Title 8. Waters — Subtitle 19. Chesapeake Bay Trust and Programs. (Pt. I)

The President of the Senate, ex officio;

The Speaker of the House, ex officio;

The Secretaries of Agriculture, the Environment, and Natural Resources, ex officio, or their designees; and

14 individuals appointed by the Governor as follows:

The term of a member is 4 years;

The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on July 1, 1985;

At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies;

A member who is appointed after a term is begun serves for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies; and

A member may serve no more than 2 consecutive terms.

May not receive compensation as a trustee; but

Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations as provided in the State budget.

Preserve water quality and habitat;

Restore aquatic and land resources;

Publish or produce educational materials on the Chesapeake Bay and other aquatic and land resources of the State;

Provide educational scholarships or training; or

Promote conservation programs for the Chesapeake Bay and other aquatic and land resources of the State through the media or other means.

All money received by the Trust shall be deposited, as directed by the Trust, in any State or national bank, or federally or State insured savings and loan associations located in the State having a total paid–in capital of at least $1,000,000.

The trust department of any State or national bank or savings and loan association may be designated as a depository to receive any securities acquired or owned by the Trust.

The restriction with respect to paid–in capital may be waived for any qualifying bank or savings and loan association which agrees to pledge securities of the State or of the United States to protect the funds and securities of the Trust in amounts and under arrangements acceptable to the Trust.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any money of the Trust, in its discretion and unless otherwise provided in any agreement or covenant between the Trust and the holders of any of its obligations limiting or restricting classes of investments, may be invested in the following:

The overall debt security portion of the portfolio of the Trust must have a rating of at least AA.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in exercising its powers, the Trust:

The Trust is subject to the provisions of the State Finance and Procurement Article to the extent of State appropriations or contracts or grants from a unit of State government, if any.

Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the trustees and employees of the Trust are exempt from the provisions of the Public Ethics Law.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Program” means the Urban Trees Program.

“Qualified organization” means:

“Underserved area” means an area of the State falling within the boundaries of:

Beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Trust shall make grants to qualified organizations for tree–planting projects in underserved areas.

Eligible Program expenses include personnel costs, supplies, site preparation, and other expenses and materials related to planning, implementing, and maintaining tree–planting projects in underserved areas.

In awarding Program grants under this section, the Trust shall prioritize:

The Program shall be funded with:

The Trust shall seek federal funds and grants and donations from private sources to be made to the Trust for the purpose of the Program.

Specify the allowed use of the funds provided under the grant; and

Include provisions for verification that tree–planting projects are being implemented and maintained as planned.

The names and descriptions of grant recipients;

The number and location of trees planted by grant recipients; and

Any other information required by the Department or the Department of the Environment.

For fiscal years 2024 through 2031, in each year the Governor shall include in the annual State budget an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the Program.

Money appropriated under this subsection is supplemental to and may not take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the Program.

Improve energy efficiency of households and public structures through energy audits, weatherization, and other on–site energy conservation measures;

Implement clean energy projects in communities to enhance the use of renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and mitigate climate impacts;

Implement community greening and urban tree canopy projects that create energy savings; and

Assist schools in becoming “green schools” and reducing energy costs.

A nonprofit organization;

A school;

A community association;

A service, youth, or civic group;

An institution of higher education;

A county or municipality; or

A unit of State government.

Promote, preserve, protect, and sustain the environment;

Provide young adults with opportunities to become better citizens, students, and workers through meaningful service to their communities and the State;

Mobilize, educate, and train youth and young adults to work with communities and schools to promote energy conservation and mitigate and prevent threats to the environment;

Mobilize, educate, and train youth and young adults to deploy clean energy technology and mitigate and prevent the environmental and health impacts of climate impacts in communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts;

Ensure underserved and geographical climate disparities populations are given assistance needed to prepare for and adapt to climate impacts;

Provide a green career ladder and opportunities for all youth and young adults, especially those most at risk, to be exposed to and trained in the energy efficiency, environmental protection, governmental and regulatory administration, and renewable energy generation sectors;

Educate and train communities and individuals for the long–term action needed to continue to promote, preserve, protect, and sustain the environment after a Corps project has been completed;

Act as a coordinator and facilitator of efforts to foster public–private partnerships in developing “green collar” job opportunities and in enhancing and expanding the workforce available for environmental protection and clean energy industries; and

Channel available public and private resources to the protection, conservation, and preservation of the environment of the State.

The purpose of the Corps Board is to advise the Trust in the development and implementation of the Corps Program.

The Corps Board consists of the following members:

If a regulated lobbyist is appointed to serve as a member of the Corps Board, the lobbyist is not subject to:

Diversity; and

All geographic regions of the State.

May not receive compensation as a member of the Corps Board; but

Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

The term of a member is 4 years.

The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on July 1, 2010.

At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

The Corps Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings.

The Corps Board may act with an affirmative vote of six members.

The Trust, in consultation with the Corps Board, shall make grants to qualified organizations for the creation or expansion of full– and part–time Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Programs, that involve citizens of all ages throughout the State, to carry out this part.

Corps programs shall engage and develop volunteers and stipend volunteers in environmental and energy conservation projects.

Eligible Corps Program expenses include personnel costs, stipends, supplies, and other materials for projects undertaken by Corps Program volunteers.

Consider the capability of the qualified organization to carry out Corps programs or projects;

Encourage and consider multiyear, multipartner proposals, local match, cost–sharing agreements, and in–kind match as factors in evaluating Corps Program grant applications; and

Require grant applications to describe how the qualifying organization intends to:

Specify the allowed use of the funds provided under the grant, including accountability measures and performance requirements;

Take into account the need for efficient multiyear funding and administration of the funds; and

Include provisions for verification that Corps programs and projects are being implemented as planned.

For stipend volunteer programs, the Trust and qualified organizations shall principally recruit individuals for a minimum 6–month commitment who, at the time of enrollment, are at least 18 years of age and not more than 25 years of age.

For summer volunteer programs, including summer stipend programs, the Trust and qualified organizations shall principally recruit individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are at least 15 years of age and not more than 18 years of age.

May not receive a salary as a stipend volunteer; but

May receive a stipend, as determined by the Trust, based on the needs of the stipend volunteer and the limits of budgetary appropriations.

A stipend volunteer may not participate in any partisan political activity while engaged in the performance of duties as a stipend volunteer.

This part is effective only to the extent that it does not conflict with any federal or State laws or regulations relating to participation in partisan political activities.

A volunteer or stipend volunteer may not participate in any regulatory or statutory enforcement activities while engaged in the performance of duties as a member of the Corps Program.

Promote team building among the participants;

Develop an understanding of the overall Corps Program purpose;

Share information about best practices;

Recognize excellence; and

Provide training and other learning opportunities.

With specific emphasis on projects that result in long–term preservation, protection, and conservation of the environment, in areas including environmental restoration, agricultural and forestry, infrastructure, and educational improvements; or

Within a community disproportionately affected by climate impacts, with specific emphasis on climate mitigation and clean energy projects that result in long–term reductions to greenhouse gas emissions and improvements to public health and the environment.

Specific nutrient reduction activities, such as planting of bay grasses and oysters and installing natural shorelines on public spaces; and

Working with communities to improve their environmental impacts and activities and to encourage appropriate environmental stewardship.

Improving the energy efficiency of housing for elderly and low–income households;

Implementing clean energy projects in communities to enhance the use of renewable energy, including free and low–cost energy audits; and

Building or assisting in building infrastructure to promote environmental education including outdoor classrooms, nature trails, and schoolyard habitats and watershed restoration, stream restoration, rain gardens, and other low–impact development projects.

Developing interactive environmental education and energy conservation education for elementary and secondary school students and the public;

Developing curriculum targeted at training high school students and apprentices to obtain skills necessary to create and implement clean energy projects in their communities and to compete for jobs in the emerging clean energy sector; and

Assisting schools to become “green schools” and reduce energy costs through hands–on projects with their students.

Projects to expand urban tree canopy, implement green rooftops, and take other actions to reduce urban heat island effects; and

Projects to improve access to clean, reliable transportation, including through the expansion of bike trails and pedestrian walkways.

Projects to install renewable energy systems at low–income households and schools, libraries, and other public buildings;

Projects to undertake holistic retrofits of low–income households, including weatherization and heat pump installation; and

Projects to provide experience in the energy efficiency, environmental protection, governmental and regulatory administration, and renewable energy generation sectors.

The amount specified in § 3–302(d) of this article; and

Up to $250,000 in additional funds that may be allocated by the Trust through its annual budget process.

Coordinate all efforts with the Maryland Conservation Corps established in Title 5, Subtitle 2 of this article to engage young adults in conservation service projects;

Coordinate all efforts with the Civic Justice Corps, an adjunct program of the Maryland Conservation Corps, to engage youth in conservation service projects; and

Seek assistance and advice from relevant public and private sources.

The Maryland Service Corps and the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism under Title 9.5, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article;

The Department of Economic Competitiveness and Commerce and other appropriate units of State government and private sector entities to develop opportunities for student participation in private sector activities, such as internship and externship programs; and

The University System of Maryland and other institutions of higher education in the State to develop opportunities for course credit arrangements through which students may earn course credits for participation in Corps programs as an alternative to or in addition to payment of a stipend in a stipend volunteer or other volunteer Corps program.

The Trust and qualified organizations shall principally recruit individuals for a minimum 6–month commitment, who, at the time of enrollment, are at least 18 years old and under the age of 26 years.

Qualified organizations may not undertake a project if the project would replace regular workers or duplicate or replace an existing service in the same locality.

A Corps member may receive a stipend.

Stipends for Corps members shall include monetary payments of at least $15 per hour.

Coordinate efforts with the Maryland Corps Program established under § 24–1102 of the Education Article;

Coordinate efforts with the Maryland Conservation Corps to engage young adults in conservation service projects;

Seek assistance and advice from relevant public and private sources; and

Explore opportunities for initiating a college–level campaign to engage with community colleges, historically black colleges and universities, and other institutions of higher education in the State.

The Maryland Service Corps and the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism under Title 9.5, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article;

The Department of Commerce and other appropriate units of State government and private sector entities to develop opportunities for student participation in private–sector activities, such as internship and externship programs; and

Community colleges, 4–year colleges, and universities in the State to develop opportunities for course credit arrangements through which Corps members may earn course credits for participation in the Corps Program as an alternative to or in addition to payment of a stipend.