Environment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 164: Natural Resources - Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program - Alterations

SB 164 amends Maryland's Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program to explicitly prioritize advancing forest health and resilience through the promotion and maintenance of native trees and shrubs. The bill directly affects the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (which administers the program), public land managers, community spaces, school grounds, and rights-of-way where tree planting occurs. Key provisions change the program's stated purpose in state law to require native species for all planting and maintenance efforts on public lands. This policy shift focuses on using locally adapted plants to strengthen ecosystems rather than non-native species. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, pending final legislative approval.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates native species for forest health/resilience, directly advancing conservation and ecosystem protection per bill's explicit purpose change.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 87: Income Tax - Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

HB 87 creates a Maryland income tax credit allowing homeowners to claim up to 30% of costs for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements, capped at $3,200 annually. It covers specific items like home energy audits ($150 limit), exterior windows ($600 total), doors ($500 total), heat pumps, and biomass stoves ($2,000 limit), all applied to the primary residence. The credit excludes improvements paid for with subsidized energy financing and requires documentation for verification. This policy takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements, providing tax relief to homeowners. Aligns with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax credit for energy-efficient home upgrades, promoting renewable energy adoption and efficiency improvements like heat pumps and biomass stoves.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax credit for energy-efficient home upgrades (heat pumps, windows, etc.), directly promoting reduced energy consumption and lower emissions per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Energy Efficiency

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 517: Emission Standards, Ambient Air Quality Standards, and Solid Waste Management - Local Authority

HB 517 clarifies that counties and cities in Maryland can adopt stricter local emission standards or air quality rules than state or federal levels, provided their standards are equally or more stringent. It also confirms local governments retain authority to regulate solid waste management systems without being limited by certain state provisions. The bill requires the Department of the Environment to publish clear information about this local authority on its website by October 1, 2026. This law directly affects local governments seeking to implement more protective environmental regulations within their jurisdictions. It does not change existing state standards but removes ambiguity about local regulatory power.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables local stricter emission standards, aligning with cleaner energy policies by promoting reduced emissions from energy production and infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables stricter local emission/air quality standards beyond state/federal levels, strengthening environmental protections and confirming local waste management authority.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllows stricter local vehicle emission standards, advancing sustainable transportation policies under vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Waste Management

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 460: Solar Energy - Construction of Generating Stations in Priority Preservation Areas and Study

HB 460 limits solar energy generating station construction in Maryland's priority preservation areas (protected lands established before 2025) to 2% of the total acreage, down from a previous 5% cap. It requires counties to report when this 2% limit is reached and prohibits local zoning laws from blocking solar projects meeting specific criteria. The bill also mandates the Maryland Department of the Environment to study the environmental impact of disposing of solar panels at end-of-life and report findings by September 2027. This directly affects counties, developers, and landowners in priority preservation areas by restricting solar development space and creating new reporting requirements. The policy change aims to balance renewable energy growth with conservation of sensitive lands.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces solar construction cap from 5% to 2% in protected areas, restricting renewable energy development despite allowing some projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces solar construction cap in protected lands from 5% to 2%, strengthening environmental protection of priority preservation areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Conservation

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 647: Power Plant Research Program - Study on Nuclear Energy

HB 647 requires Maryland's Power Plant Research Program to study whether nuclear energy qualifies as a renewable resource and could help combat climate change. The study must evaluate current nuclear energy use in Maryland, identify environmental benefits, assess barriers to new nuclear projects, identify potential construction sites, and examine adding nuclear energy to the state's renewable energy goals. The program must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by September 30, 2027. This bill directly affects the Power Plant Research Program and informs future energy policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies nuclear energy's potential as renewable resource and inclusion in state renewable goals, directly advancing renewable energy policy exploration per topic indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of nuclear energy's environmental benefits and climate impact, evaluating its potential to combat climate change and align with renewable energy goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 245: Maryland Energy Administration - Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund

This bill transfers administration of the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program from the Maryland Energy Administration to the Maryland Clean Energy Center. It removes the Energy Administration's authority to regulate the program and modifies reporting requirements for the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. The program provides loans for energy efficiency improvements to eligible businesses, local governments, and nonprofits. The bill reorganizes related sections in state law to reflect this administrative change.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers program administration to Clean Energy Center to fund energy efficiency loans for businesses/govts/nonprofits, advancing conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 161: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

HB 161 creates a property tax credit for property owners who convert former gas stations (retail service stations) to new uses like retail stores, homes, or mixed residential-retail spaces. Local governments (counties or cities) can grant this credit to offset property taxes, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost tax revenue. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up contamination. This applies to properties converted after June 30, 2026, and affects property owners making such conversions in Maryland jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit with state reimbursement (50% of lost revenue), providing targeted tax relief for redevelopment cleanup costs while managing state budget impact.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds cleanup of gas station contamination (removing underground tanks), directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables housing development by offsetting cleanup costs for gas station conversions to residential/mixed uses, facilitating redevelopment of underutilized properties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 166: Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card

SB 166 authorizes Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to suspend or revoke shellfish aquaculture harvest permits or registration cards for specific violations, directly affecting commercial shellfish harvesters. Key violations include harvesting in closed areas, exceeding time restrictions for oyster harvesting, or harvesting without proper authorization. For a first violation, permits may be suspended for up to 5 years; repeat violations result in permanent revocation. The bill also prohibits anyone with a suspended or revoked permit from working in any aquaculture activity during the penalty period. This legislation takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces penalties for violations harming shellfish habitats, directly protecting natural resources through permit restrictions and conservation-focused enforcement.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 79: Climate Solutions Affordability Act of 2026

HB 79, the Climate Solutions Affordability Act of 2026, modifies Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act to require certain climate measures "to the extent economically practicable." It mandates building owners to annually measure and report emissions data starting in 2025, with goals of a 20% emissions reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040 for covered buildings. The bill also requires school districts to transition to zero-emission school buses for new contracts starting in 2025, with limited exceptions, and includes prevailing wage requirements for contractors on utility projects. These provisions directly affect building owners, school districts, and utility contractors, focusing on measurable emissions reductions without mandating unaffordable actions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates emissions reductions, zero-emission school buses, and net-zero goals by 2040, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates emissions reporting, 20% reduction by 2030, net-zero by 2040, and zero-emission school buses - clearly advances environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates zero-emission school buses for new contracts, directly promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and vehicle emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 91: Agriculture - Neonicotinoid Pesticides - Prohibitions

HB 91 prohibits the sale, distribution, or use of corn, soybean, and wheat seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides (like imidacloprid or thiamethoxam), and bans neonicotinoid use on outdoor ornamental plants and turf. It directly affects farmers, seed sellers, and landscapers who currently use these pesticides. The Secretary of Agriculture may temporarily suspend these prohibitions for up to one year if an environmental emergency exists and no safer alternatives are available, with a requirement to re-evaluate annually. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits neonicotinoids linked to pollinator decline, directly protecting ecosystems and aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

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