SB 130 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

SB 130 requires landlords in multi-unit apartment buildings (with more than two dwelling units) to install individual water meters for each unit instead of using bulk billing. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks, poor maintenance, or common areas, and mandates that meters include leak detection monitors that tenants can inspect. Landlords must maintain clear records of water costs and usage for tenant review, and unpaid water bills cannot be used as grounds for eviction. The law, effective October 1, 2026, also allows a $1 monthly administrative fee to cover billing costs.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Oct 30, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Environment - Water - Individual Unit Meters Third - Environment - Water - Individual Submeters · 7 edits
MODERATE
SB 130 was amended to expand its scope from apartment houses to also include mobile home parks and to change the terminology from 'meters' to 'submeters.' The bill now requires landlords of mobile home parks to use specific written leases, provide water bills to tenants promptly, and notify prospective tenants of water costs. It also clarifies that unpaid water bills cannot be treated as unpaid rent during evictions for these properties.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to include mobile home parks in addition to apartment houses, condominiums, and cooperatives.
SCOPE

Expanded the bill's coverage to include mobile home parks, ensuring they are subject to the same water metering and billing regulations as apartment houses.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'Individual Unit Meters' to 'Individual Unit Meter Submeters' to reflect the technical nature of the equipment and the expanded scope.

Updated the definition of 'Adequate Records' to include mobile home parks alongside apartment houses.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for landlords to use specific written leases, provide copies of water or sewer bills to tenants within a set timeframe, and notify prospective tenants of water cost information.

Added a prohibition preventing landlords from requiring tenants to make certain payments to third parties.

Added a provision authorizing owners to bill occupants for certain amounts under specific circumstances, which was not present in the original version.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the definition of 'Apartment House' to explicitly include residential condominiums and cooperatives, whether rented or owner-occupied.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

How they voted

3511
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Mar 6, 2026
D Democratic36
34 Yea 2
94% Yea
R Republican13
1 Yea 11 Nay 1
84% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 28, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 261
executive
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 20, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (101-37-4)
house of delegates
Mar 6, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (35-11-3)
senate
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Oct 30, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shaneka Henson
Shaneka Henson
DDemocratic
MD
30