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.
HB 1067 requires Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to phase out lead ammunition for hunting all game species by July 1, 2029. It directly affects hunters using firearms for deer, upland game birds, migratory birds, turkey, and other game, with earlier deadlines: pen-raised birds by 2027, upland/migratory birds and turkey by 2028, and deer by 2029. The bill mandates non-lead ammunition (defined as <1% lead content or federally approved non-toxic options) but allows exceptions for muzzleloaders, handguns, rifles, and shotguns if non-lead ammo isn't commercially available. The law requires the department to adopt regulations for each phase and make them available with hunting licenses. This policy aims to reduce lead exposure in humans (from consumed venison) and wildlife (from carcasses).
Maryland's SB 181 requires hunters to use non-lead ammunition for all game species by specific dates: pen-raised birds by July 1, 2027; upland birds, migratory birds, and turkeys by July 1, 2028; and deer and other game by July 1, 2029. It directly affects licensed hunters using firearms for hunting in Maryland, excluding muzzleloaders and handguns if non-lead ammunition isn't commercially available. The bill defines "non-lead ammunition" as having less than 1% lead content or being federally approved as non-toxic. The Department of Natural Resources must adopt these regulations by the specified deadlines. The bill is pending approval and has not yet taken effect.
SB 559 requires recreational anglers in Maryland with a Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license or registration to report their striped bass catches to the Department of Natural Resources. The bill mandates the Department to create regulations allowing multiple reporting methods, including a mobile app (to be prioritized where feasible) and alternatives for people without internet access. It directly affects all licensed recreational fishermen targeting striped bass in Maryland’s coastal waters and the Chesapeake Bay. The key provision is establishing a mandatory reporting system to improve catch data collection, with specific requirements for accessible and technologically flexible reporting options. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 754 authorizes Maryland local jurisdictions (cities and counties) to adopt local laws preserving natural resources like land, water, forests, wetlands, and floodplains. The bill adds specific preservation tools to local zoning authority, including transfer of development rights, conservation easements, open space programs, cluster subdivisions, and riparian/wetland buffer protections. It updates existing land use law (Section 7-101) to explicitly list these mechanisms as approved methods for protecting natural resources while facilitating development. The bill does not create statewide mandates but gives local governments additional legal options to implement conservation measures.
SB 203 requires accredited lead paint abatement service providers in Maryland to maintain a reasonable performance bond or liability insurance policy. This applies to any person accredited by the Department of the Environment to conduct lead paint hazard removal, containment, or renovation work in buildings constructed before 1978. The law amends existing regulations to mandate this financial protection, ensuring providers can cover costs if services fail to meet standards. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all accredited professionals performing lead abatement work.
SB 225 designates specific watersheds - including Gwynns Falls, Jones Falls, Herring Run (covering Baltimore City and Baltimore County), and the Patapsco River (spanning Baltimore, Howard, Carroll, Anne Arundel, and Frederick counties) - as "interjurisdictional flood hazard watersheds" requiring coordinated flood management planning across municipal and county boundaries. It mandates that local subdivisions develop unified flood management plans for these areas, which must be reviewed and approved by Maryland’s Department of the Environment to ensure consistency with flood control standards. The bill specifies that management techniques (like dams, levees, zoning, and stormwater systems) must be included in these plans, with disapproval limited to flood management concerns only. This policy change aims to streamline flood planning for watersheds crossing jurisdictional lines, taking effect October 1, 2026.
This bill creates Maryland's GREEN Loan Program, providing no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofits for solar panels, energy-efficient building upgrades (like new windows or HVAC systems), and related planning. Nonprofits must contribute 10% of project costs, with priority given to those with annual budgets under $1 million. The program is funded through state budget appropriations and transfers from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Loans require repayment over time with deferred payment options, and must demonstrate long-term energy cost savings exceeding the loan's total cost.
SB 108 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands development rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and local governments that fail to comply with environmental regulations. Key provisions allow the department to levy fines up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), considering factors like environmental harm and willfulness, with penalties paid into the Maryland Clean Water Fund (or Private Dam Repair Fund for dam-related issues). The bill replaces some court-based enforcement with direct administrative penalties, streamlining enforcement while requiring department consultation before suing local governments.
