Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB416 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3		EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4	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	5		sb0416
9	6
10	7		SENATE BILL 416
11	8		C5, M5 4lr2704
12	9		CF HB 258
13	10		By: Senator Lewis Young
14	11		Introduced and read first time: January 18, 2024
15	12		Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
16		-	Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17		-	Senate action: Adopted
18		-	Read second time: February 29, 2024
19	13
20		-	~~CHAPTER ______~~
	14	+	A BILL ENTITLED
21	15
22	16		AN ACT concerning 1
23	17
24	18		Renewable Energy – Customer–Sited Solar Program 2
25	19
26	20		FOR the purpose of establishing the Customer–Sited Solar Program within the Maryland 3
27	21		Energy Administration for the purpose of providing grants to certain eligible 4
28	22		customer–generators for certain solar energy generating systems; authorizing a 5
29	23		third party to apply for a grant on behalf of an eligible customer–generator under 6
30	24		certain circumstances; requiring the Administration to publish certain mapping 7
31		-	tools information regarding the Program; requiring the Administration to develop a 8
32		-	certain consumer protection policy; providing for the funding of Program grants from 9
33		-	certain compliance fee and allowance proceeds fees in the Strategic Energy 10
34		-	Investment Fund; and generally relating to the Customer–Sited Solar Program. 11
	25	+	tools; providing for the funding of Program grants from certain compliance fee and 8
	26	+	allowance proceeds in the Strategic Energy Investment Fund; and generally relating 9
	27	+	to the Customer–Sited Solar Program. 10
35	28
36		-	BY adding to 12
37		-	Article – State Government 13
38		-	Section 9–2016 and 9–20B–05(f)(13), ~~and~~ (g–1), and (g–2) 14
39		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 15
40		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 16
	29	+	BY adding to 11
	30	+	Article – State Government 12
	31	+	Section 9–2016 and 9–20B–05(f)(13), (g–1), and (g–2) 13
	32	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 14
	33	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 15
41	34
42		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
43		-	Article – State Government 18
44		-	Section 9–20B–05(f)(12) and (13) and (i) 19
45		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 20
46		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 21
	35	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
	36	+	Article – State Government 17
	37	+	Section 9–20B–05(f)(12) and (13) and (i) 18
	38	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 19
	39	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 20
47	40
48		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 22 2 SENATE BILL 416
	41	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 21
	42	+	Article – State Government 22
	43	+	Section 9–20B–05(g) 23
	44	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 24
	45	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 25
	46	+
	47	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 26
	48	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 27 2 SENATE BILL 416
	49	+
49	50
50	51
51	52		Article – State Government 1
52		-	Section 9–20B–05(g) 2
53		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 3
54		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 4
55	53
56		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 5
57		-	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 6
	54	+	9–2016. 2
58	55
59		-	Article – State Government 7
	56	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 3
	57	+	INDICATED. 4
60	58
61		-	9–2016. 8
	59	+	(2) “ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 5
	60	+	IN § 7–306 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE. 6
62	61
63		-	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 9
64		-	INDICATED. 10
	62	+	(3) “LOW TO MODERATE INCOM E” MEANS A HOUSEHOLD WI TH AN 7
	63	+	ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME AT OR BELOW 80% OF THE AVERAGE MEDIA N INCOME 8
	64	+	FOR THE STATE. 9
65	65
66		-	(2) “ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR ” HAS THE MEANING STATED 11
67		-	IN § 7–306 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE. 12
	66	+	(4) “LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY ” MEANS ANY CENSUS 10
	67	+	TRACT IN WHICH , ACCORDING TO THE MOS T RECENT U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 11
	68	+	SURVEY, THE AVERAGE MEDIAN I NCOME IS AT OR BELOW 80% OF THE AVERAGE 12
	69	+	MEDIAN INCOME FOR TH E STATE. 13
68	70
69		-	(3) “LOW TO MODERATE INCOM E” MEANS A HOUSEHOLD WI TH AN 13
70		-	ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC OME AT OR BELOW 80% 150% OF THE AVERAGE MEDIA N 14
71		-	INCOME FOR THE STATE. 15
	71	+	(5) “OVERBURDENED COMMUNIT Y” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 14
	72	+	1–701 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 15
72	73
73		-	(4) “LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY ” MEANS ANY CENS US 16
74		-	TRACT IN WHICH , ACCORDING TO THE MOS T RECENT U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 17
75		-	SURVEY, THE AVERAGE MEDIAN I NCOME IS AT OR BELOW 80% OF THE AVERAGE 18
76		-	MEDIAN INCOME FOR TH E STATE. 19
	74	+	(6) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM 16
	75	+	ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION. 17
77	76
78		-	(5) “~~OVERBURDENED COMMUNIT Y~~” HAS THE MEANING ~~STAT ED IN~~ § 20
79		-	1–701 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 21
	77	+	(7) “UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY ” HAS THE MEANING STATED I N § 18
	78	+	1–701 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 19
80	79
81		-	(6) ~~(4) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE~~ CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM 22
82		-	~~ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION~~. 23
	80	+	(B) THERE IS A CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM IN THE 20
	81	+	ADMINISTRATION . 21
83	82
84		-	(7) “UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 24
85		-	1–701 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 25
	83	+	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO: 22
86	84
87		-	(B) ~~THERE IS A~~ CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR ~~PROGRAM IN THE 26~~
88		-	~~ADMINISTRATION . 27~~
	85	+	(1) INCREASE DEPLOYMENT OF CUSTOMER –SITED SOLAR ENERGY 23
	86	+	GENERATING SYSTEMS ; AND 24
89	87
90		-	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO: 28
	88	+	(2) PROVIDE GRANTS TO EL IGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATORS THAT 25
	89	+	HAVE INSTALLED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS WITH OR WITHOU T ENERGY 26
	90	+	STORAGE. 27
91	91
92		-	(1) INCREASE DEPLOYMENT OF CUSTOMER –SITED SOLAR ENERGY 29
93		-	GENERATING SYSTEMS ; AND 30
	92	+	(D) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 28
94	93		SENATE BILL 416 3
95	94
96	95
97		-	(2) PROVIDE GRANTS TO EL IGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATORS THAT 1
98		-	HAVE INSTALLED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS WITH OR WITHOU T ENERGY 2
99		-	STORAGE. 3
	96	+	(1) ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2024, ESTABLISH APPLICATIO N AND 1
	97	+	INCOME VERIFICATION PROCEDUR ES FOR THE PROGRAM; AND 2
100	98
101		-	(D) ~~(1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 4~~
	99	+	(2) AWARD GRANTS FROM TH E PROGRAM. 3
102	100
103		-	(1) (I) ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2024 JANUARY 1, 2025, 5
104		-	ESTABLISH APPLICATIO N AND INCOME VERIFIC ATION PROCEDURES FOR THE 6
105		-	PROGRAM; AND 7
	101	+	(E) THE PROGRAM MAY PROVIDE G RANTS TO ELIGIBLE 4
	102	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATORS AS FOLLOW S: 5
106	103
107		-	(2) (II) AWARD GRANTS FROM TH E PROGRAM. 8
	104	+	(1) AN INCOME–VERIFIED ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR WITH A 6
	105	+	LOW TO MODERATE INCO ME IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT EQUAL TO $750 PER 7
	106	+	KILOWATT OF NAMEPLAT E CAPACITY FOR A SOL AR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM, 8
	107	+	UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $7,500 PER SYSTEM; 9
108	108
109		-	(2) AN APPLICANT FOR A GR ANT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL : 9
	109	+	(2) A NON–INCOME–VERIFIED ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR 10
	110	+	LOCATED IN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY , AN OVERBURDENED 11
	111	+	COMMUNITY , OR AN UNDERSERVED CO MMUNITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT EQUAL 12
	112	+	TO $500 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY FOR A SOLAR ENERGY 13
	113	+	GENERATING SYSTEM , UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $5,000 PER SYSTEM; AND 14
110	114
111		-	(I) INCLUDE IN THE APPLI CATION AN EXECUTED C ONTRACT TO 10
112		-	PURCHASE OR LEASE A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM OR AN EXE CUTED 11
113		-	POWER PURCHASE AGREE MENT FOR THE SYSTEM ; 12
	115	+	(3) A NON–INCOME–VERIFIED ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR 15
	116	+	LOCATED OUTSIDE A LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY , AN 16
	117	+	OVERBURDENED COMMUNI TY, OR AN UNDERSERVED CO MMUNITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR 17
	118	+	A GRANT EQUAL TO $400 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY FOR A SOLAR 18
	119	+	ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $4,000 PER SYSTEM. 19
114	120
115		-	(II) DEMONSTRATE THAT AN AGREEMENT ENTERED IN TO 13
116		-	BETWEEN A THIRD PA RTY AND AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR MEETS THE 14
117		-	MINIMUM BENEFITS PUB LISHED UNDER SUBSECT ION (J) OF THIS SECTION; AND 15
	121	+	(F) GRANTS SHALL BE FUNDED AS FOLL OWS: 20
118	122
119		-	(III) INCLUDE A SIGNED DIS CLOSURE FORM DEVELOP ED UNDER 16
120		-	SUBSECTION (L) OF THIS SECTION. 17
	123	+	(1) A GRANT AWARDED UNDE R SUBSECTION (E)(1) OR (2) OF THIS 21
	124	+	SECTION SHALL BE FUN DED FROM FEES COLLEC TED UNDER § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF 22
	125	+	THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE; AND 23
121	126
122		-	(E) THE PROGRAM MAY PROVIDE G RANTS TO ELIGIBLE 18
123		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATORS AS FOLLOW S: 19
	127	+	(2) A GRANT AWARDED UNDE R SUBSECTION (E)(3) OF THIS SECTION 24
	128	+	SHALL BE FUNDED FROM ALLOWANCES COLLECTED UNDER § 9–20B–05(G)(3) OF 25
	129	+	THIS TITLE AND CREDI TED IN ACCORDANCE WI TH § 9–20B–05(G–1) OF THIS TITLE. 26
124	130
125		-	(1) AN INCOME~~–VERIFIED ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR WITH A 20~~
126		-	~~LOW~~ TO ~~MODERATE INCO ME IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GR ANT IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 21~~
127		-	~~$750 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY~~ FOR A ~~SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING 22~~
128		-	~~SYSTEM, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $7,500 PER SYSTEM; 23~~
	131	+	(G) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL USE THE INCOME VERIF ICATION 27
	132	+	PROCESSES UNDER § 7–306.2(F)(1)(IV) OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE TO 28
	133	+	VERIFY INCOME FOR AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR WITH A LOW TO 29
	134	+	MODERATE INCOME . 30
129	135
130		-	(2) A NON–INCOME–VERIFIED ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR 24
131		-	LOCATED IN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY , AN OVERBURDENED 25
132		-	COMMUNITY , OR AN UNDERSERVED CO MMUNITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT EQUAL 26
133		-	TO $500 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY FOR A SOLAR ENERGY 27
134		-	GENERATING SYSTEM , UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $5,000 PER SYSTEM; AND 28
	136	+	(H) A THIRD PARTY MAY : 31
	137	+	4 SENATE BILL 416
135	138
136		-	(3) A NON–INCOME–VERIFIED ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR 29
137		-	LOCATED OUTSIDE A LO W– TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY , AN 30
138		-	OVERBURDENED COMMUNI TY, OR AN UNDERSERVED CO MMUNITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR 31
139		-	A GRANT EQUAL TO $400 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY FOR A SOLAR 32
140		-	ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $4,000 PER SYSTEM. 33 4 SENATE BILL 416
	139	+
	140	+	(1) APPLY FOR A GRANT ON BEHALF OF AN ELIGIBL E 1
	141	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR WITH PROOF OF CONSENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE 2
	142	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR ; AND 3
	143	+
	144	+	(2) BE ASSIGNED A GRANT BY THE ELIGIBLE CUST OMER–GENERATOR 4
	145	+	TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOME R–GENERATOR . 5
	146	+
	147	+	(I) (1) FUNDING USED FOR GRAN TS UNDER THIS SECTIO N SHALL BE 6
	148	+	MONITORED THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS MAINTAINED BY THE 7
	149	+	ADMINISTRATION AND VI SIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE. 8
	150	+
	151	+	(2) DATA ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE SHALL : 9
	152	+
	153	+	(I) INCLUDE THE AMOUNT O F FUNDING AVAILABLE , 10
	154	+	RESERVED, AND SPENT FOR THE FI SCAL YEAR; AND 11
	155	+
	156	+	(II) BE UPDATED WEEKLY . 12
	157	+
	158	+	(J) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PUBLISH MAPPING TOOL S TO ALLOW AN 13
	159	+	ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR TO DETERMI NE WHETHER THE ELIGI BLE 14
	160	+	CUSTOMER IS LOCATED WITHIN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY , AN 15
	161	+	OVERBURDENED COMMUNI TY, OR AN UNDERSERVED CO MMUNITY. 16
	162	+
	163	+	(K) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2028, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY 17
	164	+	ADJUST THE GRANT AMO UNTS AVAILABLE UNDER THE PROGRAM TO REFLECT 18
	165	+	MARKET CONDITIONS AN D THE PREVAILING PRI CES OF SOLAR ENERGY 19
	166	+	GENERATING SYSTEMS . 20
	167	+
	168	+	(2) IN MAKING AN ADJUSTME NT TO A GRANT AMOUNT UNDER THIS 21
	169	+	SECTION, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 22
	170	+
	171	+	(I) ENSURE CONTINUED GRO WTH AND DEPLOYMENT O F THE 23
	172	+	CUSTOMER–SITED INDUSTRY AND M INIMIZE MARKET DISRU PTION; AND 24
	173	+
	174	+	(II) CONSIDER COMPARABLE PROGRAMS AND INCENTI VES IN 25
	175	+	OTHER STATES . 26
	176	+
	177	+	9–20B–05. 27
	178	+
	179	+	(f) The Administration shall use the Fund: 28
	180	+
	181	+	(12) to provide at least $500,000 each year to the Resiliency Hub Grant 29
	182	+	Program Fund under § 9–2011 of this title; [and] 30
	183	+	SENATE BILL 416 5
	184	+
	185	+
	186	+	(13) TO PROVIDE GRANTS TH ROUGH THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR 1
	187	+	PROGRAM UNDER § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE; AND 2
	188	+
	189	+	[(13)] (14) to pay the expenses of the Program. 3
	190	+
	191	+	(g) Proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of allowances under § 2–1002(g) 4
	192	+	of the Environment Article shall be allocated as follows: 5
	193	+
	194	+	(1) at least 50% shall be credited to an energy assistance account to be used 6
	195	+	for the Electric Universal Service Program and other electricity assistance programs in the 7
	196	+	Department of Human Services; 8
	197	+
	198	+	(2) at least 20% shall be credited to a low and moderate income efficiency 9
	199	+	and conservation programs account and to a general efficiency and conservation programs 10
	200	+	account for energy efficiency and conservation programs, projects, or activities and demand 11
	201	+	response programs, of which at least one–half shall be targeted to the low and moderate 12
	202	+	income efficiency and conservation programs account for: 13
	203	+
	204	+	(i) the low–income residential sector at no cost to the participants 14
	205	+	of the programs, projects, or activities; and 15
	206	+
	207	+	(ii) the moderate–income residential sector; 16
	208	+
	209	+	(3) at least 20% shall be credited to a renewable and clean energy programs 17
	210	+	account for: 18
	211	+
	212	+	(i) renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives; 19
	213	+
	214	+	(ii) energy–related public education and outreach; and 20
	215	+
	216	+	(iii) climate change and resiliency programs; and 21
	217	+
	218	+	(4) up to 10%, but not more than $7,500,000, shall be credited to an 22
	219	+	administrative expense account for costs related to the administration of the Fund, 23
	220	+	including the review of electric company plans for achieving electricity savings and demand 24
	221	+	reductions that the electric companies are required under law to submit to the 25
	222	+	Administration. 26
	223	+
	224	+	(G–1) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2025, OF THE AMOUNT IN THE 27
	225	+	RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS ACCO UNT UNDER SUBSECTION (G)(3) 28
	226	+	OF THIS SECTION , AT LEAST ONE –HALF SHALL BE CREDIT ED TO THE 29
	227	+	CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATORS 30
	228	+	THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBL E FOR INCENTIVES UND ER SUBSECTION (G)(3)(I) OF THIS 31
	229	+	SECTION. 32
	230	+	6 SENATE BILL 416
	231	+
	232	+
	233	+	(2) PROCEEDS THAT ARE AL LOCATED FOR CREDIT U NDER 1
	234	+	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND REMAIN UNUSED IN A GIVEN FISCAL YEAR 2
	235	+	SHALL BE CARRIED FOR WARD AS FOLLOWS : 3
	236	+
	237	+	(I) PROCEEDS ALLOCATED B UT UNUSED FROM A PRE VIOUS 4
	238	+	YEAR SHALL BE USED B EFORE PROCEEDS ALLOC ATED FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL 5
	239	+	YEAR; AND 6
	240	+
	241	+	(II) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL REALLOCATE WITHIN TH E 7
	242	+	RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS ACCO UNT ANY PROCEEDS THA T 8
	243	+	REMAIN ALLOCATED BUT UNUSED FOR 3 FISCAL YEARS AFTER C OLLECTION. 9
	244	+
	245	+	(G–2) (1) PROCEEDS RECEIVED BY THE FUND FROM COMPLIANCE FEES 10
	246	+	UNDER § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE SHALL BE ALLO CATED 11
	247	+	AS FOLLOWS: 12
	248	+
	249	+	(I) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, AT LEAST 60% OF THE 13
	250	+	PROCEEDS SHALL SUPPO RT THE INSTALLATION OF NEW SOLAR ENERGY 14
	251	+	GENERATING SYSTEMS U NDER THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM; 15
	252	+
	253	+	(II) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IN THE 16
	254	+	ADMINISTRATION ’S DISCRETION, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF PROCEEDS SHALL 17
	255	+	PROVIDE TO HOUSEHOLD S WITH LOW TO MODERA TE INCOME, AS DEFINED IN § 18
	256	+	9–2016 OF THIS TITLE, GRANTS TO REPAIR , IMPROVE, OR MODERNIZE THE HOU SE 19
	257	+	FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR ENERGY GE NERATING SYSTEM ; 20
	258	+
	259	+	(III) PROCEEDS COLLECTED B UT UNUSED FROM A PRE VIOUS 21
	260	+	YEAR SHALL BE USED B EFORE PROCEEDS ALLOC ATED FOR THE CURRENT YEAR; AND 22
	261	+
	262	+	(IV) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL REALLOCATE TO OTHER 23
	263	+	AUTHORIZED USES ANY PROCEEDS THAT ARE NO T USED WITHIN 3 FISCAL YEARS 24
	264	+	AFTER COLLECTION . 25
	265	+
	266	+	(2) A GRANT UNDER PARAGRAP H (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL 26
	267	+	BE DISTRIBUTED AS FO LLOWS: 27
	268	+
	269	+	(I) A GRANT FOR A ROOF R EPLACEMENT OR A STRU CTURAL 28
	270	+	ROOF REPAIR SHAL L BE AT LEAST $2 PER SQUARE FOOT BUT MAY NOT EXCEED 29
	271	+	$5,000 IN TOTAL; AND 30
	272	+
	273	+	(II) A GRANT FOR AN ELECT RICAL PANEL UPGRADE MAY NOT 31
	274	+	EXCEED $1,500 AND MAY BE APPLIED F OR BEFORE A SOLAR EN ERGY GENERATING 32
	275	+	SYSTEM IS INSTALLED . 33 SENATE BILL 416 7
141	276
142	277
143	278
144		-	(F) GRANTS SHALL BE FUNDE D AS FOLLOWS: 1
	279	+	(3) (I) AN APPLICANT FOR A GR ANT UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N 1
	280	+	SHALL INCLUDE IN THE APPLICATION AN EXECU TED CONTRACT TO PURC HASE OR 2
	281	+	LEASE A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM OR AN EXECUTED POWER PU RCHASE 3
	282	+	AGREEMENT FOR THE SY STEM. 4
145	283
146		-	(1) A A GRANT AWARDED UNDER SUBSECTION (E)(1) OR (2) (E) OF 2
147		-	THIS SECTION SHALL B E FUNDED FROM FEES C OLLECTED UNDER § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 3
148		-	OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE AND ALLOCATED IN ACC ORDANCE WITH § 4
149		-	9–20B–05(G–1) OF THIS TITLE; AND 5
	284	+	(II) THE SOLAR ENERGY GENE RATING SYSTEM SHALL BE 5
	285	+	INSTALLED WITHIN 180 DAYS AFTER A GRANT U NDER THIS SUBSECTION IS 6
	286	+	DISTRIBUTED. 7
150	287
151		-	(2) A GRANT AWARDED UNDE R SUBSECTION (E)(3) OF THIS SECTION 6
152		-	SHALL BE FUNDED FROM ALLOWANCES COLL ECTED UNDER § 9–20B–05(G)(3) OF 7
153		-	THIS TITLE AND CREDI TED IN ACCORDANCE WI TH § 9–20B–05(G–1) OF THIS TITLE. 8
	288	+	(i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, compliance fees 8
	289	+	paid under § 7–705(b) of the Public Utilities Article may be used only to make loans and 9
	290	+	grants to support the creation of new Tier 1 renewable energy sources in the State that are 10
	291	+	owned by or directly benefit: 11
154	292
155		-	(G) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL USE THE INCOME VERIF ICATION 9
156		-	PROCESSES UNDER § 7–306.2(F)(1)(IV) 7–306.2(F)(1)(IV)1 THROUGH 6 OF THE 10
157		-	PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE TO VERIFY INC OME FOR AN ELIGIBLE 11
158		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR WITH A LOW TO MODERATE INCOME . 12
	293	+	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 12
	294	+	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State; 13
	295	+	or 14
159	296
160		-	(H) A THIRD PARTY MAY : 13
	297	+	(ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 15
	298	+	of the Environment Article. 16
161	299
162		-	(1) APPLY FOR A GRANT ON BEHALF OF AN ELIGIBL E 14
163		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR WITH PROOF OF CONSENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE 15
164		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR; AND 16
	300	+	(2) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities 17
	301	+	Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 18
	302	+	loans and grants to support the creation of new solar energy sources in the State that are 19
	303	+	owned by or directly benefit: 20
165	304
166		-	(2) BE ASSIGNED A GRANT BY THE ELIGIBLE CUST OMER–GENERATOR 17
167		-	TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOME R–GENERATOR . 18
	305	+	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 21
	306	+	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State; 22
	307	+	[or] 23
168	308
169		-	(I) (1) FUNDING USED FOR GRAN TS UNDER THIS SECTIO N SHALL BE 19
170		-	MONITORED THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS MAINTAINED BY THE 20
171		-	ADMINISTRATION AND VISIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE. 21
	309	+	(ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 24
	310	+	of the Environment Article; OR 25
172	311
173		-	(2) DATA ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE SHALL : 22
	312	+	(III) HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME , AS 26
	313	+	DEFINED IN § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE. 27
174	314
175		-	~~(I) INCLUDE THE AMOUNT O~~ ~~F FUNDING AVAILABLE~~ , 23
176		-	~~RESERVED~~, ~~AND SPENT FOR THE FI SCAL YEAR; AND 24~~
	315	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 28
	316	+	1, 2024. 29
177	317
178		-	(II) BE UPDATED WEEKLY REGULARLY. 25
179		-
180		-	(J) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PUBLISH MAPPING TOOLS TO ALL OW AN 26
181		-	ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR TO DETERMI NE WHETHER THE ELIGI BLE 27
182		-	CUSTOMER IS LOCATED WITHIN A LOW – TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITY , AN 28
183		-	OVERBURDENED COMMUNI TY, OR AN UNDERSERVED CO MMUNITY: 29
184		-
185		-	(1) THE DISCLOSURE FORM DEVELOPE D UNDER SUBSECTION (L) OF 30
186		-	THIS SECTION; AND 31 SENATE BILL 416 5
187		-
188		-
189		-
190		-	(2) THE MINIMUM BENEFITS THAT AN ELIGIBLE 1
191		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR MUST RECEI VE UNDER AN AGREEMEN T WITH A THIRD 2
192		-	PARTY. 3
193		-
194		-	(K) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2028, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY 4
195		-	ADJUST THE GRANT AMOUNTS AVAILA BLE UNDER THE PROGRAM TO REFLECT 5
196		-	MARKET CONDITIONS AN D THE PREVAILING PRI CES OF SOLAR ENERGY 6
197		-	GENERATING SYSTEMS . 7
198		-
199		-	(2) IN MAKING AN ADJUSTME NT TO A GRANT AMOUNT UNDER THIS 8
200		-	SECTION, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 9
201		-
202		-	(I) ENSURE CONTINUED GRO WTH AND DEPLOYMENT O F THE 10
203		-	CUSTOMER–SITED INDUSTRY AND M INIMIZE MARKET DISRU PTION; AND 11
204		-
205		-	(II) CONSIDER COMPARABLE PROGRAMS AND INCENTI VES IN 12
206		-	OTHER STATES . 13
207		-
208		-	(K) A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM SHALL BE INSTALLED WITHIN 14
209		-	180 DAYS AFTER A GRANT U NDER THIS SECTION IS RESERVED BY THE 15
210		-	ADMINISTRATION FOR AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR . 16
211		-
212		-	(L) (1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL DEVELOP A CONSUMER 17
213		-	PROTECTION POLICY IN CONSULTATION WITH RE PRESENTATIVES OF THE 18
214		-	CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR INDUSTRY . 19
215		-
216		-	(2) THE CONSUMER PROTECTI ON POLICY DEVELOPED UND ER 20
217		-	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL: 21
218		-
219		-	(I) INCLUDE A DISCLOSURE FORM FOR SOLAR ENERG Y POWER 22
220		-	PURCHASE AGREEMENTS , SOLAR ENERGY LEASE A GREEMENTS , AND SOLAR ENERGY 23
221		-	LOAN AGREEMENTS THAT MUST BE SIGNED BY AN ELIGIBLE 24
222		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE AGREEMENT ; 25
223		-
224		-	(II) FOR A SOLAR ENERGY P OWER PURCHASE AGREEM ENT OR A 26
225		-	SOLAR ENERGY LEASE A GREEMENT, PROHIBIT AN ANNUAL R ATE INCREASE OF 27
226		-	MORE THAN 3%; 28
227		-
228		-	(III) ALLOW A CUSTOMER –GENERATOR TO CANCEL AN 29
229		-	AGREEMENT ENTERED IN TO WITH A THIRD PARTY UP T O 30 DAYS AFTER SIGNING 30
230		-	THE AGREEMENT ; AND 31
231		-	6 SENATE BILL 416
232		-
233		-
234		-	(IV) BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S 1
235		-	WEBSITE AND SOCIAL M EDIA PLATFORMS . 2
236		-
237		-	9–20B–05. 3
238		-
239		-	(f) The Administration shall use the Fund: 4
240		-
241		-	(12) to provide at least $500,000 each year to the Resiliency Hub Grant 5
242		-	Program Fund under § 9–2011 of this title; [and] 6
243		-
244		-	(13) TO PROVIDE GRANTS TH ROUGH THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR 7
245		-	PROGRAM UNDER § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE; AND 8
246		-
247		-	[(13)] (14) to pay the expenses of the Program. 9
248		-
249		-	(g) Proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of allowances under § 2–1002(g) 10
250		-	of the Environment Article shall be allocated as follows: 11
251		-
252		-	(1) at least 50% shall be credited to an energy assistance account to be used 12
253		-	for the Electric Universal Service Program and other electricity assistance programs in the 13
254		-	Department of Human Services; 14
255		-
256		-	(2) at least 20% shall be credited to a low and moderate income efficiency 15
257		-	and conservation programs account and to a general efficiency and conservation programs 16
258		-	account for energy efficiency and conservation programs, projects, or activities and demand 17
259		-	response programs, of which at least one–half shall be targeted to the low and moderate 18
260		-	income efficiency and conservation programs account for: 19
261		-
262		-	(i) the low–income residential sector at no cost to the participants 20
263		-	of the programs, projects, or activities; and 21
264		-
265		-	(ii) the moderate–income residential sector; 22
266		-
267		-	(3) at least 20% shall be credited to a renewable and clean energy programs 23
268		-	account for: 24
269		-
270		-	(i) renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives; 25
271		-
272		-	(ii) energy–related public education and outreach; and 26
273		-
274		-	(iii) climate change and resiliency programs; and 27
275		-
276		-	(4) up to 10%, but not more than $7,500,000, shall be credited to an 28
277		-	administrative expense account for costs related to the administration of the Fund, 29
278		-	including the review of electric company plans for achieving electricity savings and demand 30 SENATE BILL 416 7
279		-
280		-
281		-	reductions that the electric companies are required under law to submit to the 1
282		-	Administration. 2
283		-
284		-	(G–1) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2025, OF THE AMOUNT IN THE 3
285		-	RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS ACCO UNT UNDER SUBSECTION (G)(3) 4
286		-	OF THIS SECTION , AT LEAST ONE –HALF SHALL BE CREDIT ED TO THE 5
287		-	CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATORS 6
288		-	THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR INCENTIVES UNDER SUBSECTION (G)(3)(I) OF THIS 7
289		-	SECTION. 8
290		-
291		-	(2) PROCEEDS THAT ARE ALL OCATED FOR CREDIT UN DER 9
292		-	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND REMAIN UNUSED IN A GIVEN FISCAL YEAR 10
293		-	SHALL BE CARRIED FOR WARD AS FOLLOWS : 11
294		-
295		-	(I) PROCEEDS ALLOCATED BUT UN USED FROM A PREVIOUS 12
296		-	YEAR SHALL BE USED B EFORE PROCEEDS ALLOC ATED FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL 13
297		-	YEAR; AND 14
298		-
299		-	(II) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL REALLOCATE WITHIN TH E 15
300		-	RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS ACCO UNT ANY PROCEEDS THA T 16
301		-	REMAIN ALLOCATED BUT UNUSED FOR 3 FISCAL YEARS AFTER C OLLECTION. 17
302		-
303		-	(G–2) (1) (G–1) PROCEEDS RECEIVED BY THE FUND FROM COMPLIANCE 18
304		-	FEES UNDER § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE SHALL BE 19
305		-	ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS : 20
306		-
307		-	(I) (1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, AT LEAST 60% 20% 21
308		-	OF THE PROCEEDS SHAL L BE USED TO PROVIDE G RANTS TO SUPPORT THE 22
309		-	INSTALLATION OF NEW SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEMS UNDER TH E 23
310		-	CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM; 24
311		-
312		-	(II) (2) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECT ION, IN 25
313		-	THE ADMINISTRATION ’S DISCRETION , A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF PROCEEDS 26
314		-	SHALL PROVIDE TO HOUSEHOLD S WITH LOW TO MODERA TE INCOME, AS DEFINED IN 27
315		-	§ 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE, GRANTS TO REPAIR , IMPROVE, OR MODERNIZE THE HOU SE 28
316		-	FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR ENERG Y GENERATING SYSTEM UP TO 10% OF 29
317		-	THE PROCEEDS SHALL B E CREDITED TO AN ADM INISTRATIVE EXPENSE ACCOUNT 30
318		-	FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION O F THE FUND; 31
319		-
320		-	(III) (3) PROCEEDS COLLECTED B UT UNUSED FROM A 32
321		-	PREVIOUS YEAR SHALL BE USED BEFORE PROCE EDS ALLOCATED FOR THE CU RRENT 33
322		-	YEAR; AND 34
323		-	8 SENATE BILL 416
324		-
325		-
326		-	(IV) (4) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL REALLOCATE TO 1
327		-	OTHER AUTHORIZED USE S ANY PROCEEDS THAT ARE NOT USED WITHIN 3 FISCAL 2
328		-	YEARS AFTER COLLECTI ON. 3
329		-
330		-	(2) A GRANT UNDER PARAGRAP H (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL 4
331		-	BE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS : 5
332		-
333		-	(I) A GRANT FOR A ROOF R EPLACEMENT OR A STRU CTURAL 6
334		-	ROOF REPAIR SHALL BE AT LEAST $2 PER SQUARE FOOT BUT MAY NOT EXCEED 7
335		-	$5,000 IN TOTAL; AND 8
336		-
337		-	(II) A GRANT FOR AN ELECT RICAL PANEL UPGRADE MAY NOT 9
338		-	EXCEED $1,500 AND MAY BE APPLIED F OR BEFORE A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING 10
339		-	SYSTEM IS INSTALLED . 11
340		-
341		-	(3) (I) AN APPLICANT FOR A GR ANT UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION 12
342		-	SHALL INCLUDE IN THE APPLICATION AN EXECU TED CONTRACT TO PURC HASE OR 13
343		-	LEASE A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM OR AN EXECUTED POWER PU RCHASE 14
344		-	AGREEMENT FOR THE SY STEM. 15
345		-
346		-	(II) THE SOLAR ENERGY GENE RATING SYSTEM SHALL BE 16
347		-	INSTALLED WITHIN 180 DAYS AFTER A GRANT U NDER THIS SUBSECTION IS 17
348		-	DISTRIBUTED. 18
349		-
350		-	(i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, compliance fees 19
351		-	paid under § 7–705(b) of the Public Utilities Article may be used only to make loans and 20
352		-	grants to support the creation of new Tier 1 renewable energy sources in the State that are 21
353		-	owned by or directly benefit: 22
354		-
355		-	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 23
356		-	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State; 24
357		-	or 25
358		-
359		-	(ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 26
360		-	of the Environment Article. 27
361		-
362		-	(2) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities 28
363		-	Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 29
364		-	loans and grants to support the creation of new solar energy sources in the State that are 30
365		-	owned by or directly benefit: 31
366		-
367		-	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 32
368		-	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State; 33
369		-	[or] 34
370		-	SENATE BILL 416 9
371		-
372		-
373		-	(ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 1
374		-	of the Environment Article; OR 2
375		-
376		-	(III) HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MO DERATE INCOME , AS 3
377		-	DEFINED IN § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE. 4
378		-
379		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 5
380		-	1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2027, 6
381		-	this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 7
382		-	of no further force and effect. 8
383		-
384		-
385		-
386		-
387		-	Approved:
388		-	________________________________________________________________________________
389		-	Governor.
390		-	________________________________________________________________________________
391		-	President of the Senate.
392		-	________________________________________________________________________________
393		-	Speaker of the House of Delegates.