House Environment and Transportation Committee Chair opened a Feb. 7 voting session and the committee advanced a group of bills across housing, environment, transportation and natural resources policy. The session included voice votes and a small number of recorded oppositions on a fee increase for senior fishing licenses.

Why this matters: The package touches several issues of local policy and implementation — homeowner association limits on solar installations, consumer protections in real‑estate wholesaling, expansion of a water reuse pilot, limits on late‑rental fees, and standards for how state-collected yard waste is stored and handled. Taken together, the measures reflect an emphasis on clarifying regulatory limits and expanding program authority while addressing practical implementation issues.

Top actions and outcomes
HB4 (Solar restrictions; homeowner associations): The committee moved and approved HB4, which revises statutory provisions that prohibit unreasonable restrictions on land use related to the installation of solar collector systems. The bill sets objective thresholds for when a restriction is “unreasonable” for a particular proposal: if the restriction would increase the installation cost of the system by at least 5% over the projected initial cost, or would reduce the system’s projected energy generation by at least 10%. The committee recorded the motion to move HB4 and the bill passed by voice vote.

HB124 (Wholesaling disclosures; owner‑occupied contracts): The committee approved HB124 with two amendments (a technical amendment and one that adjusts terminology to match current practice). The bill requires a wholesale buyer to disclose to the property owner that the buyer may assign the contract of sale, and requires the wholesale seller to disclose to a prospective assignee that the seller may not be able to convey title; if required disclosure is not provided, the non‑disclosing party’s contract may be rescinded before closing. The sponsor explained that “wholesaler” refers to a person who purchases or acquires a contract rather than necessarily the property itself. The committee advanced the amended bill by voice vote.

HB127 (Housing; nonprofit sponsors for local rehabilitation programs): The committee advanced a departmental bill to allow nonprofit sponsors to administer local rehabilitation programs under the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program and related DHC programs. The subcommittee recommended favorable; the committee moved the bill by voice vote.

HB273 (Landlord late‑fee cap for residential leases): The committee approved HB273, which prohibits a landlord from charging a late‑payment penalty that exceeds 5% of the unpaid rent for the rent period in question. The sponsor noted the limit applies to rent only (as defined statutorily). The bill previously passed the House floor in an earlier year; the committee approved it by voice vote.

HB25 (Reservoir augmentation / potable reuse): The committee approved HB25 as amended. The departmental bill establishes a statewide reservoir augmentation program at MDE to permit reservoir augmentation projects and related operations, clarifying permitting, application and regulatory authority; the subject matter is potable reuse of reclaimed water as a municipal drinking‑water source. The committee discussed the pilot project that had been run earlier; MDE reported the pilot had performed well, and a past December report on the pilot was noted. The committee adopted a chair amendment requiring MDE to report to the Governor and General Assembly on pilot implementation by Dec. 30, 2029, and to report on reservoir augmentation every five years. The amended bill was adopted and moved forward.

HB338 (State yard‑waste handling and single‑use plastic containers): The committee approved HB338 with amendments. The bill prohibits state employees or contractors from disposing of yard waste collected from state building grounds or state highways in single‑use plastic containers; yard waste must be collected in a non‑discarded container or a compostable paper bag and disposed at an organics recycling facility, natural wood‑waste recycling facility, or a state facility with on‑site capacity to produce mulch or soil amendments. The sponsor’s amendment conditions disposal at specified facilities on whether a nearby facility exists with capacity to accept the material. The committee moved the amended bill by voice vote.

HB9 (Food System Resiliency Council): The committee advanced HB9 with committee amendments. The bill modifies the council’s responsibilities to focus on equity and sustainability policy recommendations to increase long‑term food system resiliency, to address limited healthy‑food options (replacing the statutory phrase “food deserts” with “healthy food priority areas”), and to emphasize reducing wasted food and expanding recommendations on local food production and procurement. The committee struck a requirement to periodically update the 2021 strategic plan and instead broadened required policy recommendations. The amended bill passed.

HB40 (Game and fisheries; senior licenses and trout stamps — departmental): The committee voted to increase fees for senior sport‑fishing licenses, angler licenses and trout stamps and to repeal the trout‑stamp exemption for a senior sport‑fishing license. The bill was moved and passed; a handful of members were recorded in opposition during the voice process (transcript noted Delegates Jacobs, Otto, Celebrity, Naraki and Morgan as opposing). The committee advanced the bill.

Transportation items (HB7) and administrative changes (HB191): The committee approved a bicycle‑related rule (HB7) authorizing a bicyclist approaching a stop sign on a highway with two or fewer lanes to cautiously proceed through or turn without a full stop if the bicyclist first reduces speed to a reasonable rate and yields right of way; HB7 had passed the committee and floor previously and was moved again. HB191 authorizes towing companies and police departments to send specified tow/abandoned‑vehicle notices to vehicle owners electronically via MVA; the committee approved the bill.

What happens next: Most measures were forwarded by voice vote to the next stage. Some bills carry new reporting deadlines (for example MDE’s required reports for HB25). The committee chair reminded members of the next Friday session and that some items will require further administrative steps by agencies (permits, reporting, and implementation capacity for reuse and organics facilities).

Votes at a glance (recorded details from transcript)
- HB4: Motion to move (mover: Chair Holmes). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: no roll call recorded.
- HB124: Moved and amended (technical + terminology). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: rescission and disclosure mechanics specified in bill text.
- HB127: Departmental bill to add nonprofit sponsors for housing rehab programs. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Senate cross‑file SB238 reported approved in Senate 45–0.
- HB273: Caps late payment penalties at 5% of unpaid rent for the rent period. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Past House floor vote referenced (113–28 in previous year).
- HB25: Reservoir augmentation / potable reuse; chair amendment requires MDE reporting by Dec. 30, 2029 and five‑year program reports. Outcome: approved as amended (voice vote).
- HB338: State yard‑waste stored/handled without single‑use plastic; amendment adds capacity/nearby facility condition. Outcome: approved as amended (voice vote).
- HB9: Food System Resiliency Council scope expansion and terminology updates; committee amendments adopted. Outcome: approved as amended (voice vote).
- HB40: Increases fees for senior sport‑fishing licenses, angler licenses and trout stamps; repeals trout‑stamp exemption for senior sport license. Outcome: approved; recorded oppositions named (Delegates Jacobs, Otto, Celebrity, Naraki, Morgan).
- HB7: Bicyclist stop‑sign approach rule for two‑lane highways; Outcome: approved (voice vote). Past floor vote referenced (119–13 in prior year).
- HB191: Tow/abandoned‑vehicle notices may be sent electronically through MVA. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Ending: The committee closed its Feb. 7 session after advancing the package and reminded members of next week’s full day of hearings and a fisheries briefing. Members and agency staff will now prepare for implementation steps and any cross‑chamber activity that follows.