SB 558 establishes Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program within the Department of Natural Resources. The program provides $2 million annually (starting fiscal year 2028) from the Transportation Trust Fund to fund oyster propagation and replenishment projects. These projects specifically offset damage to the state's oyster population caused by transportation activities at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and shipping channel maintenance. The funding must be included in the governor's annual budget bill. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 911 prohibits anyone in Maryland from injecting, releasing, or dispersing chemicals, substances, or devices into the atmosphere to alter weather, climate, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It requires the Department of the Environment to create a public reporting system for suspected weather engineering activities and establish a process for evaluating and investigating reports in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management. Violations carry fines up to $100,000 for most offenders or up to $5,000 and 5 years in prison for aircraft operators, with all fines directed to the Bay Restoration Fund. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 1304 requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to suspend commercial or recreational fishing rights for individuals who failed to renew a valid license from the previous year. First offenses result in a one-month suspension, second offenses in six months, and third or subsequent offenses in one year. During suspension, individuals may apply for a new license, but it will count toward the remaining suspension period. The bill also mandates that the Department provide written or verbal notice of the violation and penalties to those charged.
HB 1253 (Break STRIDE Act) changes how investor-owned gas companies recover costs for infrastructure projects. It repeals current rules allowing companies to add infrastructure costs to customer bills via surcharges and instead requires them to prove projects reduce leaks, improve safety, and are cost-effective before recovering costs. The bill also mandates 6 months' advance written notice to customers affected by construction. These changes apply only to investor-owned gas companies (not cooperatives) and take effect after a specified date.
SB 801 requires Maryland to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by January 1, 2027, with conditions allowing rejoining if other states join RGGI or Maryland becomes a net electricity exporter. It eliminates the utility surcharge funding EmPOWER energy efficiency programs, shifting cost recovery away from customer bills. The bill also modifies net energy metering rates, altering how customers with solar panels are compensated for excess electricity fed back to the grid. These changes directly affect the state government, utilities, ratepayers, and residential/commercial solar customers. The policy focuses on restructuring energy cost recovery and emissions program participation without endorsing specific environmental outcomes.
SB 755 prohibits the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from establishing a recreational catch-and-release season for striped bass (rockfish). Instead, it mandates annual recreational and charter boat summer/fall seasons (May 16-December 10) with daily limits (1 fish for recreational anglers, 2 for charters) and specific gear rules, plus a trophy season requiring fish to be at least 28 inches long during designated April/May periods. The bill also requires the Department to prepare an economic impact statement for major fisheries regulations before publication. This directly affects recreational anglers, charter boat operators, and commercial fishing stakeholders who rely on striped bass regulations.
SB 843 establishes the SUNRISE Program as the replacement for Maryland’s net energy metering system, directly affecting low- and moderate-income households and community solar subscribers. It requires electric companies to implement the SUNRISE Program through specific tariffs, create a statewide capacity reservation system for solar projects, and guarantee electric bill savings for eligible households. The bill also mandates that community solar programs must meet specific low-income participation requirements and allows certain customers to opt out of enrollment. Administered by the Office of Home Energy Programs or local agencies, the law updates reporting requirements and ensures dedicated capacity blocks for qualifying households.
HB 870, the "Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act," requires new construction of large commercial and multifamily residential buildings (over 35,000 square feet) to meet specific energy conservation standards set by the Maryland Department of Labor. The bill defines "covered buildings" to include most large commercial structures and state-owned buildings, but excludes historic properties, schools, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural buildings. It mandates that adopted energy conservation requirements must be at least as stringent as the International Energy Conservation Code, with the state allowed to set stricter standards to improve efficiency. The law also establishes clear definitions for terms like "energy conservation measure" to guide implementation and ensure consistency.
SB 851 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County homeowners who own land in a designated Rural Legacy Area and have sold development rights under the county's Rural Legacy Program. The credit reduces the county property tax bill for qualifying properties, specifically targeting landowners who preserved their land by selling development rights rather than building on it. This policy change, effective June 1, 2026, applies only to properties enrolled in the Rural Legacy Program and directly benefits landowners who participate in the program. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to authorize this county-specific credit.
SB 613 requires Maryland's Department of Agriculture to inspect land for Palmer amaranth (a specific noxious weed) and issue a 2-week eradication order to landowners if found. Landowners must remove the weed using approved methods, with the Department inspecting the property every two weeks until eradication is confirmed. Violations of the order carry escalating penalties: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent violations. Funds from penalties will support broader noxious weed control efforts. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
