While Maryland endured some of the coldest temperatures in recent memory, the work of the Maryland General Assembly continued – with several significant potential impacts for the preservation community.
Below is the latest news, organized by Preservation Maryland’s three principal areas of concern and attention for this legislative session:
Preservation Funding & Financing
- Historic Revitalization Tax Credit
HB511 (SUPPORT) would make a simple change – amending an existing catalytic tax credit bill to open the eligibility of that program from only former government complexes to instead all historic resources. While Preservation Maryland championed the creation of the original catalytic credit, the need for more resources for all types of projects remains. Broadening the eligibility is likely to increase the diversity of projects and provide support to more regions of the state. Given that the long-standing position of the organization is to support more funding for preservation, this bill receives our support.
- Preservation Procurement Policy Updates
HB728/SB641 (SUPPORT) was introduced to help several state agencies work more closely with nonprofit organizations on preservation projects through cooperative agreements. Unlike the federal government, state agencies are often prohibited by antiquated procurement rules from working directly with nonprofit organizations unless there is a specific, delineated grant program. This bill would allow select agencies and nonprofits to support each other in cooperative efforts on projects pertaining to historic preservation, archaeology and conservation. The agencies included under this new measure are the Maryland Department of General Services, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Maryland Department of Planning.
- Maryland Heritage Areas
HB654/SB638 (SUPPORT) was reintroduced after being vetoed last session. The bill provides the governor the authority, but not the mandate, to provide additional funding to state heritage areas and make several other administrative changes. Preservation Maryland always supports efforts aimed at providing more funds for preservation.
HB238/SB226 (SUPPORT) is an administration bill which would provide the MHAA with the discretion to change match requirements for grants made by Heritage Areas. Greater flexibility in grant making is always to the benefit of preservation and the organizations carrying out this work.
- Grant Funding Cuts
Governor Moore’s FY27 (BRFA) budget proposes total elimination of the recently established Maritime Heritage Grant Fund for the next two fiscal years (OPPOSE). Preservation Maryland has been meeting with legislators across the state to encourage rejecting this cut, which is $250,000 out of a nearly $22M Waterway Improvement Fund (WIF) which itself is supported by boating registration fees – not general fund tax dollars. In total the $250k cut, while meaningful to preservationists, represents a meager 0.0003 of the state’s operating budget. We ask our supporters and advocates of the state’s rich maritime heritage to also oppose the cut.
Smarter Growth & Housing Matters
- Support for Rural Maryland
Rich in historic resources, rural communities deserve continued and increased support. HB461/SB300 (SUPPORT) proposes to provide greater support through a rural readiness grant program – which is good for rural Maryland and our state’s rural historic resources.
- Preservation Friendly Affordable Housing Policy
HB005/SB372 (SUPPORT) would establish a Maryland New Market Tax Credit program – a viable method of providing support to affordable housing and community redevelopment projects in the state.
Parks, Farms & Placemaking
- Program Open Space
HB609/SB424 (SUPPORT) would eliminate the requirement that funds allocated for Program Open Space be returned to the general fund of the state – in layman’s terms this would prevent more open space dollars from being diverted from preserving open space and investing in parks.
- Placemaking
Although too numerous to list at this time, many Legislative Bond Initiatives introduced would provide support to historic preservation projects – including many grants proposed in the governor’s DHCD budget. Additionally, several bills propose new revenue streams which have the potential to be directed, in full or in part, to historic preservation. As these bills become more certain and amended, Preservation Maryland will provide further updates.
As new legislation is introduced or is amended, updates will be provided along with bills which we believe deserve the support of preservation advocates statewide.
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