In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Financial Regulation in the Maryland Department of Labor. “Office” means the Office of the Attorney General.

The purpose of this subtitle is to support vigorous enforcement by and funding of the Office and the Commissioner to protect the State’s residents when conducting financial transactions and receiving financial services.

Whenever the Office and the Commissioner consider it appropriate, the Office and the Commissioner shall use their authority under § 1042 of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 to bring civil actions or other appropriate proceedings authorized under the Act.

For fiscal year 2025 only, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $700,000 in special funds for the Office for the purposes of enforcement of: Consumer protection laws under this title; Consumer protection laws under Title 13 of this article; and Financial consumer protection laws. For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $350,000 in special funds for the Office for the purposes of enforcement of: Consumer protection laws under this title; Consumer protection laws under Title 13 of this article; and Financial consumer protection laws. The Office shall use the funds under paragraph (1) of this subsection for: Staffing costs associated with hiring new employees; and Investigations of alleged violations of consumer protection laws in the State. For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include an appropriation of at least $300,000 in general funds in the State budget for the Commissioner for the purposes of enforcement of financial consumer protection laws. The Commissioner shall use the funds under paragraph (1) of this subsection for: Staffing costs associated with hiring new employees; and Investigations of alleged violations of consumer protection laws in the State.