MD HB1314

Continues the Urban Trees Program administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and makes permanent the requirement for the Governor to include $10,000,000 annually in the state budget for the program (removing the previous FY2024-2031 sunset).

Targets tree planting in "underserved areas" defined as urban areas that are either historically redlined neighborhoods, census tracts with above-average unemployment, census tracts with median household income at or below 75% of state median, or public housing projects.

Authorizes grants to qualified organizations including nonprofits, schools, community associations, civic groups, higher education institutions, local governments, and forest conservancy district boards for tree-planting projects.

Requires the Trust to prioritize grant applications from organizations located in the underserved areas where projects will occur and applications that engage local individuals, organizations, or businesses in implementation and maintenance.

Mandates annual reporting by October 1 to the Department of Natural Resources and Department of the Environment on grant recipients, number and location of trees planted, and other required information.