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SB 953

HCS/SB 953 - The act modifies provisions relating to environmental programs within the Department of Natural Resources. HYDRANT INSPECTION PROGRAM (Section 640.144) The act makes technical changes to the provision relating to a hydrant inspection program. This provision is identical to SB 1554 (2026), HB 2703 (2026), and a provision in SCS/HB 3000 (2026). TRANSFER OF MONEYS FROM CERTAIN FUNDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (Sections 640.220 and 643.350) Under the act, before June 30, 2027, any unexpended balance in the subaccounts of the Natural Resources Protection Fund exceeding the preceding biennium's collections shall revert to the General Revenue Fund at the end of each biennium. Beginning July 1, 2027, any unexpended balance in the subaccounts of the Natural Resources Protection Fund that exceeds the preceding biennium's collections shall not revert to the General Revenue Fund. Beginning July 1, 2027, and annually on July 1st of each succeeding year, the Commissioner of Administration shall use taxable sales reports to estimate the amount of state general revenue sales and use tax derived from electric power distribution in the immediately preceding calendar year and shall report such amount to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall transfer certain amounts from the general revenue sales as described in the act. The act repeals certain provisions relating to the transfer of funds from the Missouri Air Emission Reduction Fund. These provisions are identical to provisions in SS/SB 1033 (2026), HB 3386 (2026), SB 120 (2025) and SB 1483 (2024). CLEAN WATER COMMISSION (644.021) The act modifies membership requirements of the Clean Water Commission. The act provides that at least one member of the Commission shall be knowledgeable concerning the needs of publicly owned waste water treatment works. The act repeals a provision relating to the receipt of income during the previous two years by the members of the Commission. The Commission shall establish rules specifying when members shall exempt themselves from participating in discussions and from voting on issues before the Commission due to a potential conflict of interest. A member shall exempt him or herself from participating in discussions and from voting on any issue before the Commission including, but not limited to, permitting and enforcement actions that directly involve an entity from which the Commissioner receives or has received within the previous two years a significant portion of his or her income. These provisions are similar to SB 1009 (2026), HB 1885 (2026), and HCS/HB 488 (2025). REGULATION OF WATER CONTAMINANTS (Sections 644.051 and 644.059) The act provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, use or maintain any water contaminant unless the person holds an operating permit, subject to the exemptions that exempt agricultural storm water discharge from permitting requirements. (Section 644.051) Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges shall be exempt from certain permitting requirements under the Missouri Clean Water Law. Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges shall not be considered unlawful, subject to certain provisions under the act. Agricultural nonpoint sources and agricultural storm water discharges from irrigated agriculture shall include certain water and snow runoff, drainage, and infiltration, as described in current law. (Section 644.059) These provisions are similar to SCS/SB 1427 (2026) and HCS/HB 3076 (2026). RIGHTS TO RETURN FLOWS (Section 644.083) Under the act, a person who has contracted for the right to store water in a reservoir owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers shall have exclusive rights to any return flows from the reservoir. The rights shall be subject to regulatory requirements imposed by the state and to the availability of unused storage capacity within the reservoir. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1397 (2026) and substantially similar to HB 2421 (2026). JULIA SHEVELEVA

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Bean

Creates a time-limited Task Force to plan Maryland’s future electricity mix and restricts new transmission approvals until 2026.

Reported Duly Enrolled Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions & Ethics Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 953

SB 953 — Construction and Expansion of Transmission Lines and Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland

Status: Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Introduced: January 28, 2025 — Assigned to Education, Energy, and the Environment
Companion: HB 1218

Purpose

Establish a time‑limited Task Force to evaluate Maryland’s near‑ and long‑term electricity needs under multiple scenarios and to recommend policy and legislative options (including limits on out‑of‑state electricity reliance). Temporarily prohibit the Public Service Commission (PSC) from approving new or expanded transmission lines while the Task Force conducts its work.

Key provisions

  • Creates the Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland (statutory membership and appointments specified).
  • Directs the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to staff the Task Force and permits MEA to hire independent consultants.
  • Requires the Task Force to assemble and analyze realistic, current forecasts and estimates for the years 2026, 2030, 2035, and 2040, including:
    • State electricity demand forecasts;
    • Percent of electricity imported from out of state;
    • Capacity‑market costs that would be passed to Maryland ratepayers.
  • Requires separate analyses for 2030/2035/2040 of capacity‑market costs under a scenario where Maryland imports no more than 25% of its electricity.
  • Directs the Task Force to consider policy options and recommend legislation to achieve ≤25% out‑of‑state electricity in 2030/2035/2040 and to ensure reliability and adequacy through 2040.
  • Policy options to be considered must include: expansion of in‑state nuclear generation, expansion of in‑state renewables, prioritization of energy storage, and upgrades/enhancements to transmission as they exist on July 1, 2025.
  • Requires a Task Force report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2025.

PSC moratorium on transmission approvals

  • From July 1, 2025 through May 1, 2026, PSC may not issue Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCNs) or otherwise approve construction or expansion of any transmission lines in Maryland.

Membership, operations, and compensation

  • Membership includes legislators, state agency heads (or designees), a PSC member, People’s Counsel, PJM representative, major utilities (BGE, Constellation, Pepco, Potomac Edison, Delmarva, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative), an independent generator, agricultural representative, public energy expert, environmental nonprofit representatives, and ratepayer representatives.
  • MEA provides staff; Task Force members receive no compensation but are eligible for travel reimbursement.
  • Task Force may hire an independent consultant.

Fiscal impact and timeline

  • MEA special fund expenditures estimated to increase by at least $250,000 in FY2026 to procure consultant services.
  • Bill effective July 1, 2025; Task Force report due December 31, 2025.
  • The Act remains effective for one year and is abrogated June 30, 2026 (PSC moratorium ends May 1, 2026).

Who is affected

  • State agencies (MEA, PSC), utilities and developers proposing transmission projects, PJM, electricity generators, ratepayers, environmental and agricultural stakeholders, and legislators considering energy policy.

Procedural notes

  • Read first time 1/28/2025; referred to committee; public hearing scheduled 3/06. Companion HB 1218 mirrors subject. The moratorium could delay transmission project approvals in the short term while the Task Force completes its analysis.

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

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