Forest Conservation Act - Linear Projects - Alteration

SB 699 amends Maryland's Forest Conservation Act to exclude new transmission and distribution electric lines built on or after October 1, 2025, from the definition of "linear project." This change exempts electric companies from forest conservation requirements - including afforestation (tree replanting) mandates - when constructing these new utility lines. The bill specifically revises sections 5-1601(u), 5-1602(b)(7), and 5-1606(a)(5) of Maryland's Annotated Code to implement this exclusion. It directly affects electric utilities planning new infrastructure projects after the effective date, removing a key regulatory requirement for tree replacement on those specific projects.