IMPORTANT NOTICE: On November 7th, Marylanders have the opportunity to cast their vote in favor
of land conservation. Question 1 (Disposition of Lands) would prevent the
state from selling public lands without the consent of the General Assembly.
You Can Protect State Parklands in our beautiful state by voting for
Question 1!
Vote for Question 1 on November 7th to prevent the State from selling any
preserved state park, conservation or recreational land without approval
from the General Assembly.
Ballot Language:
"The Board of Public Works may not approve the sale, transfer, exchange,
grant or other permanent disposition of any state-owned outdoor recreation,
open space, conservation, preservation, forest, or parkland without the
express approval of the General Assembly or of a committee that the General
Assembly designates by statute, resolution or rule."
Bills Rick actively helped pass:
Environment
- SB320 - Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund - $30 annual fee to both public sewer and septic users for Bay cleanup initiatives. The preferred bill did not include septic users, Baltimore legislators added that provision. Local systems like Brunswick and Frederick County will receive funds from these accounts for necessary upgrades.
- HB 714 - Renewable Energy Sources - Establishes a new grant program for solar energy projects
Natural Resources
- HB 1334- Critical Farms Program - creates a Critical Farms Program to develop a funding source to provide interim or emergency funding for emergency farmland preservation
- HB 1346- Renewable Fuels Promotion Act - creates up to $ million annually in credits for production of ethanol or biodiesel fuels
- HB 1086- MD Hunting Heritage Protection Act - requires DNR to keep state lands open for hunting unless specify reasons not to.
Rural Economic Development
-
HB 1147- Expands and consolidates rural capacity development programs, such as agricultural economic development. Created the Maryland Rural Council, which Rick serves on.
- HB820 - Land Trusts - Broadens the exemption for recordation and transfers on conservation or preservation easements to qualified land trusts
- HB 239- Agriculture Ombudsman - creates an Agricultural Ombudsman in DHMH to work with farmers on cross-jurisdictional matters. Several years ago, local dairy farmers had problems dealing with DHMH inspectors
- HB 1179 - Maryland Agricultural & Resource-based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) - Top priority of Rural MD Council, creates a funding source for farm-related economic development projects
MARC Train Station Closures
