Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 728: State Procurement - Exceptions - Historic Preservation Services

HB 728 creates an exception to standard state procurement rules for specific Maryland departments (including the Department of General Services, Housing and Community Development, Planning, and Transportation) when contracting with nonprofits for historic preservation, archaeology, or conservation projects. The bill requires these contracts to include three key provisions: transparent competitive procurement of subcontracted work, annual reports on project outcomes and spending, and efforts to maximize community engagement. This exception applies only to the listed departments and services, leaving most other state procurement processes unchanged. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly enables conservation projects through procurement exceptions, requiring contracts for conservation efforts and mandating transparency/reporting on outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

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

HB 437: Transportation - Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026)

HB 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million. These assessments must evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, and the department must develop a multimodal transportation program (including transit, biking, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions from the project. The program must prioritize overburdened and underserved communities affected by the project, aiming for net-zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions when combined with the highway project. This applies to projects not already funded or reviewed before June 30, 2026, and affects highway planning decisions across the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires emissions assessments and multimodal programs to offset highway projects, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing climate-aligned transportation infrastructure85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires GHG assessments and multimodal programs to offset emissions from highway projects, directly advancing climate goals and reducing transportation-related pollution.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates emissions assessments for highway expansions and requires multimodal programs (transit/biking/pedestrian) to offset impacts, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 258: Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Standards and Procedures

HB 258 updates Maryland's rules for development near the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. It requires local governments to conduct 10-year reviews of their critical area programs, sets specific location rules for new development (like maintaining 300-foot buffers from tidal wetlands), and mandates climate vulnerability assessments for projects. The bill also clarifies procedures for correcting mapping errors and updating tree replanting requirements. These changes directly affect 12 coastal Maryland counties (including Calvert and Talbot) that manage local development plans under the program. The law aims to strengthen protections for bay ecosystems through clearer, updated standards for land use decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 300-foot wetland buffers, mandates climate vulnerability assessments, and updates tree replanting - directly strengthens coastal protection and environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 654: Natural Resources - Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - Funding and Grants

HB 654 modifies funding rules for Maryland's Heritage Areas Authority, directly affecting local jurisdictions and entities managing certified heritage areas. It removes previous 50% limits on grant coverage for project costs (allowing full funding for eligible activities like preservation and marketing) and adjusts how Program Open Space funds are used. Specifically, it increases the allowable percentage for operating expenses from 10% to 7% or $600,000 (whichever is greater), and raises the maximum funding transfer to the Authority's Financing Fund. These changes aim to provide greater flexibility for heritage area management while maintaining oversight of fund usage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves 50% grant limit, allowing full funding for heritage preservation/marketing, and increases operating expense allowances, directly expanding public spending on cultural programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves 50% grant cap for preservation activities in heritage areas, enabling full funding for conservation projects under Maryland's Heritage Areas Authority.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 629: Maryland Energy Administration - Study on Land-Based Wind Energy

HB 629 requires the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to study the potential for land-based wind energy generation across Maryland. The study must assess the state's total wind energy potential, identify specific locations for generation, and examine successful mitigation strategies used elsewhere to resolve conflicts between wind turbines and military radar systems. The MEA may use funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to conduct the study, with findings due to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This bill does not create new regulations but mandates a factual analysis to inform future decisions about wind energy development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates study of land-based wind energy potential and mitigation strategies, enabling future renewable energy development using Strategic Energy Investment Fund.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of land-based wind energy potential, a clean energy source, to assess deployment opportunities and mitigation strategies, promoting renewable energy development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 701: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)

HB 701 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations protecting "qualified vernal pools" - seasonal water bodies that support species like wood frogs but don’t meet federal wetland criteria. The bill mandates the department to identify these pools, establish protective buffers around them, and require developers to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts during projects. It directly affects landowners and developers planning construction or land-disturbing activities near these pools. The law aligns buffer and mitigation rules with existing protections for nontidal wetlands, ensuring consistent regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates regulations protecting vernal pools through identification, buffers, and developer mitigation requirements, directly advancing environmental conservation of natural resources.95% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 320: Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program

HB 320 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County landowners who sell development rights under the Rural Legacy Program. It allows the county to grant a credit against the county property tax for real property located in a designated Rural Legacy Area (as defined in Maryland’s Natural Resources Article) where the owner has sold development rights. This directly affects rural landowners participating in the Rural Legacy Program who choose to restrict future development on their land. The credit replaces an existing provision and becomes effective for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit for rural landowners, reducing their tax burden under the Rural Legacy Program, directly providing tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes land conservation via tax credits for selling development rights under Rural Legacy Program, directly preserving natural resources and open space per Maryland's Natural Resources Article.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 572: Attorney General Actions and Climate Crimes Accountability Fund (Climate Crimes Accountability Act)

HB 572 authorizes Maryland’s Attorney General to sue large fossil fuel companies (with over $1 billion in market capitalization involved in extracting or processing coal, oil, or gas) for unlawful conduct contributing to climate change, including fraud or deception. It creates the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund, financed by settlements or judgments from these lawsuits, to pay for programs addressing specific climate harms like flooding, extreme heat, drought, and waterborne pathogens. The fund is a special, non-lapsing account managed by the state, with interest earnings automatically added to it. All money must directly support climate harm prevention, mitigation, or repair efforts as defined in the bill.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergySues fossil fuel companies for climate harm, funds adaptation programs. Reduces fossil fuel influence, aligns with climate action goals to address energy-related climate impacts.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes AG to sue fossil fuel companies for climate-related fraud and funds climate harm mitigation programs like flooding/heat response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Climate Change

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 368: Calvert and St. Mary's Counties - Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures

SB 368 requires property owners in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties to use "living shorelines" or other nonstructural erosion control methods (like marsh creation, native plants, or oyster reefs) instead of hard structures for shoreline stabilization. It exempts these counties from standard requirements for nonstructural measures and creates a waiver process for property owners who can prove such methods are unfeasible due to factors like severe erosion or narrow shorelines. The bill defines "living shorelines" as projects using natural materials to absorb storm energy, restore habitat, and minimize erosion, while avoiding hard structures where possible. This policy change directly affects landowners near water in these two counties, prioritizing ecological solutions for coastal protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires natural erosion control (living shorelines) instead of hard structures, protecting habitats and reducing environmental harm per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 429: Maryland Energy Administration - Study on Land-Based Wind Energy

SB 429 requires the Maryland Energy Administration to study the potential for land-based wind energy generation in Maryland. The study must assess total wind energy potential, identify suitable locations, examine successful mitigation solutions for conflicts with military radar systems (like ADAMS), and evaluate their applicability in Maryland. The Administration may use funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to conduct the study and must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the Maryland Energy Administration and sets a framework for future policy decisions on wind energy development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates study on land-based wind energy potential, assessing development opportunities and mitigation strategies, advancing renewable energy planning and infrastructure assessment.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of land-based wind energy (clean energy source) using Strategic Energy Investment Fund, advancing renewable energy development and environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

Track