Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a community development program.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Community Development Program with the purpose of providing financial assistance for community development organizations around the state (Sec. 1).

• Requires the board to consist of the following members appointed by the Governor as well as with consultation with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House (Sec. 1):

• Secretary

• 1 representative of the Community Development network of Maryland;

• 1 representative of the small business community;

• 1 representative of the nonprofit development community;

• 1 representative of the for-profit development community;

• 1 representative involved with rural community development;

• 1 representative involved with suburban community; and

• 1 representative involved with the urban community.

• Establishes a maximum term of 3 years (Sec. 1).

• Specifies service as a member is not a State Office or State Employment (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the board’s responsibilities are as follows (Sec. 1):

• Make recommendations on how the fund is to be used;

• Provide a period of at least 30 days for public comment on the recommendations; and

• Report on or before December 31 each year on the activities of the fund and make any recommendations regarding the fund to the governor.

• Prohibits the fund from being used for anything other than administrative expenses of the department in administering the program and financial assistance for community development projects and organizations (Sec.1).

• Authorizes funds to be disbursed to the following (Sec. 1):

• Affordable housing and community services;

• Neighborhood revitalization for residential and commercial ares;

• Housing counseling, financial counseling, and foreclosure prevention;

• Community organizing and Small business development; or

• Any other community development purpose.

Full Bill Text