Bill > H938

This bill establishes a Climate & Community Resilience Fund to support climate change adaptation and mitigation, with a specific focus on low-income, moderate-income, and environmental justice populations. The fund will be administered by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and supported by a Climate and Community Resilience Advisory Board composed of seven diverse members with expertise in areas such as environmental justice, housing, workforce development, and climate resilience. The fund will be primarily financed through a 2% property insurance fee, with potential incremental increases up to 5%, and will include revenues from various sources like grants, donations, and appropriations. Funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including supporting community-based resilience centers, workforce development, municipal coordination, climate adaptation projects, and initiatives that prioritize marginalized communities. The bill explicitly prohibits using funds for carbon capture technologies or carbon market offsets, and emphasizes equitable distribution of resources, community participation, and transparent, flexible funding mechanisms. An annual report will be required detailing the fund's activities, expenditures, and progress toward meeting its goals, with a strong emphasis on benefiting historically underserved communities and addressing environmental inequities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H938