Maryland’s Waterkeepers span the Eastern Shore to the Baltimore region to upper reaches of the Potomac River. They work tirelessly in rural, suburban and urban communities to ensure their right to clean water is protected. Each year, they work on legislation to further the goals of access to clean water, government transparency, improved enforcement, and strengthening Maryland’s clean water and environmental justice laws. In addition, especially in this fiscally challenging year, they advocate for adequate funding for Maryland’s environmental agencies and programs. They are pleased to share their 2026 legislative priorities:
Maryland’s Budget – Waterkeepers are grateful for the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget that protects environmental funding at FY 2026 levels and recognizes the importance of maintaining critical restoration investments during a challenging fiscal year. As the budget moves through the General Assembly, we urge general assembly leadership to, at a minimum, remain consistent with Governor Moore’s environmental funding allocations. While the continuation of Maryland’s core environmental funding programs is essential, it is equally important that the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture receive sufficient funding to maintain—and where possible increase—staff capacity for enforcement, permit renewals, compliance oversight, and facility inspections. These functions are fundamental to ensuring that our existing environmental laws deliver real, measurable benefits and that communities across Maryland can rely on consistent accountability from our leadership. Contact: arichards@shorerivers.org.
SB719/HB925 – Protecting Farmlands & Water from PFAS in Sewage Sludge – Sewage sludge (known as biosolids) is the solid waste produced during the treatment of municipal, human, and industrial wastewater, and is used as fertilizer on farmlands. Unfortunately, sewage sludge contains toxic PFAS that runs off farm fields and filters into surface water and groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources. PFAS also bioaccumulates in fish and wildlife, and is stored in milk, fruits and vegetables. Sen. Sara Love and Del. Dana Stein introduced SB719/HB925 to establish a long-overdue limit on toxic PFAS found in sewage sludge (known as biosolids) that is used as fertilizer and spread on Maryland’s farm fields, as well as identify and mitigate upstream sources of PFAS pollution before it reaches wastewater treatment plants. In addition, SB686/HB1022 – Phasing Out PFAS in Consumer Products Act introduced by Sen Love and Del. Ruth also reduces the sources of PFAS and protects public health by establishing a time-line to phase out products if they contain an intentionally added PFAS substance. Contact: robin@waterkeeperschesapeake.org
SB342/HB331 – Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program – Bottle trash, particularly plastic, is a pervasive blight in our waterways, posing a serious threat to the environment, aquatic life, and human health. As plastic breaks down into microplastics and nanoplastics, they bioaccumulate in our bodies through the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. Sen. Brooks and Del. Terrasa introduced SB342/HB331 to establish a beverage container deposit program, a common-sense and proven strategy to reduce litter, increase recycling rates, and incentivize environmental stewardship. Bottle deposit programs work in partnership with extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs to capture containers that don’t make it to curbside recycling programs, including empty containers from beverages consumed away-from-home. Contact: avolpitta@bluewaterbaltimore.org
SB165/HB146 On-Site Wastewater Systems – Requirements for Inspections and Pumping Services: Maryland has over 420,000 septic systems and if not properly maintained, they can contribute significant amounts of nutrient and bacterial pollution to groundwater, surface waters, and nearby wells. The best way to identify a non-functioning system is through inspections. Introduced by Sen. Brooks and Del. Guyton, SB165/HB146 will ensure that septic systems are properly inspected and pumped out prior to property transfers – preventing future system problems, protecting public health, better protecting downstream environments, extending the lifespan of the system, and maintaining property values. This bill provides reasonable exemptions and is modeled after the well inspection requirement for property transfers. Contact: elle@arundelrivers.org
FAVORABLE WITH CRITICAL AMENDMENTS SB0371/HB0395 – Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Permit – The Clean Water Act is the nation’s foundational law protecting the rights of waterways. Any repeal, suspension, or weakening of its protections—under any circumstance or in any form—is therefore a matter of serious concern for Waterkeepers. In light of the lapse in general permit coverage at MDE, our priority recommendation is that the Department establish a clear regulatory process to ensure that individuals comply with all requirements for coverage under the administratively extended permit for animal feeding operations, as well as all other applicable laws, regulations, and construction permits, before construction begins. Additionally, Waterkeepers urge that MDE be required to issue public notifications when general permits are at risk of being administratively continued, so that transparency is maintained and emergency legislation can be avoided in the future. Contact: arichards@shorerivers.org.
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