§8–709.

    (a)    The Department shall include in its annual budget request an itemized list of requests for the use of any available money from the Waterway Improvement Fund for the projects under § 8–707 of this subtitle. The Department’s list shall include a brief description of each project, an estimate of its cost, and the benefits to be derived from it. The list shall designate which projects are financed solely by the Waterway Improvement Fund, which are matching fund projects, and which are interest–free loan projects.

    (b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, in any fiscal year the Department may expend from the Waterway Improvement Fund without legislative approval a total sum of not more than $225,000. Of this amount, a sum of not more than $125,000 may be expended for small projects under § 8–707(a)(3) and (4) of this subtitle, subject to the limitation that a single project of this kind may not exceed $5,000 in cost to the Waterway Improvement Fund, and a sum of not more than $100,000 may be expended for boating safety and education.

    (c)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Department may propose an appropriation from the Waterway Improvement Fund to support marine operations of the Natural Resources Police not exceeding:

        (1)    $1,700,000 in the Department’s fiscal year 2006 budget; and

        (2)    $2,000,000 in the Department’s fiscal year 2007 budget, and every year thereafter.

    (d)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section:

        (1)    For fiscal year 2006 through fiscal year 2009, as provided in the State budget, the Department may use up to the following percentage of the money in the Waterway Improvement Fund for administrative expenses directly relating to implementing the purposes of the Waterway Improvement Fund:

            (i)    In fiscal year 2006, 8%;

            (ii)    In fiscal year 2007, 6%;

            (iii)    In fiscal year 2008, 4%; and

            (iv)    In fiscal year 2009, 2%.

        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, for each of the fiscal years after fiscal year 2009, the Department may use up to $750,000 in the Waterway Improvement Fund for administrative expenses directly relating to implementing the purposes of the Waterway Improvement Fund.

        (3)    For fiscal year 2016 only, the Department may use up to $1,625,000 in the Waterway Improvement Fund for administrative expenses directly relating to implementing the purposes of the Waterway Improvement Fund.

    (e)    (1)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department shall distribute at least $250,000 from the Waterway Improvement Fund to a statewide Maryland–based historic preservation nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in grantmaking.

        (2)    A nonprofit organization shall use any funds received under this subsection to establish, operate, and administer a maritime heritage competitive grant program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations in the State and instrumentalities of the State, counties, or municipalities engaged in maritime heritage preservation, interpretation, or conservation.

        (3)    On or before November 30 each year, a nonprofit organization that receives funds under this subsection shall submit a report to the Department on the guidelines, promotion, selection, recipients, and impact of the organization’s competitive grant program.