HB 277 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Environment - Water Bottle Filling Stations - Requirement

HB 277 requires new construction and specific renovations to include water bottle filling stations - defined as fixtures for filling personal water bottles (at least 10 inches tall) that may combine with drinking fountains - starting October 1, 2025. It mandates these stations in all new buildings requiring drinking fountains under plumbing codes, when replacing existing drinking fountains in renovations, and when renovations require new drinking fountains. The Maryland Department of Labor must create implementing regulations, and the law applies only to projects under contract after July 1, 2025. This affects building developers, contractors, and public facilities subject to plumbing code requirements.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2024

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Aug 23, 2024 Signed May 13, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Environment - Water Bottle Filling Stations - Requirement → Third - Environment - Water Bottle Filling Stations - Requirement · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a new delegate as a sponsor, clarify that water bottle filling stations must meet specific design standards for filling personal water bottles, and add exceptions for certain commercial buildings that do not require drinking fountain replacements or have alternative water sources. The bill also includes formatting updates and a committee report indicating favorable passage with amendments.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by adding exceptions for buildings in commercial/industrial areas where drinking fountains are replaced without other renovations, or where alternative water sources like kitchens are available.

SPONSORSHIP

Added Delegate Healey to the list of bill sponsors.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'water bottle filling station' to specify it must be designed for filling personal water bottles at least 10 inches in height.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that stations in interior locations must incorporate a water filter and cooling system for chilling water.

EXCEPTIONS

Added exceptions for buildings in commercial/industrial areas where drinking fountains are replaced without other renovations, or where alternative water sources like kitchens are available.

STATUS

Added committee report indicating favorable passage with amendments and house action showing the bill was adopted.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 16, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2025

How they voted

32–12

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 46

Mar 16, 2025

D Democratic33

31 Yea 2

93% Yea

R Republican13

1 Yea 12 Nay

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 547

executive

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until 4/3 (Senator Folden) Adopted

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 16, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (32-12-2)

senate

Feb 21, 2025

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

Aug 23, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

16 primary · 0 co-sponsors