State Capital Program - Covered Projects - Public Engagement and Community Outreach Requirements (Community Engagement and Outreach Act of 2026)

SB 318 requires Maryland state agencies proposing capital projects over $2 million in cost or exceeding 75 feet in height to develop community engagement plans and conduct specific outreach activities within a 1-mile radius of project sites. This includes providing plain-language project summaries, maps, environmental impact descriptions, and holding public meetings with virtual options, plus 45-day mail notices, online postings, and a 30-day comment period. Agencies must submit annual reports detailing outreach efforts and public feedback to the Department of Budget and Management, which compiles and shares these reports with local governments and the legislature. The law applies to projects with potential impacts on noise, visibility, environment, or community character, excluding certain budgeted grants or local initiatives.