SB 841 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act

SB 841 changes how Maryland uses fees paid by utilities to fund renewable energy projects. Instead of direct grants, it requires the Maryland Energy Administration to run annual competitive auctions where developers bid to build renewable energy projects. The bill sets specific targets for project capacity, deadlines for completion, and eligibility rules for bidders, including prioritizing projects benefiting low-income or overburdened communities. It redirects existing compliance fees - previously used for solar grants - into this auction system to accelerate renewable energy development.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Maryland Energy Administration - Renewable Energy Generation Projects - Alternative Compliance Fee Auctions → Third - Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly expanded from a single focus on renewable energy auctions to a comprehensive energy relief package. While the original version only addressed alternative compliance fee auctions for renewable projects, the new version adds multiple provisions to reduce energy costs for families, including transferring the electric universal service program to a new office, creating a loan program for nonprofits, and reducing compliance payment rates for covered buildings.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on renewable energy generation auctions to a broad utility relief act covering large load customers, transmission lines, energy efficiency programs, community solar, and data center construction restrictions.

SCOPE

Added a new title and extensive list of purposes including utility relief, nonprofit loans, and solar permitting changes.

Added provisions to transfer the electric universal service program to the Office of Home Energy Programs.

FISCAL

Established a new Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits Loan Program within the Maryland Clean Energy Center.

Added requirements to reduce certain alternative compliance payment rates applicable to covered buildings.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for public service companies to include specific information on customer bills under certain circumstances.

Added a prohibition on constructing data centers in certain development districts in Baltimore City.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

40–4

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 17, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

8 Yea 4 Nay 1

61% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (40-4-5)

senate

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

10 primary · 0 co-sponsors