HB 146 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping Services and Implementation Dates

HB 146 requires landlords of properties with on-site wastewater systems (like septic systems) to ensure the system is inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before each new tenant moves in, starting July 1, 2028. It also mandates that real estate sales contracts for such properties include a condition requiring the buyer to confirm the system has been inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before closing. The law allows inspections and pumping services to remain valid for three years and requires property owners to notify authorities if a system fails. Exemptions include transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. The bill sets deadlines for the state to adopt regulations (by 2027) and license service providers (by 2028).
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Governor
Introduced Oct 7, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping Services and Implementation Dates Third - Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping Services and Implementation Dates · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Maryland's on-site wastewater regulations by adding new requirements for landlords to notify authorities when a drain field fails and allowing those authorities to approve repairs. It also clarifies the definition of 'delegated approval authority' to explicitly include the Department of the Environment and expands the list of family members eligible for property transfer exemptions.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of enforcement by adding a specific duty for delegated approval authorities to approve repairs to failing drain fields, whereas previously they only received notification of failures.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for delegated approval authorities to approve, to the extent practicable, the repair or replacement of failed components in a failing on-site wastewater system's drain field.

Added a new subsection requiring landlords to notify the delegated approval authority about a failing system and when it is fixed, rather than just notifying them of the failure.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'delegated approval authority' to explicitly state that it includes the Department of the Environment, in addition to local health departments and county agencies.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the exemptions for property transfers to clarify that they apply to siblings by whole blood only if the property is held in trust.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

3112
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 49
Mar 21, 2026
D Democratic36
30 Yea 6
83% Yea
R Republican13
1 Yea 12 Nay
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
10
Committee
8
Amendments
3
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Stein, Guyton and T. Morgan)
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Stein, Guyton and T. Morgan)
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 21, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (31-12-6)
senate
Feb 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion Special Order until 2/18 (Delegate Fisher) Adopted
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
Oct 7, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors