Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland - Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission - Funding

This bill establishes a mandatory annual funding requirement for the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland to support the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. It directs the Governor to include a specific appropriation of $1 million in the state budget each year, drawn from the Cigarette Restitution Fund, with an additional option to allocate 5% of Master Settlement Agreement funds. The legislation clarifies that these funds are intended solely for agricultural development activities and must be used in addition to, rather than replacing, any existing funding for the council. This change ensures consistent financial support for the commission's operations starting in fiscal year 2024.