Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 925: Sewage Sludge - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation

HB 925 establishes limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sewage sludge applied to land, prohibiting use if PFAS levels exceed specific thresholds after a set date. It directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users discharging PFAS, and local jurisdictions managing sludge. Key provisions include mandatory PFAS monitoring in sludge, requirements for industrial pretreatment standards when PFAS levels exceed action levels, and rules allowing limited blending of sludge from multiple sources. The bill also authorizes local fees for industrial dischargers and updates regulations for safe land application practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes PFAS limits in sewage sludge, mandates monitoring, and prohibits high-level use, directly reducing environmental pollution from toxic chemicals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 719: Sewage Sludge - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation

SB 719 restricts the land application of sewage sludge containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above specific concentration levels, effective after a set date. It requires monitoring for PFAS in sewage sludge and products containing it, authorizes stricter pretreatment rules for industrial users discharging PFAS, and allows local jurisdictions to set fees for such discharges. The bill directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users, and local regulators by mandating new PFAS testing, usage limits, and fee structures. It amends Maryland’s environmental code to establish these requirements without changing existing land application rules for sludge below the new PFAS thresholds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts PFAS in sewage sludge, mandates monitoring, and enforces stricter industrial discharge rules to reduce environmental pollution and strengthen protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill restricts PFAS in sewage sludge to prevent environmental contamination linked to health risks (e.g., cancer, immune issues), directly supporting public health protection under healthcare policies.85% 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 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 · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 166: Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card

SB 166 authorizes Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to suspend or revoke shellfish aquaculture harvest permits or registration cards for specific violations, directly affecting commercial shellfish harvesters. Key violations include harvesting in closed areas, exceeding time restrictions for oyster harvesting, or harvesting without proper authorization. For a first violation, permits may be suspended for up to 5 years; repeat violations result in permanent revocation. The bill also prohibits anyone with a suspended or revoked permit from working in any aquaculture activity during the penalty period. This legislation takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces penalties for violations harming shellfish habitats, directly protecting natural resources through permit restrictions and conservation-focused enforcement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 266: Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees

SB 266 authorizes Maryland counties and municipalities to adopt local ordinances regulating the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a nonnative tree that spreads aggressively and harms native ecosystems. The bill allows local governments to ban selling, planting, or allowing the tree to grow on property, require containment if it's present, and impose civil fines for violations. It also permits communities to create bounty programs incentivizing residents to remove the tree. This directly affects property owners who may have the tree and local governments seeking to manage its spread.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates invasive Tree of Heaven to protect native ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through local enforcement and removal incentives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 258: Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Standards and Procedures

HB 258 updates Maryland's rules for development near the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. It requires local governments to conduct 10-year reviews of their critical area programs, sets specific location rules for new development (like maintaining 300-foot buffers from tidal wetlands), and mandates climate vulnerability assessments for projects. The bill also clarifies procedures for correcting mapping errors and updating tree replanting requirements. These changes directly affect 12 coastal Maryland counties (including Calvert and Talbot) that manage local development plans under the program. The law aims to strengthen protections for bay ecosystems through clearer, updated standards for land use decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 300-foot wetland buffers, mandates climate vulnerability assessments, and updates tree replanting - directly strengthens coastal protection and environmental regulations.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 · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 429: On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program - Established

HB 429 establishes two grant programs to reduce food waste and promote composting. The On-Farm Organics Diversion Grant Program (under Agriculture) funds farmers, urban farmers, and related entities to implement on-farm composting, food rescue, and waste prevention. The Wasted Food Reduction Grant Program (under Environment) funds projects like food rescue infrastructure, community composting, and education to reduce wasted food statewide. Eligible projects must meet specific standards, such as producing certified compost and prioritizing underserved communities, with grants awarded annually starting July 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via grants to establish food waste reduction programs, directly increasing government spending on environmental initiatives per budget & taxes definition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes grant programs for on-farm composting, food rescue, and waste reduction - directly advancing environmental conservation by diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting resource conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 613: Department of the Environment - Waivers for Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures - Regulations and Scoring System

HB 613 requires property owners in Calvert and St. Mary's Counties to use natural erosion control methods (like marsh creation, native plants, and oyster reefs) instead of hard structures (such as seawalls) for shoreline stabilization. It exempts these counties from general state requirements for nonstructural measures and creates a new waiver process where owners must demonstrate to the Department of Natural Resources that natural methods are not feasible due to factors like extreme erosion or narrow shorelines. The bill defines "living shorelines" as projects using natural materials and ecological principles to absorb wave energy and restore habitats, while still allowing structural measures in specific high-energy areas. This directly affects property owners along navigable waters in those two counties, changing how they must address shoreline erosion.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates natural erosion control methods (marshes, native plants, oyster reefs) over hard structures, promoting ecosystem-based shoreline protection and conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment