HB 78/SB 172– Bay Restoration Fund – Authorized Uses have passed third reader in both the House and Senate. The bills now head to their opposing chambers before being sent to the Governor for final approval.

HB 78/SB 172 expands authorized uses of the Bay Restoration Fund to include climate resiliency and flood control. The bill requires these uses to be a criteria by which the Maryland Department of the Environment uses to determine the allocation of funds. The bill would give counties more funding options to utilize in their efforts to strengthen infrastructure.

MACo supported the bill as written because it would create another tool in the toolbox for counties attempting to tackle issues such as sea level rise and nuisance flooding.

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2020 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.