MarylandHB 09722026 Regular SessionHouse

Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund - Establishment ( Charles J. Otto Agricultural Education Promise Act)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Maryland creates dedicated fair education fund

Beginning June 1, 2026, Maryland creates the Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, managed by the Comptroller. The Governor must include $200,000 for the fund in each annual budget bill. The Treasurer holds the money separately, and the Comptroller tracks it. Unused money stays in the fund, which accepts other funding and keeps its investment earnings. Spending must follow the State budget and cover only authorized annual grants and related Comptroller costs.

Maryland State Fair gets larger grant

Beginning June 1, 2026, the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society gets $550,000 annually from the Promise Fund. This replaces its former $500,000 Special Fund grant, raising annual support by $50,000. The money supports the State Agricultural Fair and maintains and develops youth programs. The former grant required the Maryland State Fair to remain at the Timonium Fair Grounds.

More funding for agricultural education groups

Beginning June 1, 2026, the Promise Fund provides two annual agricultural education grants. The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation gets $100,000 for statewide education, replacing its former $75,000 Special Fund grant. That is a $25,000 yearly increase. The Maryland FFA Association gets $100,000 annually for agricultural education and career development. These grants go to the organizations, not directly to households.

Fair board and county lose grants

Beginning June 1, 2026, the law ends two annual Special Fund grants. The Maryland Agricultural Fair Board loses $825,000 yearly for promoting State and county agricultural fairs and exhibits. Baltimore County loses a $50,000 yearly grant that replaced earlier county funding. The county's former grant required the Maryland State Fair to remain at the Timonium Fair Grounds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

April Miller
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Christopher T. Adams
Republican • House
Nick Allen
Democratic • House
H. Kevin Anderson
Republican • House
Steven J. Arentz
Republican • House
Lauren Arikan
Republican • House
Terry L. Baker
Republican • House
Barry Beauchamp
Republican • House
Dylan Behler
Democratic • House
Christopher Eric Bouchat
Republican • House
Regina T. Boyce
Democratic • House
Jason C. Buckel
Republican • House
Brian Chisholm
Republican • House
Barrie S. Ciliberti
Republican • House
Kris Fair
Democratic • House
Linda Foley
Democratic • House
David Fraser-Hidalgo
Democratic • House
Jefferson L. Ghrist
Republican • House
Mike Griffith
Republican • House
Michele Guyton
Democratic • House
Wayne A. Hartman
Republican • House
Anne Healey
Democratic • House
Jim Hinebaugh
Republican • House
Marvin E. Holmes
Democratic • House
Kevin B. Hornberger
Republican • House
Seth A. Howard
Republican • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Jeffrie E. Long
Democratic • House
Jay A. Jacobs
Republican • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Marc Korman
Democratic • House
Robbyn Lewis
Democratic • House
Matthew Morgan
Republican • House
Mangione
Affiliation unavailable
Susan K. McComas
Republican • House
Ric Metzgar
Republican • House
LaToya Nkongolo
Republican • House
Darrell Odom
Democratic • House
Jesse T. Pippy
Republican • House
Robert B. Long
Republican • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
April Rose
Republican • House
Stuart Michael Schmidt
Republican • House
Karen Simpson
Democratic • House
Dana Stein
Democratic • House
Joshua J. Stonko
Republican • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
Chris Tomlinson
Republican • House
William Valentine
Republican • House
William J. Wivell
Republican • House
Natalie Ziegler
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/23/2026