SB 344 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to receive Public Service Commission approval, allowing land used by these systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment. Specifically, it changes the requirement from approval "on or before December 31, 2025" to "on or before December 31, 2030" for systems placed in service after June 30, 2022. This directly affects community solar developers and landowners seeking agricultural tax treatment for solar installations. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to maintain eligibility for agricultural assessment without altering the core criteria for qualifying land use. The change takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
SB 59 requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million, measuring their effects on greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. It mandates that projects include a multimodal transportation program (focusing on transit, bike paths, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions, with priority given to overburdened and underserved communities impacted by the project. The bill also requires the Department to evaluate all major capital projects in the Consolidated Transportation Program for climate impacts starting in 2028, aiming for net-zero or negative emissions from these projects. These requirements apply to projects not already funded or reviewed before 2026, aligning transportation planning with state climate goals.
HB 734 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment from 2025 to December 31, 2030. It applies to systems placed in service after June 30, 2022, and approved by the Public Service Commission by the new deadline. The bill ensures land used for qualifying community solar projects is assessed as actively farmed agricultural land, allowing property owners to receive lower tax rates. This directly affects landowners operating community solar systems that meet these criteria.
SB 265 modifies Maryland's rules for siting community solar energy systems by removing a restriction that previously prohibited multiple systems on adjacent parcels if their combined capacity exceeded 5 megawatts. The bill replaces this with a new 10-megawatt limit for adjacent parcels, but only if at least 75% of the system's capacity serves low- or moderate-income subscribers (LMI) or projects use agrivoltaics (combining solar with agriculture). This change directly affects community solar developers, utilities, and LMI subscribers by expanding where solar projects can be located while prioritizing access for underserved communities. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 26 exempts qualifying off-grid electricity providers from most public utility regulations in Maryland, directly affecting small-scale generators (like remote homes or farms) that meet three criteria: they don’t connect to the state grid, cross state lines, or operate on public roads. The bill allows these providers to avoid standard utility rules but requires compliance with specific construction permit requirements (§§ 7-207 and 7-207.1) when building facilities. If a provider later connects to the grid, crosses state lines, or operates on public roads, they lose the exemption and must follow full utility regulations. The exemption applies only to providers starting operations on or after October 1, 2026.
HB 112 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to receive Public Service Commission approval from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2030, to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment. It specifically clarifies that land used for "agrivoltaics" (solar systems combined with farming) must be assessed as actively farmland under Maryland’s agricultural tax program. This change directly affects community solar developers and landowners with qualifying solar installations seeking lower agricultural tax rates. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.
HB 702 directs that a portion of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - funded by compliance fees paid by electric companies - be used to provide energy bill refunds for members of cooperative housing corporations and condominium unit owners in 2027. These refunds specifically target residents who did not receive a similar refund in 2025 under prior legislation. The refunds must be issued to the co-op or condo board, which then distributes them to individual residents, with half paid during a peak summer month and half during a peak winter month. This ensures co-op and condo residents receive equitable energy cost relief previously available to other residential customers.
HB 572 authorizes Maryland’s Attorney General to sue large fossil fuel companies (with over $1 billion in market capitalization involved in extracting or processing coal, oil, or gas) for unlawful conduct contributing to climate change, including fraud or deception. It creates the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund, financed by settlements or judgments from these lawsuits, to pay for programs addressing specific climate harms like flooding, extreme heat, drought, and waterborne pathogens. The fund is a special, non-lapsing account managed by the state, with interest earnings automatically added to it. All money must directly support climate harm prevention, mitigation, or repair efforts as defined in the bill.
HB 66 requires the Governor to withdraw Maryland from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program targeting carbon emissions from power plants. The bill amends Maryland law to remove the requirement for state participation in RGGI and redirects funds previously allocated to RGGI programs, such as the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. It specifically repeals provisions that mandated joining RGGI, required emissions reporting under the initiative, and linked urban forestry programs to RGGI offset opportunities. The bill directly affects state agencies managing energy policy and environmental programs by eliminating RGGI obligations and redirecting related financial resources.
HB 405 prevents condo and HOA governing bodies from unreasonably blocking electric vehicle (EV) charger installations in common or limited common use parking areas. It requires boards to follow regular budget processes and confirm sufficient parking availability before installing chargers. The law also allows boards to grant 3-year renewable licenses for necessary common elements (like electrical supply) for EV equipment. This applies retroactively to existing restrictions and takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting condo/HOA communities and their residents.
