SB 479 adds specific exemptions to Maryland's building energy performance standards, allowing certain covered buildings to avoid compliance requirements. The bill exempts historic properties, public/private schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural buildings from energy use intensity targets. It also includes exceptions for critical infrastructure, military buildings, and facilities with specialized needs like health care sterilization or emergency power. These exemptions apply until a specified future occurrence (not detailed in the bill text). The bill modifies existing law to clarify which building types are excluded from the state's energy efficiency mandates.
SB 106 would repeal Maryland's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program, ending the requirement for biennial emissions tests and equipment inspections for most vehicles. This directly affects Maryland vehicle owners (primarily those with vehicles from 1977 model year onward) who currently must comply with the program. The bill removes all legal provisions related to the program, including testing requirements, waiver processes for repair costs, and certification rules for repair facilities. It does not create new requirements but eliminates the existing mandate under Maryland law. This repeal would end the state-level enforcement of emissions inspections, though federal requirements may still apply.
This bill would require historic motor vehicles to be at least 25 years old (model year 1999 or earlier) to qualify for special registration. Owners would pay annual registration fees of $45.50 (2024-2025) or $55.50 (2025+), certify the vehicle won't be used for daily commuting or commercial purposes, and receive special plates. Vehicles 60+ years old would get a one-time $50 registration fee, and qualifying vehicles would be exempt from annual inspections and emissions testing. The bill applies prospectively starting July 1, 2026.
HB 66 requires the Governor to withdraw Maryland from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program targeting carbon emissions from power plants. The bill amends Maryland law to remove the requirement for state participation in RGGI and redirects funds previously allocated to RGGI programs, such as the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. It specifically repeals provisions that mandated joining RGGI, required emissions reporting under the initiative, and linked urban forestry programs to RGGI offset opportunities. The bill directly affects state agencies managing energy policy and environmental programs by eliminating RGGI obligations and redirecting related financial resources.
HB 521 repeals a surcharge on electric and gas utility bills that previously funded energy efficiency programs supporting Maryland's greenhouse gas reduction goals. The bill removes the requirement for utilities to recover costs related to these programs through customer bills, eliminating a mandatory surcharge that had been in place since at least 2008. This directly affects residential and commercial utility customers who previously paid this fee, as it no longer requires utilities to include these costs in billing. The repeal also removes disclosure requirements about the surcharge's purpose and duration.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 373 would require the Governor to withdraw Maryland from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional program limiting power plant emissions. The bill repeals and amends Maryland law that previously mandated state participation in RGGI and redirected funds from RGGI allowance sales to the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. It removes requirements for the state to report on emissions reductions plans if RGGI participation ends. This legislation directly affects Maryland's state government and energy policy by ending the state's involvement in the multi-state emissions trading program. The bill does not alter current emissions regulations but changes how funds from RGGI would be handled if Maryland withdraws.
