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Bill to require air conditioning in new and renovated rental units draws debate over rural impact
Summary
A bill that would require air conditioning in newly built multiunit rental housing and in units receiving major electrical or heating upgrades drew public-health arguments from the sponsor and questions from rural and urban senators about cost and feasibility.
Delegate Mary Lehman told the Judicial Proceedings Committee that House Bill 339 would require air conditioning in newly constructed rental buildings with four or more units and in rental units that undergo substantial electrical or heating-system renovations. The requirement would apply June 1 through Sept. 30 and set a performance threshold — cooling the unit to no greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit — rather than prescribing specific equipment.
Lehman framed the bill as a public-health and disaster-mitigation measure, noting Maryland Department of Health research and national examples of…
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