Bill > SB1016

This bill addresses a long-standing funding disparity between the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), a historically Black land-grant institution, and the University of Maryland, College Park campus. According to a joint letter from the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture, UMES would have received an additional $321,181,312 between 1987 and 2020 if it had been funded at the same per-student rate as the College Park campus. To remedy this historical inequity, the bill requires the Governor to include at least $5,000,000 in the annual budget for UMES each fiscal year, starting in 2027, until the total $321,181,312 is appropriated. These funds are to be supplemental to existing budget allocations and can be used for infrastructure and academic program development, faculty investment, scholarships, and other institutional needs identified by UMES. The bill ensures that annual appropriations cannot be less than the previous year's amount and is intended to address the funding disparity as quickly as possible, with the legislation taking effect on July 1, 2025.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB1016?ys=2025RS