(a) There is an Urban Agriculture Grant Fund. (b) The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to qualified applicants to implement the Program. (c) The Secretary shall administer the Fund. (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7- 302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (e) The Fund consists of: (1) Money appropriated to the Fund under subsection (g) of this section; and (2) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (f) In accordance with this subsection, the Fund shall be used to provide grants to qualified applicants. (g) For each of fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $100,000 to the Fund. (h) (1) There is an Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee to recommend guidelines, policies, and practices for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Grant Program. (2) The Committee consists of the following members: (i) Five members, appointed by the Secretary, with expertise in urban agriculture or working with socially disadvantaged farmers who reside in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Montgomery County, or Prince George's County; (ii) Two members, appointed by the Secretary, with expertise in providing education and training to urban farmers through a nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education; (iii) One member appointed by the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation; (iv) One member appointed by the Maryland State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and (v) One member appointed by the Department of Planning for the City of Baltimore. (3) The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Committee. (4) The Department shall provide staff for the Committee. (5) A member of the Committee: (i) May not receive compensation as a member of the Committee; but (ii) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. (6) The Committee shall make recommendations that: (i) Establish a competitive grant application process that prioritizes applications that benefit socially disadvantaged urban farmers to: 1. Secure real property: A. That has established the necessary infrastructure to grow food; B. For which the grantee is the steward of the real property; and C. For which not more than 20% of the grant money will be used to secure property; 2. Maintain safe, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible practices; and 3. Make capital improvements to support viable urban agriculture enterprises; (ii) Require that grant applications demonstrate a measurable community benefit, which may include improving local food access; and (iii) Prohibit grant recipients from using more than 15% of the amount of the grant for operating expenses. (7) On or before December 30, 2023, and each December 30 thereafter, the Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.
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