Bill > HB196

This bill makes several changes to how veterans' organizations and facilities are managed in Maryland. The Department of Veterans and Military Families will now have direct oversight of the War Memorial Building, with regulations designed to maximize public and patriotic organization use, ideally without charging costs. The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Board of Trustees will be restructured to include 11 members, including ex officio state agency heads, three appointed representatives (from veterans services, nonprofit veterans organizations, and the business community), and two non-voting legislative members from the House and Senate. The Maryland Veterans Commission will be modified to change its membership composition, reducing the number of organizations represented and removing some specific organizations while adding representation from county veteran commissions and a designee from a Maryland nonprofit representing veterans and military families. The bill also repeals the existing War Memorial Commission entirely. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and aim to modernize and streamline veteran-related governance and representation in the state.

Education, Health and Social Services

Health and Government Operations (H)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0196?ys=2025RS