WORCESTER AGRITOURISM, VETERANS, AND MORE BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR HOGAN TODAY
One day after the Maryland General Assembly adjournment sine die, Senator Mary Beth Carozza today participated in a bill signing ceremony with Governor Larry Hogan and presiding officers Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne with 79 bills signed into law in the Governor’ State House Reception Room in Annapolis.
The Worcester County agritourism bills (Senate Bill 32 sponsored by Carozza and House Bill 12 sponsored by Delegates Hartman and Otto), which passed both chambers unanimously, would add Worcester County to the list of 18 other jurisdictions in which farm structures used for agritourism activities are exempted from certain commercial building requirements.
“The Worcester County agritourism legislation allows for a successful tool to give more local farm families the opportunity to offer agritourism activities on their farms,” said Carozza. “It’s a win-win for both the farm families who may need to diversify and pull in additional revenue just to keep the farm and for tourists who will have more options to explore and experience our local farms.”
The bill has strong support from the Worcester County Commissioners and its tourism office, Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, Maryland Tourism Coalition, Maryland Farm Bureau, and Agriculture Grow and Fortify.
In addition to Senate Bill 32, several other bills that Senator Carozza cosponsored or supported were signed into law:
- House Bill 882, Natural Resources – Pocomoke River Wildland – Alteration of Boundaries: This Maryland Department of Natural Resources bill would add approximately 80 acres of the Pocomoke State Forest as new type Wildlands and would exempt approximately two acres of the Pocomoke State Forest to allow the construction of an elevated walk-way that would connect the Town of Snow Hill directly to the Pocomoke State Park. The trail would create a trail network from Snow Hill to Pocomoke City and has significant social, recreational, and economic benefits.
- Senate Bill 5, General Provisions - Commemorative Days - Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, sponsored by Senator Obie Patterson and cosponsored by Carozza, designates the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. This would make Maryland the ninth state and the District of Columbia to pass a law officially honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, comprised of nearly 1,000 Black pilots who flew during World War II and were supported by more than 15,000 cooks, security personnel, and other staff support. The Tuskegee Airmen are credited with integrating the military as their resolve in World War II included the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.
- Senate Bill 94, Public Health - Maryland Suicide Fatality Review Committee, sponsored by Senator Addie Eckardt and also cosponsored by Carozza. This bill establishes the Maryland Suicide Fatality Review Committee (State team) to identify and address the factors contributing to suicide deaths and facilitate system changes in the State to prevent suicide deaths.
Senator Carozza pictured with Delegates Otto and Hartman during Worcester County Agritourism bill signing.
Senator Carozza and Delegate Otto pictured with Department of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, DNR Legislative Officer Bunky Luffman of Delmar and DNR team.
Senator Carozza pictured with Senator Patterson with the Governor’s official resolution commemorating the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day.
