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*hb1247*
HOUSE BILL 1247
C8 EMERGENCY BILL (6lr3101)
ENROLLED BILL
— Ways and Means and Economic Matters/Budget and Taxation —
Introduced by Prince George’s County Delegation
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Prince George’s County – Tax Increment Financing – Extraordinary 2
Development District – Alterations 3
PG 425–25 425–26 4
FOR the purpose of altering the definition of “extraordinary development district” for the 5
purpose of provisions of law governing tax increment financing to include a certain 6
immersive entertainment venue; expanding the purposes for which bond proceeds 7
may be used by Prince George’s County or the revenue authority of Prince George’s 8
County to include the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of an immersive 9
entertainment venue in an extraordinary development district; authorizing the 10
Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission to enter into a certain 11
agreement that pledges certain taxes as security for bonds issued by Prince George’s 12
County contingent on the adoption of certain resolutions; stating that an immersive 13
entertainment venue is n ot a sign for the purpose of certain zoning ordinances; 14
2 HOUSE BILL 1247
authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to issue certain waivers; and generally 1
relating to tax increment financing of an extraordinary development district. 2
BY renumbering 3
Article – Economic Development 4
Section 12–201(j) through (u) 5
to be Section 12–201(k) through (v), respectively 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 8
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Economic Development 10
Section 12–201(a) and (h), 12–207(a), and 12–210(b) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
Article – Economic Development 15
Section 12–201(i), 12–207(c), and 12–210(a)(3) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18
BY adding to 19
Article – Economic Development 20
Section 12–201(j) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 23
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – Land Use 25
Section 18–310 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) 28
BY adding to 29
Article – Land Use 30
Section 25–214 31
Annotated Code of Maryland 32
(2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) 33
BY adding to 34
Article – Transportation 35
Section 8–706 36
Annotated Code of Maryland 37
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 38
Preamble 39
HOUSE BILL 1247 3
WHEREAS, The General Assembly of Maryland finds that the development of 1
large–scale, high –tech, immersive entertainment venues are critical to the continu ed 2
growth and competitiveness of the tourism, arts, and hospitality industries in Prince 3
George’s County and Maryland; and 4
WHEREAS, The high cost and unique technical infrastructure required for an 5
immersive entertainment venue requires specialized finan cing mechanisms to ensure its 6
successful integration into established development districts; and 7
WHEREAS, The creation of extraordinary development districts that include an 8
immersive entertainment venue will serve a significant public purpose by generat ing 9
substantial new tax revenue, creating high –skill jobs, and fostering secondary economic 10
development in surrounding areas; and 11
WHEREAS, It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide Prince George’s 12
County with the flexibility to use tax incremen t financing to support major private–sector 13
investments; now, therefore, 14
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15
That Section(s) 12–201(j) through (u) of Article – Economic Development of the Annotated 16
Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 12–201(k) through (v), respectively. 17
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 18
as follows: 19
Article – Economic Development 20
12–201. 21
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
(h) (1) “Development district” means a contiguous area designated by a 23
resolution. 24
(2) “Development district” includes an extraordinary development district. 25
(i) “Extraordinary development district” means a development district that: 26
(1) is designated as such by resolution; and 27
(2) (I) contains at least 50 acres, on all or part of which a federal law 28
enforcement agency will be located; OR 29
(II) IS THE SITE OF AN IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE. 30
4 HOUSE BILL 1247
(J) “IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINME NT VENUE ” MEANS AN ENTERTAINMENT 1
VENUE THAT: 2
(1) IS OWNED BY A PRIVATE ENTITY; 3
(2) HAS AT LEAST 3,000 SEATS; 4
(3) HAS AN AGGREGATE DEV ELOPMENT COST OF AT LEAST 5
$500,000,000; AND 6
(4) HAS AN IMMERSIVE EXP ERIENCE WITH ADVANCE D DISPLAY 7
TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING 4D VISUAL EFFECTS AND SPHERICAL LED SCREENS. 8
12–207. 9
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (e) of this section, bond proceeds 10
may be used only: 11
(1) to buy, lease, condemn, or otherwise acquire property, or an interest in 12
property: 13
(i) in the development district, a RISE zone, or a sustainable 14
community; or 15
(ii) needed for a right –of–way or other easement to or from the 16
development district, a RISE zone, or a sustainable community; 17
(2) for site removal; 18
(3) for surveys and studies; 19
(4) to relocate businesses or residents; 20
(5) to install utilities, construct parks and playgrounds, and for other 21
needed improvements including: 22
(i) roads to, from, or in the development district; 23
(ii) parking; and 24
(iii) lighting; 25
(6) to construct or rehabilitate buildings for a governmental purpose or use; 26
(7) for reserves or capitalized interest; 27
HOUSE BILL 1247 5
(8) for necessary costs to issue bonds; and 1
(9) to pay the principal of and interest on loans, advances, or indebtedness 2
that a political subdivision incurs for a purpose specified in this section. 3
(c) (1) In addition to the purposes listed in subsection (a) of this section, the 4
proceeds from bonds that Prince George’s County or the revenue authority of Prince 5
George’s County issues may be used: 6
(i) for convention, conference, or visitors’ centers; 7
(II) FOR THE ACQUISITION , CONSTRUCTION, OR 8
REHABILITATION OF AN IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE LOCATED WITHIN AN 9
EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; 10
[(ii)] (III) to maintain infrastructure improvements and convention, 11
conference, or visitors’ centers; 12
[(iii)] (IV) to market development district facilities and other 13
improvements; and 14
[(iv)] (V) for the purpose of encouraging redevelopment in those 15
areas listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection, to install infrastructure improvements, 16
including: 17
1. streets; 18
2. parking structures of any type whether for public or 19
private use; 20
3. utilities; 21
4. street lights; 22
5. stormwater management and storm drain facilities; 23
6. fencing; 24
7. noise walls; 25
8. retaining walls; 26
9. trails; 27
10. sidewalks; 28
6 HOUSE BILL 1247
11. pedestrian and vehicular bridges; and 1
12. park facilities. 2
(2) The purpose of the authority granted by paragraph [(1)(iv)] (1)(V) of 3
this subsection is to encourage redevelopment in: 4
(i) revitalization areas designated by the county; 5
(ii) mixed use centers; 6
(iii) blighted areas; and 7
(iv) the Developed Tier, growth corridors, and growth centers, as 8
defined in the county General Plan. 9
12–210. 10
(a) (3) (i) This paragraph applies only in Prince George’s County. 11
(ii) Subject to § 18 –310 of the Land Use Article AND 12
NOTWITHSTANDING §§ 18–304, 18–306(D), AND 18–307(B) OF THE LAND USE 13
ARTICLE, the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission may enter into 14
an agreement with Prince George’s County to pay all or a portion of the property taxes 15
levied by the county under §§ 18 –304, 18–306, and 18–307 of the Land Use Article on the 16
tax increment in an extraordinary development district in the county to the county for 17
deposit into a special fund for the extraordinary development district AND TO PLEDGE 18
THOSE TAXES AS SECURITY FOR BONDS ISSUED BY PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY. 19
(iii) The agreement authorized under subparagraph (ii) of this 20
paragraph shall: 21
1. be in writing; and 22
2. be executed by the governing body of Prince George’s 23
County and, on proper authorization, the Maryland –National Capital Park and Planning 24
Commission. 25
(iv) The Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission 26
may not be an obligor for any bonds issued by Prince George’s County for an extraordinary 27
development district. 28
(b) The governing body of Prince George’s County may also pledge hotel rental 29
tax revenues to the special fund. 30
Article – Land Use 31
HOUSE BILL 1247 7
18–310. 1
The Commission may not enter into an agreement with Prince George’s County to 2
pay AND PLEDGE AS SECURITY all or a portion of the property taxes levied by the county 3
under §§ 18 –304, 18 –306, and 18 –307 of this subtitle on the tax increment in an 4
extraordinary development district in the county to the county for deposit into a special 5
fund for an extraordinary development district under § 12 –210 of the Economic 6
Development Article until: 7
(1) the governing body of Prince George’s County has adopted a resolution 8
designating the extraordinary development district; and 9
(2) the Commission has adopted a resolution approving the agreement. 10
25–214. 11
FOR THE PURPOSE OF CO MPLIANCE UNDER SUBTITLE 27 OF THE PRINCE 12
GEORGE’S COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCES, IF ANY VISUAL EFFECTS ARE DISPLAYED 13
ON THE EXTERIOR OF A N IMMERSIVE ENTERTAI NMENT VENUE , AS DEFINED IN § 14
12–201 OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE, THE VISUAL EFFECTS MAY NOT 15
BE CONSIDERED A SIGN. 16
Article – Transportation 17
8–706. 18
FOR AN IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE, AS DEFINED IN § 12–201 OF THE 19
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE, THE SECRETARY MAY GRANT W AIVERS OR 20
EXCEPTIONS TO ANY PR OVISION IN THIS SUBT ITLE THAT REQUIRES STATE 21
APPROVAL. 22
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 23
1, 2026 is an emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public 24
health or safety, has been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the 25
members elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect 26
from the date it is enacted. 27