Environment

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 203: Environment - Lead Paint Abatement Services - Performance Bond and Liability Insurance

SB 203 requires accredited lead paint abatement service providers in Maryland to maintain a reasonable performance bond or liability insurance policy. This applies to any person accredited by the Department of the Environment to conduct lead paint hazard removal, containment, or renovation work in buildings constructed before 1978. The law amends existing regulations to mandate this financial protection, ensuring providers can cover costs if services fail to meet standards. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all accredited professionals performing lead abatement work.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates financial safeguards for lead paint abatement providers to prevent environmental health hazards, ensuring accountability for pollution control in pre-1978 buildings.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 434: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Uses - Cooperative Housing Corporations and Condominiums (Co-Op and Condo Energy Refund Equity Act)

SB 434 ensures cooperative housing corporations and condominium owners in Maryland receive energy cost refunds directly through their governing bodies (boards or associations), rather than as individual customer credits. The bill requires electric companies to issue refunds to these governing bodies, which then distribute funds to individual members, mirroring how refunds are handled for other residential customers. These refunds, funded by compliance fees in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund, are distributed equally between peak summer and winter months for fiscal year 2027. The policy applies to members who did not receive prior refunds under 2025 legislation and operates in addition to existing energy relief programs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnsures equitable energy cost refunds for co-op/condo residents via governing bodies, aligning with utility consumer protection in energy efficiency funding.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables co-op/condo energy efficiency investments via Strategic Energy Fund refunds, promoting cleaner energy use and reducing emissions through streamlined distribution.85% confidence

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 165: Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Implementation Dates

This bill requires landlords and property sellers in Maryland to ensure septic systems are inspected and pumped by licensed professionals before new tenants move in or property is sold. Landlords must comply by July 1, 2028, and inspections/pumping are valid for three years. Home sellers must include this requirement in real estate contracts starting July 1, 2028, with settlement delayed until proof of inspection and pumping is provided. Exceptions apply for transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. Property owners must also report failing systems to local health departments and confirm repairs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates septic inspections/pumping to prevent groundwater contamination, directly reducing pollution and protecting natural resources per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 112: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends agricultural tax assessment eligibility for solar-farming land, providing tax relief to qualifying landowners and developers under Maryland's property tax program.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends deadline for community solar tax benefits and clarifies agrivoltaics eligibility under agricultural assessment, directly advancing renewable energy development and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax incentives for community solar (agrivoltaics), promoting clean energy adoption and renewable infrastructure under agricultural assessment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Solar Utility Regulation

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 386: Electricity Transmission and Distribution, Energy Storage, and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026)

SB 386 (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026) requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (over 69,000 volts) in Maryland to join a regional transmission organization. It mandates that applicants seeking permits for new transmission lines must include alternative proposals using advanced transmission technologies and compare their cost-effectiveness. The bill creates a new Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration and directs funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential customers. These changes aim to modernize transmission infrastructure, promote technology adoption, and reduce costs for Maryland ratepayers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program, mandates advanced transmission tech for renewables, and aims to lower consumer costs through regional grid management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program promoting clean energy infrastructure and advanced transmission tech, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Transmission

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 734: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends agricultural tax assessment for solar projects, lowering property taxes for qualifying landowners by maintaining reduced tax rates under agricultural classification.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends tax incentives for community solar projects, lowering costs for developers and promoting renewable energy adoption through agricultural tax assessment benefits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax incentives for community solar projects, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's focus on qualifying solar systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Solar Utility Regulation

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

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 220: Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

HB 220 requires apartment buildings with multiple units to install individual water meters for each dwelling unit, replacing bulk meters. It prohibits landlords from charging tenants for leaks they caused, common-area usage, or maintenance costs, and mandates that charges reflect actual water use. Tenants gain the right to inspect leak detection monitors and review billing records, while unpaid water bills cannot be used to evict tenants for nonpayment. The bill also establishes a complaint process for tenants to address billing disputes with local housing authorities or consumer protection offices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates individual water meters to ensure tenants pay for actual usage, promoting conservation of water resources.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires individual meters, prohibits unfair water charges, prevents eviction for unpaid water bills, and grants tenant billing inspection rights - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Tenant Rights

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 266: Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees

SB 266 authorizes Maryland counties and municipalities to adopt local ordinances regulating the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a nonnative tree that spreads aggressively and harms native ecosystems. The bill allows local governments to ban selling, planting, or allowing the tree to grow on property, require containment if it's present, and impose civil fines for violations. It also permits communities to create bounty programs incentivizing residents to remove the tree. This directly affects property owners who may have the tree and local governments seeking to manage its spread.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates invasive Tree of Heaven to protect native ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through local enforcement and removal incentives.90% confidence

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 146: Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping Services and Implementation Dates

HB 146 requires landlords of properties with on-site wastewater systems (like septic systems) to ensure the system is inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before each new tenant moves in, starting July 1, 2028. It also mandates that real estate sales contracts for such properties include a condition requiring the buyer to confirm the system has been inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before closing. The law allows inspections and pumping services to remain valid for three years and requires property owners to notify authorities if a system fails. Exemptions include transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. The bill sets deadlines for the state to adopt regulations (by 2027) and license service providers (by 2028).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires inspections/pumping of septic systems to prevent pollution, aligning with environmental protection goals by ensuring proper wastewater management.95% confidence

Track