EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
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SENATE BILL 672
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CF 5lr3390
By: Senator M. Washington (By Request – Baltimore City Administration)
Introduced and read first time: January 26, 2025
Assigned to: Finance
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Economic Development – Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment 2
and Operating Authority – Established 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; and generally relating 7
to the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority. 8
BY adding to 9
Article – Economic Development 10
Section 12–1201 through 12–1210 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 12. 11
Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority” 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
Preamble 15
WHEREAS, Chapter 635 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 established the 16
Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority Task Force 17
to, among other things, study and make recommendations concerning the membership, 18
purpose, and function of an entity or strategy to govern the renovation, revitalization, 19
financing, and ongoing maintenance and management of the Baltimore Convention site 20
and certain surrounding areas; and 21
WHEREAS, In accordance with Chapter 635 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 22
2024, the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment and Operating Authority 23
Task Force reported its findings and recommendations to the Mayor of Baltimore City, the 24
Governor, and the General Assembly; and 25
2 SENATE BILL 672
WHEREAS, The report recommends the establishment of a joint authority to govern 1
the Baltimore Convention site and Baltimore City destination marketing organization; and 2
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that, for the benefit of the people of the 3
State, it is necessary to establish the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Redevelopment 4
and Operating Authority; now, therefore, 5
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBL Y OF MARYLAND, 6
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
Article – Economic Development 8
SUBTITLE 12. BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND TOURISM REDEVELOPMENT AND 9
OPERATING AUTHORITY. 10
12–1201. 11
(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 12
INDICATED. 13
(B) “AUTHORITY” MEANS THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND TOURISM 14
REDEVELOPMENT AND OPERATING AUTHORITY. 15
(C) “BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 16
10–601 OF THIS ARTICLE. 17
12–1202. 18
(A) THERE IS A BALTIMORE CONVENTION AND TOURISM REDEVELOPMENT 19
AND OPERATING AUTHORITY. 20
(B) THE AUTHORITY IS A BODY P OLITIC AND CORPORATE AND IS AN 21
INSTRUMENTALITY OF T HE STATE. 22
(C) THE EXERCISE BY THE AUTHORITY OF A POWER UNDER THIS SUBTITLE 23
IS THE PERFORMANCE O F AN ESSENTIAL GOVER NMENTAL FUNCTION . 24
12–1203. 25
(A) THE AUTHORITY CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S: 26
(1) ONE MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, 27
WHO IS NOT AN ELECTE D OFFICIAL AND IS A RESIDENT OF OR REPRE SENTS A 28 SENATE BILL 672 3
BUSINESS THAT OPERAT ES IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, 1
BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR HOWARD COUNTY; 2
(2) ONE MEMBER , APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHO 3
IS NOT AN ELECTED OF FICIAL AND IS A RESI DENT OF OR REPRESENT S A BUSINESS 4
THAT OPERATES IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE 5
COUNTY, OR HOWARD COUNTY; 6
(3) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUS TRY IN 7
BALTIMORE CITY, APPOINTED BY THE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND; 8
(4) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY I N BALTIMORE 9
CITY, APPOINTED BY THE MARYLAND HOTEL LODGING ASSOCIATION; 10
(5) NINE MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY, 11
FROM THE CENTRAL BUS INESS DISTRICT OF BALTIMORE CITY, AS DEFINED BY THE 12
ZONING CODE OF BALTIMORE CITY, OF WHOM: 13
(I) ONE SHALL BE AN ATTO RNEY; 14
(II) ONE SHALL HAVE EXPER IENCE IN THE FINANCI AL SERVICES 15
INDUSTRY; 16
(III) ONE SHALL BE A REPRE SENTATIVE OF A PROFE SSIONAL 17
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FRANCHISE TH AT IS A LESSEE OF A STADIUM IN 18
BALTIMORE CITY, OR A PROFESSIONAL FO OTBALL (NFL) FRANCHISE THAT IS A 19
LESSEE OF A STADIUM IN BALTIMORE CITY; AND 20
(IV) ONE SHALL HAVE EXPER IENCE IN REAL ESTATE 21
DEVELOPMENT ; AND 22
(6) THE FOLLOWING MEMBER S, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH 23
THE ADVICE AND CONSE NT OF THE SENATE: 24
(I) A REPRESENTATIVE OF A BUSINESS THAT OPER ATES IN 25
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR HOWARD 26
COUNTY; AND 27
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORGANIZED LABOR G ROUP 28
ASSOCIATED WITH THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE OR TH E TOURISM INDUSTRY 29
IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR HOWARD 30
COUNTY. 31
4 SENATE BILL 672
(B) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER OF T HE AUTHORITY IS 4 YEARS. 1
(2) THE TERMS OF THE MEMB ERS ARE STAGGERED AS REQUIRED BY 2
THE TERMS PROVIDED F OR MEMBERS ON JULY 1, 2025. 3
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY 4
CONTINUES TO SERVE U NTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED AND QUALIFIES . 5
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 6
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINT ED AND 7
QUALIFIES. 8
(C) THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY SHALL DESIGNATE A CHAIR OF THE 9
AUTHORITY FROM AMONG THE MEMBE RS APPOINTED IN ACCO RDANCE WITH 10
SUBSECTION (A)(5) OF THIS SECTION. 11
(D) A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY MAY BE REMO VED FOR INCOMPETENCE , 12
MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PERFOR M THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION BY: 13
(1) THE GOVERNOR, IF APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; 14
(2) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, IF APPOINTED BY THE 15
PRESIDENT; 16
(3) THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, IF APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER; 17
(4) THE APPOINTING ASSOC IATION, IF APPOINTED IN ACCO RDANCE 18
WITH SUBSECTION (A)(3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION; OR 19
(5) THE MAYOR OF BALTIMORE CITY, IF APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR. 20
12–1204. 21
(A) THE AUTHORITY SHALL DETER MINE THE TIMES AND P LACES OF ITS 22
MEETINGS. 23
(B) (1) NINE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY ARE A QUORU M. 24
(2) ACTION BY THE AUTHORITY REQUIRES TH E AFFIRMATIVE VOTE 25
OF AT LEAST NINE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY. 26
(C) A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY: 27
SENATE BILL 672 5
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMP ENSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 1
AUTHORITY; BUT 2
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMB URSEMENT FOR EXPENSE S UNDER THE 3
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 4
12–1205. 5
THE AUTHORITY MAY EMPLOY OR RETAIN, EITHER AS EMPLOYEES OR AS 6
INDEPENDENT CONTRACT ORS, CONSULTANTS , ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, 7
ACCOUNTANTS , ATTORNEYS, FINANCIAL EXPERTS , CONSTRUCTION EXPERTS AND 8
PERSONNEL , SUPERINTENDENTS , MANAGERS AND OTHER P ROFESSIONAL 9
PERSONNEL , PERSONNEL, AND AGENTS AS THE AUTHORITY CONSIDERS 10
NECESSARY, AND SET THEIR COMPEN SATION. 11
12–1206. 12
THE AUTHORITY SHALL : 13
(1) DETERMINE THE CHARAC TER OF ANY RENOVATIO N, 14
REVITALIZATION , OR DEVELOPMENT PROJE CTS RELATING TO THE BALTIMORE 15
CONVENTION SITE ; 16
(2) ENTER INTO ANY AGREE MENTS, LEASES, PARTNERSHIPS , OR 17
CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO RENOVATE , REVITALIZE, MAINTAIN, AND MANAGE THE 18
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE , AUTHORITY–OWNED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS, AND 19
ANY OTHER CONTIGUOUS OR NEARBY REAL PROPE RTY ASSET THAT THE AUTHORITY 20
IDENTIFIES AND OVER WHICH THE AUTHORITY OBTAINS SIT E CONTROL; 21
(3) ANALYZE AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO T HE MAYOR AND 22
CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE CITY, THE GOVERNOR, AND THE GENERAL 23
ASSEMBLY REGARDING TH E SUSTAINABILITY , RENOVATION, AND MODERNIZATION 24
OF AND FUNDING STREA MS TO RENOVATE , REVITALIZE, OR DEVELOP THE 25
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE , AUTHORITY–OWNED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS, AND 26
ANY OTHER CONTIGUOUS OR NEARBY REAL PROPE RTY ASSET THAT THE AUTHORITY 27
IDENTIFIES AND OVER WHICH THE AUTHORITY OBTAINS SIT E CONTROL; 28
(4) FIX AND COLLECT RATE S, RENTALS, FEES, AND CHARGES FOR 29
SERVICES REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY OPERATE , MAINTAIN, AND MANAGE THE 30
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE OR AN Y OTHER AUTHORITY–OWNED OR 31
CONTROLLED REAL PROP ERTY ASSETS; 32
6 SENATE BILL 672
(5) ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF THE 1
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE OR AN Y OTHER AUTHORITY–OWNED OR 2
CONTROLLED REAL PROP ERTY ASSETS; 3
(6) ADOPT BYLAWS FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE AUTHORITY’S 4
BUSINESS, INCLUDING A PROCESS TO APPOINT AN ADVISO RY BOARD TO THE 5
AUTHORITY; 6
(7) GOVERN THE STRATEGIC AND CAPITAL PLANNING AND RESOURCE 7
ALLOCATION OF THE DE STINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION FOR BALTIMORE 8
CITY, VISIT BALTIMORE, TO ENSURE THE ABILIT Y OF THE ORGANIZATIO N TO 9
SUCCESSFULLY MARKET BALTIMORE CITY AS A TOURISM DESTINA TION WITH A 10
SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON MEETINGS AND CONVENT IONS; AND 11
(8) MAKE ANY OTHER RECOM MENDATIONS THE AUTHORITY DEEMS 12
NECESSARY. 13
12–1207. 14
THE AUTHORITY MAY : 15
(1) ADOPT A SEAL; 16
(2) MAINTAIN OFFICES AT A PLACE THE AUTHORITY DES IGNATES IN 17
THE STATE; 18
(3) ACCEPT LOANS , GRANTS, OR ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND FROM THE 19
FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT , A LOCAL GOVERNMENT , A COLLEGE OR 20
UNIVERSITY, OR A PRIVATE SOURCE ; 21
(4) ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AND OTHER LEGAL INST RUMENTS; 22
(5) RETAIN, EMPLOY, OR HIRE AN INDEPENDE NT FIRM FOR THE 23
PURPOSES OF RENOVATI NG, REVITALIZING, MAINTAINING, AND MANAGING THE 24
BALTIMORE CONVENTION SITE , AUTHORITY–OWNED REAL PROPERTY ASSETS, AND 25
ANY OTHER CONTIGUOUS OR NEARBY REAL PROPE RTY ASSET THAT THE AUTHORITY 26
IDENTIFIES AND OVER WHICH THE AUTHORITY OBTAINS SIT E CONTROL; 27
(6) SUE OR BE SUED; 28
(7) ACQUIRE, PURCHASE, HOLD, LEASE AS LESSEE , AND USE ANY 29
REAL, PERSONAL, MIXED, TANGIBLE, OR INTANGIBLE PROPER TY; 30
SENATE BILL 672 7
(8) SELL, LEASE AS LESSOR , TRANSFER, LICENSE, ASSIGN, OR 1
DISPOSE OF PROPERTY OR A PROPERTY INTERE ST THAT IT ACQUIRES ; 2
(9) CHARGE FOR SERVICES AND RESOURCES THE AUTHORITY 3
PROVIDES OR MAKES AV AILABLE; 4
(10) CREATE, OWN, CONTROL, OR BE A MEMBER OF A CORPORATION , 5
LIMITED LIABILITY CO MPANY, PARTNERSHIP , OR OTHER ENTITY , WHETHER 6
OPERATED FOR PROFIT OR NOT FOR PROFIT ; 7
(11) EXERCISE POWER USUAL LY POSSESSED BY A PR IVATE 8
CORPORATION IN PERFO RMING SIMILAR FUNCTI ONS UNLESS TO DO SO WOULD 9
CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW; AND 10
(12) DO ALL THINGS NECESS ARY AND CONVENIENT T O CARRY OUT THE 11
POWERS GRANTED BY TH IS SUBTITLE. 12
12–1208. 13
(A) THE AUTHORITY IS EXEMPT : 14
(1) FROM TAXATION BY STATE AND LOCAL GOVER NMENT; 15
(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N TITLE 12, SUBTITLE 4 AND TITLE 14, 16
SUBTITLE 3 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, FROM DIVISION 17
II OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE; 18
(3) FROM § 15–112 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT 19
ARTICLE; AND 20
(4) FROM THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION I OF THE STATE PERSONNEL 21
AND PENSIONS ARTICLE THAT GOVERN T HE STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 22
SYSTEM. 23
(B) (1) THE AUTHORITY IS SUBJECT TO: 24
(I) THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT; AND 25
(II) THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. 26
(2) FOR PURPOSES OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, A PROJECT SITE 27
VISIT OR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TOUR MAY NOT B E CONSIDERED A MEETING OF THE 28
AUTHORITY IF NO ORGAN IZATIONAL BUSINESS I S CONDUCTED . 29 8 SENATE BILL 672
(C) THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS EMP LOYEES ARE SUBJECT 1
TO THE PUBLIC ETHICS LAW. 2
12–1209. 3
(A) (1) AS SOON AS PRACTICABL E AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL 4
YEAR, AN INDEPENDENT C ERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCO UNTANT SHALL AUDIT T HE 5
FINANCIAL BOOKS , RECORDS, AND ACCOUNTS OF THE AUTHORITY. 6
(2) THE AUDIT SHALL INCLU DE REVENUE AND EXPEN SE DETAIL FOR 7
EACH OF THE OPERATIN G FACILITIES OF THE AUTHORITY. 8
(3) THE AUTHORITY SHALL SELEC T AN ACCOUN TANT TO CONDUCT 9
THE AUDIT WHO : 10
(I) IS LICENSED TO PRACT ICE ACCOUNTANCY IN T HE STATE; 11
(II) IS EXPERIENCED AND Q UALIFIED IN THE ACCO UNTING AND 12
AUDITING OF PUBLIC E NTITIES; AND 13
(III) DOES NOT HAVE A DIRE CT OR INDIRECT PERSO NAL 14
INTEREST IN THE FISCAL AFFAIRS OF TH E AUTHORITY. 15
(4) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 16
PARAGRAPH , ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1 AFTER EACH FISCAL YE AR, THE 17
ACCOUNTANT SHALL REP ORT THE RESULTS OF T HE AUDIT, INCLUDING THE 18
ACCOUNTANT ’S UNQUALIFIED OPINIO N OF THE PRESENTATION OF T HE FINANCIAL 19
POSITION OF THE FUND S OF THE AUTHORITY, INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL DETAIL FOR 20
EACH OF THE OPERATIN G FACILITIES OF THE AUTHORITY, AND THE RESULTS OF 21
THE FINANCIAL OPERAT IONS OF THE AUTHORITY. 22
(II) IF THE ACCOUNTANT CAN NOT EXPRESS AN UNQUALIFIED 23
OPINION, THE ACCOUNTANT SHALL EXPLAIN IN DETAIL TH E REASONS FOR THE 24
QUALIFICATIONS , DISCLAIMERS, OR OPINIONS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDA TIONS 25
FOR CHANGES THAT COU LD MAKE FUTURE UNQUA LIFIED OPINIONS POSS IBLE. 26
(B) THE STATE MAY AUDIT THE BOOKS, RECORDS, AND ACCOUNTS OF THE 27
AUTHORITY. 28
12–1210. 29
SENATE BILL 672 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
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 17
1, 2025. 18