On February 25, Policy Fellow Charlotte Fleckenstein testified before the Appropriations Committee in support of HB 865 – Catastrophic Event Account – Transfer of Funds – State Disaster Recovery Fund.
This bill bolsters Maryland’s disaster recovery framework by authorizing the transfer of funds from the Catastrophic Event Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund when existing balances are insufficient.
While the State Disaster Recovery Fund is an essential tool for local governments to respond to emergencies, its effectiveness depends on adequate funding. By strengthening the State’s capacity to rapidly deploy emergency resources, this bill ensures counties can provide timely assistance when federal aid is unavailable or delayed.
Counties serve as frontline responders when disasters strike, yet funding mechanisms remain fragmented, leading to delays in aid distribution. By creating a direct funding pathway between the Catastrophic Event Account and the State Disaster Recovery Fund, this bill helps local governments provide immediate assistance without waiting for uncertain federal support.
HB 865’s cross-file, SB 564, was heard on March 6 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified in support of this bill.
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