In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “Trust” means the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

There is a Chesapeake Bay Trust established to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of the water quality and aquatic and land resources of the Chesapeake Bay and other aquatic and land resources of the State.

The purpose of the Chesapeake Bay Trust is declared to be of general benefit to the citizens and charitable in nature. The Trust shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual existence, subject to modification or termination by the General Assembly if necessary to effectuate its purpose or when and if its substantial purpose ceases.

The powers and duties of the Chesapeake Bay Trust shall rest in and be exercised by a board of 19 trustees. The Board of Trustees shall consist of: 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: 8 shall represent the interests of local government, education, environmental conservation, and the general public; and 6 shall represent the business community. The Governor shall consider geographical balance in making appointments to the Board of Trustees. Except for the ex officio members or their designees: 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.

The Board shall elect one of their members to serve as chair. The Board shall meet at places and dates to be determined by the Board, but not less than 2 times a year. Seven trustees shall constitute a quorum, but action may not be taken by a vote of less than seven members. A trustee: 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. The State agencies represented on the Trust shall provide staff, supplies, and office space, and shall be reimbursed for these expenses from moneys of the Trust.

The Trust shall have the powers and duties to: Solicit and accept any gift, grant, legacy, or endowment of money from the federal government, State government, local government, or any private source in furtherance of the Trust; Provide grants to nonprofit organizations, community associations, civic groups, schools, or public agencies for citizen involvement projects; Develop projects for sponsorship by corporate and business organizations or private individuals; Develop criteria for citizen involvement projects or corporate sponsorship projects; Make, execute, and enter into any contract or other legal instrument; Receive appropriations as provided in the State budget; Lease and maintain an office at a place within the State the Trust designates; Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business; Take any other action necessary to carry out the purposes of the Trust; Sue and be sued, but only to enforce contractual or similar agreements with the Trust; and Report annually to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly, its activities during the preceding year together with any recommendations or requests deemed appropriate to further the purposes of the Trust.

In developing the criteria for citizen involvement projects or corporate sponsorship projects, the Trust may consider activities that: 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. The Trust may not consider activities which advocate a political candidate or political solution.

The Trust shall apply at least one–third of any gift, grant, legacy, or endowment received in excess of $5,000 directly to citizen involvement projects in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle.

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: Bonds or other obligations of the United States, the State, the political subdivisions or units of the State, or direct or indirect federal agencies; Corporate bonds with a rating of BAA3/BBB; Mortgage–backed and asset–backed securities with a rating of AAA; Marketable equity securities; Marketable equity–related mutual funds; or Debt–related mutual funds. The overall debt security portion of the portfolio of the Trust must have a rating of at least AA. The Trust shall make provision for a system of financial accounting, controls, audits, and reports. The books, records, and accounts of the Trust are subject to audit by the State.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in exercising its powers, the Trust: Is exempt from the provisions of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the provisions of Division I of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern the State Personnel Management System, and the provisions of Division II and Title 37 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article; and May carry out its corporate purposes without obtaining the consent of any department, board, or agency of the State. 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. The Board shall adopt provisions to govern the public ethics of the trustees and employees of the Trust relating to conflicts of interest for nonprofit organizations. The Trust shall keep on file and make available for public inspection at the principal office of the Trust a written copy of the conflict of interest provisions adopted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Program” means the Urban Trees Program. “Qualified organization” means: 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 forest conservancy district board. “Underserved area” means an area of the State falling within the boundaries of: An urban area, as delineated by the United States Census Bureau; and A neighborhood that was, at any point in time, redlined or graded as “hazardous” by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation; A census tract with an average rate of unemployment for the most recent 24–month period for which data are available that exceeds the average rate of unemployment for the State; A census tract with a median household income for the most recent 24–month period for which data are available that is equal to or less than 75% of the median household income for the State during that period; or A housing project as defined in § 12–101 of the Housing and Community Development Article. There is an Urban Trees Program administered by the Trust. The purpose of the Program is to plant native species of trees in underserved areas, in furtherance of the goals established under § 2–1212 of the Environment Article. 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: Grant applications from qualified organizations located in the underserved areas where the proposed tree–planting projects will be implemented; and Grant applications that include plans for engaging individuals, organizations, or businesses located in underserved areas to implement and maintain tree–planting projects in their communities. The Program shall be funded with: The amount specified in § 9–1605.2(i)(11)(i) of the Environment Article; and Any additional funds that may be allocated by the Trust through its annual budget process. 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. A grant agreement regarding funds from the Trust for the Program shall: 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. On or before October 1 each year, the Trust shall report to the Department and the Department of the Environment on the grants awarded by the Program during the immediately preceding fiscal year, including: 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.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Clean energy project” means a project to improve access to clean, renewable energy sources in a community disproportionately affected by climate impacts. “Climate mitigation project” means a project to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and co–pollutants and mitigate the health impacts of climate impacts in a community disproportionately affected by climate impacts. “Community disproportionately affected by climate impacts” means a community identified using the methodology recommended by the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities under § 1–702 of the Environment Article. “Corps Board” means the Advisory Board of the Corps Program. “Corps Program” means the Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program established under § 8–1914 of this part. “Energy conservation project” means a project to promote energy conservation or efficiency, including a project to: 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. “Environmental project” means a project that results in long–term preservation, protection, and conservation of the environment, in areas including environmental restoration, agricultural and forestry, infrastructure, energy conservation, and educational improvements. “Qualified organization” means: 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. “Trust” means the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

There is a Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program administered by the Trust, in consultation with the Corps Board. The purpose of the Corps Program is to: 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: One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House; One member appointed by the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve as a liaison between the Corps Board, the Chancellor, and the Board of Regents; One member appointed by the President of Morgan State University, to serve as a liaison between the Corps Board, the President, and the Board of Regents; Three members of the Board of Trustees of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, appointed by the Chair of the Board; and Five members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, including at least one individual from the nonprofit sector with a background in education and student service and one with a background in workforce development. If a regulated lobbyist is appointed to serve as a member of the Corps Board, the lobbyist is not subject to: § 5–504(d) of the General Provisions Article; or § 5–704(f)(3) of the General Provisions Article as a result of that service. A member of the Corps Board shall reside in the State. In making appointments to the Corps Board, the Governor shall consider: Diversity; and All geographic regions of the State. A member of the Corps Board: 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 appointing authority may remove a member for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position. The Corps Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings. The Corps Board may act with an affirmative vote of six members.

From among its members, the Corps Board shall elect a chair and a vice chair. The Trust shall provide staff support for the Corps Board.

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. The Trust, in consultation with the Corps Board, shall develop guidelines for evaluating applications from qualified organizations. The guidelines developed in accordance with subsection (b) of this section shall: 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: Assess the skills of Corps Program volunteers; Provide life skills and work skills training; Provide training and education, in addition to the training provided as a part of the main Corps Program; Develop, where relevant, agreements for academic study with: Local education agencies; Community colleges; 4–year colleges; Area charter high schools and vocational–technical schools; and Community–based organizations; Provide career and educational guidance; Recruit participants without high school diplomas; and Recruit retired and semi–retired seniors and other qualified individuals with relevant experience to train Corps Program volunteers and participate in Corps projects by volunteering their experience and skills. A grant agreement regarding funds from the Trust shall: 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. 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 stipend volunteer: 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.

The Trust shall provide technical assistance to qualified organizations that request assistance. The Trust shall convene Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Program participants on a regular basis in order to: 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. In providing training and technical assistance, the Trust may contract with an organization with a proven track record of developing and sustaining Corps programs, working with the Conservation Corps model, and engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Corps Program’s projects and activities shall meet an identifiable public need: 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. Environmental restoration projects may include: 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. Agricultural and forestry projects may include working with Corps Program volunteers from rural areas of the State in partnership with the agricultural community in projects to prevent or reduce nutrient runoff. Infrastructure projects may include: 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. Educational projects may include: 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. Energy conservation projects may include the projects defined in § 8–1913(d) of this part. Climate mitigation projects may include: 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. Clean energy projects may include: 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.

Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Corps Program shall be funded each fiscal year with: 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. The Trust and the Corps Board shall seek federal funds and grants and donations from private sources to be made to the Trust for the purpose of long–term funding of the Corps Program. For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $1,500,000 to the Trust for the Corps Program to implement climate mitigation and clean energy projects under § 8–1920 of this subtitle.

Colleges and universities may: Contract with the Trust to carry out Corps Program work; Assign to the Trust resources to assist in its Corps Program work, development, and activities; and Assign faculty and staff to the Trust for the purpose of carrying out or assisting with Corps programs.

In developing its programs and seeking federal and State grants, the Trust and the Corps Board shall: 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. In developing clean energy infrastructure and educational programs, the Trust and the Corps Board shall seek assistance from and cooperate with the Maryland Clean Energy Center under Title 10, Subtitle 8 of the Economic Development Article. In developing its volunteer programs, the Trust and the Corps Board shall seek assistance from and cooperate with: 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.

This section applies to programs developed to implement climate mitigation and clean energy projects under § 8–1920 of this subtitle. 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. In developing its programs and seeking federal and State grants, the Trust and the Corps Board shall: 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. In developing clean energy infrastructure and educational programs, the Trust and the Corps Board shall seek assistance from and cooperate with the Maryland Clean Energy Center under Title 10, Subtitle 8 of the Economic Development Article. In developing its Corps member programs, the Corps Board shall seek assistance from and cooperate with: 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.

On or before October 1 of each year, the Trust, in consultation with the Corps Board shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. The report shall include a complete operating and financial statement covering the operations of the Corps Board and a summary of the activities of the Corps Board during the preceding fiscal year.