SB 940 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

SB 940 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create and implement a mobile home park water quality testing program by January 1, 2027. The program mandates testing at 25% of parks by 2028, 50% by 2029, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2031, prioritizing parks with 40%+ minority residents, areas with known geological contaminants, parks where residents requested testing or filed complaints, and parks using private water supplies. Park owners must take corrective actions if water quality issues are identified, and the Department must provide results to residents in multiple languages. This bill directly affects mobile home park owners and residents across Maryland by establishing a structured process to ensure drinking water safety.

Issues: ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Apr 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Environment - Mobile Home Parks - Water Quality Testing → Third - Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to broaden its scope from general water quality testing to specifically address secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCLs), which regulate non-health-threatening issues like taste, odor, and aesthetics. The title and purpose were updated to reflect this focus on developing a statewide action plan for SMCL enforcement. While the core testing schedule and prioritization criteria for mobile home parks remain largely unchanged, the legislative intent now explicitly targets the resolution of water quality issues affecting the safety and potability of finished water sources under these specific standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include the enforcement and remediation of Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs), shifting the focus from general compliance to addressing specific water quality parameters that affect taste, odor, and appearance.

SCOPE

The bill's title and purpose were updated to include 'Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan' and 'secondary maximum contaminant level enforcement,' clarifying that the program specifically addresses non-health-based water quality standards.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Water Quality Issue' was updated to explicitly reference risks related to secondary maximum contaminant levels, ensuring the program covers issues like discoloration or bad taste that do not necessarily pose immediate health risks.

REQUIREMENT

New text was added to the bill's purpose to require the Department of the Environment to develop a statewide action plan specifically for addressing water quality at mobile home parks regarding secondary maximum contaminant levels.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made to the header and introductory sections, including the removal of repealed Real Property Article references and adjustments to the bill's numbering and metadata.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 286

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator King) Adopted

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 31, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (120-16-6)

house of delegates

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors