• Purpose: The bill aims to alter the alternative compliance fee paid by certain owners of covered buildings and to include energy use attributable to the building's failure to meet certain energy targets.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires regulations to include an annual reporting fee to cover administrative costs.

  • Mandates the Department of the Environment to deposit alternative compliance fees into the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

  • Provides flexibility to building owners to comply with energy performance standards.

  • Establishes energy use intensity targets by building type and includes special provisions for certain building types and regional differences

• Purpose: The bill aims to require electric companies to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission regarding their recorded votes at regional transmission organization meetings.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires electric companies, excluding municipal electric utilities, to submit a report by February 1 each year.

  • The report must detail each recorded vote cast by the electric company and its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings.

• Purpose: The bill aims to establish the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Payment Program to secure payments from businesses that extract fossil fuels or refine petroleum products. These payments will provide revenue for state efforts to adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change and address the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

• Key Changes:

  • Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund.

  • Authorizes the Legislative Auditor to conduct audits of the Fund and appropriations and expenditures made for the purposes of the Program.

  • Defines key terms such as "climate change adaptive or mitigation infrastructure project," "covered greenhouse gas emissions," and "responsible party."

  • Imposes cost recovery demands on responsible parties based on their proportional liability for greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Requires responsible parties to pay cost recovery demands in full or in installments.

  • Specifies the use of funds for various climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, including infrastructure upgrades, flood management, and public health initiatives.

• Purpose: The bill aims to establish a loan program and fund to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations for the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying energy systems.

• Key Changes:

  • Establishes the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program in the Maryland Energy Administration.

  • Creates the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund.

  • Specifies that interest earnings of the Fund are to be paid into the Fund.

  • Alters the uses of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to include providing funds to the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund.

  • Provides no-interest loans to nonprofit organizations for qualifying energy systems.

  • Requires the Maryland Energy Administration to manage, supervise, and administer the program, adopt regulations, and attach specific terms to loans to ensure the program's purpose is fulfilled.

  • Sets guidelines for loan applications, including prioritizing applicants with an annual budget of $1,000,000 or less.

  • Allows loans to be used for the purchase and installation of qualifying energy systems and technical assistance for planning and installation.

  • Establishes the Fund's sources of revenue, including state budget appropriations, transfers from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, public or private sources, interest and investment earnings, and loan repayments.

• Purpose: The bill aims to authorize the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue loans, in addition to grants, for reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from multifamily residential buildings.

• Key Changes:

  • Authorizes the Department to issue loans for energy conservation projects and renewable energy generating systems in covered buildings housing low- to moderate-income households.

  • Prohibits the use of grants and loans for projects involving new or existing fossil fuel equipment.

  • Requires an annual budget appropriation of $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 for grants and loans under this program.

  • Mandates annual reporting on funded projects to the Governor and General Assembly.

• Purpose: The bill aims to require new buildings to meet all energy demands without the use of fossil fuels and to establish an electric-ready standard for certain buildings.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt regulations that new buildings meet all energy demands without the use of fossil fuels by specific dates.

  • Establishes an electric-ready standard for new buildings that receive a waiver from the fossil fuel requirement.

  • Allows local jurisdictions to grant waivers for certain building types and emergency backup power systems.

  • Mandates that buildings granted a waiver minimize emissions from fossil fuel use and comply with electric-ready standards.

  • Requires periodic review of waivers to ensure they are still necessary.

• Purpose: The bill aims to authorize the construction, permitting, and operation of energy-generating systems that produce energy from natural gas until the state meets certain energy goals.

• Key Changes:

  • Allows the construction and operation of natural gas energy systems until the state achieves 100% renewable energy.

  • Requires compliance with existing regulations for obtaining necessary approvals.

  • Mandates the use of best available emissions control technologies.

  • Prohibits the construction and operation of natural gas systems after the state meets its renewable energy goals.

  • Requires decommissioning or transitioning to renewable energy within 10 years after achieving the goals.

  • Annual reporting on progress toward renewable energy goals and the role of natural gas in the state's energy portfolio

• Purpose: The bill aims to alter the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source" to exclude energy derived from waste and refuse from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.

• Key Changes:

  • Excludes waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel from the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source."

  • Specifies that energy from certain sources, such as solar, wind, qualifying biomass, and geothermal, remains eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.

• Purpose: The bill aims to promote the procurement and development of clean energy resources in Maryland.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires electric companies to submit plans for the construction or procurement of distribution-connected energy storage devices.

  • Establishes zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities.

  • Pursues coordinated approaches to offshore wind energy transmission development.

  • Creates the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program.

  • Alters the distribution of sales and use tax revenue and franchise tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

  • Establishes various processes and requirements for the procurement of energy storage devices and renewable energy credits.

• Purpose: The bill aims to alter the required contents of a plan that a gas company may file with the Public Service Commission for proposed eligible infrastructure replacement projects.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires a description of each eligible project, including its expected useful life.

  • Mandates a demonstration that the gas company has selected and prioritized projects based on risk to the public and cost-effectiveness.

  • Includes an analysis comparing the costs of proposed replacement projects with alternatives, such as leak detection and repair, and targeted retirement or abandonment of portions of the gas system in conjunction with electrification.

  • Requires a plan for notifying customers affected by proposed projects at least 2 years in advance of construction to allow customers the opportunity to electrify.

  • Alters the required findings of the Commission in considering whether to approve an infrastructure replacement plan, including consistency with state climate policy and the projected availability and cost-effectiveness of natural gas alternatives.

Key provisions include:

- Renaming the "renewable energy portfolio standard" to "clean energy portfolio standard."
- Altering the definition of "qualified offshore wind project."
- Increasing the minimum required percentage of energy from clean energy sources.
- Establishing a process for the Public Service Commission to review and approve nuclear energy generation projects.
- Requiring compliance with the Minority Business Enterprise Program for nuclear energy projects.
- Renaming the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund."
- Applying the act retroactively to all clean energy portfolio standard compliance years starting January 1, 2025.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to establish targets for electricity production from renewable energy resources located in the state.
- Setting goals for achieving 50% of all electricity sold in the state from renewable energy resources by 2030, 70% by 2035, and 80% by 2040.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to consider the impact of overhead transmission lines on properties with existing conservation easements.
- Mandating applicants to consider alternative routes for transmission lines affecting conservation easements or alter proposed routes.
- Ensuring the minimization of impact on properties with conservation easements or changing the proposed route to reduce the impact.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring each county and Baltimore City to update their comprehensive plans to include an electric system planning element.
- Mandating electric companies to report to counties and Baltimore City on their compliance with the electric system planning element.
- Requiring the Public Service Commission to consider county and municipal government recommendations for applications related to the construction of overhead transmission lines.
- Mandating electric companies to submit annual reports on electricity demand to the Commission.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Increasing the number of commissioners from five to seven.
- Establishing residency requirements for each commissioner, ensuring representation from different regions of Maryland.
- Altering the manner in which the Chair of the Commission is appointed.
- Requiring the Commission to submit a slate of nominees to the Governor for the initial appointment of the new commissioners.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Expanding the circumstances under which the Public Service Commission must examine alternatives to constructing a new transmission line.
- Including alternatives such as using an existing transmission line of another company, using an existing right-of-way, reconductoring an existing transmission line, and undergrounding a transmission line.
- Considering the impact on historical, environmental, or agricultural preservation areas, and avoiding overlap with planned growth areas or residential zones.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a solar energy generating station unless the Commission receives written approval for the construction of the generating station from each county or municipal corporation where the generating station is proposed to be located.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Prohibiting a person constructing a solar energy generating station from exercising a right of condemnation in connection with that construction.
- Amending existing laws to reflect this prohibition.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Allowing teachers to remove students from the classroom for repeated disruptive behavior or unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior that interferes with teaching and learning.
- Requiring teachers to document the behavior and send the student to the principal or guidance counselor.
- Providing options for principals to handle the student, including returning the student to the classroom, placing the student in another classroom, in-school suspension, an alternative program, or limiting participation in school activities.
- Prohibiting disciplinary action against teachers for removing students in accordance with the act.
- Ensuring that students removed under this act are not considered removed for reporting purposes.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

• Certificate Requirements:

  • Develop and submit proposed siting and design requirements and licensing conditions for the certificate.

  • Require approval from the Public Service Commission before constructing a distributed solar energy system.

• Siting and Design:

  • Consider environmental preservation, public safety, and best practices in standard siting and design requirements.

  • Require permits for site plan approval, stormwater management, erosion control, and other necessary local permits.

• Workgroup on Small Solar Siting:

  • Establish a workgroup to review and recommend best practices for solar energy systems up to 2 megawatts.

  • Submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025, with some sections effective until June 30, 2027.

• Public Utilities and Advanced Transmission Technologies:

  • Regulate and enhance the construction and operation of overhead transmission lines using advanced transmission technologies.

Key Provisions:

• Qualified Generator Lead Line:

  • Redefine “qualified generator lead line” to include advanced transmission technologies like grid-enhancing technologies, high-performance conductors, and storage used as transmission.

• Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN):

  • Applicants for constructing overhead transmission lines must include an analysis of alternatives like advanced transmission technologies, alternative routings, and costs to ratepayers.

  • The Public Service Commission must consider these alternatives before approving CPCNs.

  • Require each owner or operator of an overhead transmission line to submit biennial reports on transmission congestion, costs, feasibility of alternatives, and proposed implementation plans.

• Reporting Requirements:

  • Reports to identify areas of transmission congestion, costs, and the feasibility of using advanced transmission technologies.

  • Propose implementation plans for advanced technologies to address congestion.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring each electric company to submit a specific rate schedule for data center customers to the Public Service Commission for approval by July 1, 2026.

- Defining terms such as "contract capacity," "data center," "load ramp contract capacity," "load ramp period," and "mobile data center."

- Establishing requirements for service under the specific rate schedule, including minimum durations for contracts, financial responsibilities, and fees.

- Setting conditions for the approval of the specific rate schedule by the Public Service Commission, including load ramp periods, contract terms, and minimum billing demands.

- Allowing the Commission to waive certain requirements for customers with high credit ratings and significant cash reserves.

- Requiring the Commission to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of the bill by January 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring the Department of Planning, in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration, to conduct the study.

- Developing criteria to assess and compare the suitability of sites for new solar projects.

- Assessing the feasibility of using lease agreements for solar energy projects on the identified land.

- Reporting findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

• Ratepayer Freedom Act:

  • Limit cost recovery and reporting requirements for investor-owned electric, gas, and gas and electric companies.

Key Provisions:

• Cost Recovery Limitations:

  • Prohibit recovering certain costs through rates, such as costs associated with lobbying, political activities, and specific advertising, marketing, and communications.

• Annual Reporting:

  • Require companies to include itemized costs related to lobbying, political activities, and other specified expenses in their annual report to the Public Service Commission.

Implementation:

• Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Here are the key points:

1. **Fossil Fuel Use**: Requires new buildings and significant improvements to meet all laundry, water, and space heating demands without using fossil fuels.

2. **Energy Conservation**: Establishes energy conservation requirements to enhance energy efficiency.

3. **Electric- and Solar-Ready Standards**: Mandates that new buildings and significant improvements be electric- and solar-ready, ensuring they have the necessary infrastructure for future high-efficiency electric appliances and solar panel installations.

4. **Regulations and Public Input**: The Maryland Department of Labor must adopt these standards and consider public comments and innovative approaches to energy conservation.

5. **Effective Date**: The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025. The goal of HB973 is to promote sustainable building practices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a greener future.

• Electric Transmission and Distribution System Study:

  • Conduct a comprehensive study on Maryland's electric transmission and distribution system.

Key Provisions:

• Study Requirements:

  • Identify present and future inadequacies in the state's electric transmission system.

  • Explore alternatives to building new transmission lines, including grid-enhancing technologies like dynamic line rating, power flow controllers, and topology optimization.

  • Evaluate economic, environmental, and social impacts of these alternatives.

  • Summarize public input and stakeholder involvement.

  • Identify necessary investments to modernize the system, enhance reliability, improve security, and increase energy conservation.

• Use of Regional Information:

  • Utilize information and analyses from regional transmission organizations to comply with study requirements.

• Reporting:

  • Report findings to the Governor, Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment, and House Economic Matters Committee by January 1, 2026.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Fraud Prevention and Worker Protections: Prohibits knowingly making or using false records or statements resulting in underpayments of unemployment insurance contributions or benefits. Alters enforcement mechanisms for the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law, workplace fraud laws, living wage laws, and prevailing wage laws. Introduces penalties and enforcement measures for violations.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025

Key Provisions:

• Maryland False Claim Act:

  • Apply to claims involving unemployment insurance.

  • Prohibit false records or statements that result in underpayment of contributions or improper payment of benefits.

  • Deposit civil penalties and damages into the Unemployment Insurance Fund and use penalties for prevailing wage violations to pay restitution to workers.

• Workplace Fraud Laws:

  • General contractors and higher-tiered contractors considered employers of misclassified workers.

  • Prohibit the waiver of workplace fraud laws by private agreement.

  • Establish the Worker Protection Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to enforce worker protection laws.

• Enforcement Mechanisms:

  • Allow the Attorney General to bring actions against employers for underpayment of wages and workplace fraud.

  • Provide mechanisms for the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to investigate and enforce compliance.

  • Impose penalties for failure to properly classify employees and obstruct investigations.

• Collaboration and Information Sharing:

  • Require state agencies to share information on suspected worker misclassification.

  • Cooperate with federal agencies for enforcement.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Eligibility for Incentive Program: Floating solar energy generating systems are eligible for the Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program.

Property Tax Exemption: Exempts floating solar energy generating systems and systems located on brownfields from property tax.

Certification Requirements: Specifies certification requirements for solar energy generating systems under the program, including location, capacity, and installation dates. Effective Date: July 1, 2025

• Authorization of Natural Gas Generating Facilities:

  • Allow the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas generating facilities in Maryland until a specific renewable energy target is met.

Key Provisions:

• Energy Production Transition:

  • Authorize natural gas facilities until Maryland meets 50% of its energy needs from renewable resources, including nuclear energy.

  • The Maryland Energy Administration will collaborate with facility operators to decrease natural gas energy production as renewable energy use increases.

• Construction and Permitting Requirements:

  • Facilities must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or Commission approval.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

• Purpose: The bill aims to alter the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source" to exclude energy derived from waste and refuse from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.

• Key Changes:

  • Excludes waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel from the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source."

  • Specifies that energy from certain sources, such as solar, wind, qualifying biomass, and geothermal, remains eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.

  • Clarifies that the bill applies to all renewable energy portfolio standard compliance years starting on or after January 1, 2025.

• Purpose: The bill aims to establish a pilot program to prohibit student cell phone use during the school day in certain local school systems.

• Key Changes:

  • Establishes the Phone-Free Schools Pilot Program.

  • Requires eligible local school systems (Carroll County Public School System and Montgomery County Public School System) to develop and implement a policy that prohibits student cell phone use during instructional time.

  • Allows exceptions for cell phone use documented in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, for health issues, or when directed by an educator for educational purposes.

  • Requires eligible local school systems to collect data on the policy's impact on academic achievement, student engagement, social interactions, behavior, and discipline.

  • Mandates a report on the effectiveness of the pilot program to be submitted by September 1, 2026.

• Purpose: The bill aims to require the Public Service Commission to consider the impact of developing overhead transmission lines on properties with existing conservation easements.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires the Commission to consider the impact on properties with conservation easements when reviewing applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity.

  • Mandates applicants to consider alternative routes for transmission lines affecting conservation easements or alter proposed routes to minimize impact.

• Purpose: The bill aims to require electric companies to submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission regarding their recorded votes at regional transmission organization meetings.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires electric companies, excluding municipal electric utilities, to submit a report by February 1 each year.

  • The report must detail each recorded vote cast by the electric company and its affiliates at regional transmission organization meetings.

Key provisions include:

- Establishing the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program in the Maryland Energy Administration.
- Creating the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund.
- Requiring interest earnings of the fund to be paid into the fund.
- Altering the uses of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to include providing funds to the new loan fund.
- Providing no-interest loans to nonprofit organizations for qualifying energy systems.
- Setting guidelines for application, selection, and repayment of loans, with priority given to applicants with an annual budget of $1,000,000 or less.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain sections taking effect on July 1, 2026.

• Purpose: The bill aims to authorize the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue loans, in addition to grants, for reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from multifamily residential buildings.

• Key Changes:

  • Authorizes the Department to issue loans for energy conservation projects and renewable energy generating systems in covered buildings housing low- to moderate-income households.

  • Prohibits the use of grants and loans for projects involving new or existing fossil fuel equipment.

  • Requires an annual budget appropriation of $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 for grants and loans under this program.

• Purpose: The bill aims to alter the alternative compliance fee paid by certain owners of covered buildings and to include energy use attributable to the building's failure to meet certain energy targets.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires regulations to include an annual reporting fee to cover administrative costs.

  • Mandates the Department of the Environment to deposit alternative compliance fees into the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

  • Provides flexibility to building owners to comply with energy performance standards.

  • Establishes energy use intensity targets by building type and includes special provisions for certain building types and regional differences.

• Purpose: The bill aims to promote the procurement and development of clean energy resources in Maryland.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires electric companies to submit plans for the construction or procurement of distribution-connected energy storage devices.

  • Establishes zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities.

  • Pursues coordinated approaches to offshore wind energy transmission development.

  • Creates the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program.

  • Alters the distribution of sales and use tax revenue and franchise tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

• Purpose: The bill aims to promote the procurement and development of clean energy resources in Maryland.

• Key Changes:

  • Requires electric companies to submit plans for the construction or procurement of distribution-connected energy storage devices.

  • Establishes zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities.

  • Pursues coordinated approaches to offshore wind energy transmission development.

  • Creates the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program.

  • Alters the distribution of sales and use tax revenue and franchise tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

  • Establishes various processes and requirements for the procurement of energy storage devices and renewable energy credits.

Key provisions include:

- Exempting specific areas in the Big Savage Mountain Wildland, Bear Pen Wildland, and Dan's Mountain Wildland from being designated as wildland areas, subject to obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity for certain transmission lines.
- Ensuring that the proposed transmission lines are subject to a comprehensive review and input process involving the public, local governments, and relevant state units.
- Requiring the Public Service Commission to consider various factors, including the stability and reliability of the electric system, economics, aesthetics, historic sites, aviation safety, and environmental impact, before approving an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Renaming the "renewable energy portfolio standard" to "clean energy portfolio standard."
- Altering the definition of "qualified offshore wind project."
- Increasing the minimum required percentage of energy from clean energy sources.
- Establishing a process for the Public Service Commission to review and approve nuclear energy generation projects.
- Requiring compliance with the Minority Business Enterprise Program for nuclear energy projects.
- Renaming the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund."
- Applying the act retroactively to all clean energy portfolio standard compliance years starting January 1, 2025.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

- Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a solar energy generating station unless the Commission receives written approval for the construction of the generating station from each county or municipal corporation where the generating station is proposed to be located.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Requiring the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, the University System of Maryland, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center, to establish the program by January 1, 2026.
- Issuing a competitive solicitation for a biogas contract and authorizing the Department to procure biogas.
- Collecting data on natural gas consumption and analyzing the environmental and economic costs and benefits of using biogas.
- Completing a carbon lifecycle analysis of biogas by the University System of Maryland.
- Ensuring the program's requirements are met only if biogas is competitively priced, of satisfactory quality, and readily available.

The program is set to terminate on December 31, 2028. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Allowing teachers to remove students from the classroom for repeated disruptive behavior or unruly, disruptive, or abusive behavior that interferes with teaching and learning.
- Requiring teachers to document the behavior and send the student to the principal or guidance counselor.
- Providing options for principals to handle the student, including returning the student to the classroom, placing the student in another classroom, in-school suspension, an alternative program, or limiting participation in school activities.
- Prohibiting disciplinary action against teachers for removing students in accordance with the act.
- Ensuring that students removed under this act are not considered removed for reporting purposes.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

- Expanding the circumstances under which the Public Service Commission must examine alternatives to constructing a new transmission line.
- Including alternatives such as using an existing transmission line of another company, using an existing right-of-way, reconductoring an existing transmission line, and undergrounding a transmission line.
- Considering the impact on historical, environmental, or agricultural preservation areas, and avoiding overlap with planned growth areas or residential zones.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Prohibiting a person constructing a solar energy generating station from exercising a right of condemnation in connection with that construction.
- Amending existing laws to reflect this prohibition.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to conduct a full costs and benefits analysis of electricity generation sources in the state.

- Identifying the costs of electricity to ratepayers based on different generation mixes, including natural gas, nuclear energy, and offshore wind energy.

- Using the Levelized Full System Cost of Electricity model to analyze the costs of meeting the state's electricity needs from various energy sources.

- Recommending policy changes to support the development of the most cost-effective and beneficial energy sources for ratepayers. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- **Tier 1 Renewable Source**: Nuclear energy from certain reactors, including small modular reactors, is classified as a Tier 1 renewable source.

- **Certified Nuclear Renewable Energy Credit (NREC)**: Establishes a certified NREC for use in meeting renewable energy portfolio standard requirements.

- **Procurement Process**: The Public Service Commission will evaluate and approve applications for nuclear energy generation projects.

- **Assistance for Minority Investors**: The Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs will assist potential applicants and minority investors.

- **Community Benefit Agreement**: Projects must promote opportunities for local businesses and ensure the use of skilled labor.

- **Long-Term Pricing Schedule**: Specifies the pricing schedule for nuclear energy projects, with a maximum duration of 30 years.

- **Regulations and Reporting**: The Commission will adopt regulations and report on compliance with minority business enterprise participation goals and community benefit agreements. The bill aims to promote the use of nuclear energy as a renewable source and support economic development in the clean energy sector.

• Nonopioid Advance Directives:

  • Authorize competent individuals to make nonopioid advance directives, refusing the offer or administration of opioid medication, including during emergencies.

Key Provisions:

• Directive Procedures:

  • Follow existing procedures for making and revoking advance directives under Maryland law.

  • The Maryland Department of Health must develop a model nonopioid advance directive form and make it available on its website.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

• Periodic Audits:

  • Require electric, gas, gas and electric, and water companies to submit periodic audits to the Public Service Commission.

Key Provisions:

• Audit Submission:

  • Companies must submit an audit of utility operations, customer usage, and customer billing every three years, starting December 31, 2026.

• Audit Contents:

  • Include information on customer rate increases or decreases, factors leading to rate changes, customer usage patterns, billing changes, and company billing practices.

• Public Access:

  • The Commission must determine the audit report format and publish each audit on its website.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

• Building Performance Standards:

  • Enhance the Maryland Building Performance Standards to promote energy conservation and fossil fuel reduction.

Key Provisions:

• Fossil Fuel Reduction:

  • New buildings and significant improvements must meet laundry, water, and space heating demands without fossil fuels by October 1, 2025.

  • Allow waivers for specific uses, such as emergency backup power systems, commercial food establishments, and laboratories, with certain conditions.

• Energy Efficiency:

  • Define energy efficiency and electric-ready standards.

  • Establish average energy efficiency requirements for new residential buildings and all buildings.

• Solar-Ready:

  • Require solar-ready standards for new buildings and significant improvements with at least 20,000 square feet of roof space.

  • Allow waivers based on incident solar radiation or shadow studies.

• Local Jurisdiction Authority:

  • Permit local jurisdictions to adopt stricter energy conservation requirements and prohibit fossil fuel use in buildings.

Key provisions include:

- Increasing the number of commissioners from five to seven. - Establishing residency requirements for each commissioner, ensuring representation from different regions of Maryland.

- Altering the manner in which the Chair of the Commission is appointed.

- Requiring the Commission to submit a slate of nominees to the Governor for the initial appointment of certain commissioners. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from authorizing and a person from undertaking the construction of an overhead transmission line that does not utilize an existing transmission line right-of-way unless it is demonstrated that existing transmission line rights-of-way are not sufficient.

- Allowing the construction of a new overhead transmission line within 0.25 miles of an existing overhead transmission line if the existing right-of-way is insufficient.

- Maintaining the authority of counties and municipal corporations to approve or deny local permits required under a certificate of public convenience and necessity for generating stations and transmission lines, in accordance with local laws. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

• To facilitate the development of data centers in Maryland through an expedited review process and tax exemptions.

Key Provisions:

1. Expedited Review Process:

   • Establishes a fast track pass for co-located energy generation projects involving data centers.

   • Creates a Data Center Fast Track Advisory Committee to facilitate applications and review processes.

   • The Public Service Commission must issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity within 6 months for qualifying fast track projects.

2. Tax Exemptions:

   • Alters the requirements for data centers to be eligible for sales and use tax exemptions on personal property.

   • Requires data centers to demonstrate specific energy efficiency and renewable energy usage standards to qualify for tax exemptions.

3. Committee Criteria:

   • The Data Center Fast Track Advisory Committee will establish criteria for selecting projects, including energy generation technology, environmental impact, and community considerations.

4. Annual Application Period:

   • The committee will open an application period annually, and up to three fast track passes may be awarded each year.

Effective Date:

• July 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

Regulatory Requirements: The Public Service Commission (PSC) is mandated to adopt regulations or issue orders by December 31, 2025, to: Implement specific policies for electric system planning. Require consideration of cost-effective demand-side methods and technologies to improve reliability and efficiency, including virtual power plants. Promote the State's policy goals under § 7-802 of this subtitle and achieve targets for the expansion of solar energy, building electrification, electric vehicles, energy storage capacity, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric Distribution System Plans: The PSC is required to: Require each electric company, every three years, to submit to the Commission for approval an electric distribution system plan that includes specific information and complies with established requirements. Adopt regulations or issue orders adopting metrics to monitor and assess electric distribution system plans. Require electric companies to provide public comment opportunities on their plans. Adopt regulations or issue orders adopting an information-sharing framework to facilitate the exchange of data and information between electric companies and stakeholders.

Key provisions include:

Establishment of the Integrated Resource Planning Office: The bill creates an office headed by a director appointed by the Governor, responsible for developing a comprehensive 25-year energy forecast.

Development of a Comprehensive Energy Forecast: The office is tasked with analyzing energy scenarios and policy options to meet Maryland's energy needs and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, ensuring electric distribution system reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Energy Modeling and Planning: In collaboration with the Maryland Energy Administration and the Public Service Commission, the office will conduct energy modeling to inform the development of the comprehensive energy forecast.

Regulatory Requirements for Electric Companies: The Public Service Commission, in consultation with the office, is required to adopt regulations mandating each electric company to develop an integrated resource plan. If enacted, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

Public Service Commission (PSC) Considerations: The bill alters the factors the PSC must consider before taking final action on a certificate of public convenience and necessity for renewable energy projects.

Construction Requirements: It establishes certain requirements for the construction of solar energy generating stations and energy storage devices.

Local Jurisdiction Regulations: The bill prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting certain laws or regulations or denying certain site development plans under specific circumstances.

Expedited Review: It requires local governments to expedite the review and approval of certain site development plans under certain conditions.

Community Solar Energy Systems: The bill authorizes local governments to establish automatic enrollment programs for community solar energy generating systems under certain circumstances.

Residential Rooftop Solar Systems: It establishes certain requirements for the sale, lease, and installation of residential rooftop solar energy generating systems.

PSC Study: The bill requires the PSC to conduct a study to establish a process by which the Commission may establish certain partnerships. If enacted, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025. This legislation aims to facilitate the development of renewable energy infrastructure in Maryland by streamlining approval processes and encouraging local government participation.

Key provisions include:

Expansion of the Maryland False Claims Act (MFCA): The bill broadens the scope of the MFCA to include claims related to underpayments of unemployment insurance contributions or the payment of unemployment insurance benefits exceeding a specified amount. It prohibits individuals from knowingly making or using, or causing to be made or used, false records or statements resulting in such underpayments or overpayments.

Allocation of Civil Penalties and Damages: The Comptroller is required to deposit certain civil penalties or damages collected under the MFCA into the Unemployment Insurance Fund. If a violation involves the failure to pay prevailing wage rates, the bill specifies how the collected funds should be utilized.

Enhancement of Worker Protection Laws: The bill modifies enforcement mechanisms for various worker protection laws, including the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law, workplace fraud laws, living wage laws, and prevailing wage laws. It establishes the Worker Protection Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to oversee and enforce these laws.

Procurement and Employer-Employee Relationship: The bill alters the circumstances under which a person may be debarred under State procurement law. It modifies the test used to determine if an employer-employee relationship exists for purposes of workplace fraud. It specifies that workplace fraud laws cannot be waived or set aside by private agreement and establishes that certain agreements are not defenses to citations or civil actions under these laws. Licensing and Enforcement: The bill requires licensing authorities to revoke or suspend the license of a licensee for certain workplace fraud violations under specified circumstances.

Key provisions include:

Definition of Terms: "Generating station" and "data center" are defined as per existing statutes.

Regulatory Requirements: The PSC must establish regulations that: Define the generating station as an independent resource not subject to state laws and regulations related to retail electric customers or electricity suppliers. Clarify that state-mandated electric distribution system fees or renewable energy portfolio standard obligations do not apply to the generating station or its energy. Ensure the generating station includes backup electricity sources for reliability, including on-site generating capacity. Develop protective measures to prevent interaction with the electric transmission or distribution systems. Require the generating station to have cybersecurity safeguards. Mandate that applicants for a certificate of public convenience and necessity demonstrate compliance with relevant laws and contributions to the state's energy goals. Require annual reports from owners or operators detailing energy sources, environmental impacts, contributions to energy goals, and compliance with operational standards.

• To authorize the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas generating facilities in Maryland until the state meets a certain percentage of its energy needs from renewable energy resources.

Key Provisions:

1. Authorization for Natural Gas Facilities:

   • Allows the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas generating facilities in Maryland until the state achieves 50% of its energy needs from renewable energy resources, including nuclear energy.

2. Certification Requirements:

   • Requires that any person constructing a natural gas generating facility must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) or approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) as specified under existing law.

3. Reduction in Natural Gas Energy Production:

   • Once Maryland meets 50% of its energy needs from renewable energy resources, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will work with owners and operators of natural gas facilities to decrease energy production from natural gas at the same rate as the increase in energy produced from renewable resources, including nuclear energy.

Effective Date:

• October 1, 2025.

The task force is charged with:

Assessing Electricity Needs: Evaluating the state's electricity requirements for the years 2026, 2030, 2035, and 2040.

Estimating Electricity Imports: Determining the percentage of electricity Maryland imports from out-of-state sources for the same years.

Evaluating Capacity Market Costs: Calculating the costs associated with electricity purchased through the capacity market that would be included in Maryland ratepayers' monthly bills.

Exploring Policy Options: Considering strategies to ensure that, by 2030, 2035, and 2040, no more than 25% of the state's electricity is imported from out-of-state sources.

Ensuring Reliability and Adequacy: Making recommendations to maintain the reliability and adequacy of the electric system. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving the construction or expansion of transmission lines in Maryland during the task force's study period. The task force is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2025. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

• To improve access to dental services for children in Maryland, particularly through school-based programs, and to establish the Maryland Collaborative to Improve Children's Oral Health.

Key Provisions:

1. Dental Hygiene in Schools:

   • Authorizes licensed dental hygienists to practice dental hygiene under general supervision in schools and school-based health centers.

2. Maryland Collaborative to Improve Children's Oral Health:

   • Establishes the Maryland Collaborative to study and recommend improvements for school-based dental programs.

   • The Collaborative includes representatives from the Senate, House of Delegates, state agencies, and various organizations related to health and education.

3. Collaborative's Tasks:

   • Supporting schools and community dental partners to connect families and children to permanent dental facilities.

   • Increasing the number of dental hygienists providing school-based services.

   • Modifying school health guidelines to allow school nurses to provide fluoride varnishes and other clinically appropriate services.

   • Expanding school-based health centers' capacity to provide dental services.

   • Exploring innovative models for providing dental services to children in schools.

4. Reporting:

   • An interim report of findings and recommendations is due by December 1, 2025.

   • A final report is due by October 1, 2026.

Effective Date:

• July 1, 2025, with Section 2 effective for two years, expiring on June 30, 2027.