Bill > HB535

This bill establishes the Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Fund to support the care, preservation, maintenance, and restoration of cemeteries in Maryland that have been abandoned or are in disrepair. The bill defines "abandoned cemeteries" as those where the managing organization no longer exists, there is no listed property owner, the property has been condemned, or legal ownership cannot be determined. Similarly, "neglected cemeteries" are those that have received multiple citations for poor maintenance, have fallen into disrepair, been subject to vandalism, or experienced physical deterioration. The Secretary of Labor will administer the fund, which will be a special non-lapsing account consisting of state budget appropriations, interest earnings, and other donations. The fund can be used for cemetery preservation, administrative costs, and promotional efforts (with no more than 5% spent on promotion). The Governor is authorized to include an annual appropriation of $250,000 to the fund, and the Secretary must submit an annual report to the General Assembly by September 30 detailing donations, promotional efforts, and fund usage. The bill removes previous provisions for an income tax checkoff system for the fund and ensures that the fund's interest earnings will not be diverted to the General Fund during fiscal years 2024-2028.