This bill requires the Maryland Attorney General to publish specific documents and reports on the official Attorney General website to improve transparency regarding state legal actions. It establishes a new process where the Attorney General must notify the Governor before filing certain lawsuits or defending against federal actions that affect the state's residents, allowing the Governor to review and comment on these legal moves. While the Attorney General must consider the Governor's objections before proceeding, the bill also permits immediate legal action in emergency situations where waiting would be harmful. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state budget include at least $1 million annually to fund these activities and hire five new attorneys to support the Attorney General's office.
This bill updates the membership of Maryland's Commission on Climate Change by adding two new representatives to the group. Specifically, it requires the Secretary of Emergency Management and the Chair of the Public Service Commission to serve as members, or send a designated representative in their place. These additions expand the commission's composition to include perspectives from emergency preparedness and public utility regulation. The changes take effect on October 1, 2024, and involve modifying existing state laws to reflect these new roles.