ORDINANCE NO._2024-___

            WHEREAS, the General Assembly in 2022 enacted legislation codified at Sec. 1-322 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (“the Article”), which created the “Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund” (“the Fund”), which was designed to provide funds for community-based organizations that serve communities most impacted by the disproportionate enforcement of the cannabis prohibition prior to July 1, 2022; and

            WHEREAS, the law also requires that each county adopt a law establishing the purpose of which monies received from the Fund may be used.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED that:

1-                  There shall be a Carroll County Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, (“CCRRF”), into which shall be paid all monies received from the State Community Reinvestments and Repair Fund, established pursuant to Sec. 1-322 of the Article.

2-                  The CCRRF revenue fund is a special, dedicated, “no lapsing” fund.

3-                  The revenue paid into the CCRRF shall be only used to fund community-based initiatives that benefit low-income communities and/or that serve disproportionately impacted areas (defined in the Article as “geographic area(s) identified by the (State) Office of Social Equity that have had above 150% of the State’s 10-year average for cannabis possession charges) and any related administrative expenses; provided that:

(a)   Monies may not be expended from the CCRRF for any law enforcement agencies or activities; and

(b)   Monies expended from the CCRRF are supplemental to and may not supplant funding that otherwise would be appropriated for County programs that existed prior to July 1, 2023.

4-                  On or before December 1st every two years, beginning in 2024, the County shall submit a report to the Governor, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee delineating how monies received from the Fund were spent during the immediately preceding two fiscal years.

5-                  A new chapter of the Carroll County Code of Ordinances shall be created, Chapter 131- Community Reinvestment Repair Fund.   

SEVERABILITY.

            Should any provision, section, paragraph, or subparagraph of this ordinance, including any code, or text adopted herby, be declared null and void, illegal, unconstitutional, or otherwise determined to be unenforceable by a court having jurisdiction; the same shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of any other provision, section, paragraph or subparagraph hereof, including any code or text adopted hereby. Each such provision, section, paragraph, or subparagraph is expressly declared to be and is deemed severable.   

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