Environment (Water Quality)

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

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 225: Environment - Interjurisdictional Watersheds - Flood Management

SB 225 designates specific watersheds - including Gwynns Falls, Jones Falls, Herring Run (covering Baltimore City and Baltimore County), and the Patapsco River (spanning Baltimore, Howard, Carroll, Anne Arundel, and Frederick counties) - as "interjurisdictional flood hazard watersheds" requiring coordinated flood management planning across municipal and county boundaries. It mandates that local subdivisions develop unified flood management plans for these areas, which must be reviewed and approved by Maryland’s Department of the Environment to ensure consistency with flood control standards. The bill specifies that management techniques (like dams, levees, zoning, and stormwater systems) must be included in these plans, with disapproval limited to flood management concerns only. This policy change aims to streamline flood planning for watersheds crossing jurisdictional lines, taking effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates unified flood management plans for designated watersheds, promoting coordinated environmental protection across jurisdictions to prevent fragmentation and protect water resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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

HB 92: Environment - Beverage Containers Connected With Plastic Rings - Restriction on Sale

HB 92 prohibits the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of beverage containers (like 6-packs of soda or beer) connected by plastic rings unless the ring is made of biodegradable material. It directly affects retailers and beverage sellers who currently use non-biodegradable plastic rings. The bill establishes civil penalties of $500 for a first violation (increasing to $2,000 for repeat offenses) and requires the Department to adopt enforcement regulations. Penalties collected under this law will fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund, with enforcement handled by the Department rather than local governments. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits non-biodegradable plastic rings, reducing marine pollution and promoting biodegradable alternatives, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Water Quality

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 58: Property Tax Credit - Retail Service Station Conversions

SB 58 allows Baltimore City or Maryland counties to offer property tax credits to owners who convert former gas stations into retail, residential, or mixed-use properties. The credit is specifically intended to help cover costs for removing old underground gas tanks and cleaning up soil or water contamination from those tanks. Local governments can set the credit amount and duration, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the lost property tax revenue. This directly affects property owners and developers planning to redevelop former gas station sites into other commercial or housing uses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows property tax credits for cleanup with 50% state reimbursement, supporting fiscal management through targeted tax relief without net budget loss.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly funds cleanup of soil/water contamination from gas station tanks, advancing pollution remediation and environmental protection.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes residential redevelopment of underutilized gas stations via property tax credits, removing cleanup cost barriers to increase housing supply and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Credits Water Quality Property Taxes

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 108: Environment - Water Resources and Wetlands - Enforcement

SB 108 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands development rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and local governments that fail to comply with environmental regulations. Key provisions allow the department to levy fines up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), considering factors like environmental harm and willfulness, with penalties paid into the Maryland Clean Water Fund (or Private Dam Repair Fund for dam-related issues). The bill replaces some court-based enforcement with direct administrative penalties, streamlining enforcement while requiring department consultation before suing local governments.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes penalties for environmental violations, strengthening enforcement of water/wetlands regulations through fines for non-compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 250: Environment - Appropriation or Use of Water and Dam Safety - Enforcement

HB 250 authorizes Maryland's Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for violations of water appropriation, dam safety, and wetlands rules. It directly affects businesses, developers, and dam operators who breach these regulations. Key provisions include setting penalties up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total), requiring consideration of factors like environmental harm and willfulness, and mandating that collected penalties fund the Maryland Clean Water Fund (except for dam safety cases, which go to a repair fund). The bill also streamlines enforcement by allowing the Department to issue immediate corrective orders and hold expedited hearings for urgent threats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates penalties fund Maryland Clean Water Fund, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator for support stance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes penalties for water/wetlands violations, funds clean water initiatives, strengthens enforcement of environmental regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Water Quality

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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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

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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