MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB226

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB226 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 40
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 40
5-(Senate Bill 226)
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+ *sb0226*
810
9-Maryland Farms and Families Fund – Purpose and Use – Alterations
11+SENATE BILL 226
12+M4 (5lr0027)
13+ENROLLED BILL
14+— Finance/Environment and Transportation —
15+Introduced by Chair, Finance Committee (By Request – Departmental –
16+Agriculture)
1017
11-FOR the purpose of altering the purpose and use of the Maryland Farms and Families
12-Fund; and generally relating to the Maryland Farms and Families Fund.
18+Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
1319
14-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
15- Article – Agriculture
16-Section 1–101(a) and (g), 10–2001, and 10–2002
17- Annotated Code of Maryland
18- (2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement)
20+_______________________________________________
21+Proofreader.
22+_______________________________________________
23+Proofreader.
1924
20-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
21- Article – Agriculture
22- Section 10–2003 and 10–2004
23- Annotated Code of Maryland
24- (2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement)
25+Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
2526
26- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
27-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
27+_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
2828
29-Article – Agriculture
29+______________________________________________
30+President.
3031
31-1–101.
32+CHAPTER ______
3233
33- (a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated.
34+AN ACT concerning 1
3435
35- (g) “Person” includes the State, any county, municipal corporation or other
36-political subdivision of the State, or any of their units, or an individual, receiver, trustee,
37-guardian, executor, administrator, fiduciary, or representative of any kind, or any
38-partnership, firm, association, public or private corporation, or any other entity, unless
39-otherwise provided.
36+Maryland Farms and Families Fund – Purpose and Use – Alterations 2
4037
41-10–2001.
38+FOR the purpose of altering the purpose and use of the Maryland Farms and Families 3
39+Fund; and generally relating to the Maryland Farms and Families Fund. 4
4240
43- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
41+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 5
42+ Article – Agriculture 6
43+Section 1–101(a) and (g), 10–2001, and 10–2002 7
44+ Annotated Code of Maryland 8
45+ (2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
4446
45- (b) “FMNP” means the federal Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
47+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 10
48+ Article – Agriculture 11
49+ Section 10–2003 and 10–2004 12 2 SENATE BILL 226
4650
47- (c) “Fund” means the Maryland Farms and Families Fund.
4851
49- (d) “Program” means the Maryland Farms and Families Program. Ch. 40 2025 LAWS OF MARYLAND
52+ Annotated Code of Maryland 1
53+ (2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 2
5054
51-– 2 –
55+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 3
56+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 4
5257
53- (e) “SNAP” means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
58+Article – Agriculture 5
5459
55- (f) “WIC” means the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women,
56-Infants, and Children.
60+1–101. 6
5761
58-10–2002.
62+ (a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 7
5963
60- (a) There is a Maryland Farms and Families Program in the Department.
64+ (g) “Person” includes the State, any county, municipal corporation or other 8
65+political subdivision of the State, or any of their units, or an individual, receiver, trustee, 9
66+guardian, executor, administrator, fiduciary, or representative of any kind, or any 10
67+partnership, firm, association, public or private corporation, or any other entity, unless 11
68+otherwise provided. 12
6169
62- (b) The purpose of the Program is to double the purchasing power of food–insecure
63-Maryland residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to increase
64-revenue for farmers through redemption of federal nutrition benefits at Maryland farmers
65-markets.
70+10–2001. 13
6671
67-10–2003.
72+ (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
6873
69- (a) There is a Maryland Farms and Families Fund.
74+ (b) “FMNP” means the federal Farmers Market Nutrition Program. 15
7075
71- (b) The purpose of the Fund is [to provide grants] to:
76+ (c) “Fund” means the Maryland Farms and Families Fund. 16
7277
73- (1) [Nonprofit organizations that match] MATCH purchases made with
74-FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits at participating farmers markets and farm stands;
78+ (d) “Program” means the Maryland Farms and Families Program. 17
7579
76- (2) [Nonprofit] SUPPORT NONPROFIT farmers markets to implement the
77-Program [at the farmers markets] BY PROVIDING LOGISTICAL AND MARKE TING
78-SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE USE OF FEDERAL N UTRITION PROGRAMS AT THESE
79-FARMERS MARKETS ; and
80+ (e) “SNAP” means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 18
8081
81- (3) [Local] SUPPORT nonprofit organizations AND OTHER RESPONSIBL E
82-PERSONS to implement the Program in partnership with one or more participating local
83-farmers markets.
82+ (f) “WIC” means the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, 19
83+Infants, and Children. 20
8484
85- (c) The Secretary shall administer the Fund.
85+10–2002. 21
8686
87- (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of
88-the State Finance and Procurement Article.
87+ (a) There is a Maryland Farms and Families Program in the Department. 22
8988
90- (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the
91-Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
89+ (b) The purpose of the Program is to double the purchasing power of food–insecure 23
90+Maryland residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to increase 24
91+revenue for farmers through redemption of federal nutrition benefits at Maryland farmers 25
92+markets. 26
9293
93- (e) The Fund consists of:
94+10–2003. 27
9495
95- (1) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and
96- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 40
96+ (a) There is a Maryland Farms and Families Fund. 28
9797
98-– 3 –
99- (2) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the
100-Fund.
98+ (b) The purpose of the Fund is [to provide grants] to: 29 SENATE BILL 226 3
10199
102- (f) (1) In accordance with this subsection, THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE the
103-Fund [shall be used to provide grants] FOR EITHER ONE OR BO TH OF THE FOLLOWING
104-PURPOSES:
105100
106- (i) [Nonprofit organizations that:
107101
108- 1. Meet the qualifications established in § 10–2004 of this
109-subtitle; and
102+ (1) [Nonprofit organizations that match] MATCH purchases made with 1
103+FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits at participating farmers markets and farm stands; 2
110104
111- 2. Distribute the grant money to farmers markets and local
112-nonprofit organizations in accordance with this subtitle;] TO IMPLEMENT , IN WHOLE OR
113-IN PART, THE PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ; AND
105+ (2) [Nonprofit] SUPPORT NONPROFIT farmers markets to implement the 3
106+Program [at the farmers markets] BY PROVIDING LOGISTICAL AND MARKE TING 4
107+SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE USE OF FEDERAL N UTRITION PROGRAMS AT THESE 5
108+FARMERS MARKETS ; and 6
114109
115- (ii) [Nonprofit farmers markets to implement the Program at the
116-farmers markets; and] TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO A QUALIFIED NONPROFIT
117-ORGANIZATION OR OTHE R RESPONSIBLE PERSON TO IMPLEMENT , IN WHOLE OR IN
118-PART, THE PROGRAM.
110+ (3) [Local] SUPPORT nonprofit organizations AND OTHER RESPONSIBL E 7
111+PERSONS to implement the Program in partnership with one or more participating local 8
112+farmers markets. 9
119113
120- [(iii) Local nonprofit organizations to implement the Program in
121-partnership with one or more local farmers markets.]
114+ (c) The Secretary shall administer the Fund. 10
122115
123- (2) A qualified nonprofit organization OR OTHER PERSON that receives [a
124-grant] FUNDS under this section:
116+ (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 11
117+the State Finance and Procurement Article. 12
125118
126- (i) Shall distribute at least 60% of the [grant] money it receives
127-directly to participating farmers markets as funding for local market access coordinators
128-and matching dollars for purchases made with FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits; and
119+ (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separate ly, and the 13
120+Comptroller shall account for the Fund. 14
129121
130- (ii) May not use more than 40% of the [grant] money it receives for
131-Program development, promotion and outreach, farmers market training and capacity
132-building, technical assistance, program data collection, evaluation, administration, and
133-reporting.
122+ (e) The Fund consists of: 15
134123
135- (g) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Governor shall include
136-in the annual budget bill an appropriation to the Fund as follows:
124+ (1) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and 16
137125
138- (i) For fiscal years 2021 through 2023, $100,000; and
126+ (2) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the 17
127+Fund. 18
139128
140- (ii) For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, $300,000.
129+ (f) (1) In accordance with this subsection, THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE the 19
130+Fund [shall be used to provide grants] FOR EITHER ONE OR BO TH OF THE FOLLOWING 20
131+PURPOSES: 21
141132
142- (2) The appropriation required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall
143-be in addition to, and may not supplant, any funding appropriated to the [Marketing and Ch. 40 2025 LAWS OF MARYLAND
133+ (i) [Nonprofit organizations that: 22
144134
145-– 4 –
146-Promotion Division] AGRICULTURE AND SEAFOOD MARKETING PROGRAM in the
147-Department.
135+ 1. Meet the qualifications established in § 10–2004 of this 23
136+subtitle; and 24
148137
149-10–2004.
138+ 2. Distribute the grant money to farmers markets and local 25
139+nonprofit organizations in accordance with this subtitle;] TO IMPLEMENT , IN WHOLE OR 26
140+IN PART, THE PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT ; AND 27
150141
151- (a) (1) A nonprofit organization OR OTHER PERSON is qualified to receive [a
152-grant] FUNDS in accordance with this subtitle if the Department determines that the
153-[nonprofit] organization OR PERSON has a demonstrated record of:
142+ (ii) [Nonprofit farmers markets to implement the Program at the 28
143+farmers markets; and] TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO A QUALIFIED NONPROFIT 29
144+ORGANIZATION OR OTHE R RESPONSIBLE PERSON TO IMPLEMENT , IN WHOLE OR IN 30
145+PART, THE PROGRAM. 31 4 SENATE BILL 226
154146
155- (i) Designing and implementing successful healthy food incentive
156-programs that connect federal food benefits recipients with local producers;
157147
158- (ii) Implementing funds distributing and reporting processes;
159148
160- (iii) Providing training and technical assistance to farmers markets;
149+ [(iii) Local nonprofit organizations to implement the Program in 1
150+partnership with one or more local farmers markets.] 2
161151
162- (iv) Conducting community outreach and data collection, including
163-customer surveys; and
152+ (2) A qualified nonprofit organization OR OTHER PERSON that receives [a 3
153+grant] FUNDS under this section: 4
164154
165- (v) Providing a full accounting and administration of funds
166-distributed to farmers markets.
155+ (i) Shall distribute at least 60% of the [grant] money it receives 5
156+directly to participating farmers markets as funding for local market access coordinators 6
157+and matching dollars for purchases made with FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits; and 7
167158
168- (2) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection,
169-in awarding [a grant] FUNDS in accordance with this subtitle, the Department may
170-consider whether the [nonprofit] organization OR PERSON has a demonstrated record of
171-providing services in healthy food priority areas.
159+ (ii) May not use more than 40% of the [grant] money it receives for 8
160+Program development, promotion and outreach, farmers market training and capacity 9
161+building, technical assistance, program data collection, evaluation, administration, and 10
162+reporting. 11
172163
173- (b) Within 90 days after the end of a [grant cycle] CALENDAR YEAR , [a qualified
174-nonprofit] AN organization OR PERSON that received [a grant] FUNDS in accordance with
175-this subtitle shall submit a report to the Department that includes the following
176-information:
164+ (g) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Governor shall include 12
165+in the annual budget bill an appropriation to the Fund as follows: 13
177166
178- (1) The names and locations of Maryland farmers markets that received
179-funds under the Program;
167+ (i) For fiscal years 2021 through 2023, $100,000; and 14
180168
181- (2) The dollar amount of funds awarded to each participating farmers
182-market;
169+ (ii) For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, $300,000. 15
183170
184- (3) The dollar amount of FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits, and funds
185-provided under the Program that were spent at participating farmers markets, as well as
186-any unspent funds;
171+ (2) The appropriation required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 16
172+be in addition to, and may not supplant, any funding appropriated to the [Marketing and 17
173+Promotion Division] AGRICULTURE AND SEAFOOD MARKETING PROGRAM in the 18
174+Department. 19
187175
188- (4) The number of FMNP, SNAP, and WIC transactions carried out at
189-participating farmers markets; and
190- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 40
176+10–2004. 20
191177
192-– 5 –
193- (5) The impact of the Program on increasing the quantity of fresh fruits
194-and vegetables consumed by FMNP, SNAP, and WIC families, as determined by customer
195-surveys.
178+ (a) (1) A nonprofit organization OR OTHER PERSON is qualified to receive [a 21
179+grant] FUNDS in accordance with this subtitle if the Department determines that the 22
180+[nonprofit] organization OR PERSON has a demonstrated record of: 23
196181
197- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
198-October 1, 2025.
182+ (i) Designing and implementing successful healthy food incentive 24
183+programs that connect federal food benefits recipients with local producers; 25
199184
200-Approved by the Governor, April 8, 2025.
185+ (ii) Implementing funds distributing and reporting processes; 26
186+
187+ (iii) Providing training and technical assistance to farmers markets; 27
188+
189+ (iv) Conducting community outreach and data collection, including 28
190+customer surveys; and 29
191+
192+ (v) Providing a full accounting and administration of funds 30
193+distributed to farmers markets. 31 SENATE BILL 226 5
194+
195+
196+
197+ (2) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection, 1
198+in awarding [a grant] FUNDS in accordance with this subtitle, the Department may 2
199+consider whether the [nonprofit] organization OR PERSON has a demonstrated record of 3
200+providing services in healthy food priority areas. 4
201+
202+ (b) Within 90 days after the end of a [grant cycle] CALENDAR YEAR , [a qualified 5
203+nonprofit] AN organization OR PERSON that received [a grant] FUNDS in accordance with 6
204+this subtitle shall submit a report to the Department that includes the following 7
205+information: 8
206+
207+ (1) The names and locations of Maryland farmers markets that received 9
208+funds under the Program; 10
209+
210+ (2) The dollar amount of funds awarded to each participating farmers 11
211+market; 12
212+
213+ (3) The dollar amount of FMNP, SNAP, and WIC benefits, and funds 13
214+provided under the Program that were spent at participating farmers markets, as well as 14
215+any unspent funds; 15
216+
217+ (4) The number of FMNP, SNAP, and WIC transactions carried out at 16
218+participating farmers markets; and 17
219+
220+ (5) The impact of the Program on increasing the quantity of fresh fruits 18
221+and vegetables consumed by FMNP, SNAP, and WIC families, as determined by customer 19
222+surveys. 20
223+
224+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
225+October 1, 2025. 22
226+
227+
228+
229+
230+Approved:
231+________________________________________________________________________________
232+ Governor.
233+________________________________________________________________________________
234+ President of the Senate.
235+________________________________________________________________________________
236+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.