SB 843 establishes the SUNRISE Program as the replacement for Maryland’s net energy metering system, directly affecting low- and moderate-income households and community solar subscribers. It requires electric companies to implement the SUNRISE Program through specific tariffs, create a statewide capacity reservation system for solar projects, and guarantee electric bill savings for eligible households. The bill also mandates that community solar programs must meet specific low-income participation requirements and allows certain customers to opt out of enrollment. Administered by the Office of Home Energy Programs or local agencies, the law updates reporting requirements and ensures dedicated capacity blocks for qualifying households.
HB 870, the "Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act," requires new construction of large commercial and multifamily residential buildings (over 35,000 square feet) to meet specific energy conservation standards set by the Maryland Department of Labor. The bill defines "covered buildings" to include most large commercial structures and state-owned buildings, but excludes historic properties, schools, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural buildings. It mandates that adopted energy conservation requirements must be at least as stringent as the International Energy Conservation Code, with the state allowed to set stricter standards to improve efficiency. The law also establishes clear definitions for terms like "energy conservation measure" to guide implementation and ensure consistency.
SB 851 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County homeowners who own land in a designated Rural Legacy Area and have sold development rights under the county's Rural Legacy Program. The credit reduces the county property tax bill for qualifying properties, specifically targeting landowners who preserved their land by selling development rights rather than building on it. This policy change, effective June 1, 2026, applies only to properties enrolled in the Rural Legacy Program and directly benefits landowners who participate in the program. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to authorize this county-specific credit.
SB 613 requires Maryland's Department of Agriculture to inspect land for Palmer amaranth (a specific noxious weed) and issue a 2-week eradication order to landowners if found. Landowners must remove the weed using approved methods, with the Department inspecting the property every two weeks until eradication is confirmed. Violations of the order carry escalating penalties: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent violations. Funds from penalties will support broader noxious weed control efforts. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 669 extends the deadline for solar energy systems to be placed in service to qualify for Maryland's Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program, changing the window from 2024-2028 to 2024-2031. It also doubles the statewide capacity cap for medium-sized systems (20 kilowatts to 5 megawatts) from 270 megawatts to 540 megawatts, specifically for systems installed on rooftops, parking canopies, brownfields, or industrial water sites. This bill directly affects residential, commercial, and community solar system owners seeking certification under the program, enabling more installations while maintaining eligibility rules for smaller systems under 20 kilowatts.
HB 1315 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment, with input from the Department of Natural Resources, to study vessel-based technologies that capture or remove microplastic particles in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The study will identify specific technologies (like filters using boat engine cooling systems, vessel-mounted filtration, and floating systems), assess their effectiveness, environmental impacts, costs, and practicality for use on recreational, commercial, and state vessels. It will also evaluate how these technologies could integrate with existing water quality programs and explore potential incentives for adoption. This study aims to inform future decisions about addressing microplastic pollution but does not mandate any new regulations or technology implementation.
SB 971 establishes Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership between Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City, prohibiting entrance fees and requiring the park to include a specified area. The bill mandates the Department and Baltimore City to jointly develop a master plan with an independent consultant, hold community focus groups, and create a stakeholder advisory committee. It also allocates $4 million in fiscal year 2028 to renovate the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park office into a shared partnership park office and visitor center. This bill directly affects the Department of Natural Resources, Baltimore City, and residents of Baltimore who will gain access to the new park without entry fees.
HB 992 establishes a new electronic device producer responsibility program in Maryland, requiring manufacturers of covered devices (including computers, TVs, tablets, game consoles, and accessories like earbuds) to register, pay annual fees into a dedicated recycling fund, and include recycling information on products. The program mandates that manufacturers facilitate collection and recycling/refurbishment of covered devices through producer responsibility organizations, which must submit and get approval for plans from the Department of the Environment. It repeals older takeback program rules and creates an advisory council to guide implementation, while prohibiting manufacturers from selling devices without meeting these requirements. The law directly affects electronics manufacturers selling in Maryland, shifting responsibility for end-of-life device management to producers.
HB 970 renames Maryland's "Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard" to the "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" and changes related terms like "renewable energy credits" to "clean energy credits." The bill explicitly adds electricity generated from certain nuclear power plants as an eligible Tier 2 source for meeting the standard, expanding the types of energy that can count toward compliance. This change directly affects utilities and energy providers required to meet the state's clean energy targets, applying retroactively to prior compliance periods. The bill focuses on updating terminology and eligibility criteria within existing energy policy frameworks.
HB 806 creates a formal certification process for facilities conducting vehicle emissions inspections in Maryland. It requires the Motor Vehicle Administration and Environment Secretary to establish application rules and standards to certify these facilities, replacing previous provisions. The bill directly affects auto repair shops and inspection stations seeking to legally perform emissions tests under the state program. Key provisions include defining "Certified Emissions Inspection Facility" and mandating that all such facilities must meet the new certification requirements. This changes how facilities qualify to operate, without altering emissions standards or testing procedures themselves.
