HB 1035 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Electricity and Gas - Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act)

HB 1035, the "Next Generation Energy Act," requires Maryland's Energy Administration to negotiate agreements with neighboring states and federal agencies to develop new nuclear energy projects, particularly small modular reactors on federal land or near military facilities. It prohibits electricity suppliers from bypassing transmission systems when selling directly to large commercial/industrial customers (100+ MW demand) and mandates electric companies to procure nuclear energy from a designated escrow account. The bill establishes a new procurement process for approving nuclear and dispatchable energy projects, with requirements for the Public Service Commission to expedite reviews and for minority business assistance programs to support applicants. These changes directly affect Maryland utilities, nuclear developers, and large energy consumers, aiming to advance nuclear energy development within the state's grid planning framework.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Public Utilities - Electricity Generation Planning - Procurement, Permitting, and Co-Location (Next Generation Energy Act) → Third - Electricity and Gas - Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act) · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly expanded from focusing primarily on nuclear energy development to include broader electricity and gas infrastructure, emissions reductions, renewable energy standards, and energy assistance programs. The changes add requirements for greenhouse gas reduction targets, gas infrastructure cost recovery, and expanded renewable energy portfolio standards while maintaining nuclear energy provisions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from nuclear energy procurement and generation planning to include gas infrastructure, emissions reductions, renewable energy portfolio standards, energy assistance programs, and rate regulation for both electricity and gas utilities.

SCOPE

Added gas infrastructure planning, emissions reductions, rate regulation, and energy assistance programs to the bill's scope beyond the original nuclear energy focus.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue loans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from multifamily residential buildings.

Added requirements for public service companies to demonstrate reasonableness of labor use in rate proceedings.

Added requirements for gas companies to file infrastructure replacement plans with specific cost recovery provisions.

Modified the purpose statement to include broader energy generation and procurement in both electricity and gas sectors.

Added requirements for electric companies to procure zero-emission credits from an escrow account.

Added requirements for electric companies to submit plans for front-of-the-meter energy storage devices.

Added requirements for the Department of Human Services to report on changes needed to implement certain recommendations.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2025

How they voted

33–8

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 46

Mar 24, 2025

D Democratic33

31 Yea 2

93% Yea

R Republican13

2 Yea 8 Nay 3

61% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 20, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 626

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Apr 5, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Apr 5, 2025

Committee

Referred Rules

upper

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until 04/04 (Delegate Crosby) Adopted

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (33-8-5)

senate

Mar 22, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (94-40-5)

house of delegates

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors