MD HB533

Department of Natural Resources must report annually by September 30 to the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment and the House Environment and Transportation Committee on the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund

Annual report must now include the amount of proceeds from the agricultural land transfer tax (on woodland parcels) distributed to the Fund during the preceding fiscal year, with the Fund receiving up to $200,000 annually from this source

Report must disclose any uncertainties the Department has about the total tax proceeds required to be distributed to the Fund and the actions needed to resolve those uncertainties

Fund finances the Woodland Incentives Program (cost-share assistance) and the Mel Noland Fellowship Program

Effective date: July 1, 2026