Creating Smart Energy Solutions

EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008 – SB 205/HB 374 (Administration)

As passed, SB 205/HB 374 codifies Gov. O’Malley’s goal to reduce statewide per-capita electricity consumption and peak demand by 15 percent by 2015. Utility companies will be responsible for 10 percent of the savings, with the Maryland Energy Administration providing the other 5 percent. The bill will save Marylanders $4.1 billion on energy costs by 2020.

Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund – SB 268/HB 368 (Administration)

This bill gives the Maryland Energy Administration the resources to offer energy efficiency services to underserved markets that the utility companies won’t address. The fund will be financed through the upcoming sale of carbon allowances to power plants as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which Maryland joined as part of the 2006 Healthy Air Act.

  Electric Restructuring - Purposes and Duties of the Public Service Commission – SB 583/HB 1314 (Della/McHale)

This bill would have changed the focus of the Public Service Commission from creating competition in the retail electricity markets to ensuring safe, reliable and affordable electricity for Maryland’s consumers and small businesses. The bills were not voted on in committee.

   Transition Costs – Return to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Customers – Condition of Approval to Construct a Nuclear Reactor - HB 1246  (Hucker)

HB 1246 would have required Constellation Energy to return $528 million in stranded costs related to Constellation’s existing nuclear reactors to ratepayers before the Public Service Commission could approve the company’s plans to build a new nuclear reactor in the state. The bill received an unfavorable report by the House Economic Matters Committee.

Safe & Healthy Communities

  Phthalates and Bisphenol-A - Prohibitions - Toys and Child Care Articles – HB 56 (Hubbard)

Phthalates and bisphenol-A are classes of chemicals that have been shown to alter hormones and harm the reproductive systems of babies. HB 56 would have phased out the use of these chemicals in children’s products. The state of California and a number of other countries have taken similar action. HB 56 was withdrawn before it received a vote in the Health and Government Operations Committee.

  Lead-Containing Children's Products – SB 97/HB 62 (Pugh/Hubbard)

In the wake of widespread toy recalls, SB 97/HB 62 prevents the sale or manufacture of children’s products that contain dangerous levels of lead.

  Mercury Switch Removal from Vehicles – HB 835 (Hucker)

HB 835 would have required auto manufacturers to set up a recycling program in Maryland for car switches that contain mercury. These switches are the largest manufacturing source of mercury. The bill passed the House of Delegates, but died in the Senate Education, Health & Environment Committee.

Protecting Consumers

  Identity Fraud - Prohibitions, Evidence, and Penalties – SB 60/HB 1113 (Kelley/Lee)

This bill makes it easier for consumers to defend themselves in court against credit card theft and outlaws “skimming” devices that can be used to that steal credit card numbers. Both provisions were recommended by the Task Force to Study Identity Theft.

  Payment Information Security Act – HB 1108 (Lee)

This bill would have prevented businesses from keeping a consumer’s credit or debit card information or PIN number once a financial transaction was completed. The bill was withdrawn before it could be voted on by the House Economic Matters Committee.

  Credit Regulation - Debt Management Services – SB 646/HB 947 (Astle/Feldman)

Five years ago, lawmakers passed a law that helps protect Maryland’s most vulnerable consumers by preventing companies from profiting from debt management services. As a result of aggressive industry lobbying, the for-profit debt management industry will now be allowed to bring their predatory business model to Maryland.

Strengthening Democracy

  Voter Verified Paper Records – SB 90/HB 100  (Administration)

The General Assembly included full funding in the budget for the transition to a voting system that produces a paper record for use in case of a recount for the 2010 election in the budget.

  Maryland Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2008 – SB 819/HB 358 (Miller/Mooney)

In a bipartisan effort, lawmakers established a publicly available, easy-to-use searchable online database that discloses state subsidies and spending. We call it “Google Government.” 

  Public Financing of Elections – SB 593/HB 971 (Pinsky/Cardin)

In the system proposed in SB 593/HB 971, candidates who opt for public funding must engage with average voters to earn their qualifying money, in the form of contributions of at least $5 from ¼ of 1% of the voters in the district. In exchange for receiving public funds candidates have to refuse all private donations. After failing on the Senate by one vote last year, the bill didn’t even receive a committee vote this year.

Maryland PIRG supports outcome           

Maryland PIRG opposes outcome