Maryland General Assembly Bills to Watch 2008 Session - Dates of Interest Calendar (PDF)

Title / Synopsis
comments in blue

Position

Natural Resources - Scenic and Wild Rivers Program
Adds the Back River to the Scenic and Wild Rivers Program

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2009)
Need additional support for DNR budget

Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2008

Maryland Estate Tax - Exclusion for Family Farm or Family-Owned Business
Altering the determination of the Maryland estate tax under specified circumstances to exclude from the value of the gross estate up to $1,000,000 of the value of specified property for agricultural use or for the use of specified family–owned businesses; requiring the Comptroller to adopt regulations to provide for the recapture of specified tax savings under specified circumstances; and applying the Act to decedents dying after December 31, 2007.
Excludes up to $1,000,000 of the value of qualified real property from estate tax.

Maryland Estate Tax - Exclusion for Family Farm Subject to AgriculturalPreservation Easements
Altering the determination of the Maryland estate tax to exclude from the value of the gross estate the value of real property that is subject to a perpetual agricultural preservation easement that has been granted to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and passes from the decedent to or for the use of specified relatives of the decedent; and applying the Act to decedents dying after December 31, 2007.
Excludes land encumbered by a perpetual easement from estate tax.

EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008
Establishing the State goal of achieving a 15% reduction in per capital electricity consumption and peak demand by the end of 2015; requiring that, by specified dates, the Public Service Commission shall adopt regulations or issue orders requiring each electric company to procure or provide to specified customers specified energy efficiency and conservation measures and services that are designed to achieve specified energy reduction targets by specified dates; etc
Charges utilities to develop plans to persuade consumers to conserve. Plans are reviewed by the Public Service Commission.

High Performance Buildings Act
Requires that buildings funded by the State and larger than 7,500 square feet in size be constructed to Green Building standards. Discriminates against wood products

Renewable Energy Acceleration
Altering the renewable energy portfolio standard by increasing the percentages of electricity sales that must be met in specified years through the accumulation of renewable energy credits from specified sources; redefining a specified renewable energy credit; etc.
Doubles the current requirements for renewable energy in the energy portfolio.

Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and Nonpoint Source Fund
Altering the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and its purposes; providing for the uses of the Fund; establishing in statute the BayStat Program and BayStat Subcabinet; requiring the Program to distribute funds from the Trust Fund to the BayStat Subcabinet agencies; requiring the BayStat Subcabinet agencies to redistribute the funds through grants to various entities and to the Chesapeake Bay Nonpoint Source Fund; etc.
Provides a mechanism to distribute the monies dedicated to the Chesapeake Trust Fund. May provide an avenue for grants for non-commercial forestry activities.

State Parklands - Lease to Sewage Sludge Application Companies - Prohibition
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from leasing specified
parklands to a lessee that is a company engaged in the land application of
sewage sludge under specified circumstances.
Prohibits DNR from leasing park lands for sewage sludge application.

Task Force to Review the Lease of State Park Lands for Sewage SludgeApplication
Establishing a Task Force to Review the Lease of State Park Lands for Sewage Sludge Application; establishing the membership of the Task Force; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to provide staff for the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to study specified facts, policies, and procedures related to the lease of State park lands for sewage sludge application and to make specified recommendations; requiring the Task Force to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a specified date; etc.
Establishes a task force to review sewage sludge lease applications.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - Maryland Strategic Energy InvestmentProgram
Repealing the Maryland Renewable Energy Fund and establishing the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program in the Maryland Energy Administration; establishing the purpose of the Program; establishing the duties of the Administration under the Program; establishing the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund; providing that the Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund not subject to a specified law; etc.
Establishes a grant program to encourage energy conservation and development of clean energy sources using funds collected from the renewable energy act.

Maryland Energy Independence Act of 2008
Requiring an electric company to operate its own peak–load or other generating facility for standard offer service; requiring specified percentages of an electric company’s standard offer service to be generated within the State over a specified period; requiring the Public Service Commission to determine a specified statewide level of electricity usage from 2008 and to establish a baseline electricity level from it; etc.
Mandates that electric companies generate all of the Maryland consumed power in Maryland by 2018.

Global Warming Solutions - Reductions in Greenhouse Gases
Authorizing specified moneys to be paid into, and expanding the permissible uses of, the Maryland Clean Air Fund; requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to require specified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by specified years; requiring the Department to publish specified lists of greenhouse gas reduction measures and a final plan, and to adopt regulations in order to implement these measures; creating the Office of Climate Change within the Department and specifying its duties;etc.
Requires greenhouse gas emission reduction of 25% by 2020 and 90% by 2050.

Real Property - Agricultural and Historic Property - Prohibition on Condemnation
Prohibiting the State or any of its instrumentalities or political subdivisions from acquiring all or any part of private property by condemnation if the property is subject to an agricultural land preservation easement or a conservation easement under the Rural Legacy Program, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Prohibits governmental acquisition of properties encumbered by easement or listed on the National Register of Historic Place.

Natural Resources - Forest Conservation Act - No Net Loss of Forest
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, on or before December 1, 2008, to conduct a specified assessment, develop draft legislation, and submit the draft legislation to the Governor and General Assembly.
Requires DNR to draft legislation for the 2009 Session to ensure that there is a process to achieve no net loss of forest.

Incentives for Agriculture Act of 2008
Requiring the Governor to include in the annual budget bill for fiscal years 2010 through 2013 an appropriation of $1,250,000 for the Next Generation Farmland Program; altering the Maryland estate tax to exclude from the gross estate the value of specified agricultural property; altering an income tax credit for donations of specified interests in land; altering specified production credits for specific ethanol and biodiesel products; etc.
Funds the "Next Generation Farmland Program" 2010 – 2013. Alters the Estate Tax exemptions if the land is converted from Ag. Increases the available production credits for biomass fuel production.

Property Tax Assessment Appeals
Reducing the number of days from 120 to 60 for the Maryland Tax Court to hear and determine an appeal from a determination of a property tax assessment appeal board; etc.
Reduces the number of days in which the Maryland Tax Court must hold an appeals hearing from 120 to 60 days.

Homestead Property Tax Credit - Farm or Agricultural Use Land
Expanding the definition of a dwelling that qualifies for the homestead property tax credit to include specified homes that are located on parcels of land that are recognized by the Department of Assessments and Taxation to be actively used for farm or agricultural purposes; providing for exceptions if the dwelling is not occupied for the required time period; providing that a homeowner may claim a homestead property tax credit for two dwellings under specified circumstances; etc.
Broadens the definition of a dwelling to include a residence on the parcel that may be used not only by a family member but also an employee of the farm.

Task Force to Study Offshore Wind Farms
Establishing a Task Force to Study Offshore Wind Farms; establishing the membership and duties of the Task Force; providing for the designation of a chair of the Task Force; providing for staff for the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before a specified date; etc.
Defines who shall serve on a task force to study off-shore wind farm potential.

Maryland Estate Tax - Exclusion for Qualified Agricultural Property
Altering the determination of the Maryland estate tax under specified circumstances to exclude from the value of the gross estate the value of specified agricultural property; providing for the recapture of the Maryland estate tax under specified circumstances; requiring the Comptroller to adopt regulations; and applying the Act to decedents dying after December 31, 2007.
Provides for 100% exemption for "Qualified Agricultural Property" which continues in farm use after the original owner's death.

Public Utility Tree Management Act
Requiring a public utility to prepare a tree management plan; requiring a public utility to enter into an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources under specified circumstances; requiring specified programs and plans to be published in accordance with requirements; authorizing the Department to issue a stop work order under specified circumstances; providing for penalties; and authorizing the Department to adopt regulations.
Requires public utilities to submit a tree management plan to DNR.

Ag Transfer Tax Distribution
Altering specified agricultural land transfer tax rates; altering the distribution of specified revenues attributable to the agricultural land transfer tax; altering the distribution of the State transfer tax revenues under specified circumstances; providing that the Maryland Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation [MARBIDCO] may use a specified percentage of specified funds for administrative costs; etc.
Doubles the agricultural land transfer tax and specifies distributions to Ag land preservation fund and MD Ag & Resource-Based Industry Development Corp.

Electric Co removal of trees cease work
Prohibiting an electric company from removing or clearing one or more trees on a public utility right–of–way or land except in accordance with specified procedures; requiring an electric company to send a notice to specified property owners; requiring that a copy of the notice be sent to the Public Service Commission and the Consumer Protection Division; allowing an owner to submit a written request; allowing the Division to issue a cease and desist order under specified circumstances; etc.
Prohibits an Electric company from removing trees in their right of way without providing 30 days notice to adjoining landowners and the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the AG.

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Administrative and Enforcement Provisions
Authorizing the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to deny, reprimand, suspend, or revoke home improvement licenses for failure to comply with specified requirements in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays; authorizing the Critical Area Commission to adopt and amend specified regulations; requiring the Commission to adopt and amend specified regulations; etc.
Directed at home improvement and building contractors.

Forest and Park Wardens - Responsibilities
Repealing a requirement that a forest or park warden take specified actions on learning of a forest fire, including going immediately to the fire and employing persons and means to extinguish the fire and keeping an itemized account of expenses.

Task Force on the Future Conservation of Maryland's Open Space and Farmland
Establishing a Task Force on the Future of Conserving Maryland's Open Space and Farmland; providing for the membership, chair, and staff of the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task Force from receiving compensation; authorizing a member of the Task Force to receive reimbursement for specified expenses; requiring the Task Force to make specified evaluations and determinations; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before October 1, 2009; etc.
Establishes a task force to protect farm land through the use of the Ag Land Preservation fund.

Task Force to Study Statewide Gypsy Moth Infestation
Establishing a Task Force to Study Statewide Gypsy Moth Infestation; providing for the membership of the Task Force; providing that the Governor shall designate the chair of the Task Force; providing for the staffing of the Task Force; providing for the duties of the Task Force; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before August 31, 2009.

Public Service Commission - Alternatives to Long-Term Electricity Generation Contracts and New Electricity Generation
Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from requiring or approving electric companies to buy or build generation assets or enter into specified long-term contracts until specified reasonable alternatives have been considered and pursued and the Commission reports the results of a specified study and evaluation; requiring the Commission to study and evaluate specified alternatives to specified long-term contracts and electricity generating facilities and specified electricity transmission alternatives; etc.

Title / Synopsis
comments in blue

Maryland Green Buildings Standards Act of 2008
Requires that buildings and renovations with $2,000,000 in state funding be constructed to Green Building standards.

Environment - State Government - Integrated Pest Management
Requires State agencies to develop and implement Integrated Pest Management plans.

Natural Resources - Scenic and Wild Rivers Program
Adds the Back River to the Scenic and Wild Rivers Program.

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2009)
Need additional support for DNR budget

Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2008

Income Tax - Credit for Cellulosic Ethanol Technology Research and Development
Allowing a credit against the Maryland income tax for specified cellulosic ethanol technology research and development expenses paid or incurred by an individual or corporation; providing for applications to the Department of Business and Economic Development for approval of the credit and certification by the Department to taxpayers of approved credit amounts; limiting the total amount of credits that the Department may approve for anycalendar year to $3,000,000; etc.
Allows DBED to authorize up to $3,000,000 in tax credits for businesses developing cellulosic ethanol. Companies can deduct up to 10% of their income taxes for cellulosic ethanol research.
Prior Year Introduction As: HB 544/07 - W&M

Maryland Estate Tax - Family Property Protection Act
Increasing the limitation on the unified credit used to determine the Maryland estate tax from the amount corresponding to a $1,000,000 exclusion amount under the federal estate tax to the amount corresponding to a $2,000,000 exclusion amount under the federal estate tax; repealing a requirement that the tax be determined without regard to the deduction for State death taxes under the federal estate tax; stating the General Assembly’s intent; applying the Act to decedents dying after December 31, 2007; etc.
Excludes $2,000,000 of the total value of the estate from estate taxes.
Prior Year Introduction As: HB 73/07 - W&M

Endangered and Threatened Species - Incidental Taking - Delmarva Fox Squirrel
Authorizing the Secretary of Natural Resources to issue a permit sanctioning an incidental taking of the Delmarva fox squirrel; requiring the applicant to submit a specified conservation plan and the Secretary to make specified findings before issuing a permit; authorizing the Secretary to adopt regulations; etc.
The Secretary of DNR can authorize the incidental taking of the Delmarva Fox Squirrel if specified criteria are met.

Task Force on a Statewide Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Initiative
Establishing a Task Force on a Statewide Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Initiative; establishing the membership and staffing of the Task Force; requiring the Governor to designate the chair of the Task Force; authorizing the Task Force to establish subcommittees; requiring the Task Force to evaluate and make recommendations to improve the State’s erosionand sediment control and stormwater management regulations and programs;
Establishes and specifies the members of a Stormwater Management task force which will review E&S regulations.
Prior Year Introduction As: HB 476/07 - ENV

Maryland Estate Tax - Exclusion for Qualified Agricultural Property
Altering the determination of the Maryland estate tax under specified circumstances to exclude from the value of the gross estate the value of specified agricultural property; providing for the recapture of the Maryland estate tax under specified circumstances; requiring the Comptroller to adopt regulations; and applying the Act to decedents dying after December 31,2007.
Excludes qualified agricultural land from estate taxes. Exclusion seems narrower than SB 165 in land types, though potentially larger in dollar value

Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Establishes a grant program to encourage energy conservation and development of clean energy sources using funds collected from the renewable energy act.

Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and Nonpoint Source Fund
Altering the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and its purposes; providing for the uses of the Fund; establishing in statute the BayStat Program and BayStat Subcabinet; requiring the Program to distribute funds from the Trust Fund to the BayStat Subcabinet agencies; requiring the BayStat Subcabinet agencies to redistribute the funds through grants to various entities and to the Chesapeake Bay Nonpoint Source Fund; etc.
Provides a mechanism to distribute the monies dedicated to the Chesapeake Trust Fund. May provide an avenue for grants for non-commercial forestry activities.

EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008
Establishing the State goal of achieving a 15% reduction in per capita electricity consumption and peak demand by the end of 2015; requiring that, by specified dates, the Public Service Commission shall adopt regulations or issue orders requiring each electric company to procure or provide to specified customers specified energy efficiency and conservation measures and services that are designed to achieve specified energy reduction targets by specified dates; etc.
Charges utilities to develop plans to persuade consumers to conserve. Plans are reviewed by the Public Service Commission.

Renewable Portfolio Standard Percentage Requirements - Acceleration
Altering the renewable energy portfolio standard by increasing the percentages of electricity sales that must be met in specified years through the accumulation of renewable energy credits from specified sources; redefining a specified renewable energy credit; etc.
Doubles the current requirements for renewable energy in the energy portfolio.

High Performance Buildings Act
Requiring specified buildings constructed or renovated solely with State funds to be high performance buildings under specified circumstances; requiring the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of General Services to establish jointly a waiver process; requiring specified new schools that receive State public school construction funds to be constructed to be high performance buildings; etc. Preliminary analysis: local government mandate
Requires that buildings funded by the State and larger than 7,500 square feet in size be constructed to Green Building standards. Discriminates against wood products

Task Force to Review the Lease of State Park Lands for Sewage SludgeApplication
Establishing a Task Force to Review the Lease of State Park Lands for Sewage Sludge Application; establishing the membership of the Task Force; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to provide staff for the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to study specified facts, policies, and procedures related to the lease of State park lands for sewage sludge application and to make specified recommendations; requiring the Task Force to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a specified date; etc.
Establishes a task force to review sewage sludge lease applications.

State Parklands - Lease to Sewage Sludge Application Companies - Prohibition
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from leasing specified parklands to a lessee that is a company engaged in the land application of sewage sludge under specified circumstances.
Prohibits DNR from leasing park lands for sewage sludge application.

Forests and Parks - Special Funds and Accounts - Payments to Counties
Eliminating specified annual payments made to counties from the State Forest or Park Reserve Fund, the Forest and Park Concession Account, and the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Maintenance and Management Fund.
Eliminates the 15% or 25% payment by State Forests and State Parks to the counties.

Department of Natural Resources - Nonnative Nuisance and Naturalized Organisms- Regulatory Management Authority
Authorizing the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources to adopt regulations to manage nonnative nuisance or naturalized organisms in the State, subject to specified exceptions; etc.
Permits the DNR to develop regulations with regard to nonnative and nuisance aquatic organisms.

Natural Resources - Hunting Licenses - Minimum Age
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from issuing a hunting license to a person who is under the age of 13 years; providing that specified suspensions of hunting privileges for specified hunting violations for persons under the age of 13 years shall begin on the person’s 13th birthday; requiring an application for a hunting license to include the date of birth of the applicant; etc.
Adds a menu of punishment for children inappropriately hunting or misusing a hunting license.

Natural Resources - Black Bear Hunt - Prohibition
Classifying black bears as nongame mammals; prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from reducing the black bear population in the State with specified exceptions; prohibiting the Department from establishing an open season to hunt black bears; etc.d

Reductions in Green House Gases
Authorizing specified moneys to be paid into, and expanding the permissible uses of, the Maryland Clean Air Fund; requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to require specified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by specified years; requiring the Department to publish specified lists of greenhouse gas reduction measures and a final plan, and to adopt regulations in order to implement these measures; creating the Office of Climate Change within the Department and specifying its duties;etc.
Requires greenhouse gas emission reduction of 25% by 2020 and 90% by 2050.

BAY RESTORATION FUND – DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Increasing the percentage of specified funds from the Bay Restoration Fund that are disbursed to fund cover crop activities; altering the percentage of funds that are used for purposes relating to onsite sewage disposal systems; etc.
Moves 20% of the flush tax from failing septic tanks to the Maryland Water Quality Cost Share Program in the Dept of Ag.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TASK FORCE
Establishing a Sustainable Energy Task Force; establishing the membership of the Task Force; providing for the designation of a chair of the Task Force;providing for staff for the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding specified issues; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before a specified date; etc.

ENVIRONMENT – CARRYOUT BAGS – REQUIREMENTS
Requiring specified stores to provide paper or reusable carryout bags to customers; requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations; establishing penalties for violations; and providing for the recovery of penalties by the State in civil actions.
Requires merchants to use reusable bags or paper bags or be fined.

FOREST CONSERVATION – REPORTING AND ENFORCEMENT
Requiring specified local authorities to report enforcement activity relating to forest conservation requirements to the Department of Natural Resources within 15 days after commencement of the enforcement activity; and requiring specified enforcement activities to be included in the Department’s annual forest conservation report.
Requires local authorities to report to the DNR of their enforcement activities. (might reduce the inconsistency across the state)

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM – LOT RELEASES
Requiring that releases from easement restrictions issued by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) include a statement acknowledging the status of adjacent farmland; and altering the size of lots that may be released from easement restrictions by MALPF under specified circumstances.
If a lot is sold from the farm which is under Ag Land Preservation, requires that the purchaser acknowledge that the adjacent land will be used for Ag.

REAL PROPERTY – CONSERVATION EASEMENTS – DISCLOSURE
Requiring the seller of real property encumbered by a conservation easement to deliver a specified notice and a copy of all easements to each purchaser on or before entering into a contract for the sale of the property; altering the form of the notice required to be delivered to each purchaser; establishing that a purchaser who receives the information on or before entering into a contract of sale does not have the right to rescind the contract; altering the circumstances under which a purchaser has a right to rescind the contract; etc.
Requires sellers to notify purchasers that land is under easement prior to the transaction.

ENVIRONMENT – WATER MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION – WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS PROGRAM FEES
Establishing specified application fees for applications related to activities in wetlands and waterways; making specified permits subject to a specified application fee refund process; exempting specified persons and activities from the application fees; establishing the Wetlands and Waterways Program Fund; clarifying specified provisions of the Tidal Wetlands Compensation Fund; defining terms; etc.
Establishes permit application fees for activities around wetlands and waterways. Specifically exempts Forestry and Ag from permit fees if following a forester's plan or an ag plan. Monitor to be sure that the forestry exemption is not lost.

RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN PROGRAM
Establishing a Renewable Energy Infrastructure Loan Program in the Maryland Energy Administration; establishing the purposes of the Program; establishing the duties of the Administration in relation to the Program; establishing the Renewable Energy Infrastructure Fund; providing for the administration, funding sources, and accounting of the Fund; requiring money from the Energy Overcharge Restitution Fund to be expended for specified renewable energy infrastructure loans; etc.
Establishes a loan program restricted to local government entities like for smaller renewable energy projects at schools & municipal offices.

TASK FORCE TO STUDY OFFSHORE WIND FARMS
Establishing a Task Force to Study Offshore Wind Farms; establishing the membership and duties of the Task Force; providing for the designation of a Chair of the Task Force; providing for staff for the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before a specified date; etc.

CHESAPEAKE AND ATLANTIC COASTAL BAYS CRITICAL AREA PROTECTION PROGRAM – ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
Authorizing the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to deny, reprimand, suspend, or revoke home improvement licenses for failure to comply with specified requirements in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays; authorizing the Critical Area Commission to adopt and amend specified regulations; requiring the Commission to adopt and amend specified regulations; etc.

Directed at home improvement and building contractors.

STUDY TO EVALUATE STRATEGIES TO REDUCE DEER–VEHICLE COLLISIONS
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of State Police to jointly conduct a study to evaluate strategies to reduce deer–vehicle collisions; requiring the study to\ include specified reviews, evaluations, and examinations; requiring the Departments to use only personnel and resources in the Departments; and requiring the Departments to jointly submit a report to the General Assembly on or before October 1, 2009.
Requires DNR, DOT & MSP to study methods to reduce deer/automobile collisions.

MARYLAND ESTATE TAX – EXCLUSION FOR FAMILY FARM SUBJECT TO AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION EASEMENTS
Altering the determination of the Maryland estate tax to exclude from the value of the gross estate the value of real property that is subject to a perpetual agricultural preservation easement that has been granted to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and passes from the decedent to or for the use of specified relatives of the decedent; and applying the Act to decedents dying after December 31, 2007.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY – INTERNET WEBCASTING OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Requiring the General Assembly to provide, on the Internet, an audio and video webcast of each meeting of a committee or other public body of the Legislative Branch; specifying that the requirement does not apply to a meeting in closed session; and requiring that the webcasts be available both as contemporaneous transmissions and as archived files that are publicly available for a specified period.

Forest and Park Wardens - Responsibilities
Repealing a requirement that a forest or park warden take specified actions on learning of a forest fire, including going immediately to the fire and employing persons and means to extinguish the fire and keeping an itemized account of expenses.
Requires a Forest or Park Warden to act if he sees a fire. Removes the obligation to act if he learns of the fire second hand.

Maryland Environmental Service - Energy Generation Projects

Authorizing the Maryland Environmental Service to engage in energy products and services; authorizing counties and municipalities to enter into specified agreements with the Service without regard to specified limitations or provisions of law; etc.

Allows Energy projects including, engineering, planning, construction, or transmission to compete for Maryland Environmental Service monies intended for water and sewage treatment plants.

Sustainable Forestry Act of 2008
Declaring specified findings and policy statements relating to forests; declaring a specified intent of the General Assembly; altering the permissible uses of the Forest or Park Reserve Fund; revising provisions of law relating to the protection of forestry practices from specified private actions; etc.
Natural Resources ( 5-101 , 5-102 , 5-102.1 , 5-212 )

Department of Natural Resources - Community Parks and Playgrounds Program
Establishing a Community Parks and Playgrounds Program; authorizing a portion of specified funds to be transferred from Program Open Space to the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program; declaring the intent of the General Assembly; authorizing the Program to provide specified grants; providing for the administration of the Program; requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to adopt specified regulations; providing for specified funding; requiring the Governor to include specified funds in specified capital budgets; etc.