§14–4104.

    (a)    (1)    (i)    For fiscal year 2025 only, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $700,000 in special funds for the Office for the purposes of enforcement of:

                1.    Consumer protection laws under this title;

                2.    Consumer protection laws under Title 13 of this article; and

                3.    Financial consumer protection laws.

            (ii)    For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $350,000 in general funds for the Office for the purposes of enforcement of:

                1.    Consumer protection laws under this title;

                2.    Consumer protection laws under Title 13 of this article; and

                3.    Financial consumer protection laws.

        (2)    The Office shall use the funds under paragraph (1) of this subsection for:

            (i)    Staffing costs associated with hiring new employees; and

            (ii)    Investigations of alleged violations of consumer protection laws in the State.

    (b)    (1)    For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include an appropriation of at least $300,000 in general funds in the State budget for the Commissioner for the purposes of enforcement of financial consumer protection laws.

        (2)    The Commissioner shall use the funds under paragraph (1) of this subsection for:

            (i)    Staffing costs associated with hiring new employees; and

            (ii)    Investigations of alleged violations of consumer protection laws in the State.