Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 977

Bill Title: Controlled Hazardous Substances - Discharge or Release - Reporting Requirements

Bill Sponsor(s): Ch. ENV (Dept. of Environment)

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: ENV

Bill Summary: This bill would require a person who discharges, releases, or possesses evidence of a discharge or release of a hazardous substance to report the incident to the Department of the Environment, and authorize the Department to adopt regulations to implement the Act.

History: None

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: This legislation gives MDE the right to immediately enter your property if they believe there is a substantial threat of discharge or release, with no regard to how low the level. It provides for broad power by MDE, and does not adequately define "a substantial threat," which provides for subjectivity to allow MDE to enter any business property if they believe there is danger.

Additionally, MDE should not have the authority to adopt regulations to implement the provisions. This is an open-ended agreement that needs to be specified in the law and not at MDE.

For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposes this bill.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.