MD HB238

Adds the Secretary of Agriculture and State Superintendent of Schools as voting members of the Maryland Heritage Area Authority, increasing total membership from 8 ex-officio members plus 10 appointed members to 10 ex-officio plus 10 appointed members

Increases the quorum requirement from 9 to 10 voting members

Replaces the appointed public member from the Maryland Greenways Commission with a public member having expertise in natural resource stewardship or climate resiliency

Eliminates the requirement that the Authority send boundary maps to county clerks, and removes the mandate for State officials to prepare formal program statements, instead requiring them to directly support and assist activities in certified heritage areas

Removes fixed 50% caps on grants and loans, giving the Authority discretion to set matching fund requirements "in whatever proportion the Authority considers appropriate"