Environment

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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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 723: Electric Companies - Cost Containment Plans - Requirement (Securing Affordable, Valuable Investments in Next Generation Grid Solutions (SAVINGS) Act)

HB 723 requires Maryland electric companies to submit cost containment plans to the Public Service Commission by January 1, 2027, and every three years thereafter. These plans must detail strategies to reduce peak electricity demand through specific mechanisms, including "nonwires solutions" (like distributed energy resources and grid-enhancing technologies), demand flexibility programs, and grid flexibility-enabled building electrification. The bill mandates that plans avoid or minimize capital spending on infrastructure while improving system reliability and efficiency. This directly affects all electric distribution and transmission companies operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates cost containment plans using distributed energy resources, grid-enhancing tech, and demand flexibility to reduce peak demand, directly advancing renewable integration and grid efficiency per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates nonwires solutions (distributed energy, grid tech) and building electrification, reducing emissions and advancing clean energy transition.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires electric companies to use grid-enhancing technologies and distributed energy resources in cost containment plans, directly advancing energy technology solutions per bill language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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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

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Climate Change Conservation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 196: Public Health - Baby Food Testing and Labeling - Requirements

HB 196 amends Maryland's definition of "baby food" to explicitly include infant formula and infant cereal (previously excluded), directly affecting baby food manufacturers in the state. The bill requires manufacturers to test each production batch of baby food for toxic metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) starting January 1, 2025, using accredited labs at least monthly. Beginning January 1, 2026, manufacturers must publicly post test results online for each product and include QR codes on labels linking to FDA information about metal testing and health effects. The law aims to increase transparency and safety for infants under age 2 by aligning testing requirements with FDA standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates testing baby food for environmental pollutants (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), directly reducing toxic metal exposure and strengthening pollution control in consumer products.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires toxic metal testing in baby food (infant formula/cereal) to protect infant health, directly advancing public health safety standards under Maryland's Public Health framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

HB 119: Energy Performance Contracts - Navigators, Funding, and Requirements

HB 119 requires public bodies (including state agencies, counties, schools, and hospitals) to work with designated "navigators" when creating energy performance contracts - agreements where a company improves building energy efficiency in exchange for a share of savings. The Maryland Clean Energy Center must hire or contract with navigators in all Maryland regions using $1.5 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, providing assistance with grant applications, energy assessments, and navigating the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Program. Navigators help public bodies secure funding, review energy efficiency measures, and ensure compliance with reporting requirements for these contracts. The bill also updates state law to establish the navigator program and adjust funding mechanisms for energy efficiency initiatives.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds navigators via Strategic Energy Investment Fund to improve building efficiency through performance contracts, directly advancing energy efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires public bodies to use energy efficiency contracts with navigators funded by clean energy investments, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Conservation

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 257: Environment - Flood-Related Watershed Studies and Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program

HB 257 requires Maryland counties and municipalities (referred to as "subdivisions") to conduct flood-related watershed studies for designated priority watersheds by 2028, with updates every five years. The bill mandates these studies to map flooding risks for 10-, 25-, 100-, 500-, and 1,000-year flood events under current and future development, precipitation, and sea level rise scenarios. It establishes a grant program allowing the Department of the Environment to fund these studies, with specific limits on grant amounts. The studies must evaluate impacts on existing structures, roads, and stormwater systems, and propose flood-reduction strategies to guide future development and infrastructure planning.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates flood risk studies under climate scenarios and funds watershed studies to strengthen climate adaptation planning, directly advancing environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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