Policy Updates
The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) keeps you informed about public policy decisions made by the General Assembly during the legislative session, with the potential to impact the energy sector in our state!
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MCEC staff monitors activity in the Maryland General Assembly, looking for legislation relevant to our mission and your interest in advancing the adoption of clean energy products, services, technologies, and innovation. Keep an eye on this space each Friday during the session for a list of the energy regulation and finance bills introduced that might impact your bottom line and our environment.
Maryland’s 188 State Representatives took their seats on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, to open the 447th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly. The presiding officers will return to the rostrum with Senator Shaneka Henson, a new member for District 30, after Senator Sarah Elfreth’s move to the 3rd Congressional District seat. District 8 was vacated by Senator Kathy Klausmeier to serve as Baltimore County Executive. Jill Carter resigned her District 41 Senate seat when Governor Moore appointed her to the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals. This will leave a vacancy in the House Districts 41, 30A, 31, and 8, with appointments pending.
For a complete look at committee membership, click here.
Leadership voices concerns regarding the difficult budget restraints, transportation, and health care.
The Department of Legislative Services publishes Issue Papers for the next session during each interim. The Issue Papers 2025 Legislative Session discusses the economic forecast and the budget deficit looming.
Legislators pre-filed more than 550 bills between August and December, with 30 pieces of legislation that could impact the Maryland energy economy. Several of these bills were introduced during the previous Legislative Session. Legislation introduced pertaining to the Clean Energy Sector will be posted on the MCEC website with updates on hearing schedules. The House Economic Matters and the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committees typically hear energy-related legislation. The Maryland General Assembly posts hearing dates online if you wish to sign up to testify or listen in to proceedings. Visit the following link for more information regarding hearing dates and how to get in touch with legislators.
Visit the Maryland General Assembly website here.
The Maryland General Assembly returns to business with the new 2025 Committee Guides and Protocols in place.
View the Senate witness guidelines here.
View the House protocol guidelines here.
MCEC hosts a weekly Legislative Update via Zoom on Fridays at 9:00 AM to review pending legislation and facilitate a discussion among industry stakeholders. If you would like to participate, please contact Pamela Powers at 301-314-6065.
Do you know your State Senators and Delegates? They should know you! Contact your legislators directly to inform them about your role in the Maryland energy economy and voice your position on proposed bills during the session.
Find your representatives here.
LEGISLATIVE TRACKER
BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
SB0010/HB0220 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Eligible Sources – Alterations (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025)
SB0175/HB0222 Public Safety – Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing for Fuel Gas Piping Systems – Requirements and Prohibitions
SB0256/HB0049 Environment – Building Energy Performance Standards – Compliance and Reporting
HB0212 Maryland Building Performance Standards – Fossil Fuel Use and Electric-Ready Standards
HB0340 Climate Change – Attorney General Actions, Climate Change Restitution Fund, and Climate Change Restitution Fund Advisory Council
FINANCE AND INNOVATION
SB0105/HB0145 Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program and Fund
SB0247/HB0155 Housing and Community Development – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions – Issuance of Loans and Achievement of Targets
SB0316/HB0398 Abundant Affordable Clean Energy – Procurement and Development (AACE Act)
HB0227 Corporations and Associations – Electric Cooperatives – Nonescheat Capital Credits
SJ0002/HJ0001 United States of America – National Infrastructure Bank
REGULATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY, & UTILITIES
SB0034 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity – Overhead Transmission Lines – Conservation Easements
SB0037/HB0121 Electric Companies – Regional Transmission Organizations – Report (Utility Transparency and Accountability Act)
SB0120/HB0004 Restrictions on Use – Solar Collector Systems – Alteration
SB0266/HB0286 Local Comprehensive Planning and State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy – Planning Principles
SB0332 Task Force to Study the Premature Retirement of Electricity Generation Facilities
HB0061 Public School Construction and Renovation – Solar Canopies for School Parking Lots – Underground Infrastructure
HB0066 Education – School Building Energy Usage – Monthly Report
HB0213 Public Utilities – Natural Gas Energy Generation – Authorization and Limitation
HB0339 Real Property – Residential Rental Apartments – Air-Conditioning Requirements
HB0419 Natural Gas – Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement (Ratepayer Protection Act)
HB0452 Outdoor Lighting – Guidance and Use of State Funds
TRANSPORTATION & WORKFORCE
SB0020 Locally Operated Transit Systems – Mandatory Funding – Inflation Adjustment (Local Transit Sustainability Act)
SB0263/HB0092 Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors – License Restoration
SB0395/HB0084 Transportation – Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025)
HB0084 Transportation – Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025)
HB0216 Electric Vehicles – Repeal of Excise Tax Credit and Establishment of Rebate Program
