2021 Maryland General Assembly Special Session Summary Update

By Sabrina Bachman | December 9, 2021

Maryland legislators took their seats in chambers on Monday, December 6, for the 2021 Special Legislative Session. Their mission included the debate of Redistricting Maps and the selection of a State Treasurer to replace retiring Nancy Kopp, who has served in the position since February 2002. With the return to chambers, the Maryland Constitution requires the body to address any vetoes exercised by the Governor after the regular session ended.

Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission

HB0001: Congressional Districting Plan

• Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission
• Passed House and Senate
• To Governor

The Assembly listed 21 bills to override during the special session. Three vetoes were sustained because the companion bill passed and was signed by the Governor. Six of the veto overrides pertained to the energy sector. The veto overrides were enacted according to Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution.

Veto Overrides

21 Bills

  • 11 Cross-filed
  • 3 Vetoes Sustained
    • House Sustained these vetoes
    • Senate Bills Passed

18 Bills enacted according to Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution

6 Bills pertained to the energy sector

  • SB0095 / HB0174: Public Utilities – Investor-Owned Utilities – Prevailing Wage (Senator Kramer / Delegate Brooks)
  • SB0417 / HB0777: Power Plant Research Program – Review of Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity – Alterations (Senator Pinsky / Delegate Brooks)
  • SB0460 / HB0419: Economic Development – Advanced Clean Energy and Clean Energy Innovation Investments and Initiatives (Senator Feldman / Delegate Qi)

SB0460 / HB0419 SUMMARY:

Broadens the definition of clean energy to include advanced energy and grid modernization technologies to include:

• Energy storage, Grid modernization and Demand Reduction
• Bio-tech in Clean Energy and Clean Agriculture
• Carbon dioxide removal, management and re-use
• Clean Fuels and Displacement of Energy-intensive products
• Mobility – EVs, vehicle automation, transportation systems
• Integrated systems – AI and ‘internet of things’
• New concepts in Nuclear Power to improve safety and lower costs

Clarifies the capability of MCEC to finance energy measures on state facilities

Alters the composition of the MCEC Board of Directors to include the Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute

Provides a predictable, stable, and ongoing commitment of $2.1M to fund energy technology research and development activities through MEI2 and MCEC

View the 2021 Policy Watch Report

MCEC staff tracks legislation pertaining to clean energy, introduced during the Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Subscribe now to receive weekly Policy Watch Report emails, for updates on energy regulation and finance bills introduced that might impact your bottom line and our environment during the 2022 Legislative Session.

Posted in Policy