Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Backlash to transfer‑tax diversion: conservation groups push to restore land‑preservation funding
Summary
Stakeholders urged the committee to pass HB 609 to reverse a temporary diversion of $25M annually from the Land Preservation Special Fund back to the fund, arguing the diversion undermines farmland and open‑space preservation and could forfeit the protection of tens of thousands of acres.
Delegate Mike Griffith told the Appropriations Committee HB 609 would repeal a temporary requirement that diverts $25 million annually from the Land Preservation Special Fund to the general fund for fiscal years 2026–2029. He and conservation witnesses said the diversion reduces funds for Program Open Space, agricultural easements, Rural Legacy and other programs that protect farmland, forests and public access to parks.
A coalition of land trusts, the Maryland Farm Bureau, Forever Maryland and other conservation organizations testified in favor, warning that the cut could forfeit preservation opportunities that would otherwise protect tens of thousands of acres. One spokesperson noted a prior $100 million diversion and estimated that reduced funding could result in the loss of preservation of roughly 20,000 acres.
Speakers framed the bill as restoring a long‑standing promise that the transfer tax revenues would be used for preservation. Committee members thanked witnesses and acknowledged the tension between competing fiscal priorities; no final action was taken at the hearing.
