2025 Maryland General Assembly Update

Week Eight: Energy Focus 

Energy Hearings

Annapolis, MD – The Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee and the House Economic Matters Committee on February 28 held a joint hearing on three energy bills sponsored by Democratic leadership in the Maryland General Assembly on Friday.

Senate Bill 937/House Bill 1035 

 Also known as the Next Generation Energy Act, broadly establishes that it is the policy of the State to encourage the development of nuclear power; requires the Maryland Energy Administration to pursue regional nuclear cost-sharing agreements with neighboring states and agreements with federal agencies regarding the siting of small modular reactors; establishes a procurement process for a minimum of 3,100 megawatts of dispatchable energy generation capacity and a related temporary Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) process; and establishes the Maryland General Assembly’s support of the extension or renewal of the federal license for the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Calvert County ( pictured below).

Senate Bill 931/House Bill 1036

Also known as the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, as drafted would prohibit local jurisdictions from restricting solar energy projects and require expedited site development approvals. In essence, this bill undermines the ability of county governments to act in the best interest of their local communities regarding the regulation of renewable energy.

The Maryland Association of Counties, including all three counties in District 38 – Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico, opposes the bill as drafted and provided opposition testimony.

Written testimony from the Somerset County Commissioners noted the Somerset County Planning Commission and Department of Technical and Community Services has performed extensive research and conducted numerous meetings over the past 5 years for the siting and regulation of renewable energy in Somerset County, including a solar acreage limit of 1,800 acres, of which approximately 1,300 acres are already utilized by solar energy facilities.

“Under SB 931, Somerset County’s input would have been severely weakened in siting these solar projects. Limiting the voice and involvement of our local elected officials and residents is unacceptable. Local governments, not the State, know best what projects would work in their home communities, and are in the best position to find the balance of bringing on new energy projects and protecting farmland in their own counties.”

SB 931 in its current form also is opposed by the Maryland Municipal League, the Maryland Farm Bureau, the Delmarva Chicken Association, the Maryland Grain Producers Association, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, and the Eastern Shore Heritage. "I do not support these bills in their current form and expect amendments to be adopted to address the concerns of local government and Maryland’s farm community. "

Senate Bill 909/House Bill 1037

This Energy Resource Adequacy and Planning Act establishes an independent Integrated Resource Planning Office in the Public Service Commission. “While I agree that we should develop a State comprehensive energy forecast, I am not convinced that we need a separate office that would create more bureaucracy and cost more money as Maryland faces a budget crisis along with the State’s energy crisis.”

In addition to the Democrat leadership energy bills, the Joint Republican Caucus this week also presented two bills to address the energy crisis to the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee on February 27. 

Senate Bill 479

Subtitled "Building Energy Performance Standards - Public Safety, Emergency, and Public Utility Buildings - Exclusion" Senate Bill 479 would exempt public safety, emergency, and public utility buildings from Building Energy Performance Standards passed in the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. Senator Carozza is a cosponsor of SB 479, and Delegate Wayne Hartman is the sponsor on the House side. 

Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino (2nd from right) testified in strong support of SB 479. “With Worcester County’s vulnerable position as a coastal county, prone to hurricanes and flooding, we must consider the impact of Best Energy Performance Standards on public safety buildings and emergency shelters. While the majority of the large buildings in the county will still be required to meet energy performance standards, the bill would create an exemption for buildings like our government center, which houses the Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Operations Center.” 

Senate Bill 779

I cosponsored Senate Bill, which would put a pause on all the various elements within the Climate Solutions Now Act until that element became “economically practicable." Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino

(2nd from the right) also testified in strong support of SB 779.

I questioned Commissioner Bertino during the hearing on SB 779, “In your testimony, you specifically tie your support to a practical way to balance environmental goals with the need to ensure local jurisdictions can provide essential public safety services. Can you expand on the public safety aspect?”

“Commissioner Bertino replied, "From our position as a small rural county, we need to ensure our emergency services are operating fully. To put all our eggs in one energy basket would place a tremendous strain on our system and would create an unpredictable and unreliable service that would be provided to our residents. We recognize that we need to balance our energy needs, and in this particular narrow instance we believe emergency operations should be exempt to ensure we can provide the services our people rely on.”

I then turned to Yuripzy Morgan (3rd from the right), an attorney and frequent WBAL Radio host, when questioning began and asked, “You have a unique ability to take very complex issues and crystalize them. Taking the different issues, the business climate, the expectations of our constituents, what we are trying to do here today, how would you as an attorney and member of the media summarize where we are and the next step forward?”

Morgan replied, "I would characterize where we are now as death by a thousand cuts. The people that come into my office are ordinary people who have ordinary jobs who are just trying to raise a family and they are feeling the pinch from everywhere. The taxes, the regulations, the fees, the property tax assessment, the school issues that are going on, and then they are hearing about the proposed taxes that are coming, and especially energy. Folks everywhere opened their electric bills in January and were absolutely astounded. And when I talk to these folks about these issues, they are even more stunned that we didn’t see this coming. Marylanders have started connecting the dots, they say how could our legislators not have taken into account the direct impact it would have on the ratepayers.”

The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 has been cited as one of the main drivers of higher energy costs across Maryland and is estimated to cost taxpayers $1 billion per year for implementation unless adjustments are made. The Senate Republican Caucus offered sixteen amendments on the Senate Floor to address ratepayer concerns, but only two amendments moved forward. The final vote for the Climate Solutions Now Act was along party lines, with all 32 Democrats voting for and all 15 Republicans voting against Senate Bill 528.

Senate Bill 675

In addition to the Republican Caucus bills, I am sponsoring Senate Bill 675, which would require the Public Service Commission to analyze the full costs and benefits of sources of electricity in the State of Maryland. “We as policymakers must put our constituents first, and that means understanding how the development of various energy sources could impact the ratepayers. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense approach to ensure the full costs and benefits in developing energy are calculated and policy recommendations should be based on the lowest cost and greatest benefit to the ratepayes.” 

The hearing for SB 675 is Thursday, March 6. 

TWO SOMERSET COUNTY BILLS

I testified in strong support of two Somerset County bills, Senate Bill 717 and Senate Bill 718.

SB 717 would provide updated salaries for local officials to stay competitive with surrounding counties. SB 718 is a simple bookkeeping matter to legalize the actions that Somerset County had taken since the last printing of the Somerset County Code of Public Laws in 2016. I sponsored both SB 717 and SB 718 at the request of the Somerset County Commissioners.

Additionally, I testified in strong support of SB 680, which updates the Continuing Education requirements for real estate licensees to reflect current best practices in the industry. This legislation would remove provisions that have outlived their usefulness and any contradictions that cause confusion among licensees as to their continuing education requirements.

ANOTHER OF MY BILLS MOVING THROUGH THE SENATE

Senate Bill 719, which would ensure long-term, stable funding for a reliable emergency services system that meets the needs of Somerset County, passed the Senate on Thursday (43-2). “It is imperative that we enable our local governments to increase resources to support our firefighters and EMS personnel now and into the future."

Earlier this year, the Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Company announced that it will not offer ambulance services to the community beginning July 1, 2025. The Somerset County Commissioners secured an extension of the services provided by the Princess Anne Volunteer Company until December 31, 2025, and is actively working on implementing a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) plan for all residents.

SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE

DEFEATS "CONDOMS IN SCHOOLS" BILL

On February 28, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted down House Bill 380, which would have allowed condoms to be sold in vending machines in nursery schools, preschools, and elementary schools.

“I have heard from many parents across my district in strong opposition to this bill, and I join with my constituents in thanking the members of the Senate JPR for stopping this harmful legislation.”

Senate Bill 588, the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act

Senate Bill 588 will be heard by the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee on March 5^th at 1:00pm. This legislation would ensure a level playing field for girls’ sports by only allowing girls who were born girls to play on high school interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity teams designated as a girls’, female, or women’s team or sport.

“Women fought too long and too hard to earn equal athletic opportunities. This bill is all about fairness, opportunity and safety, and protects the hard-earned opportunities for girls to compete in organized high school sports, and to earn athletic awards and scholarships, just as I did as a student athlete.”

SPECIAL GUEST INTRODUCTION ON THE SENATE FLOOR 

I introduced Dr. Kalilah Camacho-Ali, A.K.A. Mama Ali, as my guest on the Senate Floor on February 26. Mama Ali, former wife of “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali, has visited well over 100 countries in her lifetime and met with over 50 Heads of State, as well as visiting schools across Maryland to discuss important topics such as bullying prevention.

“I am honored to be joined here today by Mama Ali, who has dedicated her life to faith, etiquette, kindness, and respect. I have seen her in action delivering her anti-bullying message at schools in my district. I am also honored to introduce her bodyguard, Adriano “Bubba” Almony, who now serves as the U.S. Chairman for Bodyguards Against Bullying. Bubba grew up in Ocean City and is a fellow alumni of my alma matter Stephen Decatur High School.”

“Bubba” Almony is a recipient of a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He has organized multiple community events on the Lower Shore, including an annual toy drive in Salisbury during the Christmas holiday.

LOCALS IN ANNAPOLIS



Others not pictured who visited Annapolis this week were members of Secure The Vote, including Vince Gisriel and Dennis Evans from Worcester County.

BILLS TO BE HEARD IN ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY-EDUCATION

(EEE ) COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK

IN TWO WEEKS,THE next big milestone in the session is the March 17^th Crossover Deadline – which is the deadline for Senate bills to pass over to the House, and House bill to pass over to the Senate. Bills that do not pass out of their original chamber by this date are much less likely to make it to the Governor’s desk. 

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

SB0363 Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation - Oyster Shucking House Loan Program

SB0430 Land Use - Regional Housing Infrastructure Gap (Housing for Jobs Act)

SB0634 Hunting - Nonlead Ammunition, Fox Chasing, and Deer Management

SB0635 Wildlife - Protections and Highway Crossings

SB0736  Wildlife Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund - Establishment

SB0781 The Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans' Care

SB0837 Oyster Restoration - Use of Federal Funds - Prohibition

SB0841 Natural Resources - Public Clam Fishery Area - Establishment

SB0946 *Endangered and Threatened Species - Incidental Taking - Bats

SB0958 Agriculture - Catastrophic Damage Caused by Deer

SB0960 Natural Resources - Blue Catfish - Population Control

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

SB0435 Institutions of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Schools - Title VI Coordinators (Remove Discrimination in Education Act)

SB0468 Public Middle, High, and Charter Schools - Start Time for Instruction

SB0506 Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Use of Reimbursement Funds by Schools

SB0588 Education - Interscholastic and Intramural Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams and Sports - Designation (Fairness in Girls' Sports Act)

SB0673 Education - Maryland STEM Program - Established

SB0687 Child Care Scholarship Program - Youth Transitioning From Foster Placement to Successful Adulthood Pilot Program - Establishment

SB0690 Higher Education - Scholarships for Correctional Officers

SB0713 Institutions of Higher Education - Mandatory Disclosures for New and Prospective Students (Informed Enrollment Act)

SB0772 Higher Education - Memorial Scholarship Program - Eligibility

SB0845 Local Education Agencies - Educator Screening - NASDTEC Clearinghouse (School Personnel Vetting and Hiring Transparency Act)

SB0847 Higher Education - Antihate and Antidiscrimination Policies and Workgroup (Maryland Campus Accountability and Modernization to Protect University Students Act)

SB0851 Public Schools - Individuals With Disabilities - Main Entrance Accessibility and Emergency Planning

SB0852 Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Alterations

SB0857  Child Care - Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Modifications and Workgroup

SB0868 Substitute Child Care Provider Pool Pilot Program - Established

SB0907 Cybersecurity - Standards, Compliance, and Audits - Alterations

SB0916 Education - Curriculum Standards - Requirements (Educate to Stop the Hate Act)

Thursday, March 6, 2025

SB0478 Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Local Approval

SB0483 Public Utilities - Alternatives to Construction of New Transmission Lines

SB0640 Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Eminent Domain

SB0643 Public Utilities – Energy Generation

SB0675 Public Service Commission - Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation

SB0716 Public Utilities - Nuclear Energy - Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Procurement (Decarbonization Infrastructure Solutions Act of 2025)

SB0737 Property Rights Protection Act of 2025

SB0816 Public Service Commission - Membership - Alterations

SB0853 Public Service Commission - Transmission Line Siting - Limitations

SB0867 Cyber Maryland Program - Revisions

SB0878 Oil and Natural Gas - Hydraulic Fracturing - Authorization

SB0903 Data Centers - Fast Track Pass for Co-Location and Sales and Use Tax

SB0908 Public Utilities - Electric Distribution System Plans -

SB0947 Maryland Co-Location Energy Innovation and Reliability Act

SB0950 Natural Gas Generating Facilities - Authorization

SB0951 Investor-Owned Electric Companies - Generating and Transmission Facilities -

SB0952 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Overhead Transmission Lines -

SB0953 Construction and Expansion of Transmission Lines and Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland

SB0955 Overhead Transmission Lines - Eminent Domain

SB0983 Solar Energy - Distributed Generation Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Ground-Mounted Solar, and Small Solar Siting Workgroup

Friday, March 7, 2025

SB0524 Higher Education - Religious Educational Institutions - Certificate of Approval

SB0583 Legislative Scholarship Programs - Eligibility and Use - Real Estate Appraisal

SB0715 Student Service Hours - Financial Literacy Course

SB0819  Public Schools - Open Enrollment - Policies and Funding

SB0879 Institutions of Higher Education - Dually Enrolled Students - Alterations

SB0897 Primary and Secondary Education - Student Technology and Social Media Resource Guide

SB0906 Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Task Force

SB0948 Children - Parental Rights - Educational Rights

SJ0005 Elementary and Secondary Education - Curriculum - Importance of Diversity

Click on the Bill Number to go directly to its text. We welcome your comments.

EEE BILLS TO WATCH !!!

This e-blast is sent to give you the most up-to-date information we have on bills in my assigned EEE committee. There are many other committee and issue briefings, floor sessions, testimony I give to other committees, meetings with constituents and visitors in Annapolis, and receptions taking place all week. As the session moves along we will continue to summarize legislation and events for you.

IN SERVICE,

MARY BETH

By Authority: Friends of Mary Beth Carozza, James R. Bergey, Jr., CPA, Treasurer