Monday, March 17 marked Crossover Day in the
Maryland General Assembly, the deadline by which bills must pass one chamber to have the best chance of becoming law. Of the eleven bills we have been following, five have advanced.
With under three weeks left in the session and hundreds of bills still under consideration, their fate remains uncertain—but there’s always hope. Here’s a quick rundown.
Be sure to visit our Legislative / Regulatory page for more on these bill and other relevant news.
WASTE REDUCTION: There were several House bills aimed at reducing and/or managing waste.
➡
HB0009 Public Safety - Food System Resiliency Council expands the existing legislation that established the Food System Resiliency Council by adding “healthy food” as a priority and introducing a definition for “wasted food.” Passed the House with a vote of 127-9.
In our
statement of support, we noted that the revised definition of “wasted food” is similar to US EPA’s promoting alternative methods (i.e., donation, animal feed, composting, and anaerobic digestion) of managing food which will have multiple benefits for the community and the environment.
➡
HB0277 Water Bottle Filling Stations – Requirement mandates the installation of a water bottle filling station or a combined filling station and drinking fountain in certain new construction projects or as part of specific renovations. Passed the House with a vote of 105-30.
In our
statement of support, we noted that the bill is smart waste management practice at its best by reducing plastic waste and saving money.
➡
HB0338 State Buildings & State Highways – Collection & Disposal of Yard Waste requires that yard waste collected on state buildings or highway grounds be placed in a reusable container that will not be discarded with the waste or in a compostable paper bag. Passed the House with a vote of 100-37.
As the previous bill, our
statement of support notes that this is a win for the MD environment by reducing yard waste at the landfills while creating a viable compost product.
➡
HB0042 On-Farm Organics and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Grant Programs establishes the On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program to provide funding for on-farm organics recycling, compost use, wasted food prevention, and food rescue initiatives. The bill also introduces a solid waste disposal surcharge on final waste disposal within the state. Passed the House with a vote of 122-14.
Note: We did not submit an official statement on the bill.
All four have been referred to the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. *HB0042 has also been referred to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY: EPR laws have been making rounds throughout the US and Maryland is no exception. At this point, however, only one has made the crossover.
➡
SB0901 Environment - Packaging Materials - Producer Responsibility Plans requires certain producers of packaging materials to submit a producer responsibility plan to the Department of the Environment for review and approval by April 1, 2027. Passed the Senate with a vote of 35-12.
While we do
support the bill, we are concerned with Section 2, which requires feasibility plans submitted from each jurisdiction.
The bill was referred to the House Environment and Transportation Economic Matters Committee.
*Note: EPR Needs Assessment Advisory Council (established in 2023 under SB0222) has completed its assessment as instructed. Read full report.
WHAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT: Unfortunately, the
Covered Electronic Device Recycling Program* (SB0591 / HB0931),
Mattress Stewardship Program (HB0858)** and the
Battery Stewardship Act (SB0686) did not make it out of their respective committees. These were all bills the MRN Legislative Committee have been working on over the past several years, crafting legislation and amendments needed to get them over the finish line. Rest assured, we will continue working to see their eventual passage.
Additionally, the
Tire Recycling Fee (HB0083) did not have a hearing. McIlroy will continue to work with Delegate Boyce, MDE and Maryland Scrap Tire Law Workgroup, which MRN established last fall, in the interim. One possibility is to recommend CT’s EPR Law (passed in 2023) for 2026 session.
*Note: The Electronics recycling program may be discussed in an ENT Subcommittee Hearing later in March for discussion purposes only. Kitty McIlroy attended it last year in late March and, if requested, will be available to do so again this year.
**Update 3/24/25: Mattress Stewardship Program (HB0858) did receive a hearing in the Economic Matters Committee on March 21 where it received a favorable review with amendments.
***Thank you to Kitty McIlroy, Chaz Miller and Michele Blair for their leadership on the committee. And to all committee and BOD members for your continuing support and contributions.***