Sustainable Communities Act Passed
The Sustainable Communities Act renames the Maryland Heritage Structure Tax Credit. Below are some major components of the final legislation.
- Although the Administration's proposal to return the commercial program to a true tax credit was not approved, the residential and commercial programs were given a four-year extension with a $10 million appropriation for commercial projects in FY2011. The residential program will remain as a true tax credit. Bothe the residential and commercial programs were scheduled to sunset in July of this year.
- The Act contains a provision to open up the credit to non-historic buildings in order to encourage growth in designated Main Street districts, Transit-Oriented Development zones and the areas under the Base Realignment and Closure Act. Non-historic commercial rehabilitations in these designated areas can receive up to 10% of the total tax credit allocation.
- Historic residential and commercial properties are eligible for a 20% tax credit. If, however, a commercial project achieves LEED Gold certification or above, it is eligible for a 25% tax credit.
Federal
On the federal level, Preservation Maryland has advocated for the passage of the Historic Homeowners Assistance Act, a federal tax credit to homeowners of certified historic properties for approved rehabilitation projects, as well as for the Historic Preservation Fund that provides critical funding to the State Historic Preservation Office. Track key legislation and directly contact members of the House or Senate through National Trust for Historic Preservation's Legislative Action Center.
Visit Preservation Action to learn more about advocacy at the federal level.
 Statewide
One of Preservation Maryland's most successful advocacy efforts includes spearheading the passage of the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit and its successor, the Sustainable Communities Act. The tax credit is the catalyst for revitalizing Baltimore's West Side and many other historic neighborhoods and commercial districts across the state.
Past state advocacy efforts include supporting state legislation establishing Maryland's Heritage Preservation and Tourism Areas; and funding for the Maryland Historical Trust, including the Rural Legacy Program, Priority Funding Areas and Smart Codes.
The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2000 bills including the state's annual budget. The session convenes the second Wednesday of January and adjourns the second Monday in April. The General Assembly has 47 Senators and 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts.
Typically, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee and the House Ways & Means Approriations Committees take up preservation issues including state budget provisons relating to historic preservation.
Local
Preservation Maryland has provided technical advice to local organizations and communities on a wide range of issues including "big box" and sprawl related growth and local advocacy concerning infill development in historic areas.
Send us news about preservation issues in your community at PM@preservationmaryland.org
Four Successful Steps to Lobbying
National Trust for Historic Preservation: Communitcating with Elected Officials
Advocacy Toolkit
Advocacy Alerts
Advocacy Alerts are issued periodically to inform the preservation community of pressing issues affecting historic preservation at the local, state and federal levels.
Fact Sheets
 Non-Capital Grant Fact Sheet 2010
Maryland Heritage Areas Fact Sheet 2010
Musuem Assistance Grant Fact Sheet 2010
Maryland Humanities Council Grant Fact Sheet 2010
Sustainable Communities Tax Credit Fact Sheet 2010
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