The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of environment policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.

MACo seeks sensible solutions to environmental issues that provide flexibility and do not place unreasonable burdens on county governments, who are often charged with enforcement in many environmental areas, guided under statewide policy.

Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for many services at every level of government. Despite the fiscal limitations, a wide range of policy issues received a full debate, with many resolutions arising from the 90-day annual process. MACo’s legislative committee guided the association’s positions on hundreds of bills, yielding many productive compromises and gains spanning counties’ uniquely wide portfolio.

Follow these links for more coverage on our Conduit Street blog and Legislative Database. 

MACo took no position on HB 398/SB 316, Abundant Affordable Clean Energy—Procurement and Development (AACE Act), but submitted a Letter of Information providing local input. This bill would have set new goals and targets for increasing Maryland’s energy storage capacity. This bill did not pass on its own, but significant portions of it were amended into HB1035/SB937, The Next Generation Energy Act.

Bill Information | MACo Coverage

MACo supported HB 270/SB 116 – Data Center Impact Analysis and Report with amendments. This bill requires certain departments within the State Administration to conduct an impact analysis of the data center industry on Maryland. Counties requested the Maryland Department of the Environment’s analysis also include a review on the impact of data centers on agricultural and conserved lands. These two additions were not included in the final bill that passed. This bill passed the 2025 session. 

Bill Information | MACo Coverage

MACo supported HB 1058 – Emission Standards, Ambient Air Quality Standards, and Solid Waste Management – Local Authority. This bill would have clarified the intent of the General Assembly that counties have the power to regulate outdoor air quality and enact regulations that are as strict or stricter than the federal and state floors. This bill did not pass the 2025 session. 

Bill Information | MACo Coverage

MACo opposed HB 671 – Environment – On-site Sewage Disposal Systems – Climate Vulnerable Areas. This bill would have limited the installation of new on-site sewage disposal systems in climate vulnerable areas. This bill did not pass the 2025 session. 

Bill Information 

More information on environment-related legislation tracked by MACo during the 2025 legislative session.