MD
Maryland House Bill HB1509

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1509 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 503
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 503
5-(House Bill 1509)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *hb1509*
89
9-Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Workgroup – Established
10+HOUSE BILL 1509
11+M3 4lr3470
12+ CF SB 1174
13+By: Delegate Stein Delegates Stein, Allen, Guyton, and Ruth
14+Introduced and read first time: February 21, 2024
15+Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
16+Re–referred to: Environment and Transportation, February 26, 2024
17+Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
18+House action: Adopted
19+Read second time: March 18, 2024
1020
11-FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model
12-Workgroup to study the regional water governance approach in the Baltimore region;
13-and generally relating to the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model
14-Workgroup.
21+CHAPTER ______
1522
16- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
17-That:
23+AN ACT concerning 1
1824
19- (a) There is a Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Workgroup.
25+Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Workgroup – Established 2
2026
21- (b) (1) The Workgroup consists of the following members:
27+FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model 3
28+Workgroup to study the regional water governance approach in the Baltimore region; 4
29+and generally relating to the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model 5
30+Workgroup. 6
2231
23- (i) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the
24-President of the Senate;
32+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
33+That: 8
2534
26- (ii) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker
27-of the House;
35+ (a) There is a Baltimore Regional Water Governance Model Workgroup. 9
2836
29- (iii) two members appointed by the Governor;
37+ (b) (1) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 10
3038
31- (iv) five members appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City ,
32-including:
39+ (i) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the 11
40+President of the Senate; 12
3341
34- 1. one member who represents the current workforce
35-responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system; and
42+ (ii) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker 13
43+of the House; 14
3644
37- 2. one member from a labor organization that is the exclusive
38-representative for Baltimore City employees;
45+ (iii) two members appointed by the Governor; 15
3946
40- (v) three members appointed by the County Executive of Baltimore
41-County; and
47+ (iv) five members appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City, 16
48+including: 17 2 HOUSE BILL 1509
4249
43- (vi) one member from either Anne Arundel County, Carroll County,
44-Howard County, or Harford County, appointed by the Chair of the Baltimore Metropolitan
45-Council.
4650
47- (2) Each member shall:
4851
49- (i) have knowledge of: Ch. 503 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
52+ 1. one member who represents the current workforce 1
53+responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system; and 2
5054
51-– 2 –
55+ 2. one member from a labor organization that is the exclusive 3
56+representative for Baltimore City employees; 4
5257
53- 1. water resources management and protection;
58+ (v) three members appointed by the County Executive of Baltimore 5
59+County; and 6
5460
55- 2. the management and operation of water or wastewater
56-systems or comparable expertise;
61+ (vi) one member from either Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, 7
62+Howard County, or Harford County, appointed by the Chair of the Baltimore Metropolitan 8
63+Council. 9
5764
58- 3. environmental finance;
65+ (2) Each member shall: 10
5966
60- 4. human resources management; or
67+ (i) have knowledge of: 11
6168
62- 5. environmental justice and equity; or
69+ 1. water resources management and protection; 12
6370
64- (ii) represent ratepayers in their respective jurisdictions.
71+ 2. the management and operation of water or wastewater 13
72+systems or comparable expertise; 14
6573
66- (c) The Mayor of Baltimore City and the County Executive of Baltimore County
67-shall jointly designate a chair of the Workgroup.
74+ 3. environmental finance; 15
6875
69- (d) The Mayor of Baltimore City and the County Executive of Baltimore County
70-shall jointly provide staff for the Workgroup.
76+ 4. human resources management; or 16
7177
72- (e) A member of the Workgroup:
78+ 5. environmental justice and equity; or 17
7379
74- (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but
80+ (ii) represent ratepayers in their respective jurisdictions. 18
7581
76- (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
77-Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
82+ (c) The Mayor of Baltimore City and the County Executive of Baltimore County 19
83+shall jointly designate a chair of the Workgroup. 20
7884
79- (f) (1) The Workgroup shall strive for consensus among its members.
85+ (d) The Mayor of Baltimore City and the County Executive of Baltimore County 21
86+shall jointly provide staff for the Workgroup. 22
8087
81- (2) An affirmative vote of 10 members is needed for the Workgroup to act.
88+ (e) A member of the Workgroup: 23
8289
83- (g) The Workgroup shall:
90+ (1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 24
8491
85- (1) review the report of the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task
86-Force submitted in accordance with Chapter 179 of the Acts of the General Assembly of
87-2023;
92+ (2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 25
93+Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 26
8894
89- (2) analyze the issues relevant to implementing a regional water
90-governance model in the Baltimore region, including:
95+ (f) (1) The Workgroup shall strive for consensus among its members. 27
9196
92- (i) 1. developing an equity analysis to analyze how the shift to
93-a regional water governance model affects vulnerable residents in the area; and
97+ (2) An affirmative vote of 10 members is needed for the Workgroup to act. 28 HOUSE BILL 1509 3
9498
95- 2. recommending programs to assist potentially affected
96-residents during the implementation;
97- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 503
9899
99-– 3 –
100- (ii) developing a financial transition plan to an alyze how
101-implementing a regional water governance model affects the finances of each jurisdiction
102-within the governance area, including pension and benefit commitments and debt service;
103100
104- (iii) assessing the available workforce for a regional water
105-governance model, including hiring new employees and transitioning existing employees
106-from Baltimore City and applicable counties to a regional water governance model;
101+ (g) The Workgroup shall: 1
107102
108- (iv) reviewing any legal and legislative actions required for
109-transitioning to a regional water governance model, including analyzing changes needed to
110-the applicable city and county codes and charters; and
103+ (1) review the report of the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task 2
104+Force submitted in accordance with Chapter 179 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 3
105+2023; 4
111106
112- (v) assessing the administrative and operational changes required
113-for implementing a regional water governance model, including whether stormwater
114-management would fall under the purview of a regional water governance model;
107+ (2) analyze the issues relevant to implementing a regional water 5
108+governance model in the Baltimore region, including: 6
115109
116- (3) analyze whether creating a City–County Rate Board is necessary to:
110+ (i) 1. developing an equity analysis to analyze how the shift to 7
111+a regional water governance model affects vulnerable residents in the area; and 8
117112
118- (i) ensure fairness for consumers; and
113+ 2. recommending programs to assist potentially affected 9
114+residents during the implementation; 10
119115
120- (ii) balance city and county rates; and
116+ (ii) developing a financial transition plan to analyze how 11
117+implementing a regional water governance model affects the finances of each jurisdiction 12
118+within the governance area, including pension and benefit commitments and debt service; 13
121119
122- (4) review the regional governance models recommended in the report of
123-the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force submitted in accordance with
124-Chapter 179 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023 and other existing and potential
125-regional water and wastewater governance models to assess how different regional
126-approaches may improve:
120+ (iii) assessing the available workforce for a regional water 14
121+governance model, including hiring new employees and transitioning existing employees 15
122+from Baltimore City and applicable counties to a regional water governance model; 16
127123
128- (i) management;
124+ (iv) reviewing any legal and legislative actions required for 17
125+transitioning to a regional water governance model, including analyzing changes needed to 18
126+the applicable city and county codes and charters; and 19
129127
130- (ii) operations;
128+ (v) assessing the administrative and operational changes required 20
129+for implementing a regional water governance model, including whether stormwater 21
130+management would fall under the purview of a regional water governance model; 22
131131
132- (iii) employee recruitment;
132+ (3) analyze whether creating a City–County Rate Board is necessary to: 23
133133
134- (iv) retention and training;
134+ (i) ensure fairness for consumers; and 24
135135
136- (v) billing and collections;
136+ (ii) balance city and county rates; and 25
137137
138- (vi) planning for capital improvements;
138+ (4) review the regional governance models recommended in the report of 26
139+the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force submitted in accordance with 27
140+Chapter 179 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023 and other existing and potential 28
141+regional water and wastewater governance models to assess how different regional 29
142+approaches may improve: 30
139143
140- (vii) emergency management; and
144+ (i) management; 31
141145
142- (viii) rate stability for customers.
146+ (ii) operations; 32 4 HOUSE BILL 1509
143147
144- (h) (1) The Workgroup shall hire independent consultants to facilitate the
145-requirements of subsection (g) of this section, including: Ch. 503 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
146148
147-– 4 –
148149
149- (i) outside counsel to assist with the analysis of issues related to
150-regional governance; and
150+ (iii) employee recruitment; 1
151151
152- (ii) experts in equity analysis.
152+ (iv) retention and training; 2
153153
154- (2) For fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget
155-bill an appropriation of $500,000 for the purpose of hiring independent consultants under
156-paragraph (1) of this subsection.
154+ (v) billing and collections; 3
157155
158- (i) On or before June 30, 2027, the Workgroup shall report its findings to the
159-Mayor of Baltimore City, the County Executive of Baltimore County, the Governor, and, in
160-accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.
156+ (vi) planning for capital improvements; 4
161157
162- (j) In developing the report required under subsection (i) of this section, the
163-Workgroup:
158+ (vii) emergency management; and 5
164159
165- (1) shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General and the
166-Department of the Environment; and
160+ (viii) rate stability for customers. 6
167161
168- (2) may not consider or make recommendations related to a privately
169-operated regional water governance model.
162+ (h) (1) The Workgroup shall hire independent consultants to facilitate the 7
163+requirements of subsection (g) of this section, including: 8
170164
171- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
172-1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2027,
173-this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and
174-of no further force and effect.
165+ (i) outside counsel to assist with the analysis of issues related to 9
166+regional governance; and 10
175167
176-Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.
168+ (ii) experts in equity analysis. 11
169+
170+ (2) For fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget 12
171+bill an appropriation of $500,000 for the purpose of hiring independent consultants under 13
172+paragraph (1) of this subsection. 14
173+
174+ (i) On or before June 30, 2027, the Workgroup shall report its findings to the 15
175+Mayor of Baltimore City, the County Executive of Baltimore County, the Governor, and, in 16
176+accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 17
177+
178+ (j) In developing the report required under subsection (i) of this section, the 18
179+Workgroup: 19
180+
181+ (1) shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General and the 20
182+Department of the Environment; and 21
183+
184+ (2) may not consider or make recommendations related to a privately 22
185+operated regional water governance model. 23
186+
187+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 24
188+1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2027, 25
189+this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 26
190+of no further force and effect. 27
191+