Maryland House Bill HB363

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/22
• Refer: 1/19/22

Caption

Attorney General - Climate Change Actions - Authorization

Impact

The introduction of HB 363 signifies a potential shift in how environmental laws are enforced in Maryland. By enabling the Attorney General to pursue claims against corporations for climate-related damages, the bill is designed to increase corporate responsibility regarding environmental practices. This could lead to an increase in litigation aimed at holding businesses accountable for ecological damage, which supporters believe would promote more sustainable business practices across various industries.

Summary

House Bill 363, titled 'Attorney General - Climate Change Actions - Authorization', seeks to empower the Attorney General of Maryland with enhanced authority to address corporate actions contributing to climate change. This bill allows the Attorney General to investigate and initiate civil or criminal lawsuits against publicly traded companies with a market capitalization exceeding one billion dollars, holding them accountable for any actions deemed unlawful that have substantially contributed to climate change. The legislation emphasizes a proactive stance in tackling environmental harm through legal accountability.

Contention

Concerns surrounding HB 363 primarily revolve around the implications of empowering the Attorney General to take legal actions against large corporations. Critics might argue that such authority could lead to an increase in frivolous lawsuits or place an additional regulatory burden on businesses. Furthermore, there is a concern regarding the effectiveness of this approach—whether litigation can truly drive corporate change or if it might foster resistance among businesses that may view the law as overly punitive.