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HB 395

Water Pollution Control - Discharge Permits - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Adams and 18 co-sponsors

HB 395 modifies Maryland's discharge permit standards for concentrated animal feeding operations to adjust environmental oversight and compliance requirements for large livestock facilities.

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Bill Summary · HB 395

Legislative bill overview

HB 395 modifies Maryland's water pollution control regulations specifically targeting concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The bill adjusts discharge permit requirements and oversight mechanisms for large-scale livestock and poultry operations. The measure is currently in the Environment and Transportation Committee with a hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Why is this important

CAFOs generate significant waste streams that can contaminate groundwater, surface water, and soil if improperly managed. Maryland's Chesapeake Bay watershed is particularly sensitive to nutrient pollution from agricultural operations, making permit standards a critical environmental protection tool. The bill's specific modifications could either strengthen environmental safeguards or streamline permitting for agricultural producers, depending on its actual provisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Environmental protection vs. agricultural burden: Stricter permit requirements may increase compliance costs for farmers while environmental advocates may argue current standards are insufficient to protect water quality
  • Federal-state regulatory overlap: Unclear how Maryland's requirements interact with existing EPA standards under the Clean Water Act and whether the bill creates redundancy or gaps
  • Scope and applicability: Disagreement likely over which operations qualify as "concentrated" and whether the bill's definition captures all problematic facilities or exempts some major polluters

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

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