Environment

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 559: Natural Resources - Recreational Fishery Data Collection Program - Established

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires catch reporting for striped bass management, supporting sustainable fisheries conservation through data collection and resource monitoring.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 875: Oysters - Rotational Harvest - Pilot Program

SB 875 establishes a 5-year pilot program for rotating oyster harvesting in four designated areas of the Chesapeake Bay, managed by Maryland's Department of Natural Resources. The program requires the Department to open different oyster bars each season, collect baseline data before opening and monitor after closing, and mandate that harvested oyster shells be replaced in the same area to support habitat restoration. This directly affects oyster harvesters in those four areas by changing seasonal harvesting access and requiring shell recycling. The policy aims to promote sustainable oyster populations through data-driven management and habitat conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates shell replacement for habitat restoration in oyster harvesting, directly conserving natural resources and supporting Chesapeake Bay ecosystem health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

Track

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

HB 1560: Forest Conservation - Incentives - Pilot Program and Fund

HB 1560 establishes a pilot program to incentivize Maryland’s nonindustrial private forest landowners (who manage 75% of the state’s 2.4 million forest acres) to adopt ecosystem-focused forest management plans. It creates the Forest Ecosystem Value Incentives Fund - a permanent, interest-earning fund - to finance the program, replacing current permanent conservation agreements with flexible management commitments. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to design plans that maximize public benefits like carbon sequestration, water quality, and biodiversity, without requiring perpetual land conservation. This shifts incentives toward active forest management rather than permanent land retirement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Forest Ecosystem Value Incentives Fund to incentivize ecosystem-focused forest management, conserving 75% of Maryland's forest acres through permanent funding and updated conservation commitments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1024: Eminent Domain - Agricultural and Conservation Easements - Prohibited Taking

HB 1024 prohibits the State of Maryland or its local governments from using eminent domain to take privately owned property subject to a permanent agricultural or conservation easement. This directly affects landowners who have placed such easements on their property, including farmers and conservation organizations. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly state that state entities "may not take by eminent domain" these easement-covered properties, while maintaining existing procedures for state roads and Baltimore City. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits eminent domain from taking land under agricultural/conservation easements, directly protecting conservation areas and strengthening existing conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 990: Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program - Eligibility and Generating Capacity

HB 990 extends the deadline for solar energy systems to be placed in service from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031, to qualify for Maryland's Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program. It also doubles the total in-state generating capacity cap for systems between 20 kilowatts and 5 megawatts - from 270 megawatts to 540 megawatts. This directly affects solar developers and property owners installing systems in this size range, particularly those on rooftops, parking canopies, brownfields, or industrial sites. The changes aim to support broader solar adoption by providing more time for installation and increasing available capacity under the program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends solar incentive deadline and doubles capacity cap, directly expanding renewable energy program access for developers and property owners.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends solar deadline and doubles capacity cap (270→540MW), directly expanding clean energy incentives for rooftop/parking canopy solar systems, promoting renewable energy adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

Track

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 1067: Hunting - Lead and Lead-Based Ammunition - Phase-Out

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).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPhases out lead ammunition to reduce environmental lead pollution, aligning with conservation and pollution control goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 959: Natural Resources - Establishment of Gwynns Falls State Park

HB 959 establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between Maryland's Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City. The bill prohibits entrance fees, specifies the park's boundaries, and requires the Department to hire an independent consultant to create a master plan for the park. It mandates that $4 million in fiscal year 2028 be allocated specifically for renovating a joint partnership office and visitor center in the park. This bill directly affects Baltimore City residents and park visitors by creating a fee-free, locally managed park with defined operational requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $4M fiscal year 2028 allocation for park infrastructure renovation, directly funding public infrastructure within state budget framework95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes protected park, allocates $4M for renovation, mandates conservation planning - directly advances environmental conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

Track

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

HB 1388: Oysters - Rotational Harvest - Pilot Program

Maryland's HB 1388 establishes a 5-year pilot program for rotational oyster harvesting in four designated Chesapeake Bay areas: the Lower Choptank River, Lower Main Stem Chesapeake Bay, Herring Bay, and Lower Chester. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to open one different oyster bed in these areas each oyster season (2026-2029), conduct baseline surveys before opening, and monitor areas after closing. Harvesters must replace oyster shells where they were taken to support habitat recovery. The program directly affects commercial oyster harvesters and the state agency managing Chesapeake Bay resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRotational harvesting with shell replacement and monitoring aims to sustain oyster populations and protect Chesapeake Bay ecosystem health.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 928: Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity - Transmission Lines - Applicability and Waivers

HB 928 modifies Maryland's requirements for constructing transmission lines over 69,000 volts. It expands the types of transmission lines needing a "certificate of public convenience and necessity" (replacing the previous focus on overhead lines), and requires the Public Service Commission to consider ratepayer costs and environmental impacts when deciding whether to waive this requirement for certain projects. The bill also removes a prior rule that automatically waived certificate requirements for specific overhead lines. This directly affects electric companies, transmission developers, and the Public Service Commission in their approval processes for new or upgraded power lines.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires environmental impact consideration for transmission projects, aligning with clean energy infrastructure standards and ratepayer cost protections.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental impact consideration in transmission line approvals, strengthening review process for projects affecting natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission Utility Regulation

Track

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

HB 1019: School Bus Transition - Propane-Powered School Buses - Grant Program, Fund, and Purchase

HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriations fund for school bus transition grants, increasing public service funding through direct budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cleaner school buses, improving school infrastructure and access through funding for transition costs, aligning with education infrastructure support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, reducing diesel dependence and promoting cleaner energy infrastructure through grants and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, directly reducing diesel emissions and promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure per its grant program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and cleaner vehicle regulations through dedicated grants and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement School Transportation Electric Vehicles Public Transit

Track