FY 2027 Community Project Funding Requests

Below are the 20 requests I made to the House Appropriations Committee for Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. The projects are listed alphabetically by project name, by subcommittee, and not in any ranked order.

Commerce, Justice, Science

Chesapeake Bay Area Monitoring and Prediction System

Requesting Entity: University of Maryland, College Park
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Agency and Account: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, Coastal Zone Management

Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to develop a multi domain modeling and data assimilation system that will merge observations from the atmosphere, freshwater streams, estuary, soils, land surface, and ecosystems into coupled models to provide prediction and other decision support data for use by city managers, state, and local authorities. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding because the project will provide predictive data to communities along the Chesapeake Bay to prepare for flooding and other environmental hazards while strengthening environmental resilience.

Drone Detection and Surveillance

Requesting Entity: Howard County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $500,000
Agency and Account: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services, Technology and Equipment

Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to procure a comprehensive drone detection system, along with installation and training of operational staff. Drones are increasingly used to aid inmates in contraband delivery in correctional facilities across the country. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because it ensures the safety and security of both correctional officers and inmates in Howard County by aiding in identifying and tracking unmanned aerial vehicles.

Emerging Contaminants Patterns Assessment

Requesting Entity: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Requested Amount: $908,000
Agency and Account: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, Coastal Zone Management

Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to assess the seasonal patterns of emerging contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay and their impacts on the Bay and wildlife. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding because the project will provide a better understanding of the impacts of contaminants on the Bay’s living resources, including striped bass, blue crabs, oysters, and other wildlife. These waterborne contaminants may impact reproductive success and pose a significant threat to Maryland’s recreational fishing industry, which the striped bass industry alone directly supports more than 10,000 jobs and provides over $800 million dollars to Maryland's GDP.

Lethality Assessment Program Expansion

Requesting Entity: Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
Requested Amount: $226,157
Agency and Account: Department of Justice, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, Byrne Justice Grants

Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to support the expansion of the Lethality Assessment Program in Maryland and beyond. Funds will be used to support staff who do outreach to Law Enforcement Agencies and train them in Lethality Assessment implementation. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because the training for officers allows for enhanced victims services and connection, strengthen law enforcement response to domestic violence, reduce crime and stress on the justice system, and ultimately save lives.

Police Specialty Vehicles

Requesting Entity: Annapolis Police Department
Requested Amount: $815,000
Agency and Account: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services, Technology and Equipment

Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to purchase 3 separate police vehicles; an Armored Response Vehicle (to assist Annapolis Special Emergency Teams respond to critical incidents involving armed suspect and suspected criminal and terrorist acts), a prisoner transport van (to securely, safely, and humanely transport detainees and inmates), and a forensic services van (to sufficiently stock and transport equipment to crime scenes, and to ensure timely forensic gathering and analysis). This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because it will reduce the burdens on police officers and staff while dramatically increasing officer efficacy and safety.

More Projects to be added soon

Financial Disclosures

Linked below are the Financial Disclosure Letters required with each project submission

Past Years Project Requests

FY 2026