Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund Commission

Background

Under Section 1-322 of the Alcohol Beverages and Cannabis Article of the Maryland Code there is a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund with the purpose to provide funds to community–based organizations that serve communities determined by the Office of Social Equity, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to have been the most impacted by disproportionate enforcement of the cannabis prohibition before July 1, 2022.

The County must use County reinvestment funds solely for:

  1. community-based initiatives intended to benefit low-income communities;
  2. community-based initiatives that serve disproportionately impacted areas;
  3. any other use permitted under Section 1-322 of the Alcohol Beverages and Cannabis Article of the Maryland Code, as amended; and
  4. related administrative expenses.

The County must not use reinvestment funds for law enforcement agencies or activities.

Created

Established in Montgomery County Code Sec. 24-79, Montgomery County Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund Commission.

Purpose

The Commission consists of 13 voting members and one non-voting ex-officio member. The voting members are appointed by the County Executive, subject to Council confirmation.

The Commission annually must recommend to the Office grant awards to the selected community-based organizations from County reinvestment funds, that support:

  1. community-based initiatives intended to benefit low-income communities; and
  2. community-based initiatives that serve disproportionately impacted areas.

The Commission annually must recommend to the Office grant awards to the selected community-based organizations from County reinvestment funds, subject to:

  1. the appropriation of funds; and
  2. the execution of grant agreements between the County and the awardees.

The Commission may submit to the County Executive and the County Council recommendations regarding:

  1. exixsting or potential County programs related to community-based initiatives intended to benefit low-income communities or to serve disproportionately impacted areas;
  2. existing or potential County programs to repair damage done to communities that have been the most impacted by disproportionate enforcement of the cannabis prohibition before July 1, 2022; and the execution of grant agreements between the County and the awardees.
  3. changes to County law or regulation related to community-based initiatives or reparations intended to benefit low-income communities or to serve disproportionately impacted areas.

Membership

The current members of the Commission are:

  • Dr. Donna Baird
  • Dr. Nadia Brown             
  • Dr. Yvette Butler-Yeboah            
  • Mr. Eddie Ellis, Jr.
  • Mr. David Feehan          
  • Mr. Colin Fraser              
  • Mr. Harold Hill, Sr.
  • Mr. Roman Oliver Ipanag           
  • Ms. Kim Jones 
  • Mr. Dustin Koonce         
  • Ms. Venice Mundle-Harvey       
  • Ms. Zakiya Sankara-Jabar         
  • Ms. Vanita Taylor