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Bill

SB 432

Attorney General Actions and Climate Crimes Accountability Fund (Climate Crimes Accountability Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sara Love

Maryland bill authorizes Attorney General to sue for climate harms and direct settlement funds into accountability initiative to support climate remediation efforts.

Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m. (Judicial Proceedings)
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Bill Summary · SB 432

Legislative bill overview

SB 432 establishes a "Climate Crimes Accountability Fund" that would authorize Maryland's Attorney General to pursue legal actions against entities for climate-related harms and direct resulting settlements or judgments into a dedicated fund. The bill creates a new enforcement mechanism specifically for climate-related claims and designates how recovered funds would be allocated.

Why is this important

This legislation represents an emerging trend of states using attorney general authority to hold corporations accountable for climate impacts through litigation. The outcomes could set precedent for climate accountability measures nationwide and potentially generate significant funding for climate-related remediation or adaptation programs in Maryland, though it also raises questions about the scope and enforceability of "climate crimes."

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional ambiguity: The bill's success depends heavily on how "climate crimes" are legally defined—without clear standards, enforcement could face constitutional challenges or be criticized as overly broad or selective
  • Business and industry opposition: Corporations and trade groups may argue this creates unpredictable liability exposure, potentially affecting investment and competitiveness in the state
  • Federalism concerns: Critics may contend that climate policy and corporate accountability are primarily federal matters, and state-level litigation could create a patchwork of conflicting obligations across states

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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