Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 992: Electronic Device Producer Responsibility Program - Established

HB 992 establishes a new electronic device producer responsibility program in Maryland, requiring manufacturers of covered devices (including computers, TVs, tablets, game consoles, and accessories like earbuds) to register, pay annual fees into a dedicated recycling fund, and include recycling information on products. The program mandates that manufacturers facilitate collection and recycling/refurbishment of covered devices through producer responsibility organizations, which must submit and get approval for plans from the Department of the Environment. It repeals older takeback program rules and creates an advisory council to guide implementation, while prohibiting manufacturers from selling devices without meeting these requirements. The law directly affects electronics manufacturers selling in Maryland, shifting responsibility for end-of-life device management to producers.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 958: Natural Gas – Connection and Line Extension – Discounts and Payment Plans

HB 958 prohibits Maryland's Public Service Commission from banning natural gas companies from offering discounts or payment plans for connecting or extending natural gas lines to customer properties. It directly affects natural gas customers who might struggle with upfront connection costs and the public service companies that provide these services. The bill requires the Commission to allow companies to provide these financial options without regulatory restrictions, effective October 1, 2026. This changes how gas connection fees can be structured but does not mandate specific discount levels or create new financial assistance programs.

Topics ✗ Energy

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 984: Mattress Stewardship Program - Establishment

HB 984 establishes a mattress stewardship program requiring mattress producers to submit recycling plans to the Maryland Department of the Environment for approval. The bill prohibits landfill disposal and incineration of mattresses (with limited exceptions) starting on a future date, and mandates that producers add a fee to new mattresses to fund recycling. Retailers must provide consumers with information about the program after it launches. This affects mattress producers, retailers, and consumers through new fees and disposal rules, aiming to increase recycling and reduce landfill use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 726: Primary and Secondary Education - Educator Professional Development - Course on Well-Being and Flourishing

SB 726 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to provide a free, mandatory professional development course on educator well-being to all school staff and administrators by July 1, 2027. The course must cover eight well-being dimensions - social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial - based on federal guidelines. Schools can deliver the course through existing materials or new content, at rates matching standard professional development. This policy directly affects educators across Maryland's public schools, aiming to support their personal and professional health.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 1432: Motor Vehicles - Vehicles Previously Registered as Historic Vehicles - Emissions Inspection and Insurance

HB 1432 allows owners of motor vehicles previously registered as historic (Class L) vehicles in Maryland to use specialty insurance policies designed for historic, show, or antique vehicles. It exempts these vehicles from mandatory emissions inspections under Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program and instead imposes a $30 biennial fee on such vehicles. The bill modifies existing law to replace emissions inspection requirements for these historic vehicles with the new insurance and fee provisions, directly affecting owners of qualifying historic vehicles registered under Maryland’s Class L historic vehicle program.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 773: Vehicle Laws - Historic Motor Vehicles and Street Rod Vehicles - Minimum Age

HB 773 increases the minimum age requirement for registering vehicles as "historic" or "street rods" in Maryland. Historic vehicles (Class L) must now be at least 30 years old (previously 25 years), while street rods (Class N) must be at least 40 years old (previously 25 years). The bill maintains existing registration fees, usage restrictions (e.g., no daily commuting), and exemptions from vehicle inspections and emissions testing for these vehicles. It applies only to new registrations after July 1, 2026, and does not affect vehicles already registered before that date.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 917: Health Insurance - Retroactive Denial of Reimbursement

HB 917 limits when health insurance companies in Maryland can deny payment for past medical services (retroactive denial of reimbursement). It restricts such denials to cases involving coordination of benefits within 18 months of payment or after insurers provide providers with training on billing standards within 3 months. The bill requires insurers to give providers written explanations with supporting details for any denial and prohibits denials based on service outcomes or without first discussing the circumstances with the provider. It also mandates that insurers developing retroactive denial policies create training plans for healthcare providers on reimbursement protocols. The law applies to all insurance policies effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 988: Environment - Building Energy Performance Standards - Repeal

HB 988 repeals Maryland's existing building energy performance standards for commercial and multifamily buildings over 35,000 square feet. It removes requirements for these buildings to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040, as well as annual reporting of emissions data. The bill specifically repeals Sections 2-1601 and 2-1602 of the Environment Article and amends Section 4-211(d)(1) and (2) of the Housing and Community Development Article. This eliminates the state's regulatory framework for building energy efficiency, directly affecting owners of covered commercial and multifamily properties.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 1491: Education - Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission - Establishment

HB 1491 establishes the Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission to coordinate and secure funding for safe routes for Maryland public school students traveling to and from school. The commission, made up of state education and transportation officials, school system representatives, local government members, students (including those with IEPs), parents, and infrastructure experts, will identify gaps in existing pathways, evaluate funding options, and develop strategic plans. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislative committees by December 1st, detailing current conditions, funding opportunities, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements. This bill directly affects public school students, their families, school systems, and local governments responsible for transportation infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 967: Electric Companies – Environmental Surcharges or Fees – Prohibition on Collection

HB 967 prohibits Maryland electric companies from collecting certain environmental surcharges or fees during the year following any year when residential electricity bills rise faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers. It directly affects residential electricity customers by preventing additional charges if their bills outpace general inflation. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to annually calculate the annual growth in both the CPI and average residential electricity bills (using data ending June 30) and to block environmental fees if bill growth exceeds CPI growth. This applies to most environmental fees but excludes three specific fee types listed in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 4: Vehicle Laws – Historic Motor Vehicles – Minimum Age

HB 4 sets a minimum age requirement of 25 years (model year 1999 or earlier) for vehicles to qualify as historic motor vehicles in Maryland. It requires owners to certify that such vehicles will not be used for daily transportation, commercial purposes, or employment, and instead be maintained for exhibitions, club activities, or occasional use. The bill establishes annual registration fees ($45.50 before July 1, 2025; $55.50 after) and mandates that vehicles 60+ years old pay a one-time $50 fee (non-transferable). Additionally, it directs the Motor Vehicle Administration to automatically reinstate historic registrations suspended due to prior definition changes, effective July 1, 2026.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 125: Vehicle Laws – Historic Motor Vehicles – Minimum Age

This bill would require historic motor vehicles to be at least 25 years old (model year 1999 or earlier) to qualify for special registration. Owners would pay annual registration fees of $45.50 (2024-2025) or $55.50 (2025+), certify the vehicle won't be used for daily commuting or commercial purposes, and receive special plates. Vehicles 60+ years old would get a one-time $50 registration fee, and qualifying vehicles would be exempt from annual inspections and emissions testing. The bill applies prospectively starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Environment

Bill results