These segments provide a brief overview about MACos activities in the field of environment policy at the 2022 General Assembly.
MACo seeks practical solutions to environmental problems that are flexible and do not place unreasonable costs on county governments.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused Maryland’s General Assembly to hold a unique session of its legislative sessions. Legislators and advocates faced unique challenges due to the 443rd session’s unique circumstances, which included safety and health measures. Despite these unique circumstances, MACos advocacy led to more positive outcomes than its members.
These links will take you to our Conduit Streetblog for more coverage.Legislative Database.
Climate
MACo supported SB528 and its amendments. This broad-ranging legislation serves multiple purposes to improve Maryland’s climate response. SB 528 Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 Passed The Governor signed the General Assembly.
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MACo supported HB708 and its amendments. This comprehensive legislation achieves multiple goals and enhances Maryland’s climate response. HB 708 Comprehensive Climate Solutions failed In the General Assembly
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MACo opposed HB695. MACo opposed HB695. Environment – Climate Crisis Plan – Requirement (Better Together to Save Our Weather Act of 2022) failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo opposed HB880. The bill prohibits county governments to take broad-based defined actions without completing detailed evaluations of the impacts on climate, labor and economic justice and any overburdened community. HB 880/SB931 Environment – Impact of Actions on Climate, Labor, and Environmental Justice failed In the General Assembly
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MACo supported the bill and added amendments. The bill would establish the Office on Climate Change at the Office of the Gove, which is responsible for a variety of actions related to the States response. HB 1263 Environment Office on Climate Change Establishment failedIn the General Assembly
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Constitutional Amendment
MACo opposed HB596 / SB783. The bill creates new constitutional rights that are vaguely defined and a large new class of litigants who have broad standing rights to participate in litigation. HB 596/SB 783 would amend Maryland’s Constitution to create an environmental right under the Declaration of Rights that any person can have. This is a radical departure from decades of practice. HB 596 / SB 783 Constitutional Amendment – Environmental Rights failedIn the General Assembly
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Recycling
MACo supported HB1226 with amendments. The bill would establish the Mattress Stewardship Program for Maryland. This program is intended to shift mattress disposal responsibility from manufacturers to recycle. HB 1226 Environment – Office of Recycling – Mattress Stewardship Program – Establishment failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB 307 / SB 292. This bill would require packaging producers to accept more responsibility for their role in adding to the waste stream and providing resources to struggling recycling networks. HB 307/SB 292 Environment – Packaging Materials – Producer Responsibility failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB1239 and its amendments. The bill would set a minimum threshold for postconsumer recycling content in plastics and glass products.HB 1239 Environment – Plastic and Glass Products – Postconsumer Recycled Content Program failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB 217. The bill would create an advisory committee to review and update Maryland Recycling Act (MRA), which could lead to sensible changes. HB 217 Task Force on Recycling Policy and Recycling and Other Waste Systems in Maryland failedIn the General Assembly
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Inspections and County Government Authority
MACo opposed HB761 / SB 330. This bill places strict requirements on local public health departments. They are responsible for ensuring public health by inspecting facilities. HB 761/SB 330 County Boards of Health and Baltimore City Health Department – Procedures and Appeals Process failed In the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB402 / SB221 with amendments. The bill provides a broad range of stronger and clearer tools for the Maryland Department of the Environment in order to enforce violations of departmental permit permits. HB 402 / HB 221 Department of the Environment – Enforcement Authority failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB361 / SB 320 and its amendments. The bill requires counties conduct visual mold inspections in rental dwelling units. It also places the responsibility for confirming mold infestation and remediation on the landlord. HB 361 / SB 320 Mold Inspections and Remediation – Standards, Reporting, Penalties, and Tax Credit failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB661 / SB 263 with amends. The bill provides a healthy default option for drinks served with children’s meals in restaurants and food service establishments. HB 661 / HB 263. Beverage Options for Children’s Meals: Health Food Service Facilities failedIn the General Assembly
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New Programs
MACo supported HB936 / SB 999 with modifications. The bill would create an independent commission to study the best way to achieve the full power generation capacity permitted by ambitious state laws. HB 936/SB 999 Blue Ribbon Community Solar Land Use Commission failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo opposed HB1033. The bill would require the state and local governments of various areas to spend at least 40% on overall spending in order to help overburdened communities. HB 1033 Environment and Energy – Investment in Overburdened Communities failed In the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB 876. This bill would establish Maryland Forest Education Fund, which is part of the Maryland Forestry Foundation. HB 876 Maryland Forestry Education Fund Establishment failedIn the General Assembly
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Natural Resources
MACo supported HB 960 / SB 651. The bill would change certain aspects of Forest Conservation Fund in order to give counties more time for the use of resources. HB 960/SB 651 Natural Resources – Forest Mitigation Banks and the Forest Conservation Fund – Alterations failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB 1031 / SB 791. The bill would establish programs to accelerate and improve the acquisition of park land and encourage the development and maintenance of green spaces in communities. HB 1031/SB 791 Natural Resources – Land Conservation – Establishment of Goals and Programs (Maryland the Beautiful Act) failed The General Assembly.
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Septic, Waste, and Water Treatment Regulation
MACo supported HB1070 and its amendments. The bill would establish several grant funds to encourage the use of composting, environmental sustainability, and recycling. HB 1070 Solid Waste Disposal, Diversion, and OnFarm Composting. failedIn the General Assembly
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MACo opposed SB 580. This bill would require municipal solid waste treatment plants in order to pay extraordinary damages for shellfish harvesters who are affected by sewage overflows. SB 580 Sewer Systems and Wastewater Treatment Plants – Water Pollution – Shellfish Harvester Restitution failed In the General Assembly
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MACo supported HB1068 and opposed SB113. The bill would standardize and automate the on-site sewage disposal process. HB 1068 Local Health Departments, Environmental Health Specialists, and On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems – Systems Standards, Regulations, Applications, and Funding/ SB 113 Environmental Health Specialists & Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems – Transfer of Responsibilities & Standards, Regulations. Applications. Plans failedIn the General Assembly
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PFAS Chemicals
MACo supported HB 275 / SB 273 with its amendments. The bill increases restrictions on the sale and usage of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added per- or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS chemicals). HB 275 / SB 273 Environment PFAS Chemicals Prohibitions & Requirements (George Walter Taylor Act). PassedThe General Assembly has been signed by the Governors.
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