Policy Updates

The 447th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly ended successfully, with Maryland’s 188 State Representatives celebrating Sine Die. With a challenging structural deficit, legislators introduced and reviewed more than 3,200 pieces of legislation, including the budget bills. They focused on passing a balanced budget while considering the out years. The body faced the state’s housing shortage, the effects of federal cuts to Maryland’s economy, the rise in energy demand with the fear of supply availability, and the rising costs to consumers throughout the state.

MCEC staff monitored ninety-eight (98) pieces of legislation relevant to our mission and the adoption of clean energy products, services, and technologies. Eighteen (18) energy-related bills passed their chamber of origination, the opposing chamber, were returned passed and presented to the Governor for his signature. Seventy (70) failed due to sponsor withdrawal, unfavorable reports by the assigned committee, or remaining in the assigned committee. When comparing the passage of energy-related legislation to last year’s session, 18% of the bills we tracked passed this year, with 30% passing last year. We may want to consider that several bills were amended into SB0931/HB1036 – Public Utilities – Generating Stations – Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act) and SB0937/HB1035 – Electricity and Gas – Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act).

Staff identified five common themes among the energy-related legislation during the 2025 legislative session: Generation, Supply, and Transmission, Ratepayer Cost Concerns, Energy Source Siting and Environmental Justice, Building Energy Performance Standards, and Impact Assessments, Infrastructure Regulations, and Reports. We observed bills in all categories moving slower than predicted, passing through the process this year. With twenty-six (26) pieces of legislation crossing to the opposing chamber on March 17 and eighteen (18) forwarded to the Governor for his signature, Wednesday, April 2, marked the first day one of these bills passed both chambers.

MCEC already has its eye on the 448th Legislative Session. Subscribe to our Policy Watch series to make sure you don’t miss next year’s updates.

LEGISLATIVE TRACKER

GENERATION, SUPPLY & TRANSMISSION

SB0037 / HB0121 – Electric Companies – Regional Transmission Organizations – Report (Utility Transparency and Accountability Act)

SB0399 / HB1270 – Natural Resources – Wildland Areas – Overhead Transmission Lines

SB0937 / HB1035 – Electricity and Gas – Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act)

RATEPAYER COST CONCERNS

SB0561 / HB0227 – Corporations and Associations – Electric Cooperatives – Nonescheat Capital Credits

ENERGY SOURCE SITING & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

SB0120 / HB0004– Restrictions on Use – Solar Collector Systems – Alteration

SB0425 / HB0902 – Environment – Coal Combustion By-Products – Fees, Coordinating Committee, and Regulations

SB0931/ HB1036 – Public Utilities – Generating Stations – Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act)

BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 

SB0256 / HB0049 – Environment – Building Energy Performance Standards – Alterations

Impact Assessments, Infrastructure, Regulations & Reports

SB0116 / HB0270 – Data Center Impact Analysis and Report

SB0149 / HB0128 – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation – Total Assessed Cost of Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Study and Reports

SB0175 / HB0222 – Public Safety – Fuel Gas Piping Systems and Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing – Prohibitions and Study

SB0263 / HB0092 – Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors – License Restoration

SB0266 / HB0286 – Local Comprehensive Planning and State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy – Planning Principles

SB0909 / HB1037 – Energy Resource Adequacy and Planning Act

HB0452 – Outdoor Lighting – Guidance and Use of State Funds

HB1162 – Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, or Refrigeration Contractors – Equipment Sales