Natural Resources - Chesapeake Bay Trust - Urban Trees Program

HB 1314 makes permanent an annual $10 million state funding requirement for Maryland's Urban Trees Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The program plants native trees in underserved areas - defined as historically redlined neighborhoods or communities with high unemployment, poverty, or housing challenges - to improve environmental health. Qualified organizations (like nonprofits, schools, or local governments) can apply for grants to implement tree-planting projects, with priority given to initiatives led by or engaging residents in those target areas. The bill also requires the Trust to report annually on funded projects, including locations and tree counts, to state environmental agencies. This ensures consistent, community-focused tree planting as a permanent part of state environmental policy.