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<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="5-9D-02" title_number="5" title_name="Forests and Parks" subtitle_number="9D" subtitle_name="Greenspace Equity Program">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Greenspace Equity Program in the Department.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The purpose of the Program is to enhance the public health and livability of overburdened communities and underserved communities by implementing projects to preserve, create, and enhance community greenspace.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Program is administered by the Department.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In administering the Program, the Department shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Develop a grant application for the Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Publicize the Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Provide technical assistance to Program applicants;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Award grants to eligible applicants; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Consult with the Board.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Department may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A grant application submitted to the Department for the Program shall include evidence of support from the local government and the overburdened community or underserved community in which the project will be located.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the Department shall make grants to eligible applicants for community greenspace projects located:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>In an overburdened community;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>In an underserved community; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>On a property:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>For which an eligible applicant holds a conservation easement or owns the property in fee simple; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>That is located in a census tract that is adjacent to an overburdened community or an underserved community.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, at least 50% of the grants awarded each fiscal year shall be awarded to projects that include land acquisition by land trusts, counties, or municipalities.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>If the total amount of funds requested for land acquisition by Program applicants is less than 50% of the grant funds available for a given fiscal year, the remaining grant funds may be awarded to projects that do not include land acquisition.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Grants for land acquisition under the Program may only be awarded to land trusts, counties, and municipalities.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A grant received under this subsection may be used for:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Land acquisition, appraisals, environmental assessments, site clearance or development, and other due diligence expenses related to implementing a project;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Administrative and Program costs in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Stewardship projects that:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Previously received a grant under the Program; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Would qualify for a grant under the Program but existed before July 1, 2025.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>A portion of the grant may be used to pay for:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>If the project involves land acquisition or only project stewardship, administrative costs not to exceed 3% of the grant amount; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>If the project involves land acquisition, Program compliance costs for monitoring easements if applicable.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>In awarding grants under this subsection, the Department shall consider:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The extent to which the project engages and is supported by residents, organizations, and businesses located in the overburdened community or underserved community:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>In which the project will be located; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>That is served by the project;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The amount of financial or in–kind contributions for implementation of the project, if any;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The degree to which the project:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Demonstrates partnerships and collaboration among local governments, land trusts, nongovernmental organizations, and community organizations; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Enhances the public health, livability, and greenspace in the overburdened community or underserved community:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>In which the project will be located; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>That is served by the project; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>The geographic diversity of the State.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
