2025 Legislative Agenda and Priorities

Agenda for the 447th session of the Maryland General Assembly

All Marylanders want a healthier, safer, more secure future. Maryland PIRG works to find common ground around common sense solutions that will help make that future a reality.

Clean energy

March 1, 2025

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Emily Scarr

Senior Advisor, Maryland PIRG

Maryland PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for the public and stand up to special interests on problems that affect the public’s health, safety and wellbeing.

Here are the problems Maryland PIRG is working to solve in 2025.

Public Utilities for the Public Good

Public utilities are in a time of transformation. We need meaningful oversight and guidance from the legislature to avoid massive rate hikes, promote energy conservation, and support the transition to clean, renewable energy to power our homes.

Bills we support

Ratepayer Protection Act (STRIDE Reform): SB998/HB419 PRIORITY BILL

Sen. Mary Washington and Del. Embry

The Ratepayer Protection Act requires gas utilities to prioritize pipe replacement based on the severity of safety risks and ensure infrastructure spending is cost effective.

Utility Transparency and Accountability Act: SB37/HB131

Sen. Hester and Del. Charkoudian

This bill requires a public record of all votes cast by public utility companies in Maryland at the regional transmission organization (PJM). This information is currently private, so the public has no way of knowing what their state-regulated, public utility companies are advocating for or against at PJM

Ratepayer Freedom Act: HB960

Del. Johnson

Restricts how Maryland electric and gas utility companies can spend ratepayer money and adds important transparency requirements.

End the Gas Utility Blank Check

Utility watchdog

End the Gas Utility Blank Check

February 1, 2024

Smart Energy Solutions

Our reliance on polluting fuels puts our health and safety at risk. By using energy more wisely and getting clean sources of energy plugged into the grid, Maryland can achieve its potential for a cleaner, safer, cheaper and more reliable energy future.

Bills we support

Abundant Affordable Clean Energy Act: SB316/HB398

Sen. Brooks and Del. Charkoudian

Expands renewable energy generation in Maryland including energy storage, solar power, and offshore wind and adds ratepayer protection to existing renewable energy policy.

Data Center Impact Analysis and Report: SB116/HB270

Sen. Lewis Young and Del. Crosby

Requires an analysis of the likely environmental, energy, and economic impacts of data center development in the State.

Building Energy Performance Standards: SB256/HB49

This bill makes adjustments to the state’s building energy performance standards to help with implementation. The policy requires large buildings to improve their energy efficiency and reduce onsite pollution from burning fossil fuels.

Don’t Trash Maryland

We support policies dedicated to the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle that put us on a path to zero waste.

Bills we support:

Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program: SB346/HB232

Sen. Brooks and Del. Terrasa

The Bottle Bill is proven effective to increase recycling and reduce litter.

No “Plastics to Pollution” Maryland: HB1092

Del. Terrasa

Restricts the establishment of so-called “Chemical Recycling” facilities in Maryland. These facilities threaten public health and the environment and are counter to our goals of producing less plastic waste.

Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels | Used by permission

Sound Budget and Tax Policy

Marylanders have the right to know how our money is being spent, and no company should be able to game the tax system.

Bills we support:

Combined Reporting

Prevents companies from reducing taxable profits by shifting revenue to out-of-state subsidiaries.

kids playing in a park — Evgeniy Kalinovskiy | Shutterstock.com

Healthy, Livable Maryland

All communities should have access to clean air, safe drinking water, and a livable planet. It’s time to reorient public policy and our economy to prioritize consumer protection and the health and wellbeing of Maryland residents.

Bills we support:

Wheelchair Repair Rights: SB382/HB31

Sen. Kagan and Del. Kaufman

Expands access to tools and information to allow for the diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of wheelchairs.

Coal Dust Cleanup and Asthma Remediation: SB882/HB1088

Sen. Rosapepe and Del. Stein

Holds polluting industries accountable for the harms it creates by establishing a fee on the transport of fuel in the state to mitigate health and environmental harms.

Reclaim Renewable Energy Act : SB10/HB220

Sen. Ferguson and Del. Stewart

Stops state renewable energy subsidies for incineration.

Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act: SB149/HB128

Sen. Hester and Del. Fraser-Hidalgo

Requires large industries that emit climate pollution to pay a one-time fee, so taxpayers aren’t left to foot the bill for critical infrastructure and mitigation investments.

I voted sticker — Element5 Digital | Unsplash.com

Democracy and Government

We believe in a democracy in which everyone participates and everyone’s voice is heard. From choosing who represents us in office, to how our government makes decisions on our behalf.

Bills we support:

Expanding Local Fair Elections: HB550

Del. Feldmark

Enables Counties and Baltimore City to establish local small donor public financing for additional offices after they locality has completed one cycle of the program for Executive and Legislative offices.

Special Elections for MGA Vacancies: SB2/Hb174

Sen, Kagan and Del. Foley

These bills are both amendments to the Maryland Constitution to shift away from the appointment process to fill legislative vacancies and towards special elections.

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