Bill > SB818

This bill, concerning the development of the 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City, establishes a State Center Advisory Group to provide community input, leverage development benefits for surrounding neighborhoods, and facilitate transparency between the developer, state, and community. The bill also modifies existing requirements for development contracts and plans by removing the previous mandate for an enforceable community benefits agreement with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, Inc., and instead requires a community benefit agreement with the newly established Advisory Group. Additionally, it retains and slightly modifies requirements for comprehensive local hiring plans with goals for short-term construction jobs, long-term employment, and job training, as well as economic improvement plans that prioritize minority- and women-owned and locally owned businesses. The bill also updates contract provisions to include anchor institutions that provide public or community services as major tenants, and it extends the timeframe for a developer to begin construction after contract execution from 18 to 24 months.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0818?ys=2026RS