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HB 1228 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Department of Commerce - Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve Study MC 15-25

HB 1228 requires Maryland's Department of Commerce to study the tourism and visitor economy within Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve. The study will map visitor patterns using geolocation data, survey tourists, and analyze how tourism supports small businesses, historic sites, and recreation areas in the reserve. The Department must report findings by June 30, 2026, including recommendations to boost tourism and preserve the reserve's economic vitality. This bill directly affects the Department of Commerce and indirectly impacts local businesses and historic sites relying on tourism revenue.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Department of Commerce - Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve Study MC 15-25 → Third - Department of Commerce - Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve Study MC 15-25 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to expand the study's scope to include economic development alongside the tourist and visitor economy, and to require coordination with multiple county agencies and organizations. The study requirements were reorganized and clarified to better define the study's objectives and methodology.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include economic development in addition to the tourist and visitor economy, and the study must now be conducted in coordination with specific county agencies and organizations.
REQUIREMENT

The study must now be conducted in coordination with the Montgomery County Planning Board, Office of Agricultural Services, University of Maryland Extension, and Visit Montgomery, in addition to the Department of Commerce.

The study objectives were expanded to include examining how tourists and visitors view the Agricultural Reserve, identifying small businesses and historic sites, analyzing tourism contributions, assessing barriers to visitation, and developing an overall economic impact assessment.

The bill was reorganized to remove duplicate sections and clarify the Department of Commerce's responsibilities, including data synthesis and coordination.

New requirements were added to examine why visitors come to the Agricultural Reserve, what attractions they find compelling, and how tourism contributes to the success of local businesses and sites.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2025

How they voted

45–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 46
Mar 24, 2025
D Democratic33
32 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 22, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 235
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-1)
senate
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 9, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-2-3)
house of delegates
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.