Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 784: Aquaculture - Placement of Shellfish, Bags, Nets, and Structures on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - Extension

HB 784 extends the authorization period for aquaculture leaseholders in Maryland to place shellfish, bags, nets, and structures on submerged aquatic vegetation, requiring prior written approval from the Department of Natural Resources. It changes the expiration date from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2030, extending the authorization by 3 years and 1 month. The bill specifies that the Department must allow water column leases to use at least 10% of vegetation areas and prohibits dredge harvesting in vegetation zones. This directly affects commercial shellfish aquaculture operators holding leases in Maryland waters. The change maintains existing restrictions while prolonging the current regulatory framework.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits dredge harvesting on submerged vegetation and requires DNR approval, protecting SAV ecosystems per bill's requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1533: Public Health - Cosmetic Products - Enforcement and Penalties for Prohibited Ingredients (Crown and Care Act - Protecting Communities from Harmful Hair Chemicals)

HB 1533 (the Crown and Care Act) bans 12 specific harmful ingredients - including certain phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and PFAS chemicals - from cosmetic products sold in Maryland. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and salons by prohibiting the sale or distribution of products containing these ingredients, with limited exceptions for unavoidable trace amounts from manufacturing processes. The bill authorizes the Maryland Department of Health to investigate complaints, inspect businesses, and enforce penalties, while allowing consumers harmed by violations to seek civil damages and attorney fees. This law aims to protect public health by reducing exposure to chemicals linked to health risks like skin irritation and potential long-term harm.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS and other environmental pollutants (known to contaminate water/soil) from cosmetics, reducing chemical pollution in ecosystems per bill's prohibition of harmful ingredients.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans harmful cosmetic chemicals (phthalates, formaldehyde, etc.) to prevent health risks, directly protecting public health through regulatory enforcement by MD Dept of Health.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 940: Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

SB 940 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create and implement a mobile home park water quality testing program by January 1, 2027. The program mandates testing at 25% of parks by 2028, 50% by 2029, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2031, prioritizing parks with 40%+ minority residents, areas with known geological contaminants, parks where residents requested testing or filed complaints, and parks using private water supplies. Park owners must take corrective actions if water quality issues are identified, and the Department must provide results to residents in multiple languages. This bill directly affects mobile home park owners and residents across Maryland by establishing a structured process to ensure drinking water safety.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water quality testing in mobile home parks with phased implementation, prioritizing vulnerable communities and contamination risks, directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates water testing in mobile home parks (affordable housing) prioritizing minority-resident parks and health risks, directly protecting tenant safety and health in housing conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 250: Environment - Appropriation or Use of Water and Dam Safety - Enforcement

HB 250 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and dam operators who breach these regulations. Key provisions include setting penalties up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), requiring consideration of factors like environmental harm and willfulness, and mandating that collected penalties fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund (except for dam safety cases, which go to a repair fund). The bill also streamlines enforcement by allowing the Department to issue immediate corrective orders and hold expedited hearings for urgent threats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates penalties fund Maryland Clean Water Fund, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator for support stance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes penalties for water/wetlands violations, funds clean water initiatives, strengthens enforcement of environmental regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 35: Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees

HB 35 authorizes Maryland counties and municipalities to create local rules regulating Tree of Heaven (an invasive species), directly affecting property owners and local governments. The bill allows communities to ban the sale, planting, or growth of Tree of Heaven on private property, and requires property owners to remove it. Local governments may also establish cash reward programs to incentivize removal, and enforce rules through civil fines or requiring damage mitigation. This bill provides concrete tools for local management of the invasive tree without mandating statewide action.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates invasive Tree of Heaven to protect native ecosystems, aligning with conservation and pollution control through mandatory removal and local enforcement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 547: Income Tax - Enhanced Agricultural Management Equipment Subtraction Modification and Parent of a Stillborn Child Credit

HB 547 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for agricultural equipment by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to add new equipment types through regulation. This directly affects Maryland farmers who purchase qualifying equipment, including technologies that reduce soil disturbance and nutrient runoff. The bill modifies existing tax rules (Section 10-208(d)) to include "enhanced agricultural management equipment" determined by the Secretary, beyond the current list of specific items like no-till planters or manure injection systems. Farmers must still meet standard requirements, such as owning equipment for at least three years and using it in agricultural production.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for agricultural equipment, providing tax relief to farmers under existing tax code modifications.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes tax deductions for equipment reducing soil disturbance and nutrient runoff, directly addressing pollution control in agricultural practices.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 130: Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

SB 130 requires landlords in multi-unit apartment buildings (with more than two dwelling units) to install individual water meters for each unit instead of using bulk billing. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks, poor maintenance, or common areas, and mandates that meters include leak detection monitors that tenants can inspect. Landlords must maintain clear records of water costs and usage for tenant review, and unpaid water bills cannot be used as grounds for eviction. The law, effective October 1, 2026, also allows a $1 monthly administrative fee to cover billing costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates individual water meters with leak detection, promoting conservation by billing based on actual usage and preventing waste from undetected leaks.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks/common areas, mandates leak detection, and bans eviction over unpaid water bills - directly protects tenant rights and reduces housing costs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 220: Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

HB 220 requires apartment buildings with multiple units to install individual water meters for each dwelling unit, replacing bulk meters. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks they caused, common-area usage, or maintenance costs, and mandates that charges reflect actual water use. Tenants gain the right to inspect leak detection monitors and review billing records, while unpaid water bills cannot be used to evict tenants for nonpayment. The bill also establishes a complaint process for tenants to address billing disputes with local housing authorities or consumer protection offices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates individual water meters to ensure tenants pay for actual usage, promoting conservation of water resources.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires individual meters, prohibits unfair water charges, prevents eviction for unpaid water bills, and grants tenant billing inspection rights - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 431: Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats, and Takings

SB 431 updates Maryland's rules for protecting endangered and threatened species and migratory birds. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and update species protection regulations by July 1, 2033, and every 10 years after that. It defines "harm" to include significant habitat changes that affect fish behavior, and clarifies that "take" means actions like hunting, trapping, or collecting. The bill also requires more detailed information in petitions to remove species from protection lists and allows for designating essential habitats for threatened species. These changes aim to strengthen species protection with clearer regulatory standards for state agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates species protection regulations, defines 'harm' broadly to include habitat changes, and requires detailed petitions for delisting - strengthening conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1071: Environment - Stormwater Management for Agritourism

HB 1071 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations and a model ordinance for local stormwater management programs to enforce rules on agricultural land. It mandates that local programs must work with soil conservation districts to implement these rules and specifies that farm-related uses (like on-farm processing) must be clearly distinguished from commercial development in stormwater regulations. The bill also adds flexibility for enforcing stormwater management on agricultural land, rather than applying standard commercial development rules. This directly affects farmers, local governments, and soil conservation districts by changing how agricultural land is regulated under stormwater management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires stormwater regulations on agricultural land to reduce pollution, mandates coordination with soil conservation districts, and distinguishes farm uses from commercial development to protect water quality.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment