Bill would authorize state remedies if federally appropriated funds are withheld
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Summary
SB 828 would authorize the Board of Public Works and a central collection unit to pursue remedies — potentially including liens or withholding state payments to federal entities — if federal funds lawfully appropriated and upheld by courts are delayed or withheld, the sponsor said.
Senator Katie Fryhester presented Senate Bill 828, described as an authorizing framework to respond when federally appropriated funds due to the state are not delivered despite congressional appropriation and judicial affirmation. Under the sponsor’s description, the Board of Public Works could determine by majority vote that the federal government is delinquent, and the central collection unit and the comptroller could pursue remedies consistent with applicable law, including possible liens on federal property located in Maryland where constitutionally permissible.
The sponsor emphasized this is an authorizing bill that would be triggered only after congressional appropriation and a final court determination upholding that appropriation. "It's designed to provide an orderly framework responding to when a court has issued that final decision and federal compliance does not follow," the sponsor said. She also noted actions would require compliance with constitutional requirements and that the measure is enabling rather than mandatory.
The committee received the explanation and did not record a vote in the transcript. Questions and further legal review were implied by the description of constitutional safeguards and the limited triggering conditions the sponsor described.
