CivicKnodeCivicKnowA project of CivicKnode
Sign in
Bills/2026 Regular Session

HB 654

EnactedCrossfile SB 638
Add to calendar

Natural Resources - Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - Funding and Grants

Sponsor: Dylan Behler (District 30A)Committee: Environment and TransportationSubject: Natural Resources - GenerallyStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 276 (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Authorizing the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to award certain grants and loans for certain purposes; authorizing the Authority to require matching funds in whatever proportion the Authority considers appropriate; repealing certain requirements for certain grants and loans; decreasing from 10% to 7% or $600,000, whichever amount is greater, of Program Open Space funds transferred to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund that may be used for certain operating expenses; etc.

AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.

Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (23)

MGA witness list
FAV 22FavorableINFO 1Information only
PositionWitnessOrganizationTestimony
FAVBaco, MeaganAnacostia Trails Heritage AreaWritten (PDF)
FAVChallenger, LisaBeach to Bay Heritage Area, IncWritten (PDF)
FAVComer, ElizabethCatoctin Furnace Historical Society, IncWritten (PDF)
FAVCox, JaneChesapeake Crossroads Heritage AreaOral + Written (PDF)
FAVBehler, DylanDelegate District 30AWritten (PDF)
FAVOwings, GailEastern Shore Heritage IncWritten (PDF)
FAVKercheval, JimGHCWritten (PDF)
FAVHuard, MalloryHeart of the Civil War Heritage AreaWritten (PDF)
FAVPeterson, OliviaHeart of the Civil War Heritage AreaWritten (PDF)
FAVShatto, ElizabethHeart of the Civil War Heritage AreaWritten (PDF)
FAVAxilbund, RebeccaMain Street Middletown, MD IncWritten (PDF)
FAVShapiro, AaronPatapsco Heritage GreenwayWritten (PDF)
FAVWalker, LucilleSouthern Maryland Heritage AreaOral + Written (PDF)
FAVGrinder, VickieTown of Thurmont Office of Economic DevelopmentWritten (PDF)
FAVPironis, KristenVisit Annapolis & Anne Arundel CountyWritten (PDF)
FAVZiedelis, DaveVisit FrederickWritten (PDF)
FAVFrey, PaulWashington County Chamber of CommerceWritten (PDF)
FAVBoettcher, DianeIndividualWritten (PDF)
FAVDelegate Behler, Delegate BehlerlegislatorIndividualOral
FAVLibber, MattIndividualWritten (PDF)
FAVO'Halloran, MikeIndividualWritten (PDF)
FAVSmith, GregIndividualPosition only
INFOBaucum Colbert, JordanM-NCPPC - Senior Government AnalystWritten (PDF)

Organizations on record

Anacostia Trails Heritage AreaFAV 1
Beach to Bay Heritage Area, IncFAV 1
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, IncFAV 1
Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage AreaFAV 1
Delegate District 30AFAV 1
Eastern Shore Heritage IncFAV 1
GHCFAV 1
Heart of the Civil War Heritage AreaFAV 3
M-NCPPC - Senior Government AnalystINFO 1
Main Street Middletown, MD IncFAV 1
Patapsco Heritage GreenwayFAV 1
Southern Maryland Heritage AreaFAV 1
Town of Thurmont Office of Economic DevelopmentFAV 1
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel CountyFAV 1
Visit FrederickFAV 1
Washington County Chamber of CommerceFAV 1