MD HB238

Expands the Maryland Heritage Area Authority's voting membership from 8 to 10 ex-officio members by adding the Secretary of Agriculture and the State Superintendent of Schools, and increases the quorum requirement from 9 to 10 members

Replaces the public member from the Maryland Greenways Commission with a new public member who has expertise in natural resource stewardship or climate resiliency

Removes the requirement for State officials to prepare formal program statements and instead requires them to directly support and assist activities in certified heritage areas related to planning, development, and implementation

Gives the Authority flexibility to set matching fund requirements at whatever proportion it deems appropriate, eliminating the previous 50% cap on management plan grants, acquisition/development grants, and program grants

Eliminates the requirement for the Authority to send copies of heritage area boundary maps to county clerks and takes effect October 1, 2026