This is an archived page. Links may be broken and content may not be current. Our current legislative page can be found here.
2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The Maryland General Assembly’s 2021 Legislative Session started on January 13, 2021 and ended at midnight on April 12. This legislative session was very different from last year, with virtual hearings and restrictions on who is allowed in Annapolis. But one thing that was not different was our level of grassroots activism and support for bills to change our state for the better! We still strategized, met, advocated, testified (virtually), and organized with everything we’ve got to pass the most impactful environmental and social justice bills.
Click here for Post-Session Update: Many Wins and Some Losses
Sierra Club Top Issues for 2021
Just Transition Off of Coal
The 2021 coal legislation has been withdrawn. Read more here. Maryland’s coal plants continue to pollute our climate, air, and waters. However, in the past year, our state has seen the closing of one plant, a schedule set for another to close later this year, and commitments made by the owners of three of the four remaining plants to end coal burning. The arc of change is clear: the time is ripe to pass the Maryland Coal Community Transition Act (SB148, HB66) to establish a firm timetable, in law, for transitioning Maryland off coal, and a plan for a just transition for impacted workers and communities.
Climate-Based Decisionmaking by the Public Service Commission (PSC)
The PSC has significant authority over how electricity is generated in Maryland, including approving all new plants. Yet, the PSC does not consider our state climate goals in its decisionmaking. Under this bill (HB298, SB 83) the PSC will now be required to do this.
Transportation
The transportation sector is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland. Maryland must place greater reliance on public transportation, shift to electric vehicles, and support walkable, bike-able communities. We are focusing in particular on two bills that passed the House last session: the Transit Safety and Investment Act (SB199, HB114), to address the significant capital underfunding of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA); and the Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act (SB137, HB334), to transition the MTA bus fleet to zero-emission buses.
Transit Safety and Investment Act Fact Sheet Take Action
Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act Fact Sheet Take Action
Plastic Pollution and Waste Diversion
The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis, and plastic carryout bags are a major culprit. Our top priority is to pass the Plastic Bag Reduction Act (SB223, HB314), banning plastic carryout shopping bags statewide, which passed the House last session.
Plastic Bag Fact Sheet Take Action
The Maryland Paint Stewardship bill (HB127) would increase paint reuse and recycling and offer savings to local governments, by making manufacturers responsible for management of the end-of-life of their products.
Paint Stewardship Bill Fact Sheet Take Action
Supported Bills
Sierra Club Maryland is testifying in support of many additional bills. These include:
- Legislation to regulate dangerous “forever” PFAS chemicals - Take Action
- An amendment to the state Constitution to enshrine the basic human right to a healthful environment - Take Action
- The Climate Solutions Now Act - Take Action
- The Maryland Essential Worker Protection Act - Testimony
- A suite of bills to reduce plastic pollution, make producers responsible for managing the end-of-life of their products, and promote reuse, composting, and recycling - More information
- Bills to reform policing and protect voting rights - More information
- And over 100 more listed here!
OUR BILL TESTIMONY TAKE ACTION NOW LOBBY WEEK MATERIALS PAST SESSIONS
Navigating the General Assembly Online
Due to the pandemic, there are new health and safety rules that will change how everyone, including the legislators, interact. The public generally will not be allowed into the Senate and House office buildings or the Capitol building. Individual lobbying meetings with legislators and committee hearings will occur virtually. Most committee meetings will be done virtually. Time for floor debates will be limited, so we expect fewer bills to pass. However, the good news is that ALL committee hearings, as well as the Senate and House floor meetings, will be live-streamed on YouTube. So while we are juggling difficult circumstances, we are gaining better online access. The links below help give more information on watching hearings, testifying virtually, and understanding how bills become law..
WATCH A HEARING TESTIFY VIRTUALLY BILL PROCESS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WEBSITE
How You Can Get More Involved
For starters, here are ten suggestions for how to get involved! Definitely visit our Take Action page! We welcome you to join the legislative team, help us be effective and creative this legislative session. We need new creative ideas to inspire and organize people and influence elected officials in this new virtual pandemic reality. Are you savvy with social media? Make videos or artwork? Want to plan a social distance demonstration? Email legislation@mdsierra.org and we will connect. To volunteer to help enact our legislative agenda, email legislation@mdsierra.org and tell us how you’d like to get involved!