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<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="8-1911" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2031 PER CHAPTER 645 OF 2021" title_number="8" title_name="Waters" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Chesapeake Bay Trust and Programs. (Pt. I)">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Program” means the Urban Trees Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Qualified organization” means:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A nonprofit organization;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A school;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A community association;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>A service, youth, or civic group;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>An institution of higher education;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>A county or municipality; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>A forest conservancy district board.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Underserved area” means an area of the State falling within the boundaries of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>An urban area, as delineated by the United States Census Bureau; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>A neighborhood that was, at any point in time, redlined or graded as “hazardous” by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>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;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>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</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>A housing project as defined in § 12–101 of the Housing and Community Development Article.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>There is an Urban Trees Program administered by the Trust.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>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.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Trust shall make grants to qualified organizations for tree–planting projects in underserved areas.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>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.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>In awarding Program grants under this section, the Trust shall prioritize:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Grant applications from qualified organizations located in the underserved areas where the proposed tree–planting projects will be implemented; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>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.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Program shall be funded with:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The amount specified in § 9–1605.2(i)(11)(i) of the Environment Article; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Any additional funds that may be allocated by the Trust through its annual budget process.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>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.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>A grant agreement regarding funds from the Trust for the Program shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Specify the allowed use of the funds provided under the grant; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Include provisions for verification that tree–planting projects are being implemented and maintained as planned.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>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:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The names and descriptions of grant recipients;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The number and location of trees planted by grant recipients; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Any other information required by the Department or the Department of the Environment.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <level label="1">
      <text>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.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Money appropriated under this subsection is supplemental to and may not take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the Program.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
