Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 688: Environment - Stream and Floodplain Restoration Projects - Requirements and Limitations

SB 688 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to update stormwater management rules, directly affecting developers, local governments, and state agencies. It mandates that stormwater plans must maintain predevelopment runoff characteristics, prevent soil erosion, protect stream channels, and achieve 100% groundwater recharge. The bill also requires treating pollutants in runoff to restore water quality, protect aquatic life, and prevent downstream flooding from new development. These changes apply to all new construction and redevelopment projects requiring stormwater permits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stormwater management to protect water quality, prevent erosion, and achieve 100% groundwater recharge - direct environmental protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1199: Study on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Economy-Wide Cap-and-Invest Program (Maryland Climate Crisis Equity Act)

HB 1199 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to study how an economy-wide cap-and-invest program could help the state meet its 2045 net-zero emissions goal. The study, to be done with agencies like the Climate Change Commission and Energy Administration, must evaluate program design elements - including covered sectors, allowance distribution, and equity considerations - and explore revenue uses for climate initiatives. It specifically examines how to minimize burdens on businesses, protect trade-exposed industries, and allocate funds for low-income household energy assistance, clean transportation, and ecosystem resilience. The bill does not implement the program but mandates a detailed analysis based on Maryland's existing climate plan and lessons from jurisdictions like California and Quebec.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies cap-and-invest program to meet 2045 net-zero goal, evaluating design for emissions reduction and climate initiative funding, directly advancing renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires study of cap-and-invest program to achieve 2045 net-zero emissions, directly advancing climate action through emissions reduction evaluation and revenue allocation for climate initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 1572: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Eligible Sources – Waste–to–Energy

HB 1572 amends Maryland's renewable energy law to include "waste-to-energy" as an eligible Tier 1 renewable energy source under the portfolio standard. The bill defines "waste-to-energy" as energy generated from facilities meeting six specific technical requirements: no combustion, continuous base-load capability, carbon recovery, no landfill byproducts, minimum 80% waste conversion efficiency, and compliance with EPA PFAS guidelines. This change directly affects waste-to-energy facilities that meet these criteria, allowing them to count toward utilities' renewable energy compliance requirements. The law takes effect for compliance years starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAdds waste-to-energy to Tier 1 renewable sources under Maryland's RPS, expanding eligible clean energy options per statutory definition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill adds waste-to-energy as eligible renewable source under portfolio standard with strict environmental requirements (e.g., carbon recovery, EPA PFAS compliance), promoting clean energy development per environmental indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Drinking Water Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 779: Natural Resources - Riverine Siting and Design Criteria - Requirements

HB 779 requires state and local projects funded with state money (at a specified cost threshold) to follow new riverine siting and design criteria aimed at reducing flood risks from rivers. It directs the Coast Smart Council to establish these criteria by specific dates and review them periodically, with updates under certain conditions. The bill creates a new "Part VII" in Maryland law specifically for riverine criteria, separate from existing coastal flooding rules. This applies directly to public infrastructure projects like roads, buildings, or utilities financed with state funds, focusing on resilience against river flooding.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates riverine siting/design criteria to reduce flood risks, directly protecting natural resources and conserving ecosystems through new environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 523: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026)

SB 523 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations protecting "qualified vernal pools" - seasonal wetlands that don't meet federal wetland criteria but support species like wood frogs and salamanders. It mandates the department to maintain a list of these pools, establish protective buffers, and require developers to avoid harming them during activities like construction. If harm is unavoidable, developers must minimize damage and provide compensation through the department. This directly affects landowners, developers, and construction projects near these pools, adding regulatory requirements similar to those for existing wetlands. The bill does not change current protections for federally recognized wetlands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates regulations protecting vernal pools via buffers, developer avoidance, and compensation, conserving critical habitats for species like wood frogs and salamanders.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 686: PFAS Chemicals – Product Phase Outs and Registration Requirements

SB 686 prohibits manufacturers from selling, distributing, or offering for sale in Maryland certain products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (like cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, fabric treatments, and intimacy products) after specific dates. It requires registration for products containing PFAS that aren't banned and mandates testing to ensure compliance. The bill creates the Maryland PFAS Chemicals Protection and Remediation Fund, funded by penalties and interest earnings, to provide grants and loans for PFAS-related remediation projects. The law aims to reduce public exposure to these chemicals by phasing out their use in common consumer products while establishing a dedicated fund for cleanup efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits PFAS in consumer products, mandates testing, creates PFAS remediation fund - directly reduces environmental pollution from toxic chemicals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 655: Electronic Device Producer Responsibility Program - Established

SB 655 establishes Maryland's first statewide program requiring electronic device manufacturers to fund and manage recycling. It directly affects companies that produce covered devices like computers, TVs, printers, tablets, headphones, and routers (as defined in Section 9-1701(g)). Key provisions include mandatory registration fees paid into a dedicated recycling fund, requirements for manufacturers to include recycling information on products, and new rules for producer responsibility organizations to submit and get approval for recycling plans. The program aims to streamline collection, recycling, refurbishment, or reuse of these devices through the Department of the Environment, replacing older takeback programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires manufacturers to fund electronics recycling, reducing e-waste pollution and conserving resources through producer responsibility rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 596: Large Load Customers - Electric System Interconnection and Demand Response Program

SB 596 exempts large commercial or industrial electricity customers (defined as those with 25+ MW monthly demand and over 80% load factor) from needing a certificate of public convenience to connect to the grid when using surplus interconnection capacity. It establishes a new interconnection process with standard and expedited timelines, requiring these customers to cover 25% of their power needs through on-site storage, new carbon-free energy sources, or demand response. The bill also mandates a Demand Response Program where large customers can opt for scheduled load reductions during peak times in exchange for compensation, with fees from interconnection requests split between universal service and low-income energy efficiency programs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 25% of power from carbon-free sources or demand response, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance for large customers.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 25% carbon-free energy use for large customers, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Solar

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 841: Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects utility compliance fees to fund renewable projects via competitive auctions with capacity targets and prioritizes low-income community benefits, advancing renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes competitive auctions for renewable energy projects with capacity targets, prioritizing low-income communities, directly advancing clean energy funding and environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 687: Environment - Flood Risk Review Process - Establishment

SB 687 establishes a mandatory flood risk review process for areas at risk of tidal or nontidal flooding in Maryland. It requires the Department of the Environment to implement this process when reviewing certain development plans and permits, and to consult with local governments, state agencies, and watershed groups before final decisions. The bill makes the flood risk determination binding on local stormwater management approvals, ensuring it becomes part of the local permitting process. This directly affects the Department of the Environment, local jurisdictions managing stormwater approvals, and developers seeking permits in flood-prone areas. The policy changes focus on integrating flood risk assessments into existing development reviews to better protect communities from flooding impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates flood risk review for development permits, making environmental protections binding in local stormwater management approvals to prevent flood damage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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