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SB 964

Dorchester County - Well and On-Site Sewage Disposal Activities - Privatization Program

2025 Regular Session

Allows Dorchester County to run a 3-year privatization program letting private specialists perform MDE-delegated well and septic work, with oversight and safeguards.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 424
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Bill Summary · SB 964

SB 964 — Dorchester County — Well and On‑Site Sewage Disposal Activities — Privatization Program

Chapter 424 (Approved by Governor May 6, 2025)

Main purpose

Authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), at the request of Dorchester County and its delegated approval authority (the local health department or county agency), to establish a time‑limited privatization program under which qualified private parties may perform activities associated with MDE‑delegated authority for water wells and on‑site sewage disposal (septic) systems in Dorchester County.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 9‑1104.1 to the Environment Article (applies only to Dorchester County).
  • MDE may create a privatization program only if the county government and delegated approval authority request it.
  • If established, MDE must define the program scope including:
    • Whether the program is temporary or ongoing;
    • Which well and septic activities are covered;
    • Reporting and performance monitoring requirements;
    • Mandatory compliance audits at least annually;
    • Consumer protection measures (considering fee caps and dispute resolution).
  • Financial, procurement, and ethics safeguards:
    • Require participants to carry insurance and provide financial assurances (indemnification, bonds, letters of credit, etc.) as determined by MDE;
    • Ensure compliance with procurement laws;
    • Establish conflict‑of‑interest and other ethics policies.
  • Records: participants must transfer program records to the delegated approval authority; such records become public records under Maryland’s Public Information Act.
  • Participant eligibility: must be a State‑licensed environmental health specialist, have demonstrated satisfactory experience for the covered activities, and meet any additional MDE or delegated authority requirements.
  • Oversight and enforcement: the delegated approval authority reviews and approves or disapproves work performed under the program; MDE may suspend or halt the program if it fails to meet requirements, monitoring, or poses health/environmental risk.
  • MDE may adopt implementing regulations.

Who is affected

  • Dorchester County government and its local health department (delegated approval authority).
  • MDE (program design, oversight, audits).
  • Private practitioners (licensed environmental health specialists) and firms performing well/septic work.
  • Residents, property owners, and small businesses that obtain permits or services for wells or septic systems.

Fiscal and timeline aspects

  • Law is permissive (MDE may, not must, establish a program) and authorizes regulatory implementation.
  • Effective July 1, 2025; sunsets automatically June 30, 2028 (three‑year pilot/temporary period).
  • Fiscal note (if MDE establishes a program): estimated general fund contractual staff costs of approximately $96,000 in FY2026 with continued costs through FY2028 to support program development/oversight (actual costs depend on whether MDE implements the program and its scope).

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

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