Bill > HB391

This bill authorizes the creation of State Debt through various Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans, totaling $1,824,782,000 for fiscal year 2026, to fund necessary building, construction, renovation, and capital equipment purchases for the State, as well as grants for development and improvement purposes. * **Public School Construction and Improvement:** $370,000,000 is allocated for the Nancy K. Kopp Public School Facilities Priority Fund ($70,000,000) and the Public School Construction Program ($300,000,000), including grants for E-rate-eligible broadband infrastructure. An additional $80,000,000 is provided for the Supplemental Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems, targeting those with high enrollment growth or many relocatable classrooms. * **Nonpublic School Aging Schools Program:** $3,500,000 is designated for grants to nonpublic schools for aging facilities and security improvements, with specific eligibility criteria and grant limits per school. * **State Facilities Renewal and Construction:** $5,000,000 is allocated to the Construction Contingency Fund and $59,666,000 to the Facilities Renewal Fund for repairs and rehabilitation of State-owned facilities. Funds are also provided for the new Supreme Court of Maryland Building ($20,388,000) and renovations to the Louis L. Goldstein Treasury Building ($2,060,000) and Wineland Building ($281,000). * **Transportation Infrastructure:** $167,000,000 is allocated to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for bus and rail system upgrades and capital maintenance. * **Natural Resources and Environmental Protection:** Significant funding is directed towards Program Open Space ($49,775,000) for recreational facilities, the Rural Legacy Program ($13,400,000) for conservation easements, and waterway improvements ($13,068,000). Environmental initiatives include $50,000,000 for the Bay Restoration Fund Wastewater Program, $14,896,000 for the Maryland Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, and $19,591,000 for the Maryland Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund. * **Higher Education and Community Colleges:** The Community College Construction Grant Program receives $52,360,000, and the Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program receives $2,618,000. Various University System of Maryland institutions receive substantial funding for campus improvements, new buildings, and renovations, including the University of Maryland, College Park ($29,315,000 for a Health and Human Sciences Complex) and Morgan State University ($40,486,000 for campuswide electric infrastructure upgrades and $106,991,000 for a New Science Center, Phase II). * **Housing and Community Development:** Several programs aim to revitalize communities and support housing, including the Strategic Demolition Fund ($60,000,000), Rental Housing Programs ($65,000,000), and the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative ($20,000,000). * **Miscellaneous Grant Programs:** A significant portion of the bill, totaling over $200 million, is allocated to numerous local and legislative initiatives, including grants to various non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, and local governments for a wide range of projects. These include grants for historical preservation, arts facilities, community centers, and infrastructure improvements. * **Matching Fund Requirements:** Many grants require an equal and matching fund from the recipient, with specific conditions and deadlines for providing evidence of these funds. * **Spending Conditions:** Funds must generally be expended or encumbered by June 1, 2033, with provisions for cancellation of unexpended authorizations. Certain projects allow work to continue before all necessary funds are appropriated.