POLICY WATCH 2022
MCEC staff tracked 79 pieces of energy legislation, with 42 being cross-files. Thirty-four bills passed their chamber of origination, the opposing chamber, were returned passed, and presented to the Governor for his signature. 62 (24 cross-files) failed due to sponsor withdrawal, unfavorable reports by the assigned committee, or remaining in committee.
A detailed list of the bills tracked by MCEC, with status at the end of session is available in MCEC's 2022 Policy Watch Tracking Sheet Final Summary.
Summary Highlights
- Climate Solutions remains an issue of focus among members of the legislature
- Transition to Clean Fuel Vehicles legislation with bills addressing community solar and resiliency passed
- Multiple pieces of legislation address Environmental Justice issues, with many remaining in committee
- Building Performance Standards provided a repeated theme, but more legislation remains in committee than ones that passed
- The RPS was addressed in several bills, with one passing
- Legislation must pass both chambers and return to the chamber of origination to be presented to the Governor for his signature and become law by midnight on Sine Die
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS NOW ACT OF 2022
- Comprehensive bill addressing carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency, environmental justice, and the electrification of transportation
- Includes funding for the Climate Catalytic Capital Fund
- $5M Annual Appropriation
- Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026
- MCEC Administers the Fund
- Provides guidelines for the use of the fund
- Establishes a Fund Oversight Committee, appointed by the MCEC Board of Directors
- 40% of the funds are intended to focus on investments in projects to address underserved communities and facilitate environmental justice
- In addition to numerous amendments adopted by the Senate, the House adopted several amendments that included language from HB0088-Electric Distribution System Planning and Required Labor Standards, HB0094-State Vehicle Fleet-Conversion to Zero-Emission Passenger Cars and Other Light-Duty Vehicles, and HB0696-Public Utilities-Electric School Bus Pilot Program
- Senate Bill 528 broadly changes the State’s approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions while addressing climate change. It increases the statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction requirement to 60% from 2006 levels by 2031, with a target of net-zero emissions by 2045, providing requirements and restrictions to meet the goals. The bill addresses methane emissions from landfills, establishes new and alters existing requirements for buildings, increases and extends energy efficiency and conservation programs, addresses environmental justice with labor and employment initiatives, provides programs and requirements for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles, and creates new entities with special funding to support activities.
- View MCEC's detailed summary of SB0528-Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022
TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUEL VEHICLES
- Ten pieces of legislation addressing the Transition to Clean Fuel Vehicles
- Six crossed to the opposing chamber and were Returned Passed
- Four remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
- Bills that passed
- SB0061/HB0010-Maryland Transit Administration-Conversion to Zero-Emission Buses (Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act Revisions)
- SB0146-Vehicle Laws-Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicles-Reserved Parking Spaces
- HB0157-Vehicle Laws-Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicles-Reserved Parking Spaces
- HB0696-Public Utilities-Electric School Bus Pilot Program
- HB1391-Clean Cars Act of 2022
COMMUNITY SOLAR
- Eleven pieces of legislation address Community Solar
- Four crossed to the opposing chamber were Returned Passed
- Seven remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
- Bills that passed
- HB0076-Community Solar Energy Generating Systems-Exemption From Energy and Property Taxes
- HB0440-Electricity-Community Solar Energy Generating Systems-Generating Capacity
- SB0860-Solar Energy-School Construction and Community Solar Energy Generating Systems
- HB1039-Property Tax-Community Solar Energy Generating Systems-Agrivoltaics
RPS
- Seven pieces of legislation address the RPS
- One crossed to the opposing chamber and was Returned Passed
- One received an unfavorable report from the assigned committee
- One withdrawn by the sponsor
- Four remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
- Bill that passed
- SB0526-Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Renewable Energy Credits-Offshore Wind
RESILIENCY
- Six pieces of legislation address Resiliency
- Five crossed to opposing chamber and were Returned Passed
- One remains in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
- Bills that passed
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
- Eleven pieces of legislation address Environmental Justice
- Four crossed to the opposing chamber and were Returned Passed
- Seven remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
- Bills that passed
BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Eight pieces of legislation address Building Performance Standards
- Two crossed to the opposing chamber and remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
PASSED LEGISLATION
Synopsis: Establishing the Sustainable Maryland Program Fund as a special, non-lapsing fund to expand and enhance Sustainable Maryland's promotion and support of communities in Maryland in the effort to realize environmental, economic, and social sustainability; authorizing the Fund to be used for training and education, outreach and engagement, and developing and expanding the Sustainable Maryland Program; requiring the Governor, in Fiscal Year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, to provide an appropriation of $750,000 to the Fund; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate & House)
SB FAV/Am 04.09.22
2nd Reading Passed/Am 04.09.22 PM
3rd Reading Passed/Am (105-32) 04.11.22
Senate Concurs/House Am 04.11.22
3rd Reading Passed (47-0) 04.11.22
SB0014 : Passed Enrolled 04.11.22
HB0100: Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Requiring the Maryland Transit Administration to provide certain safety and workforce development training for its operations training workforce and its maintenance workforce; requiring the Administration's annual report on the implementation of the conversion of the State's transit bus fleet to zero-emission buses to include a plan that ensures certain employee protections and a certification that the Administration is adhering to the plan; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate & House)
Returned Passed 04.07.22: SB0061 / Returned Passed 04.08.22: HB0010
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of the Environment to create and maintain a database of supplemental environmental projects that the Department may consider for implementation as part of a settlement of an enforcement action; and requiring the Department to prioritize the selection of a supplemental environmental project located in the same geographic area as the alleged violation and to ensure that the scope and cost of a chosen project are sufficient to allow the Department and the alleged violator to reach a settlement.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate) / Jan 31 (House)
FAV 04.08.22 PM
2nd Reading Passed 04.08.22 PM
3rd Reading Passed (131-0) 04.11.22
SB0090 Returned Passed 04.11.22 / HB0595 Senate Rules 04.11.22
Synopsis: Authorizing the Public Service Commission to extend rate suspension proceedings for up to an additional 120 days if the filing is for an alternative form of ratemaking for an electric company, a gas company, an electric and gas company, or a telephone company.
Dates Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate) & Jan 13 (House)
Synopsis: Prohibiting a person from stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle that is not a plug-in electric drive vehicle in a parking space that is designated by certain signage for the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles; requiring that a parking space for the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles be counted as part of the overall number of parking spaces for certain purposes; authorizing the towing or removal of certain vehicles; establishing a civil penalty of $50 for a violation of the Act; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0146
Synopsis: Extending to 30 years the maximum duration of an energy performance contract by a unit of State government.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0179
Synopsis: Increasing, from $750,000 to $1,000,000, the total amount of tax credit certificates that the Maryland Energy Administration may issue in a taxable year for the costs of installing an energy storage system; authorizing, under certain circumstances, a taxpayer to claim a refund of the credit; and extending, from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024, the date by which an energy storage system is required to be installed for purposes of eligibility for the credit.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0215
Synopsis: Establishing the Resiliency Hub Grant Program in the Maryland Energy Administration; requiring the Administration to establish certain procedures and criteria for the Program; establishing the Resiliency Hub Grant Program Fund as a special, non-lapsing fund; requiring interest earnings of the Resiliency Hub Grant Program Fund to be credited to the Resiliency Hub Grant Program Fund; requiring that certain fines and penalties be credited to the Resiliency Hub Grant Program Fund rather than the General Fund of the State; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House) / Jan 14 (Senate)
Synopsis: Altering the date, from September 1 to November 1 of each year, by which the Public Service Commission must submit a report on the status of a certain net metering program; and repealing a reporting requirement on customer education about competitive electricity supply.
Date Introduced: Jan 14 (Senate) & Jan 19 (House)
Synopsis: Allowing a credit against the State income tax for certain qualified expenses paid or incurred by a taxpayer for the installation of certain mechanical insulation in a certain manner on certain types of property; requiring the taxpayer to obtain a tax credit certificate from the Maryland Energy Administration; prohibiting the Administration from issuing tax credit certificated amounts in the aggregate totaling more than $5,000,000; applying the Act to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021; etc.
Dates Introduced: Jan 19 (House) & Jan 20 (Senate)
2nd Reading Passed/Am 04.08.22
3rd Reading Passed/Am (121-14) 04.08.22 PM
SB0314 Passed Enrolled 04.09.22 / HB0405 Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to procure or provide for electricity customers energy efficiency and conservation programs and services designed to achieve an annual incremental gross energy savings of at least 0.4% starting in 2023; requiring the Department to develop a plan to coordinate and leverage funding sources to support certain energy efficiency and other home upgrades and a plan to provide energy efficiency retrofits to all low-income households by 2030; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House) / Jan 28 (Senate)
Synopsis: Altering the process for purchasing offshore wind renewable energy credits to satisfy the offshore wind energy component of the renewable energy portfolio standard; and requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt regulations establishing a certain cost recovery mechanism.
Date Introduced: Jan 28 (Senate) / Jan 31 (House)
FAV 04.08.22 PM
2nd Reading Passed 04.08.22 PM
3rd Reading Passed (95-39) 04.11.22
SB0526 Returned Passed 04.11.22 / HB0622 Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Requiring the State to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions through the use of various measures, including the alteration of statewide greenhouse gas emissions goals, the establishment of a net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions goal, the development of certain energy efficiency and electrification requirements for certain buildings, and requiring electric companies to increase their annual incremental gross energy savings through certain programs and services; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 28
View Details: SB0528
Synopsis: Requiring that the State Board of Electricians credit an applicant's work as part of certain apprenticeships for the experience required for certain electrician licenses; requiring the State Board to waive the examination requirements for certain applicants for a journeyperson electrician license; requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to examine certain memoranda of understanding; requiring the Department to attempt to renegotiate certain memoranda of understanding in certain circumstances; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 2 (Senate) / Feb 11 (House)
Synopsis: Establishing the Office of Resilience in the Maryland Department of Emergency Management; requiring the Director of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to appoint a Chief Resilience Officer to direct the Office of Resilience; requiring the Chief Resilience Officer to coordinate State and local efforts to build resilience to risks identified in the Maryland Hazard Mitigation Plan; and requiring certain State entities to appoint liaisons to the Office of Resilience for certain purposes.
Date Introduced: Jan 31 (House) / Feb 3 (Senate)
SB0630: Returned Passed 04.11.22 / HB0706 Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Requiring the Office of Home Energy Programs to develop a certain redetermination process to assist eligible energy customers who are at least 65 years old in enrolling in energy assistance programs; requiring an annual update of the process developed; requiring local administering agencies to establish a policy of reasonable accommodation for applicants who are homebound or request accommodation by arranging for a home visit or allowing an individual to apply on behalf of an eligible energy customer; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate) / Feb 10 (House)
Synopsis: Requiring a person notifying the one-call system before performing an excavation or demolition to select a specific start work date; altering the information that must be provided to a one-call system; requiring the ticket generated by the one-call system to include a response date and time that corresponds with the work date selected by the person; altering the time frame during which a ticket is valid; etc.
Dates Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate) / Feb 10 (House)
Synopsis: Exempting certain community solar energy generating systems from personal property taxes; requiring the Department of Assessments and Taxation to assess certain land used by a community solar energy generating system in a certain manner; requiring the governing body of a county or of a municipal corporation to grant a tax credit against the property tax imposed on real property on which a certain community solar energy generating system is installed; establishing a tax credit against the State property tax imposed on certain real property; etc.
Dates Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate) / Feb 10 (House)
Synopsis: Exempting certain community solar energy generating systems from local energy taxes and personal property taxes.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House) / Jan 14 (Senate)
FAV 04.08.22
2nd Reading Passed 04.03.22 PM
3d Reading Passed (43-0) 04.09.22 PM
HB0076: Returned Passed 04.09.22 / SB0264: Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Prohibiting a person from stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle that is not a plug-in electric drive vehicle plugged into charging equipment in a parking space that is designated for the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles; establishing certain standards for signage designating reserved parking for certain plug-in electric drive vehicles; requiring that a parking space that is for the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles be counted as part of the overall number of parking spaces for purposes of complying with certain laws; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House)
View Status Details: HB0157
Synopsis: Increasing the maximum generating capacity of a community solar energy generating system from 2 megawatts to 5 megawatts.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate) / Jan 20 (House)
FAV 04.08.22
2nd Reading Passed 04.08.22
3rd Reading Passed (33-14) 04.08.22
HB0440: Returned Passed 04.09.22 / SB0110 Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Prohibiting a person from providing, attempting to provide, or offering to provide certain plumbing services in any area under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission without a license from the Commission; prohibiting a person from assisting, attempting to assist, or offering to assist in providing certain fuel gas services in any area under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Commission without a license from the Commission; establishing a certain penalty for certain violations; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 21
View Status Details: HB0526
Synopsis: Establishing an electric school bus pilot program; requiring the Public Service Commission to implement and administer the pilot program; authorizing investor-owned electric companies to apply to the Commission to implement an electric school bus pilot program with a participating school system if the pilot program meets certain standards; and authorizing investor-owned electric companies to recover certain costs under the pilot program, subject to the approval of the Commission.
Date Introduced: Jan 31 (House) / Feb 13 (Senate)
HB0696 Passed Enrolled 04.11.22 / SB0948 Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Altering the application of certain testing, certification, and enforcement requirements for certain efficiency standards; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration to review certain efficiency standards on or before January 1, 2023; prohibiting the sale, offering for sale, and installation of certain products in the State under certain circumstances beginning on a certain date; requiring the Administration to adopt regulations on efficiency standards for certain products on or before January 1, 2023; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 27 (Senate) / Feb 3 (House)
HB0772 Returned Passed 04.08.22 / SB0494 Remains in Committee
Synopsis: Extending and altering, for certain fiscal years, the vehicle excise tax credit for the purchase of certain electric vehicles; decreasing, from $63,000 to $55,000, for purposes of the electric vehicle excise tax credit, the limitation on the maximum total purchase price of certain electric vehicles; reducing the vehicle excise tax credit for certain electric drive vehicles; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 15
View Status Details: HB1391
FAILED LEGISLATION
Synopsis: Allowing a credit against the State income tax for certain costs, paid or incurred after July 1, 2022, by an owner of certain residential property for certain energy efficiency upgrades; requiring the owner to obtain a tax credit certificate from the Maryland Energy Administration; and prohibiting a taxpayer from claiming the tax credit for a taxable year during which the Governor declares a state of emergency.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate & House)
View Status Details: SB0045 / HB0058
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing a certain pollution fee to be charged by the Department of the Environment and collected by the Comptroller on certain new motor vehicles sold or registered in the State based on certain pollution ratings; exempting certain motor vehicles from the fee; and requiring the fee to be deposited in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and used for certain purposes.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate & House)
View Status Details: SB0126 / HB0060
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring the State to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through various measures, including altering statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements so that after 2040 statewide greenhouse gas emissions are net negative; requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt a plan for the reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions by December 31, 2022; establishing a Climate Crisis Council to develop a plan to meet the reduction targets set out in the Act; and establishing a greenhouse gas pollution fee on certain fuels.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (Senate & House)
View Status Details: SB0135 / HB0171
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Allowing certain persons to claim a credit against the State income tax for certain costs incurred during the taxable year to purchase and install certain indoor air quality equipment in a certain home, rental dwelling unit, or commercial building; requiring the Comptroller, in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration, to publish on the Comptroller's website a list of approved indoor air quality equipment on or before September 30 each year; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House) / Jan 17 (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0267 / HB0085
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of Human Services to authorize benefits under the electric universal service program for an electric customer who does not meet the eligibility requirements for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; etc.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House) / Jan 19 (Senate)
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of the Environment to establish and administer a statewide green business certification program to recognize businesses operating in a manner that reduces their environmental footprint and provide consumers with information on how to identify those businesses; and requiring the Department to update and enhance the statewide green business certification program in consultation with the Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program.
Date Introduced: Jan 20 (Senate) / Feb 3 (House)
View Status Details: SB0308 / HB0814
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring an electric company to contract for renewable energy credits and electricity generated from certain Tier 1 renewable sources to meet a portion of the renewable energy portfolio standard for the electric company starting in 2023; authorizing an electric company to receive annual remuneration for contracts; authorizing an electric company to account for the purchase of contracts as a regulatory asset, but prohibiting the collection of an additional return on the regulatory asset; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 20 (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0334
HB0624 withdrawn by Sponsor on March 8.
Synopsis: Requiring the Public Service Commission to condition the approval of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of a certain generating station or qualified generator lead line and an exemption from the requirement for a certificate of public convenience and necessity on the requirement that the developer of the project take all reasonable actions to enter into a community benefits agreement and adhere to certain labor standards and reporting requirements; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 26 (Senate) / Jan 31 (House)
Synopsis: Including infrastructure replacement project costs under the Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Program in certain gas company base rates during a multiyear rate plan; and continuing an annual surcharge for eligible future infrastructure project costs not included in certain gas company base rates during a multiyear rate plan.
Date Introduced: Jan 26 (Senate) / Feb 3 (House)
View Status Details: SB0423 WD by Sponsor on March 16 & HB0801 WD by Sponsor on March 15
Synopsis: Requiring each public senior higher education institution to be carbon neutral for certain emissions on or before January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2035; specifying certain requirements that a public senior higher education institution must meet to achieve the carbon neutral requirements under the Act; requiring each public senior higher education institution to designate, on or before August 1, 2022, a certain individual to implement and monitor the institution's progress with certain requirements; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 27 (Senate) / Feb 3 (House)
View Status Details: SB0471 / HB0729
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Altering the More Jobs for Marylanders Program to allow certain businesses located in certain transit-oriented developments to qualify for certain Program benefits; extending the deadline after which the Department of Commerce may not certify certain businesses to participate in the Program; establishing the Transit-Oriented Development Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund; authorizing the Department of Transportation to use the Fund to provide financial assistance related to transit-oriented development; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 28 (Senate) / Jan 31 (House)
View Status Details: SB0516 / HB0710
HB Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing the Distribution System Planning Workgroup to study issues related to energy distribution planning and implementation; requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt regulations on or before January 1, 2024, related to energy distribution planning and implementation; requiring the Commission and the Maryland Energy Administration to coordinate efforts with utilities to apply for certain federal funds; and establishing labor standards for contractors and subcontractors participating in certain projects.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House) / Jan 28 (Senate)
Synopsis: Requiring each county to prepare a climate crisis plan to address the effects of climate change in the county; requiring each county to submit its plan to the Department of the Environment for review and feedback on or before June 1, 2023; requiring the Department to provide feedback to each county on or before November 1, 2023; requiring each county to finalize its plan on or before January 1, 2024; and requiring each county to review and update its plan once every 3 years.
Date Introduced: Jan 31
View Status Details: SB0552 / HB0695
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Making energy derived from waste-to-energy or refuse-derived fuel ineligible for the creation of credits under the renewable energy portfolio standard.
Date Introduced: Feb 2
View Status Details: SB0616
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Repealing provisions regarding requirements of builders of certain residential dwelling units to offer buyers certain options for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations; and requiring the Department of Labor, by July 1, 2023, to adopt by regulation a State building code that requires the installation of certain percentages of EV-capable, EV-ready, and EVCS-installed parking spaces for certain newly constructed buildings and buildings undergoing certain renovations; applying the Act prospectively.
Date Introduced: Feb 3
View Status Details: SB0627
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing the Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program in the Maryland Energy Administration; authorizing nonprofit organizations to apply for and obtain loans from the Program for the purchase and installation of qualifying renewable energy systems; establishing the Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; requiring the Governor to provide $5,000,000 for the Fund in the annual budget bill for fiscal years 2024 through 2026; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 4
View Status Details: SB0683
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
SB FAV/Am Report by Senate Budget & Tax Committee 03.30.22
SB Second Reading Passed/Am 03.30.22
Third Reading Passed (47-0) 03.31.22
Introduced in the House and referred to Rules Committee 03.31.22
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations on or before December 1, 2022, establishing requirements for the sale of new zero-emission medium and heavy duty vehicles in the State.
Dates Introduced: Feb 4 (Senate) / Feb 3 (House)
View Status Details: SB0687 / HB0829
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Prohibiting a transportation network operator from using a motor vehicle that is more than 15 model years old to provide transportation network services.
Date Introduced: Feb 7
View Status Details: SB0715
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Repealing the requirement that a community solar energy generating system be located in the same electric service territory as a subscriber for the subscriber to receive monthly electric bill credits; requiring the Public Service Commission to require an electric company to file a revised tariff and protocol related to the application of bill credits by November 1, 2022; and requiring the Commission by January 31, 2023 to approve or amend and approve the required tariffs and protocols.
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate) / Feb 11 (House)
View Status Details: SB0733 / HB1261
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing the Homeowner Utility Repair Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to offset the costs a low- to middle-income residential customer may incur for costs associated with a utility company's routine maintenance, repairs, or upgrades; and requiring interest earnings of the Fund to be credited to the Fund.
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate) / Feb 11 (House)
Synopsis: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to establish that every person has the fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful and sustainable environment; and requiring the State to serve as the trustee of the State's natural resources, including the air, land, water, wildlife, and ecosystems of the State, and to conserve, protect, and enhance the State's natural resources for the benefit of every person, including present and future generations.
Dates Introduced: Jan 31 (House) / Feb 7 (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0783 / HB0596
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring the owner of a dam associated with a certain hydroelectric power plant to pay an annual compensation fee to the Department of the Environment for the use of State land and waterways beginning January 1, 2023; requiring the Public Service Commission to determine the average price of a Tier 2 renewable energy credit for certain renewable energy portfolio standard compliance years; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 7
View Status Details: SB0902
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Altering the components of fuels that qualify a generating facility as a Tier 1 renewable source under the renewable energy portfolio standard by altering the definitions of "qualifying biomass" and "thermal biomass system".
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0903 Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
HB1085 UNFAV March 15
Synopsis: Requiring the Office of Home Energy Programs to establish a Silver Energy Savers Program to provide bill assistance to eligible energy customers who are at least 60 years old; requiring the Office to approve a third-party supplier to provide assistance through the Program; requiring the Office to designate four centers in certain regions of the State to administer the Program; and establishing the Office of Home Energy Programs Energy Assistance Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to administer the Program.
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (Senate) / Feb 10 (House)
Synopsis: Requiring a unit of State government that develops electric vehicle charging infrastructure or administers public funding for the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to use environmental justice guidelines when selecting communities for the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Date Introduced: Jan 21 (House) / Feb 11 (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0924 / HB0507
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Prohibiting a certain governmental unit from taking an action unless the governmental unit has conducted certain evaluations and assessments of the impact of the action on the climate, labor and employment, environmental justice, and any overburdened community; authorizing a governmental unit to deny, condition, approve, or amend an action based on certain findings; and requiring governmental units to coordinate and seek federal funding to meet the requirements of the Act.
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (House) / Feb 11 (Senate)
View Status Details: SB0931 / HB0880
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from setting eligibility requirements for an electric generating system used by an eligible customer-generator that are based on the eligible customer-generator's baseline annual usage.
Date Introduced: Feb 13
View Status Details: SB0936
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of General Services to establish a maximum acceptable global warming potential for certain categories of eligible materials used in certain eligible projects; requiring a unit of State government to specify the eligible materials that will be used in an eligible project in the solicitation for an eligible project; requiring a successful bidder or offeror of an eligible project to submit certain information about each eligible material proposed to be used in an eligible project; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 14
View Status Details: SB0961
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring energy efficiency and conservation programs and services provided by gas companies and electric companies to encourage and promote the electrification of certain products and beneficial electrification beginning with calendar year 2024; prohibiting the energy efficiency and conservation programs and services from providing financial assistance for equipment or appliances that use fossil fuel; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 15
View Status Details: SB0966
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing the Blue Ribbon Community Solar Land Use Commission to study and make recommendations regarding the land use needs to meet the full generation capacity authorized under the Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Pilot Program; and requiring the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.
Date Introduced: Feb 7 (House) / Feb 23 (Senate)
Synopsis: Altering the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source" for purposes of excluding energy derived from qualifying biomass, methane from the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials, certain fuel cells, poultry litter-to-energy, waste-to-energy, refuse-derived fuel, and thermal energy from a thermal biomass system from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House)
View Status Details: HB0011 WD by Sponsor on March 15
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of General Services to establish and periodically update standards for State buildings to conserve energy and minimize adverse impacts on birds; requiring the Maryland Green Building Council to include the standards in any requirements that the Council establishes for participation in a higher-performance building program in the State; and defining "State building".
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House)
View Status Details: HB0043
Synopsis: Requiring the State to ensure that a certain minimum percentage of passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles purchased for the State vehicle fleet in certain fiscal years are zero-emission vehicles, subject to the availability of funding; and requiring the Department of General Services to ensure the development of certain charging infrastructure.
Date Introduced: Pre-Filed (House)
View Status Details: HB0094
Synopsis: Authorizing the Attorney General to investigate, commence, and prosecute or defend any suit or action that holds accountable a publicly traded entity with a market capitalization greater than $1,000,000,000 or its subsidiaries for tortious or otherwise unlawful conduct that has contributed to climate change; and authorizing the Attorney General to hire outside counsel on a contingency fee basis to assist with an action under the Act if the Attorney General makes a determination that it is in the best interests of the State.
Date Introduced: Jan 19
View Status Details: HB0363
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Prohibiting the Interagency Commission on School Construction from considering a new or replacement fossil fuel-based energy system as a construction or capital improvement cost.
Date Introduced: Jan 19
View Status Details: HB0365
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing the Homeowner's Extreme Weather Mitigation and Preparation Grant Program in the Department of Housing and Community Development to assist homeowners, local governments, and nonprofit organizations in preparing and repairing residential properties to mitigate water damage caused by extreme weather; providing a homeowner is eligible for a grant if the property is the homeowner's primary legal residence, is owned and occupied by the homeowner, is a single-family home, and is covered by up-to-date insurance; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 21
View Status Details: HB0537 UNFAV by the Environment & Transportation Committee on March 7
Synopsis: Requiring the Comptroller to reduce certain motor fuel tax rates that would otherwise be imposed during a certain period of time by 15 cents and announce the reduced motor fuel tax rates for that period; and providing that the sales and use tax rate imposed on certain retail sales and the use of certain property and services purchased during a certain period of time shall be 0%.
Date Introduced: Jan 31
View Status Details: HB0577
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring the State to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions through the use of various measures, including the alteration of statewide greenhouse gas emissions goals, the establishment of a net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions goal, requiring gas companies and electric companies to provide certain programs and services, and requiring electric companies to increase their annual incremental gross energy savings through certain programs and services; etc.
Date Introduced: Jan 31
View Status Details: HB0708
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Altering the definition of "high performance building" to include certain schools and public safety buildings and require that the building meet certain building standards; requiring the Department of General Services to establish a maximum acceptable global warming potential for certain categories of eligible materials used in certain eligible projects; requiring a unit of State government to specify the eligible materials that will be used in an eligible project in the solicitation for an eligible project; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 3
View Status Details: HB0806
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Authorizing a subscriber organization for a community solar energy generating system to participate in consolidated billing provided by the electric company serving the territory of the community solar energy generating system.
Date Introduced: Feb 3
View Status Details: HB0818
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of the Environment to establish building emissions standards for certain commercial and residential buildings; establishing the Building Energy Transition Implementation Task Force to study certain matters and develop a plan for funding the retrofit of certain buildings; and requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to update the Maryland Building Performance Standards.
Date Introduced: Feb 3
View Status Details: HB0831
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing certain requirements for approval of construction of a new retail service station on or after October 1, 2022, including a setback requirement and the construction of a certain number of electric charging stations; and requiring approving bodies to adopt regulations to carry out the Act on or before January 1, 2023.
Date Introduced: Feb 3
View Status Details: HB0835
Synopsis: Altering the eligibility of solar energy sources for meeting certain portions of Tier 1 requirements of the renewable energy portfolio standard to require that the source is only eligible if it is connected with the electric distribution grid serving Maryland.
Date Introduced: Feb 7
View Status Details: HB0864 UNFAV on March 15
Synopsis: Altering the Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Rebate Program by extending the duration of the Program, increasing the total amount of rebates issued under the Program, repealing the authority to issue rebates to retail service station dealers, limiting the issuance of rebates to one recharging system per individual per address, and authorizing the Maryland Energy Administration to offer additional benefits under certain circumstances; establishing the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Grant Program; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 7
View Status Details: HB0894
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring the Department of the Environment, on or before December 1, 2022, to develop certain policies and recommendations to require at least 40% of overall spending on certain programs, projects, or investments to benefit certain overburdened communities, starting with fiscal year 2024; defining an "overburdened community" as any census tract where the median house hold income is not more than 75% of the statewide median household income and certain environmental indicators are above the 75th percentile; etc.
Date Introduced: Feb 10
View Status Details: HB1033
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Requiring that an eligible customer-generator receive generation credits for net excess generation that are applied to the total monthly electricity bill from an electric company.
Date Introduced: Feb 11
View Status Details: HB1112
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Allowing a taxpayer to claim a credit against the State income tax for certain costs incurred to install certain solar energy property; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration to administer the credit; providing for the carryforward and transfer of the credit under certain circumstances; and establishing the Task Force to Study Solar Energy Incentives and make recommendations regarding measures needed to ensure that solar development in the State creates good quality, family-sustaining jobs.
Date Introduced: Feb 11
View Status Details: HB1250
Synopsis: Establishing the Office on Climate Change in the Office of the Governor to coordinate with the Commission on Climate Change to ensure certain recommendations are implemented, ensure that each State agency addresses ways the agency can mitigate the causes of climate change and certain impacts of climate change, initiate and oversee certain climate change research and investigations, and work with local governments on the development and implementation of local climate change plans.
Date Introduced: Feb 11
View Status Details: HB1263
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Including a zero-emission energy resource as a Tier 1 renewable source eligible for meeting certain Tier 1 obligations under the renewable energy portfolio standard; and requiring the Maryland Energy Administration, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, the Department of the Environment, and the Department of Natural Resources, to conduct a study on carbon capture, use, and sequestration.
Date Introduced: Feb 11
View Status Details: HB1366
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline
Synopsis: Establishing the Green Infrastructure Rebate Program to provide property owners the incentive to invest in stormwater management practices-; requiring the Department of the Environment to administer the Program in collaboration with each county that elects to participate in the Program; authorizing the Department to delegate authority to administer the Program to a participating county; and requiring the Department and participating counties to provide a certain percentage of the cost of a rebate under the Program.
Date Introduced: Feb 11
View Status Details: HB1372
Remained in Committee at Crossover Deadline