SB 51
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
Senate Bill 51 (Senators Bailey and Jackson)
Finance Environment and Transportation
Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland - Property Management - Southern
Maryland Regional Agricultural Center
This bill authorizes the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland to act as a property
manager, as defined, for the Southern Maryland Regional Agricultural Center owned by
and located within St. Mary’s County. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State finances or operations.
Local Effect: The bill authorizes an existing property management agreement and,
therefore, does not materially affect local government finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: Minimal.
Analysis
Current Law: In addition to other specified powers, the Tri-County Council for
Southern Maryland may:
 enter into contracts and agreements;
 borrow money and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form
of assistance from the federal government, the State, or other public or private
source; and
 execute any instrument and act as necessary, convenient, or desirable to carry out
its powers and specified purposes.
The council is generally prohibited from owning or leasing property, except office space
for its own use. However, in order to carry out specified purposes, the council may use any
money available to it to finance the purchase or lease of property by (1) one or more
Southern Maryland counties; (2) the Maryland Food Center Authority; or (3) another
entity, as determined by the council, that is authorized to finance or purchase property.
Local Fiscal Effect: The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission
(SMADC), which is a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, has
awarded St. Mary’s County $1.7 million in total to develop a regional agricultural center.
According to SMADC’s website, the center is expected to open in late 2021 and be
operated by SMADC under a property management contract with St. Mary’s County. The
building and permanent fixtures on the building will be owned and maintained by
St. Mary’s County, while equipment for food processing will be owned and maintained by
SMADC. The memorandum of understanding between SMADC and St. Mary’s County
specifying the terms of the agreement is already signed.
Notwithstanding the council’s general authority to enter into contracts and agreements, the
Office of the Attorney General has advised the council that the bill is necessary to authorize
SMADC to provide property management services at the regional agricultural center as
planned. To that end, the bill authorizes existing agreements and does not materially affect
local government finances or operations. In absence of the bill, St. Mary’s County may
need to find an alternative to SMADC for property management services, which would
have an unknown but likely adverse operational and/or fiscal effect.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: HB 639 (Delegate D.M. Davis) - Environment and
Transportation.
Information Source(s): Department of Commerce; Charles and St. Mary’s counties;
Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 18, 2021
rh/vlg Third Reader - March 18, 2021
Analysis by: Stephen M. Ross Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 51/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland - Property Management - Southern Maryland Regional Agricultural Center: 13-601 Economic Development, 13-612 Economic Development
Text - Third - Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland - Property Management - Southern Maryland Regional Agricultural Center: 13-601 Economic Development, 13-612 Economic Development