SB867 - Economic Development - Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission - Alterations
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 867 passed on February 6, 2026, substantially alters the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission by expanding its purpose to include space science, space technology, and aeronautics innovation. The legislation modifies commission membership, duties, and staff responsibilities, mandates appointment of an Executive Director, and authorizes the commission to provide grants to qualifying entities. A $30,000,000 annual budget allocation is required beginning in fiscal year 2028.
What changed
The legislation amends the statutory framework governing the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission by broadening its stated purpose to encompass space science, space technology, and aeronautics alongside existing technology objectives. Key structural changes include mandatory appointment of an Executive Director, expansion of grant-making authority to additional entity categories, and revisions to membership composition and staff responsibilities. The bill creates a significant ongoing budget obligation, requiring the Governor to include $30,000,000 annually in the state budget beginning fiscal year 2028.
Affected parties include Maryland state agencies involved in economic development, aerospace and defense companies operating in or considering the state, technology firms, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations engaged in aeronautics or space-related activities. The commission's enhanced scope and guaranteed funding signal increased state investment in aerospace sector growth, creating new opportunities for entities to access state grants while requiring compliance with potentially revised commission requirements and reporting standards.
What to do next
- Monitor Maryland General Assembly for bill signing and effective date notification
- Review commission governance changes and identify eligibility for grant programs
- Assess impact on existing aerospace and technology programs and stakeholder relationships
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB867 Passed SB867 Senate Bill Passed 2026-02-06
Economic Development - Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission - Alterations
Expanding the purpose of the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission by promoting innovation in space science, space technology, and aeronautics; altering the membership, duties, and staff responsibilities of the Commission; requiring the Commission to appoint an Executive Director; authorizing the Commission to provide grants to certain entities for certain purposes; requiring the Governor to include $30,000,000 for the Commission in the annual budget bill for fiscal year 2028 and annually thereafter; etc.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Alonzo Washington (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-04-07 S Favorable with Amendments {413428/1 Adopted 2026-04-06 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance 2026-02-12 S Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-06 S First Reading Finance
Committee Referrals
2026-02-06 S Finance
Amendments
2026-04-07 Favorable with Amendments 413428/1 Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-11 Introduced 2026-04-07 Engrossed
Subjects
Economic Development Administrative Agencies Aerospace Technology and Astronomy Appropriations Budgets Commerce and Business Committee Changes Committees and Commissions Governor Grants Higher Education Industry and Manufacturing Intergovernmental Cooperation Job Training Nonprofit Organizations Plans and Proposals Reports Revenue and Taxes Rules and Regulations Salaries and Compensation Technology Work, Labor, and Employment Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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