Environment (Conservation)

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1071: Environment - Stormwater Management for Agritourism

HB 1071 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to create regulations and a model ordinance for local stormwater management programs to enforce rules on agricultural land. It mandates that local programs must work with soil conservation districts to implement these rules and specifies that farm-related uses (like on-farm processing) must be clearly distinguished from commercial development in stormwater regulations. The bill also adds flexibility for enforcing stormwater management on agricultural land, rather than applying standard commercial development rules. This directly affects farmers, local governments, and soil conservation districts by changing how agricultural land is regulated under stormwater management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires stormwater regulations on agricultural land to reduce pollution, mandates coordination with soil conservation districts, and distinguishes farm uses from commercial development to protect water quality.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Tags Agriculture

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 424: State Transfer Tax - Land Preservation Special Fund - Revenue Allocation

SB 424 repeals a requirement that specific amounts from Maryland's Land Preservation Special Fund must be allocated to the General Fund for certain fiscal years (2002-2005). The bill modifies how remaining fund balances are distributed, shifting allocations away from mandatory General Fund transfers toward land preservation programs. Key provisions direct 75.15% to Program Open Space land acquisition, 17.05% to the Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, 5% to the Rural Legacy Program, and 1.8% to the Heritage Conservation Fund. This change affects state funding for conservation efforts and land preservation initiatives managed under Maryland's Natural Resources Article.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 75.15% of fund balances to land preservation programs instead of mandatory General Fund transfers, advancing specific environmental funding priorities within budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects 75.15% to land acquisition, 17.05% to agricultural preservation, and 5% to rural legacy programs - directly funding conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Conservation

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

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

Track

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

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

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

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 578: Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats, and Takings

HB 578 requires Maryland's Secretary of Natural Resources to review and update regulations for endangered and threatened species by July 1, 2033, and every 10 years thereafter. It clarifies definitions like "foreseeable future" for species assessments and expands "harm" to include significant habitat degradation that affects breeding or feeding. The bill mandates delisting species under specific conditions and specifies required details for petitions to remove species from protected lists. These changes directly affect wildlife managers, landowners, and conservation efforts by strengthening habitat protections and streamlining species listing processes under Maryland law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates updated regulations, expands habitat protection definitions, and clarifies delisting criteria to strengthen endangered species protections under environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife