Environment

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

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

HB 1065: Coal Combustion By-Product Materials - Grant Program and Procurement Preference

HB 1065 establishes a grant program for Maryland manufacturers of cement, concrete, or construction materials that use coal ash waste (like fly ash or bottom ash) as feedstock. It requires the Department of the Environment to award grants to eligible manufacturers meeting specific criteria, including using Maryland-sourced coal by-products, creating jobs in communities affected by coal waste, and demonstrating measurable greenhouse gas reductions compared to conventional materials. The bill also mandates that all state government agencies give procurement preference to bids that incorporate these coal by-products. This directly affects cement/concrete manufacturers, state purchasing decisions, and communities near coal waste generation sites. The policy change focuses on repurposing existing coal waste for construction materials through financial incentives and procurement rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state grant program funding manufacturers using coal by-products, constituting government spending on economic development and environmental goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires measurable GHG reductions vs conventional materials, uses coal waste to reduce landfill burden, and prioritizes job creation in coal-impacted communities with environmental benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Climate Change Recycling

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 622: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Required Uses - Building Electrification and Transportation Electrification

SB 622 requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide loans and grants specifically for building electrification (replacing gas appliances with electric ones) and transportation electrification (such as electric vehicle infrastructure). This policy change directly affects Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments seeking funding to switch to electric systems. The bill amends existing law to mandate these uses of the fund, redirecting resources from previous allocations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, without creating new programs but altering how existing funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing fund resources to electrification projects, directing state budget toward specific infrastructure spending as mandated use of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, replacing fossil fuel dependence with electric systems, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates fund allocation for transportation electrification (e.g., EV infrastructure), directly funding sustainable transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

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

HB 1040: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Mandated Uses - Climate Change Programs

HB 1040 mandates that Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocate at least $365 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2032 specifically to climate change programs. This includes $100 million for incentives to replace gas stoves, resistive electric heating, and electric water heaters with energy-efficient alternatives like induction stoves and heat pumps; $50 million for expanding solar energy deployment through community solar and equity programs; and $25 million for electric vehicle infrastructure and zero-emission vehicle incentives. The bill directly affects Maryland residents (through home appliance rebates) and businesses (via solar and EV programs) by funding concrete climate action. These allocations are mandatory, ensuring dedicated state funding for measurable climate impact reduction over the specified period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $365M annual allocation from Strategic Energy Fund to climate programs, funding essential initiatives per bill's explicit funding requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates $365M annually for climate programs including $100M for replacing gas appliances with efficient alternatives, $50M for solar expansion, and $25M for electric infrastructure, advancing renewables and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates $365M annual funding for climate programs including $100M for gas stove replacements with efficient alternatives and $50M for solar expansion, directly promoting clean energy and emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Solar Climate Change

Track