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Bill Summary · SB 467

Summary — SB 467: Maryland Forestry Education Fund — Mandatory Funding — Extension

Status: Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
Introduced: (per file) November 22, 2024
Primary sponsor: Senator Benson (companion: HB 530)

Main purpose

SB 467 extends the period during which the Governor is statutorily required to include a $250,000 appropriation in the annual budget for the Maryland Forestry Education Fund. The extension continues the mandatory annual appropriation beyond the two years already required under current law.

Key provisions

  • Amends Article — Natural Resources, §5‑2001 to change subsection (k) so that:
    • For fiscal years 2025 THROUGH 2031, the Governor must include an appropriation of $250,000 to the Maryland Forestry Education Fund in the annual budget bill.
  • Maintains existing structure and uses of the Fund:
    • The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund administered by the Maryland Forestry Foundation.
    • Fund sources include State budget appropriations, interest, and other money accepted for the Fund’s benefit.
    • Authorized uses (statutorily enumerated) include training and education for forest landowners, district forestry boards, and local governments; outreach; a biennial forest sustainability conference; peer exchanges; small grants to test best management practices; healthy forest education programs; recognition programs; and administration costs.
    • Expenditures must be made in accordance with the State budget and are expressly supplemental to other forestry education/outreach funding.

Fiscal impact

  • DLS fiscal note: General fund expenditures increase by $250,000 annually in FY 2027 through FY 2031 (corresponding special fund revenues and expenditures increase by same amount). No fiscal change for FY 2025–FY 2026 because current law already required appropriations those years.
  • Local governments: Potential increases in local grant receipts and benefits from additional training/outreach.
  • Small businesses: Eligible for small grants and may see indirect benefits from expanded forestry activities and demand for services.

Who is affected

  • Maryland Forestry Foundation (administrator/recipient of appropriations)
  • District forestry boards, forest landowners, local governments, and forestry-related small businesses (program beneficiaries)
  • State budget/General Fund (annual $250,000 mandated appropriation for the covered fiscal years)

Timing / Implementation

  • Bill effective July 1, 2025.
  • The mandatory appropriation under the extension applies to fiscal years through 2031 (the fiscal note treats the extension as beginning with FY 2027 because FY 2025–26 already were required under existing law).
  • Companion bill: HB 530 (Environment & Transportation).

Context and limitations

  • The Fund was initially established by Chapters 479 and 480 of 2023; SB 467 does not change eligible uses or administration, only extends the window for the required $250,000 annual appropriation.
  • Required appropriations are subject to inclusion in the Governor’s budget bill; the statute requires inclusion but appropriations still become effective through the normal budget process.

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

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