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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland restricts Stadium Authority from selling Shamrock Farms except to Carroll County for $4.48 million
Last action · March 13, 2026: Withdrawn by SponsorSponsors: Justin Ready and 1 other
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What This Bill Proposed
Maryland Senate Bill 565 prohibits the Maryland Stadium Authority from selling or transferring Shamrock Farms to anyone other than Carroll County, setting a purchase price of $4,480,000 adjusted for inflation and county contributions. The County Commissioners of Carroll County must notify the Authority of their intent to purchase by July 1, 2029, and are authorized to pay in equal annual installments over 5 years using the general fund or donations.
Carroll County gains the statutory option to acquire the 4926 Woodbine Road property for $4,480,000 with complete zoning authority transferring upon sale, while the Maryland Stadium Authority is barred from disposing of the asset to outside buyers.
- Shamrock Farms is a real property asset located at 4926 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, Maryland, whose purchase was approved by the Board of Public Works on May 7, 2025. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
County Commissioners of Carroll County
The county commissioners are authorized to purchase Shamrock Farms for $4,480,000, use general funds or donations, pay in installments over 5 years, and assume total zoning and property authority.
Maryland Stadium Authority
The Authority is barred from selling or transferring Shamrock Farms to any entity other than Carroll County and is required to sell it to the county under specified terms and deadlines.
Key Facts
- The Maryland Stadium Authority is prohibited from selling, transferring, or disposing of Shamrock Farms except to the County Commissioners of Carroll County.
- Shamrock Farms is defined as the real property approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works on May 7, 2025, located at 4926 Woodbine Road, Woodbines, Maryland 21797.
- The purchase price is set at $4,480,000, increased by a reasonable amount for inflation as determined by the Board of Public Works and reduced by any amount Carroll County previously contributed to the State's purchase.
- The County Commissioners of Carroll County must notify the Maryland Stadium Authority of their intent to purchase Shamrock Farms on or before July 1, 2029.
Show all 8 facts
- Carroll County may pay for the property using the county's general fund and donations, spread across equal annual installments over 5 years.
- Upon transfer of Shamrock Farms, all rights and authority over the property, including zoning authority, transfer entirely to Carroll County.
- If Carroll County fails to provide notice of intent to purchase by July 1, 2029, the Act is automatically abrogated with no further action required by the General Assembly.
- The Maryland Stadium Authority must notify the Department of Legislative Services within 15 days of receiving notice of purchase or notice of failure to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Carroll County have to pay to buy Shamrock Farms?
What happens to the zoning authority over Shamrock Farms after the sale?
What is the deadline for Carroll County to buy the property?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Withdrawn.
Procedural history
3 actions- Mar 13, 2026SenateWithdrawn by Sponsor
- Feb 5, 2026SenateHearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 4, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Budget and Taxation
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Strict Sunset Provision
The entire Act automatically abrogates if Carroll County fails to issue its notice of intent to purchase by July 1, 2029.
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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