2009 Legislative Roundup
VICTORIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act (SB 278/HB 315 – O’Malley, Pinsky, Barve)
Sets an enforceable cap on statewide carbon emissions in Maryland, reducing emissions 25% by 2020. Sets a 2012 deadline to have all the regulations in place to achieve the reductions.
Senate voting list House voting list
Septic System Pollution Controls (SB 554/HB 176 – Lenett, Lafferty)
Requires any new septic system in homes along the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay to have state-of-the-art nitrogen removal technology. MDE will help residents pay for the costs of replacement systems.
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Citizen Enforcement for Environmental Permits (SB 1065/HB 1569 – Frosh/McIntosh)
Gives citizens the right to take legal action to challenge permits for development along the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay. The bill grants “standing” to associations of individuals.
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Green Jobs – Welfare to Work (SB 992/HB 268 – Kelley, Rosenberg)
Requires the Department of Human Resources, which oversees Welfare to Work programs, to develop workforce training programs for the clean energy sector.
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Clean Energy Loan Program (HB 1567 – Hecht)
Helps homeowners and small businesses afford renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through an innovative financing mechanism. The bill authorizes counties to sell bonds to raise money for loans that can be paid back through a surcharge on property taxes.
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Low Phosphorus Fertilizer (SB 553/HB 609 – Lenett, Holmes)
Bans the sale of fertilizer that has more than 5% phosphorus for residential use in Maryland.
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Water Pollution Penalties (SB 408 – Simonaire)
Increases penalties for violations of water pollution laws from $1,000 to $5,000.
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Energy Efficient Building Codes (SB 625/HB 707 – Frosh, Barve)
Requires counties to adopt the latest energy efficiency building codes. Counties must comply within six months.
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Financing for Transit-Oriented Development (SB 274/HB 300 – Administration)
Allows local governments to use tax increment financing to help facilitate transit-oriented development projects.
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Consistency with Local Growth Plans (SB 280/HB 297 – Administration)
Clarifies existing law in light of the “Terrapin Run” decision, requiring that development proposals be consistent with local growth plans.
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No Net Loss of Forests (SB 666/HB 1291 – Pinsky, Bobo)
Establishes a “No Net Loss” standard for the state. Increases the level of payments required from developments that impact forests and reduces the exemption for minor impacts.
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Organic Farms (SB 516/HB 449) – Middleton, Manno)
Creates the Maryland Organic Transition Investment Pilot Program. Assists farmers transitioning to organic during the three-year certification process.
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Net Metering for Micro Combined Heat and Power (HB 1057 – McHale)
Allows homeowners who install super-efficient micro generators in their homes to be reimbursed by the local utility for power they feed into the electric grid.
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Coal Ash Dumping (HB1305 – King)/(HB 1556 – Administration)
Fly ash is contaminating our water and air because of a lack of regulations. HB 1305 requires MDE to adopt regulations for “beneficial uses” of coal combustion byproducts. HB 1556 directs MDE to establish a fee for coal ash disposal.
Senate voting list House voting list
LOSSES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Smart Growth Performance Standards (SB 878/HB 1116 – Harrington, Lafferty)
Would set performance standards for local jurisdictions on growth and development. Counties would have to direct future development to priority growth areas, reduce miles driven, create affordable housing and economic development, and uphold water quality standards. Passed the House as an amendment to another bill, but did not come to a vote in the Senate Committee.
House voting list
Funding Diversions in the Budget (SB 166/HB 101 – Administration)
Diverts $70 million from energy efficiency programs over the next two years. Stimulus money will help plug the hole partially in FY10 but not at all in FY11. The Bay Trust Fund is reduced to $10 million, plus $12 million for cover crops.
Historic Buildings Tax Credit (SB 258/HB 309 – Administration)
The program needs to be reauthorized. The bill would also have turned the program back into a tax credit, rather than a grant program, to make it more useful for builders. Killed by Senate committee.
Pesticide Use Reporting (SB 917/HB 929 – Lenett, Hubbard)
Currently, users of pesticides don’t have to report how much they use. This would create a centralized database for pesticide and fertilizer use. Costs would be covered by pesticide manufacturers. Did not come to a vote in either committee.
Intercounty Connector (SB 753/HB 27 – Pipkin, Frush)
In a fiscal crisis, the last thing we need is to spend billions on a new highway that will pollute our air and lead to more traffic and congestion. This is a $4 billion boondoggle that is entirely unjustified at any time, but especially now when we’re making so many drastic cuts in other areas of our budget. Killed in the House committee.
Green Jobs Workforce Training Program (SB 856/HB 814 – Pugh, Hucker)
Would help stimulate and create green jobs training programs across the state. DLLR would coordinate the effort along with MEA, Maryland Clean Energy Center, and DBED. Passed the Senate, but killed in the House committee.
Senate voting list