Environment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 613: Department of the Environment - Waivers for Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures - Regulations and Scoring System

HB 613 requires property owners in Calvert and St. Mary's Counties to use natural erosion control methods (like marsh creation, native plants, and oyster reefs) instead of hard structures (such as seawalls) for shoreline stabilization. It exempts these counties from general state requirements for nonstructural measures and creates a new waiver process where owners must demonstrate to the Department of Natural Resources that natural methods are not feasible due to factors like extreme erosion or narrow shorelines. The bill defines "living shorelines" as projects using natural materials and ecological principles to absorb wave energy and restore habitats, while still allowing structural measures in specific high-energy areas. This directly affects property owners along navigable waters in those two counties, changing how they must address shoreline erosion.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates natural erosion control methods (marshes, native plants, oyster reefs) over hard structures, promoting ecosystem-based shoreline protection and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 371: Water Pollution Control - Discharge Permits - Animal Feeding Operations

This bill removes a requirement that livestock operations must obtain a water pollution permit from Maryland's Department of the Environment before beginning construction on new facilities. It directly affects new concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Maryland by eliminating the pre-construction permit step. The change means CAFO operators can start building without first securing a permit, though permits remain required for operating the facilities after construction is complete. The bill does not alter existing permit requirements for operational discharges.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves pre-construction water pollution permit requirement for CAFOs, weakening environmental protections and deregulating pollution control standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 342: Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program

SB 342 establishes Maryland's Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program, requiring beverage producers to register with the state, pay fees, and include refund values in product prices. It mandates that containers display refund information, retailers show refund amounts on receipts, and creates a producer-led stewardship group to manage recycling. The program funds water refill stations through a new grant initiative and sets recycling targets to reduce litter and pollution from beverage containers. This directly affects beverage manufacturers, retailers, and communities by changing how containers are sold, priced, and recycled.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes recycling program to reduce litter/pollution, sets recycling targets, funds water refill stations, and mandates producer fees for environmental protection per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 395: Water Pollution Control - Discharge Permits - Animal Feeding Operations

HB 395 repeals a requirement that new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) must obtain a general discharge permit from Maryland's Department of the Environment before beginning construction. This directly affects developers and operators planning new CAFO facilities by removing a pre-construction permitting step. The bill modifies Maryland's Environment Article by deleting Section 9-323(a)(2), which previously mandated this permit for new CAFO construction. The change only applies to the construction phase, not to operating permits or existing CAFOs.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill repeals requirement for new CAFOs to obtain discharge permit before construction, removing regulatory barrier for water pollution control. Weakens environmental protections by deregulating CAFO operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 178: Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Standards and Procedures

Maryland's SB 178 updates rules for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program, affecting local governments in 12 coastal counties (including Calvert, Anne Arundel, and Worcester). The bill requires local programs to undergo comprehensive reviews every 10 years instead of 6, mandates new development to be adjacent to existing areas, and adds climate vulnerability assessments for new projects near protected waterways. It clarifies procedures for correcting mapping errors and establishes specific standards to minimize development impacts on habitat protection areas and water quality. The changes aim to strengthen environmental safeguards while providing clearer guidelines for local jurisdictions managing growth near sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds climate vulnerability assessments for projects near waterways and restricts new development to adjacent areas, strengthening coastal protection and climate resilience under the Critical Area Program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 431: Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats, and Takings

SB 431 updates Maryland's rules for protecting endangered and threatened species and migratory birds. The bill requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and update species protection regulations by July 1, 2033, and every 10 years after that. It defines "harm" to include significant habitat changes that affect fish behavior, and clarifies that "take" means actions like hunting, trapping, or collecting. The bill also requires more detailed information in petitions to remove species from protection lists and allows for designating essential habitats for threatened species. These changes aim to strengthen species protection with clearer regulatory standards for state agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates species protection regulations, defines 'harm' broadly to include habitat changes, and requires detailed petitions for delisting - strengthening conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 164: State Buildings and State Highways - Collection and Disposal of Yard Waste

HB 164 establishes new rules for handling yard waste collected on state-owned buildings and highways in Maryland. It requires workers to collect waste in reusable containers or compostable paper bags (not single-use plastic) and mandates disposal at specific facilities like organics recycling centers, natural wood recycling facilities, or state sites that create mulch. The bill applies to anyone employed to manage yard waste on state properties, excluding noxious weeds or invasive species. These requirements take effect October 1, 2026, aiming to improve waste management practices for state grounds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates compostable containers and organics recycling facilities to reduce plastic waste and promote resource conservation in state property waste management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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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 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 674: Public Service Commission - Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation

HB 674 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to analyze the full costs and benefits of different electricity generation sources for ratepayers. The commission must compare three scenarios: current natural gas and nuclear capacity, 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind plus storage, and calculate additional reliability costs for wind energy. Using the Levelized Full System Cost model, the analysis will identify the lowest-cost options and recommend policy changes to support them. The commission must submit findings to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2027, with the bill taking effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects electricity ratepayers through potential cost comparisons for state energy choices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates analysis comparing offshore wind (8,500 MW) against current sources, using cost model to identify lowest-cost options and recommend policies supporting renewable energy integration.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates analysis prioritizing offshore wind (clean energy) over natural gas, requiring policy recommendations to support lowest-cost renewable options and reduce emissions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Utility Regulation Wind

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

HB 183: Vehicle Laws - Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program - Repeal

HB 183 would end Maryland's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program by removing all related provisions from state law, including sections governing emissions testing and inspections. This repeal directly affects most Maryland vehicle owners, eliminating the requirement for biennial emissions tests and equipment inspections for vehicles from the 1977 model year onward. The bill specifically targets the code sections that established the program, including rules for testing schedules, waivers for repair costs, and exemptions for certain hybrid vehicles. If enacted, it would remove the state's mandatory emissions inspection requirement, which currently applies to most registered vehicles in Maryland.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepealing mandatory emissions inspections removes a key pollution control measure, weakening environmental protections and deregulating vehicle emissions standards.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals emissions inspection program, eliminating a transportation regulatory requirement under vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Vehicle Registration

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