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SB 42

Environment - Interjurisdictional Watersheds - Flood Management

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Washington

SB 42 mandates coordinated flood management across Maryland's multi-jurisdictional watersheds to improve response and resource efficiency through inter-municipal cooperation frameworks.

Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 42

Legislative bill overview

SB 42 establishes a coordinated flood management framework for watersheds that cross jurisdictional boundaries in Maryland. The bill creates mechanisms for inter-municipal cooperation and resource sharing to address flooding challenges that affect multiple counties or districts. It likely includes provisions for data sharing, joint planning, and coordinated response protocols.

Why is this important

Flooding increasingly affects multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, but traditional governance structures often prevent effective cross-border coordination. This bill addresses a practical gap where a county's flood mitigation efforts upstream can significantly impact downstream communities, yet those communities may have no say in decision-making. Better coordination can reduce duplication, improve response times, and allocate limited environmental resources more effectively.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation: Determining which jurisdiction pays for projects that benefit multiple areas may create disputes, particularly if downstream communities perceive they're subsidizing upstream prevention
  • Local autonomy vs. coordination: Smaller municipalities may resist joining regional frameworks if they fear loss of control over local water management decisions
  • Data privacy and infrastructure sharing: Sensitive watershed data and infrastructure access agreements could face resistance from jurisdictions concerned about operational autonomy or security

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

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