ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                          H.B. 1179

(I) AT LEAST $200,000 TO BE USED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE
GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE COUNCIL; AND

(II) AT LEAST $500,000 FOR THE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
AUTHORIZED UNDER THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2-206 OF THE STATE
FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, OF WHICH NOT MORE THAN 10% MAY BE
USED TO COVER ADMINISTRATIVE, TRAINING, AND OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED BY
THE COUNCIL.

(2) IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF
THIS SUBSECTION, EACH YEAR THE RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE IN
ITS BUDGET REQUEST TO THE GOVERNOR A TOTAL OF $1,300,000 FOR THE MARYLAND
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND
EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TARGETED SUPPORT TO THE
STATE'S FIVE RURAL REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS
ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLES 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, AND 20D OF THE CODE, TO BE
ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS;

(I) IN SUBACCOUNT A, $250,000 TO BE USED SOLELY TO PROVIDE
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING SUPPORT TO AGRICULTURAL AND
RESOURCE BASED BUSINESSES WITHIN A RURAL REGION;

(II) IN SUBACCOUNT B, $800,000 TO BE USED SOLELY TO SUPPORT
ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WITHIN A RURAL REGION;
AND

(III) IN SUBACCOUNT C, $250,000 TO BE USED FOR ACTIVITIES
RELATED TO DEFENSE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT RETENTION, SOCIAL SERVICES
AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS, AND MAJOR ECONOMIC DISLOCATION WITHIN A RURAL
REGION.

(3) (I) THE SUBACCOUNT FUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO THE RURAL
REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF
THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE AWARDED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS BY THE
INTERAGENCY GRANTS SELECTION BOARD ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2 206 OF THE
STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

(II) THE BOARD MAY DECLINE TO AWARD A GRANT IF IN ITS
JUDGMENT THE GRANT APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE OR LACKS MERIT.

(III) IF IN ANY GIVEN YEAR FUNDS REMAIN TO BE DISPERSED IN A
SUBACCOUNT AFTER THE GRANT AWARDS ARE MADE, THOSE FUNDS SHALL BE
RETAINED IN THE FUND FOR FUTURE DISTRIBUTION.

(D) (1) EACH YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN ITS BUDGET REQUEST TO THE
GOVERNOR:

(I) AT LEAST $250,000 FOR THE MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT RIDER
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN EFFORTS IN EXISTING
CIRCUITS AND TO ADD NEW CIRCUITS IN AREAS OF NEED ACROSS THE STATE; AND

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