Climate Change and the 2026 Session

Each year, the Climate Change team selects several bills as “priority.” The bills are evaluated based on their climate effectiveness and climate justice impacts. In order to collect information about the bills, UULM-MD participates in three different coalitions. They are the Climate Justice Wing of the Maryland Legislative Coalition, the Citizens Concerned for the Environment (CCE), and the Transform Maryland Transportation coalition. These three coalitions emphasize different perspectives on climate change. They are climate justice, broader climate and environmental issues, and public transportation advocacy, respectively.

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In addition, several bills have been selected that we are “supporting” and may be elevated in the event that a priority bill fails to move forward.

For priority bills, the UULM-MD will submit written testimony, issue action alerts and join rallies in Annapolis. For the supported bills, we will follow their progress, and sign-on to other Advocacy Organizations' testimony.

​This year, we will advocate for three climate bills. They are:

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SB 781 / HB 1268 and SB 780 / HB 1287 - The CHERISH Our Communities Act (Cumulative Harms to Environmental Restoration for Improving our Shared Health): addresses a critical gap in Maryland's environmental protection system, particularly in disadvantaged and overburdened communities.

SB 59 / HB 437 - The Climate and Transportation Alignment Act:  would require the Maryland Department to align transportation projects with state climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled.

SB 342 - HB 311 - The Bottle Bill (aka Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program): would implement a deposit-return system for beverage containers (plastic, glass, metal) with 10-15 cent deposits, aiming to drastically cut litter and boost recycling.

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Supported Legislation

Over the next 90 days, we will watch multiple bills are all related to Environmental Justice.

We may ask you to contact lawmakers in support of any of these bills.

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DATA Center Reform: 

SB 270/HB 674 - Electricity - Costs and Benefits Analysis - Requiring the Public Service Commission to conduct an analysis of the full costs and benefits of sources of electricity generation in the State.

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Renewable Energy:

HB 345/ SB 341 -  Affordable Solar Act -Stabilizes the Solar Energy Market by changing way that Solar Energy Renewable Credits (SREC) Authorizing the purchase, installation, and use of portable solar energy generating system (balcony solar). Altering the renewable energy portfolio standard; requiring that certain alternative compliance fees be paid into an escrow account rather than into the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

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Environment:

HB 572/SB 432 - Attorney General Actions and Climate Crimes Accountability Fund (Climate Crimes Accountability Act) - Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate, commence, and prosecute or defend any suit or action that holds entities accountable for tortious or otherwise unlawful conduct that has contributed to climate change; authorizes the Attorney General to hire outside counsel to assist with an action; establishes the Climate Crimes Accountability Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund.

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Electrical Grid Efficacy:

HB 40/SB 201 -  Transmission Line Technologies- Implement hardware and software solutions—including Dynamic Line Rating, power-flow controllers, and topology optimization—to increase the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of existing transmission lines.

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Utilities Oversight:

HB 540 -  Public Service Company Transparency Act -  Capping how much utilities can charge ratepayers for executive pay and limiting bonuses

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Land-Based Wind Energy:​

HB 629/SB 429 - Maryland Energy Administration - Study on Land-Based Wind Energy - Requires the Maryland Energy Administration to conduct a study on the potential for land-based wind energy generation in the State and the siting of land-based wind energy generating systems in the State.

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Cap-and-Invest Program:

HB 1199/SB 590 - Study on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Economy-Wide Cap-and-Invest Program (Maryland Climate Crisis Equity Act) - Requires the Department of the Environment, in collaboration with the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, the Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Energy Administration, to complete a study and develop a report evaluating the potential design and implications of implementing an economy-wide cap-and-invest program that will help the State achieve certain emissions reductions and provide a sustainable funding source for certain initiatives.

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Governor Wes Moore Initiatives: 

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SB 386/HB 897 -  Lower Bills and Local Power Act- Requires that larger electric companies join the regional transmission organizations- PJM and/or ATO. Requires additional information on Public Convenience and Necessity Permit applications.

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SB 389/HB 894- Transit-Oriented Development - Addresses zoning and financing barriers to create more jobs and housing near transit. The legislation would eliminate minimum parking requirements for certain transit-oriented developments, promote mixed-use development around key stations, and give the State more authority over the development of land adjacent to transit stations.​​​

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In addition, there are several energy-related bills being discussed aimed at:

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1) Stabilizing the rising cost of energy,

2) Encouraging the growth of renewable energy, and

3) Incorporating advanced technologies to enhance the electric grid.

We will consider supporting these bills as the details emerge.

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