Energy (Electric Vehicles)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1225: Weights and Measures - Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment - Registration Fees

HB 1225 limits registration fees for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to match the fees charged for gas pump meters. Specifically, it prohibits charging stations from being assessed more per "port" than the fee for a single gas pump meter. The bill also requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to cover costs for inspecting EV charging equipment, redirecting funds previously allocated elsewhere. This affects EV charging station operators and state inspection programs, ensuring fee consistency between EV charging and traditional fuel dispensing.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyLimits EV charging fees to match gas pumps, redirects energy fund to inspect EV equipment, promoting clean energy infrastructure adoption and reducing barriers for EV infrastructure expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1374: Alternative Fuel, Fuel-Efficient, and Electric Vehicles - Highway Use Fees

HB 1374 replaces the existing annual surcharge for zero-emission and plug-in electric vehicles with a new annual highway use fee for owners of alternative fuel vehicles, fuel-efficient vehicles (25+ MPG), and plug-in electric drive vehicles. It requires these owners to pay the annual fee instead of the previous $100-$125 surcharge, with fees deposited into a dedicated Highway Use Fee Account. The bill also establishes a voluntary mileage-based user fee program administered by the Department of Transportation, allowing vehicle owners to opt into this program instead of paying the annual fee. All funds in the Highway Use Fee Account must be used solely for Maryland’s regional commuter rail service, with strict rules prohibiting diversion to the general fund or other departmental purposes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyReplaces surcharge for EVs/alternative fuel vehicles with dedicated highway fee, promoting clean energy adoption and infrastructure use.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReplaces surcharge with highway use fee, deposits funds into dedicated account for infrastructure, directly funding transportation projects per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1040: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Mandated Uses - Climate Change Programs

HB 1040 mandates that Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocate at least $365 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2032 specifically to climate change programs. This includes $100 million for incentives to replace gas stoves, resistive electric heating, and electric water heaters with energy-efficient alternatives like induction stoves and heat pumps; $50 million for expanding solar energy deployment through community solar and equity programs; and $25 million for electric vehicle infrastructure and zero-emission vehicle incentives. The bill directly affects Maryland residents (through home appliance rebates) and businesses (via solar and EV programs) by funding concrete climate action. These allocations are mandatory, ensuring dedicated state funding for measurable climate impact reduction over the specified period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $365M annual allocation from Strategic Energy Fund to climate programs, funding essential initiatives per bill's explicit funding requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates $365M annually for climate programs including $100M for replacing gas appliances with efficient alternatives, $50M for solar expansion, and $25M for electric infrastructure, advancing renewables and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates $365M annual funding for climate programs including $100M for gas stove replacements with efficient alternatives and $50M for solar expansion, directly promoting clean energy and emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Solar Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1019: School Bus Transition - Propane-Powered School Buses - Grant Program, Fund, and Purchase

HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriations fund for school bus transition grants, increasing public service funding through direct budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cleaner school buses, improving school infrastructure and access through funding for transition costs, aligning with education infrastructure support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, reducing diesel dependence and promoting cleaner energy infrastructure through grants and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, directly reducing diesel emissions and promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure per its grant program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and cleaner vehicle regulations through dedicated grants and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement School Transportation Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 869: Vehicle Laws - Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses - City of Bowie

HB 869 creates a special license for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing them to operate as dealers in Maryland. This license is restricted to the City of Bowie only, with no more than one such dealership permitted there. The bill modifies vehicle dealer licensing rules to require that applicants have no existing dealerships in Maryland and must not control other dealerships under the same provisions. It directly affects EV-focused manufacturers/distributors seeking to establish a Bowie-based dealership. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates license for EV dealers to promote electric vehicle adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates special EV dealer license in Bowie, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through regulatory support for electric vehicles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 824: Vehicle Laws - Licensing of Manufacturers and Distributors as Dealers - Requirements

SB 824 modifies Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to allow electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and distributors to operate as dealers without needing a franchise from another company. It creates a specific pathway for EV manufacturers/distributors that only sell battery-electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, provided they have no existing dealers in Maryland, are not affiliated with other manufacturers that have franchised dealers, and meet ownership requirements. The bill limits this special licensing to no more than four entities and requires applicants to prove compliance with these conditions to the state administration. This directly affects EV-focused companies seeking to sell vehicles directly to consumers in Maryland.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables EV manufacturers to operate without franchise barriers, directly promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables direct EV sales by manufacturers, promoting sustainable transportation through regulatory change for electric vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 622: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Required Uses - Building Electrification and Transportation Electrification

SB 622 requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide loans and grants specifically for building electrification (replacing gas appliances with electric ones) and transportation electrification (such as electric vehicle infrastructure). This policy change directly affects Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments seeking funding to switch to electric systems. The bill amends existing law to mandate these uses of the fund, redirecting resources from previous allocations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, without creating new programs but altering how existing funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing fund resources to electrification projects, directing state budget toward specific infrastructure spending as mandated use of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, replacing fossil fuel dependence with electric systems, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates fund allocation for transportation electrification (e.g., EV infrastructure), directly funding sustainable transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 451: Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

HB 451 extends the reporting deadlines and lifespan of Maryland's Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council. It modifies the schedule for the Council's interim reports (now due December 1 annually through 2031, instead of 2024-2025) and moves the final report deadline to June 30, 2031 (from June 30, 2026). The bill also extends the Council's termination date from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2031, keeping it active for five additional years. This procedural change directly affects the Council's operational timeline but does not alter the Council's purpose or policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends Maryland's Zero Emission EV Infrastructure Council through 2031, maintaining focus on advancing EV infrastructure and renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends Council's work on zero-emission EV infrastructure, enabling continued development of sustainable transportation infrastructure beyond original timeline.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 673: Consumer Goods - Restrictions Based on Energy Source - Prohibition (Energy Equality Act of 2026)

HB 673 prohibits local or state governments from restricting the sale, purchase, or use of consumer goods (such as vehicles, appliances, or other products) solely based on their energy source - like gasoline, electricity, natural gas, or propane. It repeals existing Maryland laws requiring low-emission vehicle programs and sales rules for zero-emission medium/heavy-duty trucks, ending those specific regulatory requirements. The law applies retroactively to all current restrictions and directly affects consumers, dealers, and manufacturers of energy-source-dependent goods. It does not alter federal emissions standards but removes state-level barriers to using diverse energy sources for everyday products.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck requirements, weakening clean energy standards and regulatory mandates for renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill repeals low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck sales rules, removing regulatory requirements that reduce emissions. This weakens environmental protections by eliminating mandates for cleaner energy sources.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals Maryland's low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck sales requirements, weakening transportation regulations promoting cleaner vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Oil & Gas Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 341: Public Utilities – Solar Energy Generating Systems and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (Affordable Solar Act)

SB 341 establishes new definitions for small portable solar systems (max 1,200 watts, plug-in devices for residential use) and creates two types of solar energy credits: SRECs for smaller systems and SREC-II for larger installations. It requires electric companies to procure a specific number of SREC-II credits from qualifying solar projects and mandates that certain compliance fees be deposited into an escrow account instead of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. Homeowners using portable solar systems cannot have utility approval requirements or fees for grid connection, but these systems do not count toward renewable energy goals. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives gain flexibility in meeting solar requirements under the new framework.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to procure SREC-II credits from solar projects, creating market demand and directing fees to solar-specific escrow instead of general fund.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates utility procurement of solar credits (SREC-II), creates incentives for solar projects, and expands residential solar access - directly promoting clean energy adoption per environmental indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Solar

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