Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1063: Natural Resources - Hunting - Management

HB 1063 modifies Maryland's hunting regulations to allow the Department of Natural Resources to authorize deer population reductions on properties with documented deer damage (such as crop destruction or forest harm) through permits permitting Sunday deer hunting, while restricting it within 25 yards of designated equestrian trails. It repeals the ban on Sunday hunting for migratory game birds and allows the Department to establish county-specific Sunday hunting rules during game bird and mammal seasons, with most counties now permitting limited Sunday hunting (typically from 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m.). The bill directly affects property owners with deer damage on 10+ acre properties, hunters in counties like Calvert, Caroline, and Worcester, and the Department of Natural Resources, which gains new authority to set hunting rules. Key provisions include standardized time limits for Sunday hunting and eliminating outdated prohibitions, focusing on practical management of wildlife impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables deer population management to prevent forest/crop damage, conserving natural resources through regulated hunting permits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 223: Maryland Energy Administration - Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program and Fund and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund

SB 223 transfers administration of the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program from the Maryland Energy Administration to the Maryland Clean Energy Center. The bill moves the program’s legal authority to the Maryland Clean Energy Center, repeals the Energy Administration’s regulatory power over the program, and updates reporting requirements for the related Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. The program itself continues to provide low-interest loans to nonprofit organizations, local governments, state agencies, and eligible businesses for energy efficiency projects that reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. This change is purely administrative and does not alter the program’s eligibility criteria, loan terms, or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTransfers conservation loan program to Maryland Clean Energy Center, advancing clean energy funding and infrastructure through low-interest loans for nonprofits.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentContinues conservation loan program providing low-interest loans to nonprofits for environmental protection, maintaining funding for conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 599: On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program - Established

SB 599 establishes two grant programs to reduce wasted food and promote organics recycling. The On-Farm Organics Diversion Grant Program (starting July 2028) provides funding for farmers, urban agricultural producers, nonprofits, and businesses to develop composting, food rescue, and wasted food prevention projects on farms. The Wasted Food Reduction Grant Program (under the Environment Department) funds infrastructure, education, and community projects statewide to redirect edible food, recover waste for animal feed, and create compost. Eligible projects must reduce food waste, support community needs, prioritize underserved areas, and create jobs with fair wages. The bill specifically prioritizes projects that minimize contamination in compost and meet U.S. composting standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state-funded grant programs (2028 start) for food waste reduction, directly allocating government funds for environmental programs under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes grant programs to reduce food waste and promote organics recycling, directly advancing environmental protection through waste diversion and composting initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1196: Environment - Water Quality Testing - Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels Action Plan

HB 1196 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to establish a mobile home park water quality testing program by January 1, 2027. The program mandates testing 25% of parks by 2028, 50% by 2029, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2031, prioritizing parks with ≥40% minority residents, known contamination areas, or resident complaints. Park owners must take corrective actions if water quality issues are found, and the Department must notify residents and develop a statewide action plan. This directly affects mobile home park owners, residents, and the Department of the Environment through mandated testing, reporting, and remediation requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water quality testing in mobile home parks with corrective actions, prioritizing vulnerable communities and contamination areas to protect public health and environmental standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires water quality testing in mobile home parks (a housing type), prioritizing minority-majority parks, ensuring safe living conditions for tenants.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 833: Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland - Reestablishment

HB 833 reestablishes Maryland's Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety with updated membership and a focused mandate. The commission, composed of 27+ members including state agencies, fire departments, battery manufacturers, recyclers, and industry representatives, will study key safety issues like preventing fires in consumer/transportation applications, recycling standards, port/rail risks, and insurance impacts. It must submit an interim report by December 1, 2026, with recommendations on best practices, training, and regulatory approaches. This bill directly affects state agencies, first responders, and industries handling lithium-ion batteries, but does not enact new laws - only directs the commission to study and advise.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in renewable energy storage and EVs, supporting clean energy infrastructure adoption through mandatory safety studies and recycling standards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFocus on battery recycling standards and safety prevents pollution, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates commission to study lithium-ion battery safety in transportation applications, including fire prevention in vehicles/transit systems, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 925: Sewage Sludge - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation

HB 925 establishes limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sewage sludge applied to land, prohibiting use if PFAS levels exceed specific thresholds after a set date. It directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users discharging PFAS, and local jurisdictions managing sludge. Key provisions include mandatory PFAS monitoring in sludge, requirements for industrial pretreatment standards when PFAS levels exceed action levels, and rules allowing limited blending of sludge from multiple sources. The bill also authorizes local fees for industrial dischargers and updates regulations for safe land application practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes PFAS limits in sewage sludge, mandates monitoring, and prohibits high-level use, directly reducing environmental pollution from toxic chemicals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 719: Sewage Sludge - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation

SB 719 restricts the land application of sewage sludge containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above specific concentration levels, effective after a set date. It requires monitoring for PFAS in sewage sludge and products containing it, authorizes stricter pretreatment rules for industrial users discharging PFAS, and allows local jurisdictions to set fees for such discharges. The bill directly affects sewage sludge generators (like wastewater treatment facilities), industrial users, and local regulators by mandating new PFAS testing, usage limits, and fee structures. It amends Maryland’s environmental code to establish these requirements without changing existing land application rules for sludge below the new PFAS thresholds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts PFAS in sewage sludge, mandates monitoring, and enforces stricter industrial discharge rules to reduce environmental pollution and strengthen protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill restricts PFAS in sewage sludge to prevent environmental contamination linked to health risks (e.g., cancer, immune issues), directly supporting public health protection under healthcare policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 784: Aquaculture - Placement of Shellfish, Bags, Nets, and Structures on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - Extension

HB 784 extends the authorization period for aquaculture leaseholders in Maryland to place shellfish, bags, nets, and structures on submerged aquatic vegetation, requiring prior written approval from the Department of Natural Resources. It changes the expiration date from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2030, extending the authorization by 3 years and 1 month. The bill specifies that the Department must allow water column leases to use at least 10% of vegetation areas and prohibits dredge harvesting in vegetation zones. This directly affects commercial shellfish aquaculture operators holding leases in Maryland waters. The change maintains existing restrictions while prolonging the current regulatory framework.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits dredge harvesting on submerged vegetation and requires DNR approval, protecting SAV ecosystems per bill's requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 250: Environment - Appropriation or Use of Water and Dam Safety - Enforcement

HB 250 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and dam operators who breach these regulations. Key provisions include setting penalties up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), requiring consideration of factors like environmental harm and willfulness, and mandating that collected penalties fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund (except for dam safety cases, which go to a repair fund). The bill also streamlines enforcement by allowing the Department to issue immediate corrective orders and hold expedited hearings for urgent threats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates penalties fund Maryland Clean Water Fund, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator for support stance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes penalties for water/wetlands violations, funds clean water initiatives, strengthens enforcement of environmental regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 35: Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees

HB 35 authorizes Maryland counties and municipalities to create local rules regulating Tree of Heaven (an invasive species), directly affecting property owners and local governments. The bill allows communities to ban the sale, planting, or growth of Tree of Heaven on private property, and requires property owners to remove it. Local governments may also establish cash reward programs to incentivize removal, and enforce rules through civil fines or requiring damage mitigation. This bill provides concrete tools for local management of the invasive tree without mandating statewide action.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates invasive Tree of Heaven to protect native ecosystems, aligning with conservation and pollution control through mandatory removal and local enforcement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment