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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Creates Future Board and Special Fund to Boost Long-Term Economic Growth
Last action · May 12, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 377Sponsors: Bill Ferguson and 1 other
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What This Bill Does
Maryland establishes the Maryland's Future Board under the Department of Commerce to draft a long-term economic development plan by January 1, 2027, and create a dedicated special fund for recommended projects starting July 1, 2026.
The measure establishes a dedicated funding stream and advisory board to address state economic growth lags, affecting state budget allocations and economic development initiatives over a five-year period.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
State residents
Residents are affected by the implementation of long-term economic policies, workforce training strategies, and socioeconomic plans developed by the Board.
Business and labor leaders
Entrepreneurs and leaders in business, labor, and higher education are eligible for appointment to the Board to help shape state economic strategy.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of the Maryland's Future Board?
How will projects recommended by the Board be funded?
When is the initial economic growth study due from the Comptroller?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
16 actions- May 12, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 377
- Apr 10, 2026SenateFloorReturned Passed
- Apr 10, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (106-20)
- Apr 8, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 8, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Economic Matters
- Mar 24, 2026HouseHearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
Show 10 earlier actions
- Mar 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Economic Matters
- Mar 20, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (40-0)
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloor Amendment { 933825/1 (Senator James) Adopted
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorMotion Returned Second Reading (Senator James) Adopted
- Mar 17, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 17, 2026SenateFavorable with Amendments { 603122/1 Adopted
- Mar 16, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Finance
- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Finance
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.
Establishment of Strategic Economic Planning Entity
The state is creating a dedicated, non-technologically constrained planning board backed by a special fund to address lagging GDP and personal income growth relative to national averages.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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