Committee advances bill to codify Chesapeake Bay program and create seafood assistance fund

The House Environment and Transportation Committee approved House Bill 15-99 as amended on April 9, codifying an existing Chesapeake Bay enhancement program and creating a Maryland seafood industry financial assistance fund.

Chair Boyce, presenting the subcommittee recommendation as favorable with amendments, said, "As amended, HB 15 99 establishes...a Chesapeake Bay enhancement program and DNR...a Maryland seafood industry financial assistance fund administered by Marbitco, and...a specified process to help ensure borrower repayment of Marbitco loans." The committee adopted a subcommittee amendment that removed mandated appropriations and struck explicit funding-use limitations and project restrictions.

The chair explained the Chesapeake Bay program is an older interagency arrangement between DNR and the State Highway Administration that the bill would codify after more than three decades of memorandum-of-understanding practice. The bill also creates a fund to provide loans to watermen and an administrative mechanism for future funding from various sources, including potential federal funds.

The committee clerk noted that "$2,000,000 is already in the budget," and the committee proceeded to adopt the amendments and pass the bill as amended. The clerk then read a list of delegates agreeing to be listed as cosponsors.

The bill now moves to the floor for consideration.