House Environment and Transportation Committee approves broad slate of local, safety and conservation bills; boating fee increase draws opposition

The House Environment and Transportation Committee on Wednesday, March 5 approved a series of local and statewide measures addressing hotel-tax language, boating fees and grants, pesticide application rules, oyster-harvest penalties, housing tools and several safety measures.

The committee's voting session covered more than a dozen bills. Several passed with little debate; others prompted recorded opposition from a group of delegates over funding and notice provisions, most notably a bill (HB 7 19) that adjusts the Waterway Improvement Fund, authorizes expanded matching state funding and raises boat-related fees.

Why it matters: The package includes bills that change local tax references and municipal authority, alter funding rules for marine and land improvement programs, tighten controls on pesticide application and public-safety risks related to gas piping, and expand tools for housing and land-bank authorities. Several measures affect counties directly (Anne Arundel, St. Mary's, Montgomery, Prince George's, Washington) and touch state agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Major items and committee action

- HB 7 19 (Waterway Improvement Fund) The subcommittee reported HB 7 19 as favorable with amendments. The bill raises the thresholds for full state funding from the Waterway Improvement Fund, authorizes up to 50% matching funds above the full funding thresholds for certain projects, increases small-project thresholds and increases fees related to boat manufacturer/dealer licensing, certificates of number, Maryland use stickers and titles. Committee discussion noted that boating fees had not been raised since 1984 and that the sponsor's office said the increases were calibrated to inflation. The measure passed but drew recorded opposition from Delegates Jacobs, Otto, Naraki, Morgan and Baker.

- HB 155 (DHCD energy loans and Climate Solutions Act implementation) The committee approved a departmental bill that allows the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to issue loans in addition to grants for energy conservation and renewable-energy projects required by the Climate Solutions Act of 2022, and clarifies how DHCD may calculate greenhouse-gas emissions reductions. Amendments were adopted and the bill passed; recorded opposition was noted from Delegates Jacobs, Otto, Naraki, Morgan and Baker.

- HB 114 (pesticide application and restricted-use pesticides) The committee advanced a departmental bill that eliminates the ability for non-certified individuals to perform commercial applications of restricted-use pesticides under supervision and tightens requirements for private applications under certified private applicators. The bill also…