2020 Policy Watch Summary Report
The 2020 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly began with new presiding officers manning the gavels with ambitious agendas to implement and fund the Kirwan Commission recommendations, address School Construction, Public Safety, and Environmental Issues. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, legislators found themselves adjusting to comply with public health recommendations to protect the public and achieved success. They focused on priority legislation, including two last-minute bills allowing the Governor power to confront COVID-19 issues in Maryland, with access to up to $50 Million from the State’s “Rainy Day Fund” to cover costs associated with the virus. After having passed a budget the Assembly adjourned early, an action occurring only once since the Civil War.
MCEC staff tracked 98 pieces of legislation introduced during this abbreviated session pertaining to Clean Energy. In summary, 15 bills pertaining to the Clean Energy Sector were returned passed, while 83 failed through withdrawal by the sponsor, receiving an unfavorable report, or failing to make it out of committee and cross over.