		-	to be Section 1–309.1 4
55		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 5
56		-	(2024 Replacement Volume) 6
	51	+	(a) The Executive Branch of the State government shall have not more than [21] 1
	52	+	22 principal departments, each of which shall embrace a broad, functional area of that 2
	53	+	Branch. 3
57	54
58		-	BY renumbering 7
59		-	Article – State Government 8
60		-	Section 9–301 through 9–303, 9–303.1, 9–303.2, 9–303.3, 9–304, 9–304.1, and 9–305 9
61		-	through 9–308 and the subtitle “Subtitle 3. Office of Small, Minority, and 10
62		-	Women Business Affairs” 11
63		-	to be Section 9–4111 through 9–4122, respectively, and the part “Part III. Office of 12
64		-	Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs” 13
65		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 14
66		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
	55	+	(b) The principal departments of the Executive Branch of the State government 4
	56	+	are: 5
67	57
68		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
69		-	Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 17
70		-	Section 36–1401(a), (c), and (e) 18
71		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 19
72		-	(2024 Replacement Volume) 20
	58	+	(1) Aging; 6
73	59
74		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
75		-	Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 22
76		-	Section 36–1406(d) 23
77		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 24
78		-	(2024 Replacement Volume) 25
	60	+	(2) Agriculture; 7
79	61
80		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 26
81		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 27
82		-	Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 28
83		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 29
84		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 30
	62	+	(3) Budget and Management; 8
85	63
86		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 31
87		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 32
88		-	Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)204. and 205. and 14–305(b) 33
89		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 34
90		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 35
	64	+	(4) Commerce; 9
91	65
92		-	BY adding to 36
93		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 37
94		-	Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)206. 38
95		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 39
96		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 40
	66	+	(5) Disabilities; 10
	67	+
	68	+	(6) Emergency Management; 11
	69	+
	70	+	(7) the Environment; 12
	71	+
	72	+	(8) General Services; 13
	73	+
	74	+	(9) Health; 14
	75	+
	76	+	(10) Housing and Community Development; 15
	77	+
	78	+	(11) Human Services; 16
	79	+
	80	+	(12) Information Technology; 17
	81	+
	82	+	(13) Juvenile Services; 18
	83	+
	84	+	(14) Labor; 19
	85	+
	86	+	(15) Natural Resources; 20
	87	+
	88	+	(16) Planning; 21
	89	+
	90	+	(17) Public Safety and Correctional Services; 22
	91	+
	92	+	(18) Service and Civic Innovation; 23
	93	+
	94	+	(19) SOCIAL EQUITY; 24
	95	+
	96	+	(20) State Police; 25
97	97		HOUSE BILL 1253 3
98	98
99	99
100		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
101		-	Article – State Government 2
102		-	Section 8–201 3
103		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 4
104		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5
	100	+	[(20)] (21) Transportation; and 1
105	101
106		-	BY adding to 6
107		-	Article – State Government 7
108		-	Section 9–4101 through 9–4106 9–4107 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 41. 8
109		-	Maryland Department of Social Equity and Economic Mobility” 9
110		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 10
111		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
	102	+	[(21)] (22) Veterans and Military Families. 2
112	103
113		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
114		-	Article – State Government 13
115		-	Section 9–4111, 9–4112, and 9–4114 14
116		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 15
117		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
118		-	(As enacted by Section 3 of this Act) 17
	104	+	SUBTITLE 41. MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL EQUITY. 3
119	105
120		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
121		-	Article – Tax – General 19
122		-	Section 2–1302.2 20
123		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 21
124		-	(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
	106	+	9–4101. 4
125	107
126		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 23
127		-	That Section(s) 1–309.1 of Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis of the Annotated 24
128		-	Code of Maryland be transferred to be Section(s) 9–4108 of Article – State Government of 25
129		-	the Annotated Code of Maryland. 26
	108	+	(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANI NGS 5
	109	+	INDICATED. 6
130	110
131		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 1 –309.2 of Article 27
132		-	– Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to 28
133		-	be Section(s) 1–309.1. 29
	111	+	(B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL 7
	112	+	EQUITY. 8
134	113
135		-	SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Sectio n(s) 9–301 through 30
136		-	9–303, 9–303.1, 9–303.2, 9–303.3, 9–304, 9–304.1, and 9–305 through 9–308 and the 31
137		-	subtitle “Subtitle 3. Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs” of Article – 32
138		-	State Government of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 33
139		-	9–4111 through 9–4122, respectively, and the part “Part III. Office of Small, Minority, and 34
140		-	Women Business Affairs”. 35
	114	+	(C) “SECRETARY” MEANS THE SECRETARY OF SOCIAL EQUITY. 9
141	115
142		-	~~SECTION 1.~~ ~~4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 36~~
143		-	OF ~~MARYLAND , That~~ the ~~Laws~~ of ~~Maryland read as follows:~~ 37
	116	+	(D) “UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT ” OR “UNIT” MEANS AN AGENCY OR U NIT 10
	117	+	OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT . 11
144	118
145		-	Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis 38
146		-	4 HOUSE BILL 1253
	119	+	9–4102. 12
	120	+
	121	+	(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL EQUITY, 13
	122	+	ESTABLISHED AS A PRI NCIPAL DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT . 14
	123	+
	124	+	(B) (1) THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THE SECRETARY OF SOCIAL 15
	125	+	EQUITY, WHO SHALL BE APPOINT ED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADV ICE AND 16
	126	+	CONSENT OF THE SENATE. 17
	127	+
	128	+	(2) THE SECRETARY SERVES AT T HE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR. 18
	129	+
	130	+	(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EMPL OY STAFF TO CARRY OU T ITS DUTIES AS 19
	131	+	PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 20
	132	+
	133	+	9–4103. 21
	134	+
	135	+	(A) THE PURPOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT IS TO: 22
	136	+
	137	+	(1) PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT , 23
	138	+	INDIVIDUALS, AND BUSINESSES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SOCIAL EQUITY 24
	139	+	POLICIES IN THE STATE; 25
	140	+
	141	+	(2) MONITOR TRENDS IN SO CIAL EQUITY PROGRAMS AND POLICIES 26
	142	+	ACROSS THE NATION ; 27 4 HOUSE BILL 1253
147	143
148	144
149		-	36–1401. 1
150	145
151		-	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 2
	146	+	(3) PROPOSE NEW AND INNO VATIVE APPROACHES TO SOCIAL EQUITY 1
	147	+	PROGRAMS; 2
152	148
153		-	(c) “Department” means the Department of Commerce. 3
	149	+	(4) COMPILE AND PRODUCE REPORTS AND REC OMMENDATIONS 3
	150	+	RELATED TO SOCIAL EQ UITY; AND 4
154	151
155		-	(e) “Program” means the Capital Access Program established under this subtitle. 4
	152	+	(5) ENSURE THE FULFILLME NT OF THE ROLES AND 5
	153	+	RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENTITIES AND SOC IAL EQUITY PROGRAMS IN THE STATE 6
	154	+	FOR WHICH IT IS THE SUCCESSOR. 7
156	155
157		-	~~36–1406. 5~~
	156	+	(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL: 8
158	157
159		-	(d) The Department shall collaborate with the Office of Social Equity established 6
160		-	under [§ 1–309.1 of this article] § 9–4108 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE to 7
161		-	identify and assist businesses with obtaining financing from the Program. 8
	158	+	(1) CONNECT A PERSON WIT H PROGRAMS IN STATE, FEDERAL, AND 9
	159	+	LOCAL GOVERNMENT THA T SERVE DESIGNATED P OPULATIONS TO ENSURE THE 10
	160	+	PERSON IS CONNECTED TO PROGRAMS AND OTHE R OPPORTUNITIES THE PERSON IS 11
	161	+	ELIGIBLE FOR; 12
162	162
163		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 9
	163	+	(2) PROVIDE UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT WITH ASSISTANCE 13
	164	+	RELATED TO THE PURPO SE OF THE DEPARTMENT BY: 14
164	165
165		-	~~6–226. 10~~
	166	+	(I) FACILITATING INFORMA TION SHARING BETWEEN UNITS; 15
166	167
167		-	(a) ~~(2) (i) 1.~~ ~~This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 11~~
168		-	~~through 2028.~~ 12
	168	+	(II) MAINTAINING AN INVEN TORY OF SOCIAL EQUIT Y WORK 16
	169	+	PERFORMED BY EACH UNIT AND RELEVANT REPORTS FRO M THOSE UNITS; 17
169	170
170		-	2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 13
171		-	inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 14
172		-	terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 15
173		-	State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 16
174		-	receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 17
175		-	Fund of the State. 18
	171	+	(III) CONDUCTING POLICY AN ALYSES ON SOCIAL EQUITY AND 18
	172	+	THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRA MS; 19
176	173
177		-	(ii) ~~The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 19~~
178		-	~~to the following funds: 20~~
	174	+	(IV) ADOPTING STANDARDS F OR UNITS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL 20
	175	+	EQUITY; AND 21
179	176
180		-	204. the Victims of Domestic Violence Program Grant Fund; 21
181		-	[and] 22
	177	+	(V) PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO UNITS; AND 22
182	178
183		-	~~205~~. ~~the Proposed Programs Collaborative Grant Fund; AND~~ 23
	179	+	(3) ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBTITLE. 23
184	180
185		-	206. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC 24
186		-	MOBILITY SPECIAL FUND. 25
	181	+	9–4104. 24
187	182
188		-	~~14–305. 26~~
	183	+	A UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT OTHER THAN THE DEPARTMENT SHALL: 25
189	184
190		-	(b) (1) On or before December 31 of each year, the Governor’s Office of Small, 27
191		-	Minority, and Women Business Affairs shall submit to the Board of Public Works and, 28
192		-	subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Legislative Policy Committee 29
193		-	and the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight a report 30
194		-	summarizing the information the Office receives under subsection (a) of this section. 31
195		-	HOUSE BILL 1253 5
	185	+	(1) ENSURE THAT A PERSON THAT INTERACTS WITH THE UNIT’S 26
	186	+	PROGRAM FOR DESIGNATED POPULATIO NS IS CONNECTED WITH ALL STATE 27 HOUSE BILL 1253 5
196	187
197	188
198		-	(2) If applicable, the report submitted under paragraph (1) of this 1
199		-	subsection shall include minority business enterprise participation data for each unit by 2
200		-	industry type. 3
	189	+	PROGRAMS FOR WHICH T HE PERSON MAY BE ELIGIBLE BY REFERRING THE PER SON 1
	190	+	TO THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 2
201	191
202		-	(3) ~~This report may be prepared in conjunction with~~ the ~~annual report 4~~
203		-	~~required under [§ 9–306] § 9–4120 of the State Government Article~~. 5
	192	+	(2) UTILIZE STANDARDS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT RELATED TO 3
	193	+	SOCIAL EQUITY. 4
204	194
205		-	(4) (i) Beginning with the report submitted under paragraph (1) of this 6
206		-	subsection on December 31, 2023, and each year thereafter, the Governor’s Office of Small, 7
207		-	Minority, and Women Business Affairs shall include in the report an attestation that all 8
208		-	units required to report under subsection (a) of this section are represented in the report. 9
	195	+	9–4105. 5
209	196
210		-	(ii) To ensure accuracy of the attestation made under subparagraph 10
211		-	(i) of this paragraph, on or before December 31, 2023, and every 3 years thereafter, the 11
212		-	Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs shall conduct an audit 12
213		-	of the Executive Branch of State government to determine what entities are included in the 13
214		-	definition of “unit” under § 11–101 of this article. 14
	197	+	ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2026, AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER , THE 6
	198	+	DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 7
	199	+	2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 8
215	200
216		-	Article – State Government 15
	201	+	(1) THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE IMMEDIATELY 9
	202	+	PRECEDING YEAR; AND 10
217	203
218		-	8–201. 16
	204	+	(2) RECOMMEND ED CHANGES TO LAWS OR POLICIES TO PROMOTE 11
	205	+	SOCIAL EQUITY. 12
219	206
220		-	(a) The Executive Branch of the State government shall have not more than [21] 17
221		-	22 principal departments, each of which shall embrace a broad, functional area of that 18
222		-	Branch. 19
	207	+	9–4106. 13
223	208
224		-	(b) The principal departments of the Executive Branch of the State government 20
225		-	are: 21
	209	+	(A) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LEGAL ADVISER TO THE DEPARTMENT . 14
226	210
227		-	(1) Aging; 22
	211	+	(B) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL ASSIGN TO THE DEPARTMENT THE 15
	212	+	NUMBER OF ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL AU THORIZED BY LAW TO B E ASSIGNED 16
	213	+	TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ANY AD DITIONAL ASSISTANT A TTORNEYS GENERAL 17
	214	+	NECESSARY TO GIVE EF FECTIVE LEGAL ADVICE A ND COUNSEL. 18
228	215
229		-	(2) Agriculture; 23
	216	+	(C) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO SHALL DE SIGNATE AN ASSISTANT 19
	217	+	ATTORNEY GENERAL AS COUNSEL TO THE DEPARTMENT . 20
230	218
231		-	~~(3) Budget~~ and ~~Management; 24~~
	219	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 21
232	220
233		-	(4) Commerce; 25
	221	+	(a) In regard to the operation of social equity programs by the State, the Maryland 22
	222	+	Department of Social Equity is the successor of: 23
234	223
235		-	(5) Disabilities; 26
	224	+	(1) the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Business 24
	225	+	Affairs; 25
236	226
237		-	(6) Emergency Management; 27
	227	+	(2) the Office of Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration; 26
	228	+	and 27
238	229
239		-	(7) the Environment; 28
240		-
241		-	(8) General Services; 29
242		-
243		-	(9) Health; 30
	230	+	(3) the Office of Minority Business Enterprises in the Maryland 28
	231	+	Department of Transportation. 29
244	232		6 HOUSE BILL 1253
245	233
246	234
247		-	(10) Housing and Community Development; 1
	235	+	(b) When determining how and when to transfer personnel from the Governor’s 1
	236	+	Office of Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Business Affairs, the Office of Social Equity 2
	237	+	in the Maryland Cannabis Administration, and the Office of Minority Business Enterprises 3
	238	+	in the Maryland Department of Transportation to the Maryland Department of Social 4
	239	+	Equity, the Governor and the Department of Budget and Management shall minimize costs 5
	240	+	to the State and maximize the efficient operation of social equity programs. 6
248	241
249		-	(11) Human Services; 2
	242	+	(c) In every law, executive order, rule, regulation, policy, or document created by 7
	243	+	an official, an employee, or a unit of this State, the names and titles of those agencies and 8
	244	+	officials mean the names and titles of the successor agency or official for matters regarding 9
	245	+	the operation of social equity programs by the State. 10
250	246
251		-	(12) Information Technology; 3
	247	+	SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , as of the effective date of this 11
	248	+	Act, an individual who is a merit employee or contract staff in a budgeted position of the 12
	249	+	Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Business Affairs, the Office of 13
	250	+	Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration, or the Office of Minority Business 14
	251	+	Enterprises in the Maryland Department of Transportation and whose position is 15
	252	+	transferred to the Maryland Department of Social Equity to oversee the regulation of 16
	253	+	cannabis shall be transferred without any change to, or loss of, the individual’s rights, pay, 17
	254	+	working conditions, benefits, or status, and shall retain the individual’s merit system status 18
	255	+	and retirement system status. 19
252	256
253		-	(13) Juvenile Services; 4
	257	+	SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , notwithstanding any other 20
	258	+	provision of law, the Governor may transfer to the Maryland Department of Social Equity 21
	259	+	positions, associated funds, and unexpended appropriations under applicable budget codes 22
	260	+	that were included in the fiscal year 2026 State budget as enacted by Chapter ____ (S.B. 23
	261	+	319) (H.B. 350) of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2025. 24
254	262
255		-	(14) Labor; 5
	263	+	SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , on or before July 1, 2026, the 25
	264	+	Maryland Department of Social Equity shall submit a report to the Governor and, in 26
	265	+	accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly that: 27
256	266
257		-	(15) Natural Resources; 6
	267	+	(1) identifies all State programs and units dedicated to social equity or that 28
	268	+	have a social equity component; and 29
258	269
259		-	(16) Planning; 7
	270	+	(2) makes recommendations regarding how State programs and units can 30
	271	+	be reorganized, coordinated, or otherwise made more effective and more efficient to promote 31
	272	+	social equity. 32
260	273
261		-	(17) Public Safety and Correctional Services; 8
262		-
263		-	(18) Service and Civic Innovation; 9
264		-
265		-	(19) SOCIAL EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY; 10
266		-
267		-	(20) State Police; 11
268		-
269		-	[(20)] (21) Transportation; and 12
270		-
271		-	[(21)] (22) Veterans and Military Families. 13
272		-
273		-	SUBTITLE 41. MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL EQUITY AND ECONOMIC 14
274		-	MOBILITY. 15
275		-
276		-	PART I. DEFINITIONS. 16
277		-
278		-	9–4101. 17
279		-
280		-	(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 18
281		-	INDICATED. 19
282		-
283		-	(B) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL 20
284		-	EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY. 21
285		-
286		-	(C) “SECRETARY” MEANS THE SECRETARY OF SOCIAL EQUITY AND 22
287		-	ECONOMIC MOBILITY. 23
288		-
289		-	(D) “UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT ” OR “UNIT” MEANS AN AGENCY OR U NIT 24
290		-	OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT . 25
291		-
292		-	9–4101.1. RESERVED. 26 HOUSE BILL 1253 7
293		-
294		-
295		-
296		-	9–4101.2. RESERVED. 1
297		-
298		-	PART II. GENERAL PROVISIONS. 2
299		-
300		-	9–4102. 3
301		-
302		-	(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL EQUITY AND 4
303		-	ECONOMIC MOBILITY, ESTABLISHED AS A PRI NCIPAL DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE 5
304		-	GOVERNME NT. 6
305		-
306		-	(B) (1) THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THE SECRETARY OF SOCIAL 7
307		-	EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY, WHO SHALL BE APPOINT ED BY THE GOVERNOR 8
308		-	WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE. 9
309		-
310		-	(2) THE SECRETARY SERVES AT T HE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR. 10
311		-
312		-	(C) THE FOLLOWING UNITS ARE IN THE DEPARTMENT : 11
313		-
314		-	(1) THE OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES; 12
315		-
316		-	(2) THE OFFICE OF SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN BUSINESS 13
317		-	AFFAIRS; AND 14
318		-
319		-	(3) THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY. 15
320		-
321		-	(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EMPL OY STAFF TO CARRY OU T ITS DUTIES AS 16
322		-	PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 17
323		-
324		-	9–4103. 18
325		-
326		-	(A) THE PURPOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT IS TO : 19
327		-
328		-	(1) PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT , 20
329		-	INDIVIDUALS, AND BUSINESSES FOR T HE MAINTENANCE OF SO CIAL EQUITY 21
330		-	POLICIES IN THE STATE; 22
331		-
332		-	(2) MONITOR TRENDS IN SOCIAL EQUITY PRO GRAMS AND POLICIES 23
333		-	ACROSS THE NATION ; 24
334		-
335		-	(3) PROPOSE NEW AND INNO VATIVE APPROACHES TO SOCIAL EQUITY 25
336		-	PROGRAMS; 26
337		-
338		-	(4) COMPILE AND PRODUCE REPORTS AND RECOMMEN DATIONS 27
339		-	RELATED TO SOCIAL EQ UITY; AND 28 8 HOUSE BILL 1253
340		-
341		-
342		-
343		-	(5) ENSURE THE FULFILLME NT OF THE ROL ES AND 1
344		-	RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENTITIES AND SOC IAL EQUITY PROGRAMS IN THE STATE 2
345		-	FOR WHICH IT IS THE SUCCESSOR; 3
346		-
347		-	(6) TRACK THE PERFORMANCE OF S OCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM S AND 4
348		-	SMALL OR DISADVANTAG ED BUSINESS ASSISTAN CE PROGRAMS ; 5
349		-
350		-	(7) PROMOTE AND ENCOURAG E FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE 6
351		-	REGULATED CANNABIS I NDUSTRY BY INDIVIDUA LS FROM COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE 7
352		-	PREVIOUSLY BEEN DISP ROPORTIONATELY IMPAC TED BY THE WAR ON DR UGS IN 8
353		-	ORDER TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THOSE COMMUNI TIES AND OTHER DUTIE S ASSIGNED 9
354		-	TO THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY ESTABLISHED UND ER THIS SUBTITLE; 10
355		-
356		-	(8) SUPPORT SMALL OR DIS ADVANTAGED BUSINESSE S IN THE STATE 11
357		-	THROUGH ALL DUTIES A SSIGNED TO THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF SMALL, 12
358		-	MINORITY, AND WOMEN BUSINESS AFFAIRS; AND 13
359		-
360		-	(9) CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS 14
361		-	ENTERPRISES WITHIN TH E MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION , 15
362		-	INCLUDING DUTIES ASS IGNED TO SUPPORT SMA LL OR DISADVANTAGED 16
363		-	BUSINESSES. 17
364		-
365		-	(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 18
366		-
367		-	(1) CONNECT A PERSON WIT H PROGRAMS IN STATE, FEDERAL, AND 19
368		-	LOCAL GOVERNMENT THA T SERVE DESIGNATED P OPULATIONS TO ENSURE THE 20
369		-	PERSON IS CONNECTED TO PROGRAMS AND OTHE R OPPORTUNITIES THE PERSON IS 21
370		-	ELIGIBLE FOR; 22
371		-
372		-	(2) PROVIDE UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT WITH ASSISTANCE 23
373		-	RELATED TO THE PURPO SE OF THE DEPARTMENT BY : 24
374		-
375		-	(I) FACILITATING INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN UNITS ; 25
376		-
377		-	(II) MAINTAINING AN INVEN TORY OF SOCIAL EQUIT Y WORK 26
378		-	PERFORMED BY EACH UN IT AND RELEVANT REPO RTS FROM THOSE UNITS ; 27
379		-
380		-	(III) CONDUCTING POLICY AN ALYSES ON SOCIAL EQU ITY AND 28
381		-	THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRA MS; 29
382		-
383		-	(IV) ADOPTING STANDARDS F OR UNITS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL 30
384		-	EQUITY; AND 31
385		-	HOUSE BILL 1253 9
386		-
387		-
388		-	(V) PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO UNITS ; AND 1
389		-
390		-	(3) ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS SUBTI TLE. 2
391		-
392		-	9–4104. 3
393		-
394		-	A UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT OTHE R THAN THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 4
395		-
396		-	(1) ENSURE THAT A PERSON THA T INTERACTS WITH THE UNIT’S 5
397		-	PROGRAM FOR DESIGNAT ED POPULATIONS IS CO NNECTED WITH ALL STATE 6
398		-	PROGRAMS FOR WHICH T HE PERSON MAY BE ELI GIBLE BY REFERRING T HE PERSON 7
399		-	TO THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 8
400		-
401		-	(2) UTILIZE STANDARDS SE T BY THE DEPARTMENT RELAT ED TO 9
402		-	SOCIAL EQUITY. 10
403		-
404		-	9–4105. 11
405		-
406		-	ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2026, AND EACH YEAR THEREA FTER, THE 12
407		-	DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 13
408		-	2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 14
409		-
410		-	(1) THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE IMMEDIATELY 15
411		-	PRECEDING YEAR ; AND 16
412		-
413		-	(2) RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO LAWS OR POLICIES TO PROMOTE 17
414		-	SOCIAL EQUITY. 18
415		-
416		-	9–4106. 19
417		-
418		-	(A) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LEGAL ADVI SER TO THE DEPARTMENT . 20
419		-
420		-	(B) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL ASSIGN TO THE DEPARTMENT THE 21
421		-	NUMBER OF ASSIST ANT ATTORNEYS GENERA L AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO BE ASSIGNED 22
422		-	TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ANY AD DITIONAL ASSISTANT A TTORNEYS GENERAL 23
423		-	NECESSARY TO GIVE EF FECTIVE LEGAL ADVICE AND COUNSEL . 24
424		-
425		-	(C) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO SHALL DE SIGNATE AN ASSISTANT 25
426		-	ATTORNEY GENERAL AS COUNSEL TO THE DEPARTMENT . 26
427		-
428		-	9–4107. 27
429		-
430		-	(A) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND 28
431		-	ECONOMIC MOBILITY SPECIAL FUND. 29
432		-	10 HOUSE BILL 1253
433		-
434		-
435		-	(B) THERE IS A DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY 1
436		-	SPECIAL FUND. 2
437		-
438		-	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PAY THE CO STS OF THE OPERATION 3
439		-	OF: 4
440		-
441		-	(1) THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY; AND 5
442		-
443		-	(2) THE OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 6
444		-
445		-	(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND. 7
446		-
447		-	(E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 8
448		-	SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 9
449		-
450		-	(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 10
451		-	AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 11
452		-
453		-	(F) (1) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 12
454		-
455		-	(I) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUND UNDER § 2–1302.2 OF 13
456		-	THE TAX – GENERAL ARTICLE; 14
457		-
458		-	(II) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE 15
459		-	FUND; 16
460		-
461		-	(III) INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND; AND 17
462		-
463		-	(IV) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 18
464		-	FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND. 19
465		-
466		-	(2) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN THE ANNUAL BUDG ET BILL 20
467		-	AN APPROPRIATION FROM T HE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND TO THE FUND 21
468		-	EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO DEFRAY THE OPERATIONS AND 22
469		-	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES OF THE OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS 23
470		-	ENTERPRISES. 24
471		-
472		-	(G) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR PAYING THE COSTS OF THE 25
473		-	OPERATION AND ADMINISTRA TIVE EXPENSES OF : 26
474		-
475		-	(1) THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY; AND 27
476		-
477		-	(2) THE OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 28
478		-	HOUSE BILL 1253 11
479		-
480		-
481		-	(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 1
482		-	IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 2
483		-
484		-	(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 3
485		-	THE FUND. 4
486		-
487		-	(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 5
488		-	WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 6
489		-
490		-	(J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL 7
491		-	EQUITY OR THE OFFICE OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IS SUPPLE MENTAL 8
492		-	TO AND IS NOT INTEND ED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF FUNDING THAT OTHE RWISE 9
493		-	WOULD BE APPROPRIATE D FOR THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY OR THE OFFICE OF 10
494		-	MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 11
495		-
496		-	9–4108. 12
497		-
498		-	(a) [(1)] There is an Office of Social Equity[. 13
499		-
500		-	(2) The Office is an independent office that functions] within the 14
501		-	[Maryland Cannabis Administration] DEPARTMENT . 15
502		-
503		-	(b) (1) The Governor shall appoint an Executive Director of the Office of Social 16
504		-	Equity. 17
505		-
506		-	(2) The Executive Director of the Office of Social Equity shall have at least 18
507		-	5 years of experience in civil rights advocacy, civil rights litigation, or another area of social 19
508		-	justice. 20
509		-
510		-	(c) The Office of Social Equity may employ staff and retain contractors as may be 21
511		-	required to carry out the functions of the Office. 22
512		-
513		-	(d) The Office of Social Equity shall: 23
514		-
515		-	(1) promote and encourage full participation in the regulated cannabis 24
516		-	industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately 25
517		-	impacted by the war on drugs in order to positively impact those communities; 26
518		-
519		-	(2) consult with and assist the Comptroller in the administration of the 27
520		-	Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund under § 1 –322 of [this subtitle] THE 28
521		-	ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CANNABIS ARTICLE; 29
522		-
523		-	(3) consult with and assist the Department of Commerce in the 30
524		-	administration of the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund under § 5–1901 of the Economic 31
525		-	Development Article; 32
526		-	12 HOUSE BILL 1253
527		-
528		-
529		-	(4) identify and oppose regulations that unnecessarily burden or 1
530		-	undermine the legislative intent of the Office, including regulations that impose undue 2
531		-	restrictions or financial requirements; 3
532		-
533		-	(5) provide recommendations to the Maryland Cannabis Administration on 4
534		-	regulations related to: 5
535		-
536		-	(i) diversity; and 6
537		-
538		-	(ii) social equity applications; 7
539		-
540		-	(6) work with the Maryland Cannabis Administration to implement free 8
541		-	technical assistance for social equity and minority cannabis business applicants; 9
542		-
543		-	(7) produce reports and recommendations on diversity and equity in 10
544		-	ownership, management, and employment in the legal cannabis economy; and 11
545		-
546		-	(8) assist businesses with obtaining financing through the Capital Access 12
547		-	Program under Title 36, Subtitle 14 of [this article] THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND 13
548		-	CANNABIS ARTICLE. 14
549		-
550		-	(e) (1) On or before March 1 each year, the Office of Social Equity shall produce 15
551		-	and make publicly available a report on how the funds in the Community Reinvestment 16
552		-	and Repair Fund under § 1–322 of [this subtitle] THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND 17
553		-	CANNABIS ARTICLE were allocated during the immediately preceding calendar year. 18
554		-
555		-	(2) The report shall also be submitted to the General Assembly in 19
556		-	accordance with § 2–1257 of [the State Government Article] THIS ARTICLE. 20
557		-
558		-	(3) The Office may request information from political subdivisions and 21
559		-	entities receiving distributions from the Fund to assist with the completion of the report. 22
560		-
561		-	(f) (1) On or before November 1 every 2 years, beginning in 2024, the Office of 23
562		-	Social Equity shall solicit public input on the uses of the funds in the Community 24
563		-	Reinvestment and Repair Fund under § 1–322 of [this subtitle] THE ALCOHOLIC 25
564		-	BEVERAGES AND CANNABIS ARTICLE. 26
565		-
566		-	(2) On or before December 15 every 2 years, beginning in 2024, the Office 27
567		-	of Social Equity shall publish a review of the input received under paragraph (1) of this 28
568		-	subsection on a publicly accessible part of the Office’s website. 29
569		-
570		-	(3) The Office shall include in the review information on how the funds 30
571		-	received from the Fund were spent during the immediately preceding 2 calendar years. 31
572		-
573		-	9–4109. RESERVED. 32
574		-	HOUSE BILL 1253 13
575		-
576		-
577		-	9–4110. RESERVED. 1
578		-
579		-	Part III. Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs. 2
580		-
581		-	9–4111. 3
582		-
583		-	(a) In this [subtitle] PART the following words have the meanings indicated. 4
584		-
585		-	(b) “Interdepartmental Committee” means the Interdepartmental Advisory 5
586		-	Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs. 6
587		-
588		-	(c) (1) “Minority person” means: 7
589		-
590		-	(i) an individual who has been deprived of the opportunity to 8
591		-	develop and keep a competitive position in the economy because of a social or economic 9
592		-	disadvantage that arises from cultural, racial, or other similar causes; or 10
593		-
594		-	(ii) a sheltered workshop for individuals with disabilities. 11
595		-
596		-	(2) “Minority person” includes: 12
597		-
598		-	(i) an Aleut; 13
599		-
600		-	(ii) an American Indian; 14
601		-
602		-	(iii) a Black; 15
603		-
604		-	(iv) an Eskimo; 16
605		-
606		-	(v) a Hispanic; 17
607		-
608		-	(vi) an Oriental; 18
609		-
610		-	(vii) a Puerto Rican; or 19
611		-
612		-	(viii) a woman. 20
613		-
614		-	(d) “Office” means the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs. 21
615		-
616		-	(e) “Special Secretary” means the Special Secretary for the Office of Small, 22
617		-	Minority, and Women Business Affairs. 23
618		-
619		-	9–4112. 24
620		-
621		-	There is an Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs in the [Executive] 25
622		-	Department. 26
623		-	14 HOUSE BILL 1253
624		-
625		-
626		-	9–4114. 1
627		-
628		-	(a) There is an Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and 2
629		-	Women Business Affairs. 3
630		-
631		-	(b) The Interdepartmental Committee is composed of: 4
632		-
633		-	(1) the secretary of each principal department of the Executive Branch of 5
634		-	government, or the secretary’s designee; 6
635		-
636		-	(2) the State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee; 7
637		-
638		-	(3) the Secretary of Higher Education, or the Secretary’s designee; and 8
639		-
640		-	(4) the Special Secretary. 9
641		-
642		-	(c) The Interdepartmental Committee shall: 10
643		-
644		-	(1) advise the Special Secretary on proposals to implement and enhance 11
645		-	the duties of the Office, including the promotion of employment of minority persons in the 12
646		-	State, and the promotion of the growth and participation of minority business enterprises 13
647		-	in the State; 14
648		-
649		-	(2) gather such information the Committee deems necessary to promote 15
650		-	the goals of the Office; 16
651		-
652		-	(3) provide such other assistance as may be required to further the 17
653		-	purposes of [§§ 9–304 and 9–305] §§ 9–4117 AND 9–4119 of this subtitle; and 18
654		-
655		-	(4) meet at the call of the Special Secretary. 19
656		-
657		-	Article – Tax – General 20
658		-
659		-	2–1302.2. 21
660		-
661		-	After making the distributions required under §§ 2–1301 through 2–1302.1 of this 22
662		-	subtitle, of the sales and use tax collected under § 11–104(k) of this article from the sale of 23
663		-	cannabis, as defined in § 1–101 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, the 24
664		-	Comptroller quarterly shall distribute: 25
665		-
666		-	(1) to the Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement Fund, established under 26
667		-	§ 36–206 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, an amount necessary to defray 27
668		-	the entire cost of the operations and administrative expenses of the Maryland Cannabis 28
669		-	Administration established under Title 36 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article; 29
670		-
671		-	(2) TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY 30
672		-	SPECIAL FUND, ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–4107 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 31 HOUSE BILL 1253 15
673		-
674		-
675		-	ARTICLE, AN AMOUNT NECESSARY TO DEFRAY THE OPERAT IONS AND 1
676		-	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES OF THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY WITHIN THE 2
677		-	DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY; 3
678		-
679		-	(3) after making the distribution required under [item (1)] ITEMS (1) AND 4
680		-	(2) of this section: 5
681		-
682		-	(i) 35% to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund under § 6
683		-	1–322 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article for fiscal years 2024 through 2033; 7
684		-
685		-	(ii) 5% to counties, which shall be allocated to each county based on 8
686		-	the percentage of revenue collected from that county, except that a county shall distribute 9
687		-	to a municipality located in the county 50% of the allocation received under this item that 10
688		-	is attributable to the sales and use tax revenue generated by a dispensary located in that 11
689		-	municipality; 12
690		-
691		-	(iii) 5% to the Cannabis Public Health Fund established under § 13
692		-	13–4505 of the Health – General Article; and 14
693		-
694		-	(iv) for fiscal years 2024 through 2028, 5% to the Cannabis Business 15
695		-	Assistance Fund established under § 5–1901 of the Economic Development Article; and 16
696		-
697		-	[(3)] (4) any balance remaining after the distributions required under 17
698		-	items (1) [and], (2), AND (3) of this section to the General Fund of the State. 18
699		-
700		-	SECTION 2. 5. AND BE IT FURTHE R ENACTED, That: 19
701		-
702		-	(a) In regard to the operation of social equity programs by the State, the Maryland 20
703		-	Department of Social Equity and Economic Mobility is the successor of: 21
704		-
705		-	(1) the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Women 22
706		-	Business Affairs; 23
707		-
708		-	(2) the Office of Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration; 24
709		-	and 25
710		-
711		-	(3) the Office of Minority Business Enterprises in the Maryland 26
712		-	Department of Transportation. 27
713		-
714		-	(b) When determining how and when to transfer personnel from the Governor’s 28
715		-	Office of Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Women Business Affairs, the Office of Social 29
716		-	Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration, and the Office of Minority Business 30
717		-	Enterprises in the Maryland Department of Transportation to the Maryland Department 31
718		-	of Social Equity, the Governor and the Department of Budget and Management shall 32
719		-	minimize costs to the State and maximize the efficient operation of social equity programs. 33
720		-	16 HOUSE BILL 1253
721		-
722		-
723		-	(c) In every law, executive order, rule, regulation, policy, or document created by 1
724		-	an official, an employee, or a unit of this State, the names and titles of those agencies and 2
725		-	officials mean the names and titles of the successor agency or official for matters regarding 3
726		-	the operation of social equity programs by the State. 4
727		-
728		-	SECTION 3. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, as of the effective date of 5
729		-	this Act, an individual who is a merit employee or contract staff in a budgeted position of 6
730		-	the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Women Business Affairs, the 7
731		-	Office of Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration, or the Office of Minority 8
732		-	Business Enterprises in the Maryland Department of Transportation and whose position 9
733		-	is transferred to the Maryland Department of Social Equity and Economic Mobility to 10
734		-	oversee the regulation of cannabis shall be transferred without any change to, or loss of, 11
735		-	the individual’s rights, pay, working conditions, benefits, or status, and shall retain the 12
736		-	individual’s merit system status and retirement system status. 13
737		-
738		-	SECTION 4. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other 14
739		-	provision of law, the Governor may transfer to the Maryland Department of Social Equity 15
740		-	and Economic Mobility positions, associated funds, and unexpended appropriations under 16
741		-	applicable budget codes that were included in the fiscal year 2026 State budget as enacted 17
742		-	by Chapter ____ (S.B. 319) (H.B. 350) of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2025. 18
743		-
744		-	SECTION 5. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before July 1, 2026, 19
745		-	the Maryland Department of Social Equity and Economic Mobility shall submit a report to 20
746		-	the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the 21
747		-	General Assembly that: 22
748		-
749		-	(1) identifies all State programs and units dedicated to social equity or that 23
750		-	have a social equity component; and 24
751		-
752		-	(2) makes recommendations regarding how State programs and units can 25
753		-	be reorganized, coordinated, or otherwise made more effective and more efficient to promote 26
754		-	social equity. 27
755		-
756		-	SECTION 9. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the publisher of the 28
757		-	Annotated Code of Maryland, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the 29
758		-	Department of Legislative Services, shall correct, with no further action required by the 30
759		-	General Assembly, cross–references and terminology rendered incorrect by this Act. The 31
760		-	publisher shall adequately describe any correction that is made in an editor’s note following 32
761		-	the section affected. 33
762		-
763		-	SECTION 6. 10. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 34
764		-	October 1, 2025. 35
765		-
	274	+	SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 33
	275	+	October 1, 2025. 34