The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on parks and recreation policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.
County government parks and recreation departments provide a range of public recreation programs for all population segments and maintain a large network of open spaces throughout Maryland. MACo’s advocacy seeks to support the efforts of county parks and recreation by urging state and federal funding support and defending local determination of priorities in parks and recreation.
Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for many services at every level of government. Despite the fiscal limitations, a wide range of policy issues received a full debate, with many resolutions arising from the 90-day annual process.
Counties successfully pushed back against some of the most harmful budget cut proposals — including cuts to local Program Open Space (POS) funding. The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) initially recommended a BRFA provision be adopted to modify the transfer tax allocation for fiscal 2026 through 2029 to provide a base amount of funding to the Maryland Park Service that would inflate each year and transfer funding for land preservation programs including program open space local to the General Fund. MACo’s legislative committee guided the association’s positions on hundreds of bills, yielding many productive compromises and gains spanning counties’ uniquely wide portfolio.
Follow these links for more coverage on our Conduit Street blog and Legislative Database.
MACo opposed SB 16 – Natural Resources – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – Funding and Grants. This bill would have established the maximum funding amount of $300,000 or 80% of the total project cost for certain grants made by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and decreased the percentage of Program Open Space funds transferred to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund that may be used for certain operating expenses. This bill was withdrawn and did not pass in the 2025 legislative session.
MACo submitted a letter of information on HB 1327/SB 980 – Natural Resources – Maryland Heritage Areas Authority – Funding and Grants. This bill sought to expand the ability of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to award grants and loans for managing certified heritage areas while also adjusting the funding allocation structure within the Program Open Space (POS) framework. This bill passed the Maryland General Assembly.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 717 – Natural Resources – Public Lands – Acquisition, Staffing, Operations, and Funding. As amended, this bill allows flexibility for future allocations for POS funds if the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Planning certify that the acquisition goals have been met. This bill passed the Maryland General Assembly.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
MACo supported HB 342 – State Transfer Tax – Rates and Distribution of Revenue with amendments. This bill would have altered the state transfer tax rate and modifies the distribution of transfer tax revenue. Counties requested a firmer “hold harmless” calculation based on actual transactions rather than historical advantages to protect dedicated funding for land preservation, conservation, and recreation programs from unintended revenue shifts. This bill did not pass in 2025 legislative session.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage
