MD HB461

Establishes the Rural Readiness Program administered by the Rural Maryland Council to help rural communities enhance their capacity for economic development through grant application assistance and revenue-generating project development

Creates the Rural Maryland Capacity Building Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to provide competitive grants up to $50,000 for collaborative planning and capacity building initiatives in areas including housing, broadband, transportation, health, and workforce development

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local governments, state-recognized tribes, higher education institutions, regional planning agencies, and economic/workforce development organizations (excludes state governmental entities)

Requires completion of the Rural Readiness Program certification to receive grants from the Capacity Building Fund and provides grant priority for three existing rural development programs

Mandates annual reporting to the Governor and General Assembly by October 1 on grant numbers, recipients, and purposes; effective date October 1, 2026