Environment (Conservation)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 875: Oysters - Rotational Harvest - Pilot Program

SB 875 establishes a 5-year pilot program for rotating oyster harvesting in four designated areas of the Chesapeake Bay, managed by Maryland's Department of Natural Resources. The program requires the Department to open different oyster bars each season, collect baseline data before opening and monitor after closing, and mandate that harvested oyster shells be replaced in the same area to support habitat restoration. This directly affects oyster harvesters in those four areas by changing seasonal harvesting access and requiring shell recycling. The policy aims to promote sustainable oyster populations through data-driven management and habitat conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates shell replacement for habitat restoration in oyster harvesting, directly conserving natural resources and supporting Chesapeake Bay ecosystem health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1560: Forest Conservation - Incentives - Pilot Program and Fund

HB 1560 establishes a pilot program to incentivize Maryland’s nonindustrial private forest landowners (who manage 75% of the state’s 2.4 million forest acres) to adopt ecosystem-focused forest management plans. It creates the Forest Ecosystem Value Incentives Fund - a permanent, interest-earning fund - to finance the program, replacing current permanent conservation agreements with flexible management commitments. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to design plans that maximize public benefits like carbon sequestration, water quality, and biodiversity, without requiring perpetual land conservation. This shifts incentives toward active forest management rather than permanent land retirement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Forest Ecosystem Value Incentives Fund to incentivize ecosystem-focused forest management, conserving 75% of Maryland's forest acres through permanent funding and updated conservation commitments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1024: Eminent Domain - Agricultural and Conservation Easements - Prohibited Taking

HB 1024 prohibits the State of Maryland or its local governments from using eminent domain to take privately owned property subject to a permanent agricultural or conservation easement. This directly affects landowners who have placed such easements on their property, including farmers and conservation organizations. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly state that state entities "may not take by eminent domain" these easement-covered properties, while maintaining existing procedures for state roads and Baltimore City. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits eminent domain from taking land under agricultural/conservation easements, directly protecting conservation areas and strengthening existing conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 683: Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Siting (Solar Siting and Preservation Credit Act of 2026)

This bill establishes a 5% acreage limit for solar energy projects in Maryland's certified "priority preservation areas" (agricultural lands). Counties can count solar projects on brownfields, school rooftops, or other underutilized land toward this 5% limit, allowing more development in these areas. It also restricts large solar projects (>5MW) from certain residential or growth zones and requires counties to report when the 5% cap is reached. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables solar development on brownfields/schools while restricting large projects in sensitive zones, promoting renewable energy infrastructure expansion within defined limits.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProtects agricultural land (priority preservation areas) while directing solar development to brownfields/schools, advancing clean energy without harming natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 754: Land Use - Preservation of Natural Resources

SB 754 authorizes Maryland local jurisdictions (cities and counties) to adopt local laws preserving natural resources like land, water, forests, wetlands, and floodplains. The bill adds specific preservation tools to local zoning authority, including transfer of development rights, conservation easements, open space programs, cluster subdivisions, and riparian/wetland buffer protections. It updates existing land use law (Section 7-101) to explicitly list these mechanisms as approved methods for protecting natural resources while facilitating development. The bill does not create statewide mandates but gives local governments additional legal options to implement conservation measures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes local preservation tools (conservation easements, wetland buffers) for natural resources, directly advancing environmental protection through land use policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 638: Natural Resources - Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - Funding and Grants

SB 638 amends Maryland law to adjust funding rules for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. It removes previous limits on grant coverage (previously capping at 50% of project costs), allowing the Authority to fund more of certified heritage area management projects. The bill also reduces the portion of Program Open Space funds that can cover the Authority’s operating expenses from 10% to 7%, while increasing the maximum transferable funding to the Authority’s Financing Fund. This directly affects local jurisdictions, heritage area management entities, and the Authority itself by changing how they access and use state funds for preservation and development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves 50% grant cap for heritage projects and increases funding transfers to Authority's Financing Fund, directly advancing program funding within budget allocations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves 50% grant cap for heritage area projects, increasing funding flexibility for conservation management. Heritage areas protect natural/cultural resources, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 850: Electric and Gas Companies - Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Demand Response Programs - Alterations (Utility Affordability and Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026)

SB 850 requires Maryland electric and gas companies (including midsize cooperatives after 2026) to design energy efficiency, conservation, and demand response programs that demonstrably lower residential customer bills. It mandates the Public Service Commission to establish caps on certain assessments and set deadlines for eliminating unpaid utility costs. The law ensures programs must include measurable bill savings for households, not just energy reductions, and requires annual reports tracking energy savings and emissions reductions from these programs. This directly affects all residential utility customers in Maryland by linking program requirements to tangible cost savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates utility programs to lower residential bills, providing direct financial relief to households and promoting fiscal responsibility through measurable savings.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires utilities to design energy efficiency programs with measurable bill savings for households, mandates ratepayer protections, and focuses on lowering residential energy costs through conservation programs.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency and conservation programs for utilities, directly promoting resource conservation and reduced energy consumption, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 850 mandates programs that demonstrably lower residential utility bills, directly reducing housing costs for households and advancing affordable housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation Conservation

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1267: Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act)

HB 1267 requires local zoning authorities to maintain specific zoning classifications for two federal properties: the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The bill mandates that any portion of these properties sold, leased, or transferred by the federal government must retain a zoning classification restricting uses to open space, reserved open space, or resource conservation - prohibiting commercial, industrial, or residential development. This applies to the Patuxent Refuge under Section 4-217 and to Beltsville Agricultural Research Center property under Section 25-211 of Maryland law. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, and permanently prohibits local zoning exceptions for these properties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates conservation zoning to prevent development on federal environmental properties, protecting open space and resource conservation per its title and summary.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill explicitly prohibits residential development on two federal properties, directly limiting housing development per its language.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Property Development Zoning

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 861: Environment - Stormwater Management for Agritourism

SB 861 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 directly affects farmers and local governments by mandating that programs consult with soil conservation districts before enforcing stormwater regulations on farms. Key provisions include defining agricultural uses (like on-farm processing) separately from commercial development in the stormwater manual and allowing flexibility in enforcement for agricultural land. The bill updates existing law to clarify how stormwater rules apply to farms, avoiding overly rigid standards that could conflict with farming operations. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stormwater regulations for agricultural land with soil conservation input, reducing runoff pollution and protecting water quality per environmental protection focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Tags Agriculture

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 870: Environment - Permit Applications for New Buildings - Notice (Large Buildings for Tomorrow Act)

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy conservation standards for new large commercial/multifamily buildings, directly advancing energy efficiency goals per bill's core requirement.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy conservation standards for large buildings, reducing energy consumption and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation