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HB 1277

Department of Natural Resources - Savage River Lodge - Hotel Rental Surcharge

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Hinebaugh

Maryland authorizes DNR to charge hotel surcharge at Savage River Lodge to fund facility improvements and operations through dedicated guest fees rather than state general funds.

Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1277

Legislative bill overview

HB 1277 authorizes the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to impose a hotel rental surcharge on accommodations at Savage River Lodge, a state-owned facility in Garrett County. The surcharge revenue would support facility improvements, maintenance, and operations at the lodge.

Why is this important

This bill allows the state to generate dedicated revenue for a specific public facility without requesting general fund appropriations, potentially improving visitor amenities and infrastructure at a popular outdoor recreation destination. It represents a user-fee model where guests directly fund facility enhancements rather than spreading costs across all taxpayers.

Potential points of contention

  • Competitive fairness: Private lodging businesses in the area may view a state-owned competitor with new surcharge revenue as having an unfair advantage in reinvestment capacity
  • Rate transparency and limits: The bill's language on surcharge caps, approval processes, and public notice requirements will determine whether rates can increase substantially without legislative oversight
  • Revenue use restrictions: Unclear whether surcharge funds are truly dedicated to the lodge or could be redirected to general DNR operations, affecting actual facility improvements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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