(a) In this section, "Fund" means the Great Maryland Outdoors Fund. (b) There is a Great Maryland Outdoors Fund in the Department. (c) The purpose of the Fund is to: (1) Support the Office of Outdoor Recreation in the Department; (2) Provide resources to improve existing and create new outdoor recreation and outdoor environmental education opportunities; (3) Implement the recommendations of the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission to promote and grow the outdoor recreation sector in the State; and (4) Promote and grow outdoor environmental education in the State. (d) The Department shall administer the Fund. (e) (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. (f) The Fund consists of: (1) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund in accordance with subsection (j) of this section; (2) Interest earnings of the Fund; and (3) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (g) The Fund may be used only for: (1) Implementing the recommendations of the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission; (2) Department projects and programs that provide, promote, and enhance outdoor recreation or outdoor environmental education opportunities in the State; and (3) Awarding grants to destination marketing organizations for the purpose of promoting and marketing State parks. (h) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. (2) Any interest or investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. (i) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. (j) For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation not exceeding $3,000,000 to the Fund. (k) Money expended from the Fund for existing programs in the Department that provide, promote, and enhance outdoor recreation or outdoor environmental education opportunities is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for those programs.
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