Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB884: University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Land-Grant Institution - Funding (Land-Grant Equity and Accountability Act)
Status: In committee, February 20, 2026
Requiring, to address a funding disparity, that the Governor include at least $5,000,000 to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the annual budget bill each fiscal year until a total amount of $321,181,312 is appropriated; and authorizing the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to use funds made available by the Act for development of infrastructure and academic programs, investment in faculty, scholarships, and certain other institutional needs.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Land-Grant Institution - Funding (Land-Grant Equity and Accountability Act) FOR the purpose of requiring, to address a certain funding disparity, that the Governor include a certain appropriation to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the annual budget bill each fiscal year until a certain total amount is appropriated; and generally relating to funding for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore…
From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning University of Maryland Eastern Shore - Land-Grant Institution - Funding (Land-Grant Equity and Accountability Act) FOR the purpose of requiring, to address a certain funding disparity, that the Governor include a certain appropriation to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the annual budget bill each fiscal year until a certain total amount is appropriated; and generally relating to funding for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. BY adding to Article - Education Section 15-141 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 15-141. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "UMES" MEANS THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE. (B) (1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LETTER ISSUED TO THE GOVERNOR JOINTLY FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb0884* HOUSE BILL EDUCATION AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DATED SEPTEMBER 18, 2023: (I) THE SECOND MORRILL ACT OF 1890 REQUIRED STATES CHOOSING TO OPEN A SECOND LAND-GRANT INSTITUTION FOR BLACK STUDENTS TO PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS BETWEEN 1862 AND 1890 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS; (II) A FUNDING DISPARITY EXISTED FROM 1987 …