Bill > HB941

This bill addresses historical funding disparities between the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), a historically Black land-grant institution, and the University of Maryland, College Park Campus. Specifically, the bill requires the Governor to include at least $5,000,000 in the annual budget for UMES each fiscal year starting in 2027, with the goal of eventually appropriating a total of $321,181,312 to remedy past funding inequities. The funding is based on a finding that if UMES had received the same level of state funding per student as College Park from 1987 through 2020, it would have received an additional $321,181,312. The bill mandates that these funds be supplemental to existing budget allocations and can be used for infrastructure and academic program development, faculty investment, scholarships, and other institutional needs as identified by UMES. The legislation stems from the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which required equitable funding distribution between 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, and will take effect on July 1, 2025. The intent is to gradually remedy the longstanding funding disparity between these two institutions.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0941?ys=2025RS