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Sponsor says Energy Equality Act would protect consumer choice, bar product bans tied to energy source
Summary
HB 673 would permanently remove Maryland from California-style clean-car mandates and prohibit bans on consumer products based on energy source; sponsor framed the bill as preserving consumer choice given Maryland's grid mix.
Delegate Lauren Arck presented House Bill 673 as a two-part measure: make Maryland's earlier withdrawal from California clean-car rules permanent and prohibit local or state bans on consumer products based solely on the product's energy source.
Arck argued the state's electric grid still depends substantially on fossil fuels and that consumers should retain flexible product choices while the grid transitions. She described the bill as protecting consumer freedom and preventing local bans that could disadvantage users who rely on gas-powered equipment.
Committee members did not record formal opposition during the hearing; the sponsor did not circulate an amendment package during testimony. The bill is part of a cluster of energy and consumer-choice measures under consideration by the committee.
