SB 96 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Environment - Water Bottle Filling Stations - Requirement

SB 96 requires new buildings and certain renovations to install water bottle filling stations (replacing or adding to drinking fountains) starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects developers and builders of new construction or renovations where drinking fountains are required under plumbing codes. The bill defines these stations as fixtures for filling personal containers (10+ inches tall), including filtered/cooling options, and directs the Maryland Department of Labor to create regulations. The law applies prospectively to projects under contract after July 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Aug 23, 2024 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

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 exceptions for certain commercial/industrial buildings and clarify requirements for water bottle filling stations in new construction and renovations. The changes also reorganized the bill's structure to include a committee report and senate action status.

Scope change

The bill now includes specific exceptions for buildings in commercial or industrial areas, particularly those with no other renovations or alternative water sources.

EXCEPTIONS

Added exceptions for drinking fountain replacements in commercial/industrial areas with no other renovations or alternative water sources like kitchens

REQUIREMENT

Modified requirements to specify that water bottle filling stations must be installed at each location where a drinking fountain is required under plumbing codes

TECHNICAL

Added committee report and senate action status lines to the bill header

DEFINITION

Modified definition of water bottle filling station to specify it applies to interior locations of buildings

TIMELINE

Maintained October 1, 2025 effective date but added prospective application clause

Floor votes · Senate Mar 15, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2025

How they voted

33–12

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 46

Mar 15, 2025

D Democratic33

32 Yea 1

96% 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 548

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Senator Ready) Adopted

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 25, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (106-31-2)

house of delegates

Mar 15, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (33-12-1)

senate

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Aug 23, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors