Bill > SB770

This bill establishes the Maryland's Future Board within the Department of Commerce, comprised of members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, who are visionary thinkers with diverse backgrounds. The Board's primary role is to develop and annually revise a "visionary plan" by January 1, 2027, which is a forward-thinking strategy to envision Maryland as an equitable, prosperous, and livable state with opportunities for all, considering future trends in areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, and is not limited by current technology or finances. Based on this plan, the Board will recommend "projects" – which can include allocations from the state's operating or capital budgets, or the implementation of policies that advance the state's socioeconomic well-being and resilience – to the Governor and General Assembly by August 1, 2027, and annually thereafter. To fund these recommended projects, the bill also creates the Maryland's Future Fund, a special, nonlapsing fund administered by the Department of Commerce, into which interest earnings will be credited, and which will be used solely for the Board's recommended projects. Importantly, this bill also amends existing law to ensure that interest earned on the Maryland's Future Fund accrues to the Fund itself, rather than the state's General Fund, for fiscal years 2024 through 2028, and the entire act will be in effect for five years, expiring on June 30, 2031.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0770?ys=2026RS