MD HB736

Counties with median household income in the bottom quartile and a 50% State/50% local cost-share formula may have their local share reduced to match the nearest adjacent county below 50%

Creates a new adjustment for counties where free/reduced price meal eligibility exceeds the statewide average, all schools participate in USDA Community Eligibility Provision, and the cost-share is 50/50—reducing local share to the average of other Community Eligibility counties

Schools with 80% or greater concentration of poverty receive a 10 percentage point increase in State funding share; schools with poverty concentration between 55-80% receive a 5 percentage point increase

Schools receiving Good, Superior, or Adequate maintenance ratings (with facility assessment at 120%+ of expected useful life) qualify for a 5 percentage point increase in State share

Net-zero school construction projects receive a 5 percentage point increase in State funding share; effective July 1, 2025