MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB587

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB587 Compare Versions

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33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [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.
85 *sb0587*
96
107 SENATE BILL 587
118 P1 5lr3174
12- CF HB 1422
13-By: Senator Muse Senators Muse, Augustine, Brooks, and M. Washington
9+ CF 5lr2817
10+By: Senator Muse
1411 Introduced and read first time: January 23, 2025
1512 Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
16-Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17-Senate action: Adopted
18-Read second time: February 26, 2025
1913
20-CHAPTER ______
14+A BILL ENTITLED
2115
2216 AN ACT concerning 1
2317
2418 State Government – Maryland Reparations Commission 2
2519
2620 FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Reparations Commission to study and make 3
2721 recommendations relating to appropriate benefits to be offered to individuals whose 4
2822 ancestors were enslaved in the State or were impacted by certain inequitable 5
2923 government policies; and generally relating to the Maryland Reparations 6
3024 Commission. 7
3125
3226 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
3327 That: 9
3428
3529 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
3630
3731 (2) “Commission” means the Maryland Reparations Commission. 11
3832
3933 (3) “Individuals impacted by historical inequality” means: 12
4034
4135 (i) individuals having origins in any of the Black racial groups of 13
4236 Africa; and 14
4337
4438 (ii) individuals whose ancestors were: 15
4539
4640 1. enslaved in the State; or 16
4741
48- 2. impacted by inequitable government policies. 17 2 SENATE BILL 587
42+ 2. impacted by inequitable government policies. 17
43+
44+ (4) “Inequitable government policies” means federal, State, or local 18
45+government policies during the periods commonly known as the post–Reconstruction era 19
46+and the Jim Crow era, 1877 through 1965, that have led to economic disparities based on 20
47+race, including housing segregation and discrimination, redlining, restrictive covenants, 21
48+and tax policies. 22 2 SENATE BILL 587
4949
5050
5151
52- (4) “Inequitable government policies” means federal, State, or local 1
53-government policies during the periods commonly known as the post–Reconstruction era 2
54-and the Jim Crow era, 1877 through 1965, that have led to economic disparities based on 3
55-race, including housing segregation and discrimination, redlining, restrictive covenants, 4
56-and tax policies. 5
52+ (b) There is a Maryland Reparations Commission. 1
5753
58- (b) There is a Maryland Reparations Commission. 6
54+ (c) The Commission consists of: 2
5955
60- (c) The Commission consists of: 7
56+ (1) two members of the Senate of Maryland, one of whom is a member of 3
57+the Legislative Black Caucus, appointed by the President of the Senate; 4
6158
62- (1) two members of the Senate of Maryland, one of whom is a member of 8
63-the Legislative Black Caucus, appointed by the President of the Senate; 9
59+ (2) two members of the House of Delegates, one of whom is a member of 5
60+the Legislative Black Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 6
6461
65- (2) two members of the House of Delegates, one of whom is a member of 10
66-the Legislative Black Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 11
62+ (3) the Comptroller, or the Comptroller’s designee; 7
6763
68- (3) the Comptroller, or the Comptroller’s designee; 12
64+ (4) the State Treasurer, or the Treasurer’s designee; 8
6965
70- (4) the State Treasurer, or the Treasurer’s designee; 13
66+ (5) the State Archivist, or the State Archivist’s designee; 9
7167
72- (5) the State Archivist, or the State Archivist’s designee; 14
68+ (6) one member of the Maryland Center for History and Culture, 10
69+designated by the President of the Maryland Center for History and Culture; 11
7370
74- (6) one member of the Maryland Center for History and Culture, 15
75-designated by the President of the Maryland Center for History and Culture; 16
71+ (7) one member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 12
72+People, designated by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 13
73+Maryland State Conference President; 14
7674
77- (7) one member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 17
78-People, designated by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 18
79-Maryland State Conference President; 19
75+ (8) two employees of historically Black colleges and universities in the 15
76+State who have expertise in the history of slavery, one of whom represents a private college 16
77+or university and one of whom represents a public college or university, designated by the 17
78+Maryland Legislative Black Caucus; 18
8079
81- (8) two employees of historically Black colleges and universities in the 20
82-State who have expertise in the history of slavery, one of whom represents a private college 21
83-or university and one of whom represents a public college or university, designated by the 22
84-Maryland Legislative Black Caucus; 23
80+ (9) a representative of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, 19
81+designated by the President of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce; 20
8582
86- (9) a representative of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, 24
87-designated by the President of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce; 25
83+ (10) a representative of the Baltimore Chapter of the National Association 21
84+of Real Estate Brokers, designated by the Local Board President; 22
8885
89- (10) a representative of the Baltimore Chapter of the National Association 26
90-of Real Estate Brokers, designated by the Local Board President; 27
86+ (11) a representative for the Association for the Study of African American 23
87+Life and History, designated by the President of the Association for the Study of African 24
88+American Life and History; 25
9189
92- (11) a representative for the Association for the Study of African American 28
93-Life and History, designated by the President of the Association for the Study of African 29
94-American Life and History; 30
90+ (12) a representative of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation 26
91+Commission, designated by the Chair of the Commission; and 27
9592
96- (12) a representative of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation 31
97-Commission, designated by the Chair of the Commission; and 32 SENATE BILL 587 3
93+ (13) the following members appointed by the Governor: 28
94+
95+ (i) a mental health expert; 29
96+ SENATE BILL 587 3
9897
9998
99+ (ii) two historians, with expertise in researching the impacts of 1
100+enslavement and housing segregation; 2
100101
101- (13) the following members appointed by the Governor: 1
102+ (iii) a representative of a religious institution that serves a 3
103+community with a high minority population; 4
102104
103- (i) a mental health expert; 2
105+ (iv) an attorney with expertise in civil rights law or constitutional 5
106+law; 6
104107
105- (ii) two historians, with expertise in researching the impacts of 3
106-enslavement and housing segregation; 4
108+ (v) a representative of an African American financial institution; 7
109+and 8
107110
108- (iii) a representative of a religious institution that serves a 5
109-community with a high minority population; 6
111+ (vi) two members of the general public. 9
110112
111- (iv) an attorney with expertise in civil rights law or constitutional 7
112-law; 8
113+ (d) The Commission shall select from among its members a chair and a vice chair. 10
113114
114- (v) a representative of an African American financial institution; 9
115-and 10
115+ (e) A member of the Commission: 11
116116
117- (vi) two members of the general public. 11
117+ (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but 12
118118
119- (d) The Commission shall select from among its members a chair and a vice chair. 12
119+ (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 13
120+Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 14
120121
121- (e) A member of the Commission: 13
122+ (f) The State Archives and the public college or university represented under 15
123+subsection (c)(8) of this section shall jointly provide staff for the Commission. 16
122124
123- (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but 14
125+ (g) (1) The Commission shall: 17
124126
125- (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 15
126-Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 16
127+ (i) study and make recommendations relating to appropriate 18
128+benefits to be offered to individuals impacted by historical inequality; 19
127129
128- (f) The State Archives and the public college or university represented under 17
129-subsection (c)(8) of this section shall jointly provide staff for the Commission. 18
130+ (ii) on or before January 1, 2027, submit a preliminary report of its 20
131+findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the 21
132+State Government Article, the General Assembly; and 22
130133
131- (g) (1) The Commission shall: 19
134+ (iii) on or before November 1, 2027, submit a final report of its 23
135+findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the 24
136+State Government Article, the General Assembly. 25
132137
133- (i) study and make recommendations relating to appropriate 20
134-benefits to be offered to individuals impacted by historical inequality; 21
138+ (2) In conducting the study required under paragraph (1) of this 26
139+subsection, the Commission shall examine: 27
135140
136- (ii) on or before January 1, 2027, submit a preliminary report of its 22
137-findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the 23
138-State Government Article, the General Assembly; and 24
139-
140- (iii) on or before November 1, 2027, submit a final report of its 25
141-findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the 26
142-State Government Article, the General Assembly. 27
143-
144- (2) In conducting the study required under paragraph (1) of this 28
145-subsection, the Commission shall examine: 29
141+ (i) reparations payments made and benefits offered in the United 28
142+States by the federal government, states, cities, religious institutions, and colleges and 29
143+universities; 30
146144 4 SENATE BILL 587
147145
148146
149- (i) reparations payments made and benefits offered in the United 1
150-States by the federal government, states, cities, religious institutions, and colleges and 2
151-universities; 3
147+ (ii) types of benefits appropriate for reparations, including official 1
148+statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social service 2
149+assistance, licensing and permit fee waivers and reimbursement, down payment assistance 3
150+for the purchase of residential real property, business incentives, child care, debt 4
151+forgiveness, and higher education tuition payment waivers and reimbursement; 5
152152
153- (ii) types of benefits appropriate for reparations, including official 4
154-statements of apology, monetary compensation, property tax rebates, social service 5
155-assistance, licensing and permit fee waivers and reimbursement, down payment assistance 6
156-for the purchase of residential real property, business incentives, child care, debt 7
157-forgiveness, and higher education tuition payment waivers and reimbursement; 8
153+ (iii) the history of slavery in Maryland and the number of individuals 6
154+whose ancestors were enslaved in the State; 7
158155
159- (iii) the history of slavery in Maryland and the number of individuals 9
160-whose ancestors were enslaved in the State; 10
156+ (iv) inequitable government policies, the size of the impacted 8
157+populations, and how public and private institutions benefited from these policies; and 9
161158
162- (iv) inequitable government policies, the size of the impacted 11
163-populations, and how public and private institutions benefited from these policies; and 12
159+ (v) any other topic deemed appropriate by the Commission. 10
164160
165- (v) any other topic deemed appropriate by the Commission. 13
161+ (3) Recommendations made by the Commission under paragraph (1) of this 11
162+subsection shall include: 12
166163
167- (3) Recommendations made by the Commission under paragraph (1) of this 14
168-subsection shall include: 15
164+ (i) common procedures for evaluating evidence of the lineage of 13
165+potential recipients; 14
169166
170- (i) common procedures for evaluating evidence of the lineage of 16
171-potential recipients; 17
167+ (ii) information necessary to be included in any application to verify 15
168+lineage and receive reparations; 16
172169
173- (ii) information necessary to be included in any application to verify 18
174-lineage and receive reparations; 19
170+ (iii) eligibility requirements for applicants, if any, including 17
171+appropriate methods of demonstrating eligibility; 18
175172
176- (iii) eligibility requirements for applicants, if any, including 20
177-appropriate methods of demonstrating eligibility; 21
173+ (iv) a process for approving applications for benefits; 19
178174
179- (iv) a process for approving applications for benefits; 22
175+ (v) an estimate of the costs associated with awarding any type of 20
176+reparations recommended by the Commission; and 21
180177
181- (v) an estimate of the costs associated with awarding any type of 23
182-reparations recommended by the Commission; and 24
178+ (vi) if monetary compensation is a type of reparation recommended 22
179+by the Commission: 23
183180
184- (vi) if monetary compensation is a type of reparation recommended 25
185-by the Commission: 26
181+ 1. the amount of monetary compensation recommended and 24
182+method of calculating the amount, including, as appropriate: 25
186183
187- 1. the amount of monetary compensation recommended and 27
188-method of calculating the amount, including, as appropriate: 28
184+ A. the length and conditions of the enslavement of the 26
185+individual or individuals from whom the applicant is descended; or 27
189186
190- A. the length and conditions of the enslavement of the 29
191-individual or individuals from whom the applicant is descended; or 30
187+ B. the level and impact of the economic disparity suffered; 28
192188
193- B. the level and impact of the economic disparity suffered; 31
189+ 2. potential sources of funding, including fees paid by private 29
190+businesses and organizations in the State that have benefited from the institution of 30
191+slavery or inequitable government policies; 31
194192 SENATE BILL 587 5
195193
196194
197- 2. potential sources of funding, including fees paid by private 1
198-businesses and organizations in the State that have benefited from the institution of 2
199-slavery or inequitable government policies; 3
195+ 3. the feasibility of creating and administering a reparations 1
196+fund; and 2
200197
201- 3. the feasibility of creating and administering a reparations 4
202-fund; and 5
198+ 4. appropriate methods for distributing the recommended 3
199+compensation, including the use of fiscal agents, business incubators, community 4
200+development corporations, credit unions, or other community institutions. 5
203201
204- 4. appropriate methods for distributing the recommended 6
205-compensation, including the use of fiscal agents, business incubators, community 7
206-development corporations, credit unions, or other community institutions. 8
202+ (h) (1) The Commission may seek the assistance of State agencies in 6
203+conducting the study or making recommendations under this section. 7
207204
208- (h) (1) The Commission may seek the assistance of State agencies in 9
209-conducting the study or making recommendations under this section. 10
205+ (2) To the extent authorized by law, State agencies shall assist the 8
206+Commission in a request made under this subsection. 9
210207
211- (2) To the extent authorized by law, State agencies shall assist the 11
212-Commission in a request made under this subsection. 12
208+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 10
209+1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028, 11
210+this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 12
211+of no further force and effect. 13
213212
214- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 13
215-1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2028, 14
216-this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 15
217-of no further force and effect. 16
218-
219-
220-
221-
222-Approved:
223-________________________________________________________________________________
224- Governor.
225-________________________________________________________________________________
226- President of the Senate.
227-________________________________________________________________________________
228- Speaker of the House of Delegates.