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HB 1135

Environment - Maryland Clean Water Fund - Authorized Uses

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sandy Rosenberg and 1 co-sponsor

MD HB 1135 expands the Maryland Clean Water Fund to include urban forest management, letting MDE fund urban forestry projects while preserving Chesapeake Bay focus and reporting.

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Bill Summary · HB 1135

HB 1135 — Environment: Maryland Clean Water Fund — Authorized Uses

Status: Introduced (2025 session) — proposed effective date: October 1, 2025
Primary sponsors: Delegates Rosenberg and Ruff
Statutory change: Amends Article — Environment, §9‑320

Main purpose

To expand the authorized uses of the Maryland Clean Water Fund to explicitly allow the Fund to support activities related to urban forest management.

Key provisions

  • Adds “urban forest management” to the list of activities for which the Maryland Clean Water Fund may be used (see amended §9‑320(c)). The Fund already finances a range of water quality, sediment control, sewage sludge, and sealant‑product regulatory activities.
  • Retains existing priorities and requirements:
    • Priority in use of the Fund remains activities relating to Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
    • Funds credited to the Clean Water Fund and any interest “shall remain available until expended” and may not revert to the General Fund.
  • Reporting requirement: MDE must report annually (by January 15) to the specified Senate and House committees on the Fund’s status, including detailed revenues and expenditures for the prior year.
  • Effective date in the bill text: October 1, 2025.

Who would be affected

  • Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE): gains statutory authority to allocate Clean Water Fund resources to urban forest management and will prepare the required annual report. MDE can implement the change with existing staff.
  • Department of Natural Resources (DNR), local governments, nonprofit groups, and small businesses engaged in urban forestry: may become eligible recipients of Clean Water Fund grants or contracts for eligible urban forestry activities.
  • Other programs and stakeholders in water quality and sediment control: may see funding competition depending on appropriation choices, though the statutory priority for Chesapeake Bay work remains.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • State finances/fund revenue: no direct change — the bill expands authorized uses but does not change revenue sources or overall Fund balance.
  • Implementation: MDE reports it can implement the change with current staff.
  • Local and private sector impacts: potential benefit to local governments and small businesses in the urban forestry sector if Clean Water Fund monies are awarded; conversely, some localities could receive less funding for existing authorized activities if appropriations shift.

Context and related programs

  • Maryland already supports urban and community forestry through programs (e.g., Maryland Urban and Community Forestry grants, DNR’s Tree‑Mendous Maryland, and Chesapeake Bay Trust Urban Trees grants). The amendment allows the Clean Water Fund to be another funding source aligned with State policy to increase tree canopy and forest acreage.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 5, 2025 (Environment & Transportation committee).
  • Proposed effective date: October 1, 2025.
    (For final enactment status, see official General Assembly records.)

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

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