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Bill > HB760


MD HB760

MD HB760
Counties and Municipalities - Approval of Projects Denied by Maryland Historical Trust - Authorization


summary

Introduced
01/27/2025
In Committee
01/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/08/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to approve a certain project that was previously denied by the Maryland Historical Trust under certain circumstances; and requiring a local planning commission to hold a certain public hearing within 60 days after the request by a project applicant and to make a recommendation to the governing body of the county or municipality on whether or not to approve the project.

AI Summary

This bill provides a new mechanism for counties and municipalities to potentially override decisions made by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) regarding project denials. Specifically, local governing bodies can now approve projects that were previously rejected by MHT under certain circumstances, such as those related to cemetery protection or historic preservation and archaeological investigation permitting. To ensure a thorough review, the bill requires that when a project applicant requests a hearing, the local planning commission must hold a public hearing within 60 days, publish notice of the hearing in a local newspaper and on their website, and then make a recommendation to the county or municipal governing body about whether to approve the project. This legislation aims to provide additional flexibility for local governments in managing projects that might have been initially blocked by state-level historical preservation considerations, while still maintaining a structured review process that includes public input and professional recommendation. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving local jurisdictions time to prepare for implementing these new procedures.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (12)

Last Action

Withdrawn by Sponsor (on 03/03/2025)

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