Attorney General Actions and Climate Crimes Accountability Fund (Climate Crimes Accountability Act)

SB 432 authorizes Maryland's Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies with over $1 billion in market capitalization for climate-related harms caused by fraudulent or deceptive practices. It establishes the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund to collect settlement money from such lawsuits. The fund finances programs addressing climate impacts like flooding, heat islands, drought, and disease spread (e.g., vectorborne pathogens), while also covering legal costs of the Attorney General's cases. The bill directly affects major energy corporations and directs state resources toward climate adaptation and mitigation.