Maryland General Assembly 2024: Advocacy Results

by | Apr 9, 2024

The 2024 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly has now concluded, with many notable statewide victories for the preservation community. After 90 days of championing key bills and testifying on many pieces of important legislation, Preservation Maryland is proud to report that we were again able to make significant policy advances through the following pieces of passed legislation.

PASSED:

HB1461/SB674 Abandoned or Sunken Vessels and Waterway Improvement Fund Grants

Supports diverse programs throughout the bay watershed. Funding will be appropriated annually; at least $250,000 distributed from the existing Waterway Improvement Fund to a maritime grant program.

Thank you to the lead sponsors of this bill, Sen. Elfreth and Del. Allen, and co-sponsors & co-sponsors Sen. Bailey, Sen. Ellis, Sen. Gile, Sen. Jackson,
Sen. Salling, and Sen. Simonaire

HB688/SB616 Maryland Historical Trust – Historical and Cultural Museum Assistance Program – Funding

Authorizes the Gov. to provide $5M for grants to museums under the Historical and Cultural Museum Assistance Program.

Thank you to lead sponsors Sen. Guzzone and Del. Barnes

HB133/SB448 Commission to Study African American Civil War Soldiers in Maryland

This new commission will be empaneled to study African American Civil War soldiers recruited from Maryland in order to make certain recommendations regarding potential curriculum, memorials to these soldiers, and opportunities to increase awareness of the nearly 9,000 black soldiers from Maryland who fought in the American Civil War.

Thank you to lead sponsor Del. Bouchat and Sen. Muse, and co-sponsors Senators. Augustine, Brooks, Carozza, Feldman, Gallion, Hester, Kagan, Lewis Young, M. Washington, and Ready and Dels. Boyce, Hill, Hinebaugh, Lehman, McComas, and Ruth

SB596 Department of Planning – Maryland Humanities Council – Appropriation to the Marilyn Hatza Memorial
Strengthening the Humanities Investment in Nonprofits for Equity (SHINE) Grantmaking Initiative

Authorizes the Gov. to fund general operating support to humanities non-profits in Maryland.

HB740 Frederick County – Property Tax Credit for Property Located in Historic District – Alterations

This simple piece of legislation gives Frederick County the ability to improve the local historic tax credit – addressing value, time, and regulations that make the credit work best for that community.

HB390/SB341 Commission on African American History and Culture – Museum Name Change

This legislation establishes a new name for the museum operated by the Commission on African American History and Culture through the addition of Tubman – resulting in the newly minted Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum.

Thank you to lead sponsors Del. Henson and Sen. McCray, and co-sponsors Delegates Alston, Bagnall, Bhandari, Chisholm, Cullison, Guzzone, Hill, Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaiser, Kerr, Kipke, R. Lewis, Lopez, Martinez, M. Morgan, Pena-Melnyk, Reilly, Rosenberg, Szeliga, Taveras, and White Holland, and Senators Augustine, Brooks, Carozza, Feldman, Gallion, Hester, Kagan, and Lewis Young

SB300 Natural Resources – Wildland Areas – Belt Woods Wildland

Provides the Department of Natural Resources with the authority to rehabilitate historic properties at the site – some of which date to the late 18th century.

SB259/HB228 Natural Resources – Maryland State Parks – Funds and Plan Alterations

Permits the Department of Natural Resources (DR) to shift specific transfer tax funds designated for various uses within the original act based on existing needs.

Support Our Ongoing Advocacy Efforts

Continue to follow along here and social media as we share next steps for the new legislation, and our role in process creating lasting change throughout the state.