MLCV’s “hot list” of environmental legislation
February 3, 2010 by FofFC
Filed under We Draw the Line: The Hidden Costs of Sprawl
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MLCV) is the independent political voice in Maryland dedicated to making environmental protection and restoration a top priority for Maryland’s elected officials, appointed leaders, candidates and voters. The MLCV advocates for sound conservation policies, works to get pro-environment candidates elected, and holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions.
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters presented the “Hot List” – a detailed list of environmental legislation moving through the General Assembly this week.
1- SB 140/SB 141: Protecting the Green Infrastructure Budget
This article protects funding for Program Open Space, the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Programs, the Historic Tax Credit and opposes cuts to funding for our Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Planning agencies.
2- SB 51 and TBD: Smarter Transportation Choices for Maryland
Transportation For Maryland supports legislation to ensure our transportation and land use decisions work together to provide more travel choices to more Maryland citizens, especially those who do not own cars; reduce environmental damage from transportation projects; improve access to jobs and creates new opportunities; and add more accountability to the results of our planning process.
3- SB TBD: Watershed Protection and Restoration Act
In order to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams, each city and county throughout the region needs funding to invest in their communities to reduce the polluted runoff poisoning our waterways. The Watershed Protection & Restoration act will give these local jurisdictions a dedicated funding source to clean up their rivers and the Bay, create green jobs, and leverage additional dollars from the state and federal government for watershed protection and restoration.
4- SB TBD: Comprehensive Energy Planning – Maryland LCV Priority
This legislation requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to oversee the creation of a state energy plan that is consistent with all state environmental laws. The PSC would then review proposals from energy companies with respect to the state plan and environmental laws such as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act.
In addition to these four priority issues, The Maryland League of Conservation Voters also has other bills in session.
Committee Action
HB TBD: Stormwater Management
The MLCV opposes any rollbacks to the Stormwater Management regulations. Stormwater is the ONLY pollution source INCREASING loads to the Bay and its rivers. If we want healthy water, we have to step up reductions from development and redevelopment.
HB 33: Child Care Articles and Toys Containing Bisphenol-A (“BPA”)
Prohibits the manufacture, sale or distribution of toys or child care articles containing Bisphenol-A; requiring the use of the least toxic alternative. The MLCV supports this bill.
HB 51: Real Property – Installation and Use of Clotheslines on Residential Property
The bill encourages energy conservation by prohibiting communities from banning clotheslines on residential property.
HB 70: Bay Restoration Fund – Expanded Uses of Funds
The bill is recommended by the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee to make the best use of the Bay Restoration Funds for local governments to use in their enhanced.
HB 103: Mobile Home Parks – Plans for Dislocated Residents
This is a smart growth measure that requires better land use planning of the relocation of dislocated residents of mobile parks to encourage the continuation of their community.
HB 169: Marilyn J. Praisner Safe and Earth-Friendly Roadway Act
Authorizing the State Highway Administration, the Maryland Transportation Authority, or a political subdivision to install or replace a specified luminaire for highway lighting only if it determines that the concerns to be addressed by the lighting cannot be addressed by specified alternative means and if replaced it must be with an energy efficient light bulb.
HB 221/HB 160 Keep Farmers Farming Many farm families are forced off their land when the parents die because of the burden of estate taxes; we support full relief for farmers from this tax. But in these fiscal times, we also support partial relief for those farmers who go the extra mile and preserve their property. Keeping farmers farming promotes smart growth and protects our open spaces.
HB 313 Bay Restoration Fund -Authorized Use
The bill Reduces pollution by authorizing the Bay Restoration Fund to pay the cost of connecting properties served by onsite sewage disposal systems to existing municipal wastewater facilities. The MLCV supports this bill with Amendments.
Up and Coming Bills
HB 351: Chesapeake Bay Restoration Consumer Retail Choice Act
The bill reduces waste and energy demands by establishing a customer bag revenue program for reusable bags used in place of plastic and paper bags. A portion of the fee will go to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund.
HB 475: Sustainable Communities Act
Reestablishes and alters the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program (a.k.a., the Historic Tax Credit) to be the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit Program.
HB TBD: Building Energy Disclosure
Requires that all government and commercial building owners disclose energy use for the building.
HB TBD: Fertilizer and Pesticide Reporting
Mandates tracking and geographic mapping of fertilizer and pesticide use.
HB TBD: Incinerator Regulation
Establishes criteria for the building, re-licensing, or re-permitting of any incinerator or waste-to-energy facility.
HB TBD: Clean Energy Loans
The bill gives cities and municipalities the ability to loan citizens money for solar or efficiency projects at very low interest rates, resulting in more access for homeowners.
HB TBD: Keep Coal Ash Out of Our Water
The bill prohibits certain uses of coal ash and adds stricter requirements to prevent toxic dust from blowing in the wind.
HB TBD: Direct Wine Shipping
The bill supports sustainable farming practices and maintaining Maryland’s farms and open spaces by promoting the sale of a growing agricultural product –Maryland wine. This bill would allow both wineries and retailers to ship up to 24 cases of wine to a Maryland resident per year.
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Nine State Circle, Suite 202
Annapolis, MD 21401
Tel: 410-280-9855
www.mdlcv.org
If you have any questions, please contact Jen Brock-Cancellieri at jbrock@mdlcv.org. Tel: 410-280-9855 extension 202. You can also voice your opinion by visiting their website at www.mdlcv.org. or send your e-mail to info@mdlcv.org
