Department of the Environment - Federal Environmental Policy - Reporting, the official text

WES MOORE, Governor                  Ch. 322

Chapter 322

                   (House Bill 663)

AN ACT concerning

Department of the Environment – Federal Environmental Policy on Greenhouse
                                          Gas Emissions – Reporting

FOR the purpose of requiring, beginning on or before a certain date and with a certain
         frequency thereafter, the Department of the Environment to report to the General
         Assembly on certain changes in federal environmental policy on greenhouse gas
         emissions; and generally relating to greenhouse gas emissions federal environmental
         policy.

BY adding to
         Article – Environment
         Section 2–1213
         Annotated Code of Maryland
         (2013 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

         SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

                   Article – Environment

2–1213.

        (A) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, AND EVERY 6 MONTHS THEREAFTER, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
§ 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON:

                (1) ANY CHANGES IN FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ON

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DEEMED LEGALLY VALID BY A FINAL

DECISION OF A FEDERAL COURT, INCLUDING ANY CHANGE THAT:

                         (I) RESCINDS A FINDING THAT THE GREENHOUSE GAS

EMISSIONS FROM NEW MOTOR VEHICLES AND ENGINES CAUSE AIR POLLUTION THAT

MAY ENDANGER PUBLIC HEALTH OR WELFARE;

                         (II) REPEALS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR
MOTOR VEHICLES AND ENGINES; OR

                         (III) REPEALS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR
STATIONARY SOURCES; AND OR

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Ch. 322  2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

                         (IV) IMPACTS THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMINISTRATION OF ANY
FEDERALLY DELEGATED AUTHORITY; AND

                (2) IF THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL

POLICY ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED

UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SECTION, THE STEPS THE STATE IS TAKING IN
RESPONSE TO THE CHANGE.

        (B) (1) THE INITIAL REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF

THIS SECTION SHALL DESCRIBE ANY CHANGES IN FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL

POLICY ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE JANUARY 1,
2024.

                (2) EACH REPORT SUBMITTED AFTER THE INITIAL REPORT SHALL

DESCRIBE ANY CHANGES IN FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ON GREENHOUSE

GAS EMISSIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING 6
MONTH PERIOD.

         SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of May 31, 2029,
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and
of no further force and effect.

Approved by the Governor, April 28, 2026.

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