Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB783 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
2	1
3		-	– 1 –
4		-	Chapter 595
5		-	(Senate Bill 783)
6	2
7		-	AN ACT concerning
	3	+	EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G 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	+	Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
	9	+	sb0783
8	10
9		-	Renewable Energy – Net Energy Metering Aggregation, Solar Renewable
10		-	Energy Credits Certified SRECs and Compliance Fees, Labor Requirements,
11		-	and Taxes on Solar Energy Generating Systems
12		-	Public Utilities – Solar Energy Systems and Programs, Maryland Strategic
13		-	Energy Investment Fund, and Prevailing Wage
14		-	(Brighter Tomorrow Act)
	11	+	SENATE BILL 783
	12	+	C5, M5, Q1 (4lr2521)
	13	+	ENROLLED BILL
	14	+	— Education, Energy, and the Environment and Budget and Taxation/Economic
	15	+	Matters —
	16	+	Introduced by Senators Elfreth, Augustine, Beidle, Brooks, Feldman, Guzzone,
	17	+	Hester, Hettleman, and Kagan
15	18
16		-	FOR the purpose of requiring that certain home improvement contracts for the installation
17		-	of a solar energy generating system on the roof of a building include the installation
18		-	of a certain wildlife barrier under certain circumstances; requiring a county or
19		-	municipality to implement certain software for features supporting the tracking and
20		-	approval of residential building permits for certain residential solar energy projects,
21		-	residential energy storage projects, and main electric panel alterations by a certain
22		-	date except under certain circumstances; requiring the Maryland Energy
23		-	Administration to delay the implementation of or suspend a certain requirement
24		-	under certain circumstances; altering the maximum generating capacity authorized
25		-	for certain net metered generating facilities; authorizing an eligib le
26		-	customer–generator participating in certain meter aggregation to receive excess
27		-	generation from more than one generating system; altering the expiration date of
28		-	renewable energy credits; requiring the Public Service Commission to establish a
29		-	Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program to provide certain
30		-	certified systems with a certain additional percentage of renewable energy credits
31		-	certain certified SRECs that may be put toward meeting the renewable energy
32		-	portfolio standard for solar energy; providing that a certified system is eligible to
33		-	receive an additional percentage of renewable energy credits for the life cycle of the
34		-	system certain certified SRECs for a certain period of time; requiring an owner of a
35		-	certain solar energy generating system to pay a certain fee to the Commission;
36		-	increasing the duration of a certain renewable energy credit under certain
37		-	circumstances; requiring that certain prevailing wage provisions apply to the
38		-	construction of a certain certified solar energy generating system unless the system
39		-	is subject to a certain project labor agreement; establishing the Customer–Sited Solar
40		-	Program within the Maryland Energy Administration for the purpose of providing
41		-	grants to certain eligible customer–generators for certain solar energy generating
42		-	systems; authorizing a third party to apply for a grant on behalf of an eligible
43		-	customer–generator under certain circumstances; requiring the Administration to
44		-	publish certain information regarding the Program; requiring the Administration to
45		-	develop a certain consumer protection policy; providing for the funding of Program
46		-	grants from certain fees in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund;
47		-	requiring a certain percentage of proceeds received by the Maryland Strategic
48		-	Energy Investment Fund from certain compliance fees to be credited to a certain
49		-	account for certain purposes; extending for a certain number of years a certain Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	19	+	Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
50	20
51		-	– 2 –
52		-	personal property tax exemption for certain community solar energy generating
53		-	system projects; exempting certain nonresidential solar generating systems from the
54		-	State or local real or personal property tax; authorizing a county or municipal
55		-	corporation to reduce or eliminate an assessment on certain real property on which
56		-	a certain solar energy generating system is located; applying certain prevailing wage
57		-	requirements for contractors and subcontractors working on certain projects
58		-	involving, and traffic control activities related to, any underground gas or electric
59		-	infrastructure of an investor–owned gas or electric infrastructure project of the
60		-	company; requiring a county to enter into a certain payment in lieu of taxes
61		-	agreement with an owner of a certain ground–mounted solar generating facility
62		-	under certain circumstances; and generally relating to renewable energy facilities
63		-	and contracts and tax provisions for renewable energy facilities and public utility
64		-	activities.
	21	+	_______________________________________________
	22	+	Proofreader.
	23	+	_______________________________________________
	24	+	Proofreader.
65	25
66		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
67		-	Article – Business Regulation
68		-	Section 8–501(a)
69		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
70		-	(2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	26	+	Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
71	27
72		-	BY adding to
73		-	Article – Business Regulation
74		-	Section 8–501(f)
75		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
76		-	(2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	28	+	_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
77	29
78		-	BY adding to
79		-	Article – Local Government
80		-	Section 1–1319
81		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
82		-	(2013 Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	30	+	______________________________________________
	31	+	President.
83	32
84		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
85		-	Article – Public Utilities
86		-	Section 7–306(g) and (i), 7–709(d), and 7–712
87		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
88		-	(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	33	+	CHAPTER ______
89	34
90		-	BY adding to
91		-	Article – Public Utilities
92		-	Section 7–306(i) and, 7–709.1, and 7–714
93		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
94		-	(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	35	+	AN ACT concerning 1
95	36
96		-	BY adding to
97		-	Article – State Government WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	37	+	Renewable Energy – Net Energy Metering Aggregation, Solar Renewable 2
	38	+	Energy Credits Certified SRECs and Compliance Fees, Labor Requirements , 3
	39	+	and Taxes on Solar Energy Generating Systems 4
	40	+	Public Utilities – Solar Energy Systems and Programs, Maryland Strategic 5
	41	+	Energy Investment Fund, and Prevailing Wage 6
	42	+	(Brighter Tomorrow Act) 7
98	43
99		-	– 3 –
100		-	Section 9–2016 and 9–20B–05(f)(13) and (g–1)
101		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
102		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	44	+	FOR the purpose of requiring that certain home improvement contracts for the installation 8
	45	+	of a solar energy generating system on the roof of a building include the installation 9
	46	+	of a certain wildlife barrier under certain circumstances; requiring a county or 10
	47	+	municipality to implement certain software for features supporting the tracking and 11
	48	+	approval of residential building permits for certain residential solar energy projects, 12
	49	+	residential energy storage projects, and main electric panel alterations by a certain 13 2 SENATE BILL 783
103	50
104		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
105		-	Article – State Government
106		-	Section 9–20B–05(a) through (c)
107		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
108		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
109	51
110		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
111		-	Article – State Government
112		-	Section 9–20B–05(f)(12) and (13) and (i)
113		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
114		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	52	+	date except under certain circumstances; requiring the Maryland Energy 1
	53	+	Administration to delay the implementation of or suspend a certain requirement 2
	54	+	under certain circumstances; altering the maximum generating capacity authorized 3
	55	+	for certain net metered generating facilities; authorizing an eligible 4
	56	+	customer–generator participating in certain meter aggregation to receive excess 5
	57	+	generation from more than one generating system; altering the expiration date of 6
	58	+	renewable energy credits; requiring the Public Service Commission to establish a 7
	59	+	Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program to provide certain 8
	60	+	certified systems with a certain additional percentage of renewable energy credits 9
	61	+	certain certified SRECs that may be put toward meeting the renewable energy 10
	62	+	portfolio standard for solar energy; providing that a certified system is eligible to 11
	63	+	receive an additional percentage of renewable energy credits for the life cycle of the 12
	64	+	system certain certified SRECs for a certain period of time; requiring an owner of a 13
	65	+	certain solar energy generating system to pay a certain fee to the Commission; 14
	66	+	increasing the duration of a certain renewable energy credit under certain 15
	67	+	circumstances; requiring that certain prevailing wage provisions apply to the 16
	68	+	construction of a certain certified solar energy generating system unless the system 17
	69	+	is subject to a certain project labor agreement; establishing the Customer–Sited Solar 18
	70	+	Program within the Maryland Energy Administration for the purpose of providing 19
	71	+	grants to certain eligible customer–generators for certain solar energy generating 20
	72	+	systems; authorizing a third party to apply for a grant on behalf of an eligible 21
	73	+	customer–generator under certain circumstances; requiring the Administration to 22
	74	+	publish certain information regarding the Program; requiring the Administration to 23
	75	+	develop a certain consumer protection policy; providing for the funding of Program 24
	76	+	grants from certain fees in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund; 25
	77	+	requiring a certain percentage of proceeds received by the Maryland Strategic 26
	78	+	Energy Investment Fund from certain compliance fees to be credited to a certain 27
	79	+	account for certain purposes; extending for a certain number of years a certain 28
	80	+	personal property tax exemption for certain community solar energy generating 29
	81	+	system projects; exempting certain nonresidential solar generating systems from the 30
	82	+	State or local real or personal property tax; authorizing a county or municipal 31
	83	+	corporation to reduce or eliminate an assessment on certain real property on which 32
	84	+	a certain solar energy generating system is located; applying certain prevailing wage 33
	85	+	requirements for contractors and subcontractors working on certain projects 34
	86	+	involving, and traffic control activities related to, any underground gas or electric 35
	87	+	infrastructure of an investor–owned gas or electric infrastructure project of the 36
	88	+	company; requiring a county to enter into a certain payment in lieu of taxes 37
	89	+	agreement with an owner of a certain ground–mounted solar generating facility 38
	90	+	under certain circumstances; and generally relating to renewable energy facilities 39
	91	+	and contracts and tax provisions for renewable energy facilities and public utility 40
	92	+	activities. 41
115	93
116		-	BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
117		-	Article – State Government
118		-	Section 9–20B–05(g–1)
119		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
120		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
121		-	(As enacted by Section 1 of this Act)
	94	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 42
	95	+	Article – Business Regulation 43
	96	+	Section 8–501(a) 44
	97	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 45
	98	+	(2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 46 SENATE BILL 783 3
122	99
123		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
124		-	Article – Tax – Property
125		-	Section 1–101(j)
126		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
127		-	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
128	100
129		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
130		-	Article – Tax – Property
131		-	Section 7–237(c)
132		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
133		-	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
134	101
135		-	BY adding to
136		-	Article – ~~Tax – Property~~
137		-	Section 7–~~249, 7–250, and 7–522 Section 7–249 and 7–250~~
138		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
139		-	(~~2019~~ Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
	102	+	BY adding to 1
	103	+	Article – Business Regulation 2
	104	+	Section 8–501(f) 3
	105	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 4
	106	+	(2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 5
140	107
141		-	BY ~~repealing and reenacting,~~ ~~without amendments,~~
142		-	Article – ~~Public Utilities~~
143		-	Section 5–~~305~~
144		-	Annotated Code of Maryland
145		-	(~~2020 Replacement~~ Volume and 2023 Supplement) ~~Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND~~
	108	+	BY adding to 6
	109	+	Article – Local Government 7
	110	+	Section 1–1319 8
	111	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 9
	112	+	(2013 Volume and 2023 Supplement) 10
146	113
147		-	– 4 –
	114	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
	115	+	Article – Public Utilities 12
	116	+	Section 7–306(g) and (i), 7–709(d), and 7–712 13
	117	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 14
	118	+	(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 15
148	119
149		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
150		-	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
	120	+	BY adding to 16
	121	+	Article – Public Utilities 17
	122	+	Section 7–306(i) and, 7–709.1, and 7–714 18
	123	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 19
	124	+	(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 20
151	125
152		-	Article – Business Regulation
	126	+	BY adding to 21
	127	+	Article – State Government 22
	128	+	Section 9–2016 and 9–20B–05(f)(13) and (g–1) 23
	129	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 24
	130	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 25
153	131
154		-	8–501.
	132	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 26
	133	+	Article – State Government 27
	134	+	Section 9–20B–05(a) through (c) 28
	135	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 29
	136	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 30
155	137
156		-	(a) A home improvement contract that does not comply with this section is not
157		-	invalid merely because of noncompliance.
	138	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 31
	139	+	Article – State Government 32
	140	+	Section 9–20B–05(f)(12) and (13) and (i) 33
	141	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 34
	142	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 35
158	143
159		-	(F) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A
160		-	HOME IMPROVEMENT CON TRACT FOR THE INSTAL LATION OF A SOLAR EN ERGY
161		-	GENERATING SYSTEM ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDI NG SHALL INCLUDE THE
162		-	INSTALLATION OF A BA RRIER THAT MEETS IND USTRY STANDARDS TO P REVENT
163		-	WILDLIFE INTRUSION A ND DAMAGE TO THE SOL AR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM
164		-	OR THE UNDERLYING RO OF.
	144	+	BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 36
	145	+	Article – State Government 37
	146	+	Section 9–20B–05(g–1) 38
	147	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 39 4 SENATE BILL 783
165	148
166		-	(2) A HOME IMPROVEMENT CON TRACT FOR THE INSTAL LATION OF A
167		-	SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM ON THE ROOF O F A BUILDING IS NOT
168		-	REQUIRED TO INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF A BARRIER AS SPECIFI ED UNDER
169		-	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION I F THE CUSTOMER HAS W AIVED THE
170		-	INSTALLATION OF THE BARRIER AFTER BEING INFORMED OF THE COST OF THE
171		-	BARRIER AND THE RISKS OF NOT INSTALL ING A WILDLIFE BARRI ER.
172	149
173		-	Article – Local Government
	150	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 1
	151	+	(As enacted by Section 1 of this Act) 2
174	152
175		-	1–1319.
	153	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 3
	154	+	Article – Tax – Property 4
	155	+	Section 1–101(j) 5
	156	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 6
	157	+	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 7
176	158
177		-	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
178		-	INDICATED.
	159	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
	160	+	Article – Tax – Property 9
	161	+	Section 7–237(c) 10
	162	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 11
	163	+	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 12
179	164
180		-	(2) “ADMINISTRATION ” MEANS THE MARYLAND ENERGY
181		-	ADMINISTRATION .
	165	+	BY adding to 13
	166	+	Article – Tax – Property 14
	167	+	Section 7–249, 7–250, and 7–522 Section 7–249 and 7–250 15
	168	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 16
	169	+	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 17
182	170
183		-	~~(3) “RESIDENTIAL~~ ~~ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM ” MEANS A SYSTEM~~ , ON
184		-	~~A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOM ER’S SIDE OF THE METER , USED TO STORE ELECTR ICAL~~
185		-	~~ENERGY, OR MECHANICAL , CHEMICAL, OR THERMAL ENERGY TH AT WAS ONCE~~
186		-	~~ELECTRICAL ENERGY , FOR USE AS ELECTRICA L ENERGY AT A LATER DATE OR IN A~~
187		-	~~PROCESS THAT OF FSETS ELECTRICITY US E AT PEAK TIMES.~~
	171	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
	172	+	Article – Public Utilities 19
	173	+	Section 5–305 20
	174	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 21
	175	+	(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 22
188	176
189		-	~~(4) “RESIDENTIAL~~ ~~SOLAR ENE RGY SYSTEM ” MEANS ANY~~
190		-	~~CONFIGURATION~~ OF ~~SOL AR ENERGY DEVICES TH AT COLLECTS AND DIST RIBUTES WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595~~
	177	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEM BLY OF MARYLAND, 23
	178	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 24
191	179
192		-	– 5 –
193		-	SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATIN G ELECTRICITY AND TH AT HAS A
194		-	SINGLE RESIDENTIAL I NTERCONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL GRID .
	180	+	Article – Business Regulation 25
195	181
196		-	~~(5) “SOLAR PERMITTING SOFT WARE” MEANS:~~
	182	+	8–501. 26
197	183
198		-	(I) THE MOST RECENT VERS ION OF A WEB–BASED PLATFORM ,
199		-	DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, THAT PROVIDES
200		-	A STANDARD PORTAL FO R RECEIVING AND PROC ESSING RESIDENTIAL S OLAR
201		-	ENERGY SYSTEM AND RE SIDENTIAL ENERGY STO RAGE SYSTEM PERMIT
202		-	INFORMATION; OR
	184	+	(a) A home improvement contract that does not comply with this section is not 27
	185	+	invalid merely because of noncompliance. 28
203	186
204		-	(II) AUTOMATED SOFTWARE T HAT FUNCTIONS TO SUP PORT THE
205		-	TRACKING AND APPROVA L OF RESIDENTIAL BUI LDING PERMITS FOR RE SIDENTIAL
206		-	SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS , RESIDENTIAL ENERGY S TORAGE SYSTEMS , MAIN
207		-	ELECTRICAL PANEL UPG RADES, AND MAIN ELECTRICAL PANEL DEVICES.
	187	+	(F) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 29
	188	+	HOME IMPROVEMENT CON TRACT FOR THE INSTAL LATION OF A SOLAR EN ERGY 30
	189	+	GENERATING SYSTEM ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDI NG SHALL INCLUDE THE 31
	190	+	INSTALLATION OF A BA RRIER THAT MEETS IND USTRY STANDARDS TO P REVENT 32
	191	+	WILDLIFE INTRUSION AND D AMAGE TO THE SOLAR E NERGY GENERATING SYS TEM 33
	192	+	OR THE UNDERLYING RO OF. 34
208	193
209		-	(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO ALL COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES .
	194	+	(2) A HOME IMPROVEMENT CON TRACT FOR THE INSTAL LATION OF A 35
	195	+	SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM ON THE RO OF OF A BUILDING IS NOT 36 SENATE BILL 783 5
210	196
211		-	(C) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION AND EXCEPT AS
212		-	PROVIDED IN SUBSECTI ON (E) OF THIS SECTION , ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2025,
213		-	EACH COUNTY AND MUNI CIPALITY SHALL IMPLE MENT SOLA R PERMITTING
214		-	SOFTWARE FOR FEATURE S SUPPORTING THE TRA CKING AND APPROVAL O F
215		-	RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS FOR:
216	197
217		-	(1) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR EN ERGY SYSTEMS ;
	198	+	REQUIRED TO INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF A BARRIER AS SPECIFIED UNDER 1
	199	+	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION I F THE CUSTOMER HAS W AIVED THE 2
	200	+	INSTALLATION OF THE BARRIER AFTER BEING INFORMED OF THE COST OF THE 3
	201	+	BARRIER AND THE RISK S OF NOT INSTALLING A WILDLIFE BARRIER . 4
218	202
219		-	~~(2) RESIDENTIAL ENERGY S TORAGE SYSTEMS ;~~
	203	+	Article – Local Government 5
220	204
221		-	~~(3) MAIN ELECTRIC PANEL UPGRADES; AND~~
	205	+	1–1319. 6
222	206
223		-	(4) MAIN ELECTRIC P ANEL DERATES .
	207	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 7
	208	+	INDICATED. 8
224	209
225		-	(D) ~~A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALI TY MAY NOT BE REQUIR ED TO COMPLY WITH~~
226		-	~~THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION IF:~~
	210	+	(2) “ADMINISTRATION ” MEANS THE MARYLAND ENERGY 9
	211	+	ADMINISTRATION . 10
227	212
228		-	(1) THE COUNTY OR MUNICI PALITY DOES NOT REQU IRE A PERMIT
229		-	FOR:
	213	+	(3) “RESIDENTIAL ENERGY ST ORAGE SYSTEM ” MEANS A SYSTEM , ON 11
	214	+	A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOM ER’S SIDE OF THE METER , USED TO STORE ELECTRICAL 12
	215	+	ENERGY, OR MECHANICAL , CHEMICAL, OR THERMAL ENERGY TH AT WAS ONCE 13
	216	+	ELECTRICAL ENERGY , FOR USE AS ELECTRICA L ENERGY AT A LATER DATE OR IN A 14
	217	+	PROCESS THAT OFFSETS ELECTRICITY USE AT P EAK TIMES. 15
230	218
231		-	(I) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR EN ERGY SYSTEMS ; OR
	219	+	(4) “RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENE RGY SYSTEM ” MEANS ANY 16
	220	+	CONFIGURATION OF SOL AR ENERGY DEVICES TH AT COLLECTS AND DIST RIBUTES 17
	221	+	SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATIN G ELECTRICITY AND TH AT HAS A 18
	222	+	SINGLE RESIDENTIAL I NTERCONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL GRID . 19
232	223
233		-	(II) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENER GY SYSTEMS PAIRED WI TH A
234		-	RESIDENTIAL SOLAR EN ERGY STORAGE SYSTEM ; OR
235		-	Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	224	+	(5) “SOLAR PERMITTING SOFT WARE” MEANS: 20
236	225
237		-	– 6 –
238		-	(2) AS DETERMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION , THE AUTOMATED
239		-	SOFTWARE IS NO LONGE R UPDATED OR MAINTAI NED.
	226	+	(I) THE MOST RECENT VERSION OF A WEB–BASED PLATFORM , 21
	227	+	DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, THAT PROVIDES 22
	228	+	A STANDARD PORTAL FO R RECEIVING AND PROC ESSING RESIDENTIAL S OLAR 23
	229	+	ENERGY SYSTEM AND RE SIDENTIAL ENERGY STO RAGE SYSTEM PERMIT 24
	230	+	INFORMATION ; OR 25
240	231
241		-	(E) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL DELAY THE INITIAL IM PLEMENTATION OR
242		-	SUSPEND THE REQUIREM ENTS OF SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION IF T HERE ARE
243		-	INSUFFICIENT STATE OR FEDERAL FUND S AVAILABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO
244		-	PROVIDE FINANCIAL SU PPORT TO A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IMPLEME NTING
245		-	SOLAR PERMITTING SOF TWARE AS DEFINED IN SUBSECTION (A)(5)(I) OF THIS
246		-	SECTION.
	232	+	(II) AUTOMATED SOFTWARE T HAT FUNCTIONS TO SUP PORT THE 26
	233	+	TRACKING AND APPROVA L OF RESIDENTIAL BUI LDING PERMITS FOR RE SIDENTIAL 27
	234	+	SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS , RESIDENTIAL ENERGY S TORAGE SYSTEMS , MAIN 28
	235	+	ELECTRICAL PANEL UPG RADES, AND MAIN ELECTRICAL PANEL DEVICES . 29
247	236
248		-	~~Article – Public Utilities~~
	237	+	(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO ALL COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES . 30
249	238
250		-	7–306.
	239	+	(C) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION AND EXCEPT AS 31
	240	+	PROVIDED IN SUBSECTI ON (E) OF THIS SECTION , ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2025, 32
	241	+	EACH COUNTY AND MUNI CIPALITY SHALL IMPLE MENT SOLAR PERMITTIN G 33 6 SENATE BILL 783
251	242
252		-	(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs [(6) and (7)] (6), (7), AND (8) of this
253		-	subsection, the generating capacity of an electric generating system used by an eligible
254		-	customer–generator for net metering may not exceed 2 megawatts.
255	243
256		-	(2) An electric generating system used by an eligible customer–generator
257		-	for net metering shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by
258		-	the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and
259		-	Underwriters Laboratories.
	244	+	SOFTWARE FOR FEATURES SUPPORTING THE TRACK ING AND APPROVAL OF 1
	245	+	RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS FOR: 2
260	246
261		-	(3) The Commission may adopt by regulation additional control and testing
262		-	requirements for eligible customer–generators that the Commission determines are
263		-	necessary to protect public safety and system reliability.
	247	+	(1) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR EN ERGY SYSTEMS ; 3
264	248
265		-	(4) An electric company may not require an eligible customer–generator
266		-	whose electric generating system meets the standards of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this
267		-	subsection to:
	249	+	(2) RESIDENTIAL ENERGY S TORAGE SYSTEMS ; 4
268	250
269		-	(i) ~~install additional controls~~;
	251	+	(3) MAIN ELECTRIC PANEL UPGRADES; AND 5
270	252
271		-	(ii) ~~perform or pay for additional tests; or~~
	253	+	(4) MAIN ELECTRIC PANEL DERATES. 6
272	254
273		-	(iii) purchase additional liability insurance.
	255	+	(D) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALI TY MAY NOT BE REQUIR ED TO COMPLY WITH 7
	256	+	THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION IF: 8
274	257
275		-	(5) An eligible customer–generator or the eligible customer–generator’s
276		-	assignee shall own and have title to all renewable energy attributes or renewable energy
277		-	credits associated with any electricity produced by its electric generating system.
	258	+	(1) THE COUNTY OR MUNICI PALITY DOES NOT REQU IRE A PERMIT 9
	259	+	FOR: 10
278	260
279		-	(6) The Commission may not prohibit the construction or operation of
280		-	multiple net metered solar energy generating facilities located on separate contiguous lots
281		-	that are owned by a local government solely because the capacity of the combined net
282		-	metering systems exceeds the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if: WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	261	+	(I) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR EN ERGY SYSTEMS ; OR 11
283	262
284		-	– 7 –
	263	+	(II) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS PAIRE D WITH A 12
	264	+	RESIDENTIAL SOLAR EN ERGY STORAGE SYSTEM ; OR 13
285	265
286		-	(i) the ~~net metered solar energy generating facilities are intended to~~
287		-	~~be used solely for the benefit of the local government;~~
	266	+	(2) AS DETERMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION , THE AUTOMATED 14
	267	+	SOFTWARE IS NO LONGE R UPDATED OR MAINTAI NED. 15
288	268
289		-	(ii) the total capacity of the net metered solar energy generating
290		-	facilities on the contiguous lots does not exceed 5 megawatts;
	269	+	(E) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL DELAY THE INITIAL IM PLEMENTATION OR 16
	270	+	SUSPEND THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBS ECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION IF T HERE ARE 17
	271	+	INSUFFICIENT STATE OR FEDERAL FUND S AVAILABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO 18
	272	+	PROVIDE FINANCIAL SU PPORT TO A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IMPLEME NTING 19
	273	+	SOLAR PERMITTING SOF TWARE AS DEFINED IN SUBSECTION (A)(5)(I) OF THIS 20
	274	+	SECTION. 21
291	275
292		-	(iii) the contiguous lots were not subdivided for the purpose of
293		-	circumventing the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
	276	+	Article – Public Utilities 22
294	277
295		-	(iv) the utility serving the net metered solar energy generating
296		-	facilities is not an electric cooperative or municipal electric utility.
	278	+	7–306. 23
297	279
298		-	(7) ~~The generating capacity~~ of ~~a community solar energy generating system~~
299		-	~~established under § 7–306.2~~ of ~~this subtitle that is~~ used ~~for net metering may not exceed 5~~
300		-	megawatts.
	280	+	(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs [(6) and (7)] (6), (7), AND (8) of this 24
	281	+	subsection, the generating capacity of an electric generating system used by an eligible 25
	282	+	customer–generator for net metering may not exceed 2 megawatts. 26
301	283
302		-	(8) THE GENERATING CAPACI TY OF A NET METERED FACILITY THAT
303		-	IS METER AGGREGATED UNDER § 7–306.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY NOT EXCEED 5
304		-	MEGAWATTS .
	284	+	(2) An electric generating system used by an eligible customer–generator 27
	285	+	for net metering shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by 28
	286	+	the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and 29
	287	+	Underwriters Laboratories. 30
	288	+	SENATE BILL 783 7
305	289
306		-	(I) NOTWITHSTANDING THE G ENERATING CAPACITY L IMITS ESTABLISHED
307		-	IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR
308		-	PARTICIPATING IN MET ER AGGREGATION UNDER § 7–306.2 OR § 7–306.3 OF THIS
309		-	SUBTITLE MAY RECEIVE EXCESS GENERATION FR OM MORE THAN ONE GEN ERATING
310		-	SYSTEM, INCLUDING IF THE COM BINED GENERATING CAP ACITY OF ALL NET
311		-	METERED FACILITIES T HAT ARE METER AGGREGATED EXC EEDS 5 MEGAWATTS .
312	290
313		-	~~[(i)]~~ (J) ~~On or before November 1 of each year,~~ the Commission ~~shall report to~~
314		-	~~the General Assembly,~~ ~~in accordance with § 2–1257 of~~ the ~~State Government Article,~~ ~~on the~~
315		-	~~status of the net metering program under this section,~~ ~~including:~~
	291	+	(3) The Commission may adopt by regulation additional control and testing 1
	292	+	requirements for eligible customer–generators that the Commission determines are 2
	293	+	necessary to protect public safety and system reliability. 3
316	294
317		-	(1) the amount of capacity of electric generating facilities owned and
318		-	operated by eligible customer–generators in the State by type of energy resource;
	295	+	(4) An electric company may not require an eligible customer–generator 4
	296	+	whose electric generating system meets the standards of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this 5
	297	+	subsection to: 6
319	298
320		-	(2) based on the need to encourage a diversification of the State’s energy
321		-	resource mix to ensure reliability, whether the rated generating capacity limit in subsection
322		-	(d) of this section should be altered; and
	299	+	(i) install additional controls; 7
323	300
324		-	(3) ~~other pertinent information.~~
	301	+	(ii) perform or pay for additional tests; or 8
325	302
326		-	7–709.
327		-	Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	303	+	(iii) purchase additional liability insurance. 9
328	304
329		-	– 8 –
330		-	(d) (1) Except as PROVIDED IN § 7–709.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE AND
331		-	authorized under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a renewable energy credit shall exist for
332		-	3 5 years from the date created.
	305	+	(5) An eligible customer–generator or the eligible customer–generator’s 10
	306	+	assignee shall own and have title to all renewable energy attributes or renewable energy 11
	307	+	credits associated with any electricity produced by its electric generating system. 12
333	308
334		-	(2) A renewable energy credit may be diminished or extinguished before
335		-	the expiration of 3 5 years by:
	309	+	(6) The Commission may not prohibit the construction or operation of 13
	310	+	multiple net metered solar energy generating facilities located on separate contiguous lots 14
	311	+	that are owned by a local government solely because the capacity of the combined net 15
	312	+	metering systems exceeds the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if: 16
336	313
337		-	(i) the electricity supplier that received the credit;
	314	+	(i) the net metered solar energy generating facilities are intended to 17
	315	+	be used solely for the benefit of the local government; 18
338	316
339		-	(ii) a nonaffiliated entity of the electricity supplier:
	317	+	(ii) the total capacity of the net metered solar energy generating 19
	318	+	facilities on the contiguous lots does not exceed 5 megawatts; 20
340	319
341		-	~~1. that purchased~~ the ~~credit from~~ the ~~electricity supplier~~
342		-	~~receiving~~ the ~~credit~~; or
	320	+	(iii) the contiguous lots were not subdivided for the purpose of 21
	321	+	circumventing the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and 22
343	322
344		-	~~2. to whom~~ the ~~electricity supplier otherwise transferred~~ the
345		-	~~credit;~~ or
	323	+	(iv) the utility serving the net metered solar energy generating 23
	324	+	facilities is not an electric cooperative or municipal electric utility. 24
346	325
347		-	(iii) demonstrated noncompliance by the generating facility with the
348		-	requirements of § 7–704(f) of this subtitle.
	326	+	(7) The generating capacity of a community solar energy generating system 25
	327	+	established under § 7–306.2 of this subtitle that is used for net metering may not exceed 5 26
	328	+	megawatts. 27
349	329
350		-	7–709.1.
	330	+	(8) THE GENERATING CAPACI TY OF A NET METERED FACILITY THAT 28
	331	+	IS METER AGGREGATED UNDER § 7–306.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY NOT EXCEED 5 29
	332	+	MEGAWATTS . 30
351	333
352		-	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
353		-	INDICATED.
	334	+	(I) NOTWITHSTANDING THE G ENERATING CAPACITY L IMITS ESTABLISHED 31
	335	+	IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , AN ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR 32
	336	+	PARTICIPATING IN MET ER AGGREGATION UNDER § 7–306.2 OR § 7–306.3 OF THIS 33 8 SENATE BILL 783
354	337
355		-	(2) “BROWNFIELD” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–207 OF THIS
356		-	TITLE.
357	338
358		-	(3) “CERTIFIED SREC” MEANS A SOLAR RENEWA BLE ENERGY
359		-	CREDIT GENERATED BY A CERTIFIED SYSTEM .
	339	+	SUBTITLE MAY RECEIVE EXCESS GENERATION FR OM MORE THAN ONE GEN ERATING 1
	340	+	SYSTEM, INCLUDING IF THE COM BINED GENERATING CAP ACITY OF ALL NET 2
	341	+	METERED FACILITIES T HAT ARE METER AGGREGATED EXCEEDS 5 MEGAWATTS . 3
360	342
361		-	(4) “CERTIFIED SYSTEM ” MEANS A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING
362		-	SYSTEM CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION AS ELIGIBLE TO RECEI VE ADDITIONAL
363		-	CREDITS UNDER THE PROGRAM UNDER THE PROGRAM TO GENERATE C ERTIFIED
364		-	SRECS WITH THE COMPLIANC E VALUE SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS
365		-	SECTION.
	343	+	[(i)] (J) On or before November 1 of each year, the Commission shall report to 4
	344	+	the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the 5
	345	+	status of the net metering program under this section, including: 6
366	346
367		-	(3) ~~(5) “PROGRAM” MEANS~~ THE ~~SMALL SOLAR ENERGY~~
368		-	~~GENERATING SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM.~~
	347	+	(1) the amount of capacity of electric generating facilities owned and 7
	348	+	operated by eligible customer–generators in the State by type of energy resource; 8
369	349
370		-	(B) THE ~~COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH~~ A ~~SMALL SOLAR~~ ENERGY
371		-	GENERATING ~~SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM.~~
372		-	~~WES MOORE,~~ ~~Governor~~ ~~Ch. 595~~
	350	+	(2) based on the need to encourage a diversification of the State’s energy 9
	351	+	resource mix to ensure reliability, whether the rated generating capacity limit in subsection 10
	352	+	(d) of this section should be altered; and 11
373	353
374		-	– 9 –
375		-	(C) UNDER THE PROGRAM, SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEMS THAT
376		-	ARE CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SECTIO N SHALL
377		-	BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEI VE ADDITIONAL SOLAR RENEWABLE ENERGY CRE DITS AS
378		-	PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION.
	354	+	(3) other pertinent information. 12
379	355
380		-	(C) (1) UNDER THE PROGRAM, A CERTIFIED SYSTEM S HALL GENERATE
381		-	CERTIFIED SRECS.
	356	+	7–709. 13
382	357
383		-	(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ~~PARAGRAPH (3)~~ OF THIS ~~SUBSECTION ,~~
384		-	~~THE PROVISIONS~~ OF ~~TH IS SUBTITLE RELATING TO~~ RENEWABLE ENERGY ~~CREDITS~~
385		-	~~SHALL APPLY TO CERTI FIED SRECS~~.
	358	+	(d) (1) Except as PROVIDED IN § 7–709.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE AND 14
	359	+	authorized under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a renewable energy credit shall exist for 15
	360	+	3 5 years from the date created. 16
386	361
387		-	(3) A CERTIFIED SREC SHALL HAVE A COMPLIA NCE VALUE OF 150%
388		-	FOR ELECTRICITY SUPP LIERS TO PUT TOWARD MEETING THE R ENEWABLE ENERGY
389		-	PORTFOLIO STANDARD F OR ENERGY DERIVED FR OM SOLAR ENERGY UNDE R § 7–703
390		-	OF THIS SUBTITLE.
	362	+	(2) A renewable energy credit may be diminished or extinguished before 17
	363	+	the expiration of 3 5 years by: 18
391	364
392		-	(D) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CE RTIFICATION UNDER TH E PROGRAM, A SOLAR
393		-	ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM SHALL:
	365	+	(i) the electricity supplier that received the credit; 19
394	366
395		-	(1) ~~BE LOCATED IN~~ THE ~~STATE;~~
	367	+	(ii) a nonaffiliated entity of the electricity supplier: 20
396	368
397		-	~~(2) BE ELIGIBLE FOR INCL USION IN MEETING~~ THE ~~RENEWABLE~~
398		-	~~ENERGY PORTFOLIO STA NDARD~~;
	369	+	1. that purchased the credit from the electricity supplier 21
	370	+	receiving the credit; or 22
399	371
400		-	(3) HAVE A GENERATING CA PACITY OF 2 5 MEGAWATTS OR LESS , AS
401		-	MEASURED BY THE ALTE RNATING CURRENT RATI NG OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER;
402		-	AND
	372	+	2. to whom the electricity supplier otherwise transferred the 23
	373	+	credit; or 24
403	374
404		-	(4) ~~BE PLACED IN SERVICE BETWEEN JULY 1,~~ ~~2024, AND JANUARY 1,~~
405		-	~~2028, INCLUSIVE;~~ ~~AND~~
	375	+	(iii) demonstrated noncompliance by the generating facility with the 25
	376	+	requirements of § 7–704(f) of this subtitle. 26
406	377
407		-	~~(5) BE ONE OF THE FOLLOW ING TYPES OF SYSTEMS :~~
	378	+	7–709.1. 27
408	379
409		-	(I) A SYSTEM WITH A GENE RATING CAPACITY OF 20 KILOWATTS
410		-	OR LESS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S
411		-	INVERTER;
	380	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 28
	381	+	INDICATED. 29
412	382
413		-	(II) A SYSTEM WITH A GENERA TING CAPACITY OF 2 MEGAWATTS
414		-	OR LESS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S
415		-	INVERTER, IF THE SYSTEM IS USE D FOR AGGREGATE NET METERING; OR
	383	+	(2) “BROWNFIELD” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–207 OF THIS 30
	384	+	TITLE. 31 SENATE BILL 783 9
416	385
417		-	(III) A SYSTEM WITH A GENE RATING CAPACITY OF B ETWEEN 20
418		-	KILOWATTS AND 5 MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
419	386
420		-	– 10 –
421		-	RATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER, IF THE SYSTEM IS LOC ATED ON A ROOFTOP , A
422		-	PARKING CANOPY , OR A BROWNFIELD .
423	387
424		-	(E) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION , THE
425		-	COMMISSION, AT THE TIME OF CERTI FYING A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM
426		-	AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE , SHALL CERTIFY THE SY STEM AS ELIGIBLE TO
427		-	RECEIVE GENERATE CERTIFIED SRECS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (C) OF
428		-	THIS SECTION IF THE APPLICANT SUBMITS WI TH ITS APPLICATION F OR
429		-	CERTIFICATION AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE :
	388	+	(3) “CERTIFIED SREC” MEANS A SOLAR RENEWA BLE ENERGY 1
	389	+	CREDIT GENERATED BY A CERTIFIED SYSTEM . 2
430	390
431		-	(1) A FORM REQUESTING TO BE CERTIFIED TO RECE IVE CERTIFIED
432		-	SRECS WITH THE VALUE SPE CIFIED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION;
	391	+	(4) “CERTIFIED SYSTEM ” MEANS A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING 3
	392	+	SYSTEM CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION AS ELIGIBLE TO RECEI VE ADDITIONAL 4
	393	+	CREDITS UNDER THE PROGRAM UNDER THE PROGRAM TO GENERATE C ERTIFIED 5
	394	+	SRECS WITH THE COMPLIANC E VALUE SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS 6
	395	+	SECTION. 7
433	396
434		-	(2) A COPY OF THE INTERC ONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
435		-	APPLICANT AND THE AP PLICANT’S ELECTRIC COMPANY INDICATING T HAT THE SIZE
436		-	OF THE SYSTEM IS ELI GIBLE;
	397	+	(3) (5) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE SMALL SOLAR ENERGY 8
	398	+	GENERATING SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM. 9
437	399
438		-	(3) IF SEEKING CERTIFICA TION AS A SYSTEM LOC ATED ON OR OVER A
439		-	ROOF, PARKING LOT, OR PARKING STRUCTURE , A COPY OF THE FINAL APPROVAL OF
440		-	THE LOCAL BUILDING P ERMIT;
	400	+	(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH A SMALL SOLAR ENERGY 10
	401	+	GENERATING SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM. 11
441	402
442		-	(4) IF SEEKING CERTIFICA TION AS A SYSTEM LOCAT ED ON A
443		-	BROWNFIELD , DOCUMENTATION DEMONS TRATING THAT THE SYS TEM IS LOCATED
444		-	ON A BROWNFIELD ;
	403	+	(C) UNDER THE PROGRAM, SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEMS THAT 12
	404	+	ARE CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SECTIO N SHALL 13
	405	+	BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEI VE ADDITIONAL SOLAR RENEWABLE ENERGY CRE DITS AS 14
	406	+	PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. 15
445	407
446		-	(5) IF SEEKING CERTIFICA TION BASED ON AGGREG ATED NET
447		-	METERING, A COPY OF THE AGGREG ATED NET ENERGY METE RING RIDER
448		-	SUBMITTED WITH THE I NTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT ; AND
	408	+	(C) (1) UNDER THE PROGRAM, A CERTIFIED SYSTEM S HALL GENERATE 16
	409	+	CERTIFIED SRECS. 17
449	410
450		-	(6) ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION.
	411	+	(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 18
	412	+	THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SUBTITLE RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS 19
	413	+	SHALL APPLY TO CERTI FIED SRECS. 20
451	414
452		-	(F) (1) THE OWNER OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM MAY
453		-	APPLY TO THE COMMISSION TO BE CERT IFIED UNDER THE PROGRAM IF THE
454		-	SYSTEM MEETS THE REQ UIREMENTS UNDER SUBS ECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION.
	415	+	(3) A CERTIFIED SREC SHALL HAVE A COMPLIA NCE VALUE OF 150% 21
	416	+	FOR ELECTRICITY SUPP LIERS TO PUT TOWARD MEETING THE RENEWABL E ENERGY 22
	417	+	PORTFOLIO STANDARD F OR ENERGY DERIVED FR OM SOLAR ENERGY UNDE R § 7–703 23
	418	+	OF THIS SUBTITLE. 24
455	419
456		-	(2) THE OWNER OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM THAT IS
457		-	PLACED IN SERVICE BE TWEEN JULY 1, 2024, AND JANUARY 1, 2025, MAY APPLY TO
458		-	THE COMMISSION:
	420	+	(D) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTIFICATION UNDER THE PROGRAM, A SOLAR 25
	421	+	ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM SHALL: 26
459	422
460		-	(I) BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, FOR CERTIFICATION AS A TIER 1
461		-	RENEWABLE SOURCE ; AND
462		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	423	+	(1) BE LOCATED IN THE STATE; 27
463	424
464		-	– 11 –
465		-	(II) ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2025, FOR CERTIFICATION
466		-	UNDER THE PROGRAM.
	425	+	(2) BE ELIGIBLE FOR INCL USION IN MEETING THE RENEWABLE 28
	426	+	ENERGY PORTFOLIO STA NDARD; 29
467	427
468		-	(E) ~~(G) THE TOTAL AMOUNT~~ OF ~~I N–STATE GENERATING CAPA CITY FOR~~
469		-	~~CERTIFIED SYSTEMS , AS~~ MEASURED BY THE ~~A LTERNATING~~ CURRENT ~~R ATING~~ OF
470		-	~~THE SYSTEMS’~~ ~~INVERTERS, UNDER THE PROGRAM MAY NOT EXCEED:~~
	428	+	(3) HAVE A GENERATING CA PACITY OF 2 5 MEGAWATTS OR LESS , AS 30
	429	+	MEASURED BY THE ALTE RNATING CURRENT RATI NG OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER; 31
	430	+	AND 32 10 SENATE BILL 783
471	431
472		-	(1) 330 300 MEGAWATTS FOR SYSTEM S WITH A GENERATING
473		-	CAPACITY OF LESS THA N 20 KILOWATTS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING
474		-	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER; AND
475	432
476		-	(2) 300 270 MEGAWATTS FOR SYSTEM S WITH A GENERATING
477		-	CAPACITY OF BETWEEN 20 KILOWATTS AND 2 5 MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE
478		-	ALTERNATING CURRENT RATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER.
479	433
480		-	(F) (1~~) THE OWNER OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM MAY~~
481		-	~~APPLY TO THE COMMISSION TO BE CERT IFIED UNDER THE PROGRAM.~~
	434	+	(4) BE PLACED IN SERVICE BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024, AND JANUARY 1, 1
	435	+	2028, INCLUSIVE; AND 2
482	436
483		-	(2) THE OWNER OF A CERTIF IED SYSTEM SHALL PAY A ONE–TIME FEE
484		-	OF $100 TO THE COMMISSION AT THE TIM E OF THE CERTIFICATI ON.
	437	+	(5) BE ONE OF THE FOLLOW ING TYPES OF SYSTEMS : 3
485	438
486		-	(H) ~~(1) AT THE TIME~~ A ~~SOLAR E NERGY GENERATING SYS TEM IS~~
487		-	~~CERTIFIED~~ AS ~~A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE ,~~ THE ~~OWNER~~ OF THE ~~SYS TEM SHALL~~
488		-	~~PAY TO THE COMMISSION A ONE –TIME FEE OF:~~
	439	+	(I) A SYSTEM WITH A GENE RATING CAPACITY OF 20 KILOWATTS 4
	440	+	OR LESS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S 5
	441	+	INVERTER; 6
489	442
490		-	(I) ~~UP TO $50 FOR EACH~~ SYSTEM WITH A ~~GENERATING~~
491		-	~~CAPACITY OF~~ LESS ~~THA N 20 KILOWATTS~~, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING
492		-	~~CURRENT RATING OF TH E~~ SYSTEM~~’S INVERTER~~; ~~AND~~
	443	+	(II) A SYSTEM WITH A GENE RATING CAPACITY OF 2 MEGAWATTS 7
	444	+	OR LESS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S 8
	445	+	INVERTER, IF THE SYSTEM IS USE D FOR AGGREGATE NET ME TERING; OR 9
493	446
494		-	(II) UP TO $200 FOR EACH SYSTEM WITH A GENERATING
495		-	CAPACITY OF MORE THA N 20 KILOWATTS, AS MEASURED BY THE ALTE RNATING
496		-	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER.
	447	+	(III) A SYSTEM WITH A GENE RATING CAPACITY OF B ETWEEN 20 10
	448	+	KILOWATTS AND 5 MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT 11
	449	+	RATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER, IF THE SYSTEM IS LOC ATED ON A ROOFTOP , A 12
	450	+	PARKING CANOPY , OR A BROWNFIELD. 13
497	451
498		-	(3) (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL USE THE FEES COLLECTED U NDER
499		-	PARAGRAPH (2) (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION T O PAY FOR COSTS ASSO CIATED WITH
500		-	ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM.
	452	+	(E) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION , THE 14
	453	+	COMMISSION, AT THE TIME OF CERTI FYING A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM 15
	454	+	AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE , SHALL CERTIFY THE SY STEM AS ELIGIBLE TO 16
	455	+	RECEIVE GENERATE CERTIFIED SRECS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (C) OF 17
	456	+	THIS SECTION IF THE APPLICANT SUBMITS WI TH ITS APPLICATION F OR 18
	457	+	CERTIFICATION AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE : 19
501	458
502		-	(G) (1) A CERTIFIED SYSTEM UNDER THE PROGRAM SHALL RECEIVE :
	459	+	(1) A FORM REQUESTING TO BE CERTIFIED TO RECE IVE CERTIFIED 20
	460	+	SRECS WITH THE VALUE SPE CIFIED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION; 21
503	461
504		-	(I) FOR SYSTEMS WITH A G ENERATING CAPACITY O F UP TO 2
505		-	MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE
506		-	SYSTEM’S INVERTER, 150% CREDIT TOWARD MEETIN G THE RENEWABLE ENER GY
507		-	PORTFOLIO STANDARD F OR ENERGY DERIVED FR OM SOLAR; AND
508		-	Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	462	+	(2) A COPY OF THE INTERC ONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE 22
	463	+	APPLICANT AND THE AP PLICANT’S ELECTRIC COMPANY I NDICATING THAT THE S IZE 23
	464	+	OF THE SYSTEM IS ELI GIBLE; 24
509	465
510		-	– 12 –
511		-	(II) FOR SYSTEMS WITH A G ENERATING CAPACITY O F UP TO 2
512		-	MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE
513		-	SYSTEM’S INVERTER, THAT ARE LOCATED ON A ROOFTOP, A PARKING CANOPY , OR A
514		-	BROWNFIELD, 200% CREDIT TOWARD MEETIN G THE RENEWABLE ENER GY
515		-	PORTFOLIO STANDARD F OR ENERGY DERIVED FR OM SOLAR.
	466	+	(3) IF SEEKING CERTIFICA TION AS A SYSTEM LOC ATED ON OR OVER A 25
	467	+	ROOF, PARKING LOT, OR PARKING STRUCTURE , A COPY OF THE FINAL APPROVAL OF 26
	468	+	THE LOCAL BUILDING P ERMIT; 27
516	469
517		-	(2) A ~~CERTIFIED~~ SYSTEM ~~IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE PERCENTAGE~~
518		-	~~CREDIT SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION F OR~~ THE ~~ENTIRE~~
519		-	~~LIFE CYCLE OF THE SYSTEM.~~
	470	+	(4) IF SEEKING CERTIFICA TION AS A SYSTEM LOC ATED ON A 28
	471	+	BROWNFIELD , DOCUMENTATION DEMONS TRATING THAT THE SYS TEM IS LOCATED 29
	472	+	ON A BROWNFIELD ; 30
520	473
521		-	(H) ~~NOTWITHSTANDING § 7–709(D)(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE , A CREDIT~~
522		-	~~CREATED BY~~ A ~~CERTIFI ED SYSTEM UNDER~~ THE ~~PROGRAM SHALL EXIST F OR 5 YEARS~~
523		-	~~FROM~~ THE ~~DATE CREATE D.~~
	474	+	(5) IF SEEKING CERTIFICA TION BASED ON AGGREGATED NET 31
	475	+	METERING, A COPY OF THE AGGREG ATED NET ENERGY METE RING RIDER 32
	476	+	SUBMITTED WITH THE I NTERCONNECTION AGREE MENT; AND 33 SENATE BILL 783 11
524	477
525		-	(I) THE DEVELOPER OF A CE RTIFIED SYSTEM UNDER THE PROGRAM THAT
526		-	HAS A GENERATING CAP ACITY OVER 1 MEGAWATT , AS MEASURED BY THE
527		-	ALTERNATING CURRENT RATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER, SHALL ENSURE THAT
528		-	WORKERS ARE PAID NOT LESS THAN THE PREVAI LING WAGE RATE DETER MINED
529		-	UNDER TITLE 17, SUBTITLE 2 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT
530		-	ARTICLE, UNLESS THE SYSTEM IS SUBJECT TO A PROJECT LABOR A GREEMENT
531		-	THAT:
532	478
533		-	(1) BINDS ALL CONTRACTOR S AND SUBCONTRACTORS ON THE
534		-	SYSTEM THROUGH THE I NCLUSION OF SPECIFIC ATIONS IN ALL RELEVA NT
535		-	SOLICITATION PROVISI ONS AND CONTRACT DOC UMENTS;
536	479
537		-	(2) ALLOWS ALL CONTRACTO RS AND SUBCONTRACTORS TO CO MPETE
538		-	FOR CONTRACTS AND SU BCONTRACTS ON THE PR OJECT WITHOUT REGARD TO
539		-	WHETHER THEY ARE OTH ERWISE PARTIES TO CO LLECTIVE BARGAINING
540		-	AGREEMENTS ;
	480	+	(6) ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION. 1
541	481
542		-	(3) ESTABLISHES UNIFORM TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
543		-	EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL C ONSTRUCTION LABOR EMPLOYED ON THE PROJ ECTS;
	482	+	(F) (1) THE OWNER OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM MAY 2
	483	+	APPLY TO THE COMMISSION TO BE CERT IFIED UNDER THE PROGRAM IF THE 3
	484	+	SYSTEM MEETS THE REQ UIREMENTS UNDER SUBS ECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 4
544	485
545		-	(4) GUARANTEES AGAINST S TRIKES, LOCKOUTS, AND SIMILAR JOB
546		-	DISRUPTIONS;
	486	+	(2) THE OWNER OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM THAT IS 5
	487	+	PLACED IN SERVICE BE TWEEN JULY 1, 2024, AND JANUARY 1, 2025, MAY APPLY TO 6
	488	+	THE COMMISSION: 7
547	489
548		-	(5) ~~ESTABLISHES MUTUALLY BINDING PROCEDURES F OR RESOLVING~~
549		-	~~LABOR DISPUTES~~ ; AND
	490	+	(I) BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, FOR CERTIFICATION AS A TIER 1 8
	491	+	RENEWABLE SOURCE ; AND 9
550	492
551		-	(6) INCLUDES ANY OTHER P ROVISIONS NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES
552		-	TO PROMOTE S UCCESSFUL DELIVERY O F THE SYSTEM.
553		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	493	+	(II) ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2025, FOR CERTIFICATION 10
	494	+	UNDER THE PROGRAM. 11
554	495
555		-	– 13 –
556		-	(I) (1) A CERTIFIED SYSTEM SHA LL CONTINUE TO BE EL IGIBLE TO
557		-	RECEIVE GENERATE CERTIFIED SRECS FOR 15 YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF
558		-	CERTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSION, OR JANUARY 1, 2025, WHICHEVER IS LATER ,
559		-	AFTER WHICH THE SYST EM SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE GENERATE
560		-	NONCERTIFIED SOLAR R ENEWABLE ENERGY CRED ITS AS LONG AS THE S YSTEM
561		-	MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE UND ER THIS
562		-	SUBTITLE.
	496	+	(E) (G) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF I N–STATE GENERATING CAPA CITY FOR 12
	497	+	CERTIFIED SYSTEMS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF 13
	498	+	THE SYSTEMS’ INVERTERS, UNDER THE PROGRAM MAY NOT EXCEE D: 14
563	499
564		-	(2) THE COMMISSION SHALL :
	500	+	(1) 330 300 MEGAWATTS FOR SYSTEM S WITH A GENERATING 15
	501	+	CAPACITY OF LESS THA N 20 KILOWATTS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING 16
	502	+	CURRENT RATING OF THE SYSTEM’S INVERTER; AND 17
565	503
566		-	(I) ~~ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1,~~ ~~2025, BEGIN DETERMINING~~
567		-	~~ELIGIBILITY~~ OF ~~SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS TO BE CERTIFIE D UNDER~~
568		-	THE ~~PROGRAM; AND~~
	504	+	(2) 300 270 MEGAWATTS FOR SYSTEM S WITH A GENERATING 18
	505	+	CAPACITY OF BETWEEN 20 KILOWATTS AND 2 5 MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE 19
	506	+	ALTERNATING CURRENT RATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER. 20
569	507
570		-	(II) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, IMPLEMENT A REVISED
571		-	SYSTEM TO REVIEW AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WI TH THE RENEWABLE ENE RGY
572		-	PORTFOLIO STANDARD .
	508	+	(F) (1) THE OWNER OF A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM MAY 21
	509	+	APPLY TO THE COMMISSION TO BE CERT IFIED UNDER THE PROGRAM. 22
573	510
574		-	(3) AN ELECTRICITY SUPPLI ER MAY APPLY THE CER TIFIED SRECS
575		-	GENERATED IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SECTIO N TOWARD THE RENEWAB LE
576		-	ENERGY PORTF OLIO STANDARD STARTI NG WITH THE 2025 COMPLIANCE YEAR .
	511	+	(2) THE OWNER OF A CERTIF IED SYSTEM SHALL PAY A ONE–TIME FEE 23
	512	+	OF $100 TO THE COMMISSION AT THE TIM E OF THE CERTIFICATI ON. 24
577	513
578		-	(4) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER LAW, THE COMMISSION SHALL
579		-	ALLOW ELECTRICITY SU PPLIERS TO DEMONSTRA TE COMPLIANCE WITH T HE
580		-	RENEWABLE ENERGY POR TFOLIO STANDARD FOR THE 2025 COMPLIANCE YEAR BY
581		-	SUBMITTING I NFORMATION BETWEEN JULY 1, 2026, AND DECEMBER 31, 2026,
582		-	USING THE REVISED SY STEM DEVELOPED IN AC CORDANCE WITH PARAGR APH (2)(II)
583		-	OF THIS SUBSECTION .
	514	+	(H) (1) AT THE TIME A SOLAR E NERGY GENERATING SYS TEM IS 25
	515	+	CERTIFIED AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE , THE OWNER OF THE SYS TEM SHALL 26
	516	+	PAY TO THE COMMISSION A ONE –TIME FEE OF: 27
584	517
585		-	7–712.
	518	+	(I) UP TO $50 FOR EACH SYSTEM WITH A GENERATING 28
	519	+	CAPACITY OF LESS THA N 20 KILOWATTS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING 29
	520	+	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER; AND 30
	521	+	12 SENATE BILL 783
586	522
587		-	Subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on or before December 1 of each
588		-	year the Commission shall report to the General Assembly on the status of implementation
589		-	of this subtitle, including:
590	523
591		-	(1) the availability of Tier 1 renewable sources[,];
	524	+	(II) UP TO $200 FOR EACH SYSTEM WITH A GENERATING 1
	525	+	CAPACITY OF MORE THA N 20 KILOWATTS, AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING 2
	526	+	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER. 3
592	527
593		-	(2) projects supported by the Fund[,];
	528	+	(3) (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL USE THE FEES COLLECTED U NDER 4
	529	+	PARAGRAPH (2) (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION T O PAY FOR COSTS ASSO CIATED WITH 5
	530	+	ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM. 6
594	531
595		-	(3) INFORMATION REGARDIN G THE STATUS OF THE SMALL SOLAR
596		-	ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER §
597		-	7–709.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE , INCLUDING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GENERATING
598		-	CAPACITY OF THE SYST EMS CERTIFIED UNDER THE PROGRAM; and
599		-	Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	532	+	(G) (1) A CERTIFIED SYSTEM UND ER THE PROGRAM SHALL RECEIVE : 7
600	533
601		-	– 14 –
602		-	(4) other pertinent information.
	534	+	(I) FOR SYSTEMS WITH A G ENERATING CAPACITY O F UP TO 2 8
	535	+	MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT RATING OF THE 9
	536	+	SYSTEM’S INVERTER, 150% CREDIT TOWARD MEETIN G THE RENEWABLE ENER GY 10
	537	+	PORTFOLIO STANDARD F OR ENERGY DERIVED FR OM SOLAR; AND 11
603	538
604		-	7–714.
	539	+	(II) FOR SYSTEMS WITH A G ENERATING CAPACITY O F UP TO 2 12
	540	+	MEGAWATTS , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING CURRENT R ATING OF THE 13
	541	+	SYSTEM’S INVERTER, THAT ARE LOCATED ON A ROOFTOP, A PARKING CANOPY , OR A 14
	542	+	BROWNFIELD , 200% CREDIT TOWARD MEETIN G THE RENEWABLE ENER GY 15
	543	+	PORTFOLIO STANDARD F OR ENERGY DERIVED FR OM SOLAR. 16
605	544
606		-	THE DEVELOPER OF A SO LAR ENERGY GENERATIN G SYSTEM THAT HAS A
607		-	GENERATING CAPACITY OVER 1 MEGAWATT , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING
608		-	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER, SHALL ENSURE THAT WO RKERS ARE
609		-	PAID NOT LESS THAN T HE PREVAILING WAGE RATE D ETERMINED UNDER TITLE 17,
610		-	SUBTITLE 2 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, UNLESS THE
611		-	SYSTEM IS SUBJECT TO A PROJECT LABOR AGRE EMENT THAT:
	545	+	(2) A CERTIFIED SYSTEM IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE PERCENTAGE 17
	546	+	CREDIT SPECIFIED IN PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION F OR THE ENTIRE 18
	547	+	LIFE CYCLE OF THE SY STEM. 19
612	548
613		-	(1) ~~BINDS ALL CONTRACTOR S AND SUBCONTRACTORS ON THE~~
614		-	SYSTEM ~~THROUGH~~ THE ~~I NCLUSION OF SPECIFICATIONS IN AL L RELEVANT~~
615		-	~~SOLICITATION PROVISI ONS AND CONTRACT DOC UMENTS;~~
	549	+	(H) NOTWITHSTANDING § 7–709(D)(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE , A CREDIT 20
	550	+	CREATED BY A CERTIFI ED SYSTEM UNDER THE PROGRAM SHALL EXIST F OR 5 YEARS 21
	551	+	FROM THE DATE CREATE D. 22
616	552
617		-	(2) ALLOWS ALL CONTRACTO RS AND SUBCONTRACTOR S TO COMPETE
618		-	FOR CONTRACTS AND SU BCONTRACTS ON THE PR OJECT WITHOUT REGARD TO
619		-	WHETHER THEY ARE OTH ERWISE PARTIES TO CO LLECTIVE BARG AINING
620		-	AGREEMENTS ;
	553	+	(I) THE DEVELOPER OF A CER TIFIED SYSTEM UNDER THE PROGRAM THAT 23
	554	+	HAS A GENERATING CAP ACITY OVER 1 MEGAWATT , AS MEASURED BY THE 24
	555	+	ALTERNATING CURRENT RATING OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER, SHALL ENSURE THAT 25
	556	+	WORKERS ARE PAID NOT LESS THAN THE PREVAI LING WAGE RATE DETER MINED 26
	557	+	UNDER TITLE 17, SUBTITLE 2 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT 27
	558	+	ARTICLE, UNLESS THE SYSTEM IS SUBJECT TO A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT 28
	559	+	THAT: 29
621	560
622		-	(3) ESTABLISHES UNIFORM TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
623		-	EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL C ONSTRUCTION LABOR EM PLOYED ON THE PROJEC TS;
	561	+	(1) BINDS ALL CONTRACTOR S AND SUBCONTRACTORS ON THE 30
	562	+	SYSTEM THROUGH THE I NCLUSION OF SPECIFIC ATIONS IN ALL RELEVA NT 31
	563	+	SOLICITATION PROVISI ONS AND CONTRACT DOC UMENTS; 32
624	564
625		-	(4) ~~GUARANTEES AGAINST~~ S ~~TRIKES, LOCKOUTS,~~ ~~AND SIMILAR JOB~~
626		-	~~DISRUPTIONS;~~
	565	+	(2) ALLOWS ALL CONTRACTO RS AND SUBCONTRACTOR S TO COMPETE 33
	566	+	FOR CONTRACTS AND SU BCONTRACTS ON THE PR OJECT WITHOUT REGARD TO 34 SENATE BILL 783 13
627	567
628		-	(5) ESTABLISHES MUTUALLY BINDING PROCEDURES F OR RESOLVING
629		-	LABOR DISPUTES ; AND
630	568
631		-	~~(6) INCLUDES ANY OTHER P ROVISIONS NEGOTIATED BY THE~~ PARTIES
632		-	~~TO PROMOTE SUCCESSFU L DELIVERY OF THE SY STEM.~~
	569	+	WHETHER THEY ARE OTH ERWISE PARTIES TO CO LLECTIVE BARGAINING 1
	570	+	AGREEMENTS ; 2
633	571
634		-	Article – State Government
	572	+	(3) ESTABLISHES UNIFORM TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF 3
	573	+	EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL C ONSTRUCTION LABOR EM PLOYED ON THE PROJEC TS; 4
635	574
636		-	9–20B–05.
	575	+	(4) GUARANTEES AGAINST S TRIKES, LOCKOUTS, AND SIMILAR JOB 5
	576	+	DISRUPTIONS; 6
637	577
638		-	(a) There is a Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.
	578	+	(5) ESTABLISHES MUTUALLY BINDING PROCEDURES F OR RESOLVING 7
	579	+	LABOR DISPUTES ; AND 8
639	580
640		-	(b) The ~~purpose of the Fund is to implement the Strategic Energy Investment~~
641		-	~~Program~~.
	581	+	(6) INCLUDES ANY OTHER P ROVISIONS NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES 9
	582	+	TO PROMOTE SUCCESSFU L DELIVERY OF THE SY STEM. 10
642	583
643		-	(c) The Administration shall administer the Fund.
644		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	584	+	(I) (1) A CERTIFIED SYSTEM SHA LL CONTINUE TO BE EL IGIBLE TO 11
	585	+	RECEIVE GENERATE CERTIFIED SRECS FOR 15 YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF 12
	586	+	CERTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSION, OR JANUARY 1, 2025, WHICHEVER IS LATER , 13
	587	+	AFTER WHICH THE SYST EM SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE GENERATE 14
	588	+	NONCERTIFIED SOLAR R ENEWABLE ENERGY CRED ITS AS LONG AS THE S YSTEM 15
	589	+	MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS AS A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE UND ER THIS 16
	590	+	SUBTITLE. 17
645	591
646		-	– 15 –
647		-	(G–1) UP TO 10% OF THE PROCEEDS RECE IVED BY THE FUND FROM
648		-	COMPLIANCE FEES UNDE R § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE
649		-	SHALL BE CREDITED TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE EX PENSE ACCOUNT FOR CO STS
650		-	RELATED TO THE ADMIN ISTRATION OF THE FUND.
	592	+	(2) THE COMMISSION SHALL : 18
651	593
652		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read
653		-	as follows:
	594	+	(I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, BEGIN DETERMINING 19
	595	+	ELIGIBILITY OF SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS TO BE CERTIFIE D UNDER 20
	596	+	THE PROGRAM; AND 21
654	597
655		-	Article – State Government
	598	+	(II) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, IMPLEMENT A REVISED 22
	599	+	SYSTEM TO REVIEW AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WI TH THE RENEWABLE ENE RGY 23
	600	+	PORTFOLIO STANDARD . 24
656	601
657		-	9–2016.
	602	+	(3) AN ELECTRICITY SUPPLI ER MAY APPLY THE CER TIFIED SRECS 25
	603	+	GENERATED IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SECTIO N TOWARD THE RENEWAB LE 26
	604	+	ENERGY PORTF OLIO STANDARD STARTI NG WITH THE 2025 COMPLIANCE YEAR . 27
658	605
659		-	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWIN G WORDS HAVE THE MEA NINGS
660		-	INDICATED.
	606	+	(4) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER LAW, THE COMMISSION SHALL 28
	607	+	ALLOW ELECTRICITY SU PPLIERS TO DEMONSTRA TE COMPLIANCE WITH T HE 29
	608	+	RENEWABLE ENERGY POR TFOLIO STANDARD FOR THE 2025 COMPLIANCE YEAR BY 30
	609	+	SUBMITTING I NFORMATION BETWEEN JULY 1, 2026, AND DECEMBER 31, 2026, 31
	610	+	USING THE REVISED SY STEM DEVELOPED IN AC CORDANCE WITH PARAGR APH (2)(II) 32
	611	+	OF THIS SUBSECTION . 33
	612	+	14 SENATE BILL 783
661	613
662		-	(2) “ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED
663		-	IN § 7–306 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE.
664	614
665		-	(3) “LOW TO MODERATE INCOM E” MEANS A HOUSEHOLD WI TH AN
666		-	ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC OME AT OR BELOW 150% OF THE AVERAGE MEDIA N INCOME
667		-	FOR THE STATE.
	615	+	7–712. 1
668	616
669		-	(4) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM
670		-	ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION.
	617	+	Subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on or before December 1 of each 2
	618	+	year the Commission shall report to the General Assembly on the status of implementation 3
	619	+	of this subtitle, including: 4
671	620
672		-	(B) THERE IS A CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM IN THE
673		-	ADMINISTRATION .
	621	+	(1) the availability of Tier 1 renewable sources[,]; 5
674	622
675		-	(C) THE ~~PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO:~~
	623	+	(2) projects supported by the Fund[,]; 6
676	624
677		-	(1) INCREASE DEPLOYMENT OF CUSTOMER –SITED SOLAR ENERGY
678		-	GENERATING SYSTEMS ; AND
	625	+	(3) INFORMATION REGARDIN G THE STATUS OF THE SMALL SOLAR 7
	626	+	ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 8
	627	+	7–709.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE , INCLUDING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GENERATING 9
	628	+	CAPACITY OF THE SYST EMS CERTIFIED UNDER THE PROGRAM; and 10
679	629
680		-	(2) PROVIDE GRANTS TO EL IGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATORS THAT
681		-	HAVE INSTALLED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS WITH OR WITHOU T ENERGY
682		-	STORAGE.
	630	+	(4) other pertinent information. 11
683	631
684		-	~~(D) (1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL :~~
	632	+	7–714. 12
685	633
686		-	(I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, ESTABLISH APPLICATIO N
687		-	AND INCOME VERIFICAT ION PROCEDURES FOR T HE PROGRAM; AND
	634	+	THE DEVELOPER OF A SO LAR ENERGY GENERATIN G SYSTEM THAT HAS A 13
	635	+	GENERATING CAPACITY OVER 1 MEGAWATT , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING 14
	636	+	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER, SHALL ENSURE THAT WO RKERS ARE 15
	637	+	PAID NOT LESS THAN T HE PREVAILING WAGE RATE D ETERMINED UNDER TITLE 17, 16
	638	+	SUBTITLE 2 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE, UNLESS THE 17
	639	+	SYSTEM IS SUBJECT TO A PROJECT LABOR AGRE EMENT THAT: 18
688	640
689		-	(II) AWARD GRANTS FROM TH E PROGRAM.
690		-	Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	641	+	(1) BINDS ALL CONTRACTOR S AND SUBCONTRACTORS ON THE 19
	642	+	SYSTEM THROUGH THE I NCLUSION OF SPECIFICATIONS IN AL L RELEVANT 20
	643	+	SOLICITATION PROVISI ONS AND CONTRACT DOC UMENTS; 21
691	644
692		-	– 16 –
693		-	(2) AN APPLICANT FOR A GR ANT UNDER THIS SECTI ON SHALL:
	645	+	(2) ALLOWS ALL CONTRACTO RS AND SUBCONTRACTOR S TO COMPETE 22
	646	+	FOR CONTRACTS AND SU BCONTRACTS ON THE PR OJECT WITHOUT REGARD TO 23
	647	+	WHETHER THEY ARE OTH ERWISE PARTIES TO CO LLECTIVE BARG AINING 24
	648	+	AGREEMENTS ; 25
694	649
695		-	(I) INCLUDE IN THE APPLI CATION AN EXECUTED C ONTRACT TO
696		-	PURCHASE OR LEASE A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM OR AN EXE CUTED
697		-	POWER PURCHASE AGREE MENT FOR THE SYSTEM ;
	650	+	(3) ESTABLISHES UNIFORM TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF 26
	651	+	EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL C ONSTRUCTION LABOR EM PLOYED ON THE PROJEC TS; 27
698	652
699		-	(II) DEMONSTRATE THAT AN AGREEMENT ENTERED IN TO
700		-	BETWEEN A THIRD PART Y AND AN ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR MEETS THE
701		-	MINIMUM BENEFITS PUB LISHED UNDER SUBSECT ION (J) OF THIS SECTION; AND
	653	+	(4) GUARANTEES AGAINST S TRIKES, LOCKOUTS, AND SIMILAR JOB 28
	654	+	DISRUPTIONS; 29
702	655
703		-	(III) INCLUDE A SIGNED DIS CLOSURE FORM DEVELOP ED UNDER
704		-	SUBSECTION (L) OF THIS SECTION.
	656	+	(5) ESTABLISHES MUTUALLY BINDING PROCEDURES F OR RESOLVING 30
	657	+	LABOR DISPUTES ; AND 31
	658	+	SENATE BILL 783 15
705	659
706		-	(E) THE PROGRAM MAY PROVIDE G RANTS TO AN INCOME –VERIFIED
707		-	ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR WITH A LOW TO MODERATE INCOME IN AN
708		-	AMOUNT EQUAL TO $750 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY FOR A SOLAR
709		-	ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $7,500 PER SYSTEM.
710	660
711		-	(F) A GRANT AWARDED UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L BE
712		-	FUNDED FROM FEES COL LECTED UNDER § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF THE PUBLIC
713		-	UTILITIES ARTICLE AND ALLOCATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–20B–05(G–1) OF
714		-	THIS TITLE.
	661	+	(6) INCLUDES ANY OTHER P ROVISIONS NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES 1
	662	+	TO PROMOTE SUCCESSFU L DELIVERY OF THE SY STEM. 2
715	663
716		-	(G) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL USE THE INCOME VERIF ICATION
717		-	PROCESSES UNDER § 7–306.2(F)(1)(IV)1 THROUGH 6 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
718		-	ARTICLE TO VERIFY INC OME FOR AN ELIGIBLE C USTOMER–GENERATOR WITH A LOW
719		-	TO MODERATE INCOME .
	664	+	Article – State Government 3
720	665
721		-	~~(H) A THIRD PARTY MAY :~~
	666	+	9–20B–05. 4
722	667
723		-	(1) APPLY FOR A GRANT ON BEHALF OF AN ELIGIBL E
724		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR WITH PROOF OF CONSENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE
725		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR ; AND
	668	+	(a) There is a Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 5
726	669
727		-	(2) ~~BE ASSIGNED A GRANT BY~~ THE ~~ELIGIBLE CUST OMER–GENERATOR~~
728		-	~~TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOME R–GENERATOR~~ .
	670	+	(b) The purpose of the Fund is to implement the Strategic Energy Investment 6
	671	+	Program. 7
729	672
730		-	(I) (1) FUNDING USED FOR GRAN TS UNDER THIS SECTIO N SHALL BE
731		-	MONITORED THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS MAINTAINED BY THE
732		-	ADMINISTRATION AND VI SIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATIO N’S WEBSITE.
	673	+	(c) The Administration shall administer the Fund. 8
733	674
734		-	(2) DATA ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE SHALL:
735		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	675	+	(G–1) UP TO 10% OF THE PROCEEDS RECE IVED BY THE FUND FROM 9
	676	+	COMPLIANCE FEES UNDE R § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE 10
	677	+	SHALL BE CREDITED TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE EX PENSE ACCOUNT FOR CO STS 11
	678	+	RELATED TO THE ADMIN ISTRATION OF THE FUND. 12
736	679
737		-	– 17 –
738		-	(I) INCLUDE THE AMOUNT O F FUNDING AVAILABLE , RESERVED,
739		-	AND SPENT FOR THE FI SCAL YEAR; AND
	680	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 13
	681	+	as follows: 14
740	682
741		-	~~(II) BE UPDATED REGULARLY .~~
	683	+	Article – State Government 15
742	684
743		-	~~(J) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PUBLISH:~~
	685	+	9–2016. 16
744	686
745		-	(1) THE ~~DISCLOSURE FORM DEVELOPED UNDER SUBS ECTION (L) OF~~
746		-	~~THIS SECTION;~~ ~~AND~~
	687	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWIN G WORDS HAVE THE MEA NINGS 17
	688	+	INDICATED. 18
747	689
748		-	(2) THE MINIMUM BENEFITS THAT AN ELIGIBLE
749		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR MUST RECEI VE UNDER AN AGREEMEN T WITH A THIRD
750		-	PARTY.
	690	+	(2) “ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 19
	691	+	IN § 7–306 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE. 20
751	692
752		-	(K) A ~~SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM SHALL BE INSTALLED WITHIN~~
753		-	~~180 DAYS AFTER A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION I S RESERVED BY~~ THE
754		-	~~ADMINISTRATION~~ FOR ~~AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR~~ .
	693	+	(3) “LOW TO MODERATE INCOM E” MEANS A HOUSEHOLD WI TH AN 21
	694	+	ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC OME AT OR BELOW 150% OF THE AVERAGE MEDIA N INCOME 22
	695	+	FOR THE STATE. 23
755	696
756		-	(L) (1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL DEVELOP A CONSUMER
757		-	PROTECTION POLICY IN CONSULTATION WITH RE PRESENTATIVES OF THE
758		-	CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR INDUSTRY .
	697	+	(4) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM 24
	698	+	ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION. 25
759	699
760		-	(2) THE ~~CONSUME R PROTECTION POLICY DEVELOPED UNDER~~
761		-	~~PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL:~~
	700	+	(B) THERE IS A CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR PROGRAM IN THE 26
	701	+	ADMINISTRATION . 27
762	702
763		-	(I) INCLUDE A DISCLOSURE FORM FOR SOLAR ENERG Y POWER
764		-	PURCHASE AGREEMENTS , SOLAR ENERGY LEASE A GREEMENTS , AND SOLAR ENERGY
765		-	LOAN AGREEMENTS THAT MUST BE SIGNED BY AN ELIGIBLE
766		-	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR BEFORE ENT ERING INTO THE AGREE MENT;
	703	+	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO: 28
	704	+	16 SENATE BILL 783
767	705
768		-	(II) FOR A SOLAR ENERGY P OWER PURCHASE AGREEM ENT OR A
769		-	SOLAR ENERGY LEASE A GREEMENT, PROHIBIT AN ANNUAL R ATE INCREASE OF MORE
770		-	THAN 3%;
771	706
772		-	(III) ALLOW A CUSTOMER –GENERATOR TO CANCEL AN
773		-	AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH A THIRD PARTY UP TO 30 DAYS AFTER SIGNING
774		-	THE AGREEMENT ; AND
	707	+	(1) INCREASE DEPLOYMENT OF CUSTOMER –SITED SOLAR ENERGY 1
	708	+	GENERATING SYSTEMS ; AND 2
775	709
776		-	(IV) BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S
777		-	WEBSITE AND SOCIAL M EDIA PLATFORMS .
	710	+	(2) PROVIDE GRANTS TO EL IGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATORS THAT 3
	711	+	HAVE INSTALLED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS WITH OR WITHOU T ENERGY 4
	712	+	STORAGE. 5
778	713
779		-	~~9–20B–05.~~
	714	+	(D) (1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 6
780	715
781		-	(f) The Administration shall use the Fund: Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	716	+	(I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, ESTABLISH APPLICATIO N 7
	717	+	AND INCOME VERIFICAT ION PROCEDURES FOR T HE PROGRAM; AND 8
782	718
783		-	~~– 18 –~~
	719	+	(II) AWARD GRANTS FROM TH E PROGRAM. 9
784	720
785		-	(12) to provide at least $500,000 each year to the Resiliency Hub Grant
786		-	Program Fund under § 9–2011 of this title; [and]
	721	+	(2) AN APPLICANT FOR A GR ANT UNDER THIS SECTI ON SHALL: 10
787	722
788		-	(13) TO PROVIDE GRANTS TH ROUGH THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR
789		-	PROGRAM UNDER § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE; AND
	723	+	(I) INCLUDE IN THE APPLI CATION AN EXECUTED CONTRACT TO 11
	724	+	PURCHASE OR LEASE A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM OR AN EXE CUTED 12
	725	+	POWER PURCHASE AGREE MENT FOR THE SYSTEM ; 13
790	726
791		-	[(13)] (14) to pay the expenses of the Program.
	727	+	(II) DEMONSTRATE THAT AN AGREEMENT ENTERED IN TO 14
	728	+	BETWEEN A THIRD PART Y AND AN ELIGIBLE CU STOMER–GENERATOR MEETS THE 15
	729	+	MINIMUM BENEFITS P UBLISHED UNDER SUBSE CTION (J) OF THIS SECTION; AND 16
792	730
793		-	(g–1) [Up to 10% of the proceeds] PROCEEDS received by the Fund from compliance
794		-	fees under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities Article shall be ALLOCATED AS
795		-	FOLLOWS:
	731	+	(III) INCLUDE A SIGNED DIS CLOSURE FORM DEVELOP ED UNDER 17
	732	+	SUBSECTION (L) OF THIS SECTION. 18
796	733
797		-	(1) ~~BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, AT LEAST 20% OF~~ THE
798		-	~~PROCEEDS SHALL BE USED~~ TO ~~PRO VIDE GRANTS TO SUPPO RT THE INSTALLATION OF~~
799		-	~~NEW~~ SOLAR ~~ENERGY GEN ERATING SYSTEMS UNDE R THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR~~
800		-	~~PROGRAM;~~
	734	+	(E) THE PROGRAM MAY PROVIDE G RANTS TO AN INCOME –VERIFIED 19
	735	+	ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR WITH A LOW TO MODERATE INCOME IN AN 20
	736	+	AMOUNT EQUAL TO $750 PER KILOWATT OF NAME PLATE CAPACITY FOR A SOLAR 21
	737	+	ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $7,500 PER SYSTEM. 22
801	738
802		-	(2) UP TO 10% OF THE PROCEEDS SHAL L BE credited to an
803		-	administrative expense account for costs related to the administration of the Fund;
	739	+	(F) A GRANT AWARDED UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L BE 23
	740	+	FUNDED FROM FEES COL LECTED UNDER § 7–705(B)(2)(I)2 OF THE PUBLIC 24
	741	+	UTILITIES ARTICLE AND ALLOCATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–20B–05(G–1) OF 25
	742	+	THIS TITLE. 26
804	743
805		-	(3) PROCEEDS COLLECTED B UT UNUSED FROM A PRE VIOUS YEAR
806		-	SHALL BE USED BEFORE PROCEEDS ALLOCATED F OR THE CURRENT YEAR ; AND
	744	+	(G) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL USE THE INCOME VERIF ICATION 27
	745	+	PROCESSES UNDER § 7–306.2(F)(1)(IV)1 THROUGH 6 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES 28
	746	+	ARTICLE TO VERIFY INC OME FOR AN ELIGIBLE C USTOMER–GENERATOR WITH A LOW 29
	747	+	TO MODERATE INCOME . 30
807	748
808		-	(4) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL REALLOCATE TO OTHER
809		-	AUTHORIZED USES ANY PROCEEDS THAT ARE NO T USED WITHIN 3 FISCAL YEARS
810		-	AFTER COLLECTION .
	749	+	(H) A THIRD PARTY MAY : 31
	750	+	SENATE BILL 783 17
811	751
812		-	(i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, compliance fees
813		-	paid under § 7–705(b) of the Public Utilities Article may be used only to make loans and
814		-	grants to support the creation of new Tier 1 renewable energy sources in the State that are
815		-	owned by or directly benefit:
816	752
817		-	(i) ~~low– to moderate–income communities located in~~ a ~~census tract~~
818		-	with ~~an average median income at or below 80%~~ of ~~the average median income for~~ the ~~State;~~
819		-	or
	753	+	(1) APPLY FOR A GRANT ON BEHALF OF AN ELIGIBL E 1
	754	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR WITH PROOF OF CONSENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE 2
	755	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR ; AND 3
820	756
821		-	(ii) ~~overburdened or underserved communities,~~ ~~as defined in § 1~~–~~701~~
822		-	of the ~~Environment Article~~.
	757	+	(2) BE ASSIGNED A GRANT BY THE ELIGIBLE CUST OMER–GENERATOR 4
	758	+	TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOME R–GENERATOR . 5
823	759
824		-	(2) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities
825		-	Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make
826		-	loans and grants to support the creation of new solar energy sources in the State that are
827		-	owned by or directly benefit:
828		-	WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	760	+	(I) (1) FUNDING USED FOR GRAN TS UNDER THIS SECTIO N SHALL BE 6
	761	+	MONITORED THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS MAINTAINED BY THE 7
	762	+	ADMINISTRATION AND VI SIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATIO N’S WEBSITE. 8
829	763
830		-	– 19 –
831		-	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract
832		-	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State;
833		-	[or]
	764	+	(2) DATA ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE SHALL: 9
834	765
835		-	(ii) ~~overburdened or underserved communities~~, ~~as defined in § 1–701~~
836		-	of the ~~Environment Article~~; OR
	766	+	(I) INCLUDE THE AMOUNT O F FUNDING AVAILABLE , RESERVED, 10
	767	+	AND SPENT FOR THE FI SCAL YEAR; AND 11
837	768
838		-	(III) HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME , AS
839		-	DEFINED IN § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE.
	769	+	(II) BE UPDATED REGULARLY . 12
840	770
841		-	SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read
842		-	as follows:
	771	+	(J) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PUBLISH: 13
843	772
844		-	Article – Tax – Property
	773	+	(1) THE DISCLOSURE FORM DEVELOPED UNDER SUBS ECTION (L) OF 14
	774	+	THIS SECTION; AND 15
845	775
846		-	1–101.
	776	+	(2) THE MINIMUM BENEFITS THAT AN ELIGIBLE 16
	777	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR MUST RECEI VE UNDER AN AGREEMEN T WITH A THIRD 17
	778	+	PARTY. 18
847	779
848		-	(j) (1) “Department” means the State Department of Assessments and
849		-	Taxation.
	780	+	(K) A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM SHALL BE INSTALLED WITHIN 19
	781	+	180 DAYS AFTER A GRANT UNDER THIS SECTION I S RESERVED BY THE 20
	782	+	ADMINISTRATION FOR AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR . 21
850	783
851		-	(2) “Department” includes, unless the context requires otherwise, a
852		-	supervisor.
	784	+	(L) (1) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL DEVELOP A CONSUMER 22
	785	+	PROTECTION POLICY IN CONSULTATION WITH RE PRESENTATIVES OF THE 23
	786	+	CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR INDUSTRY . 24
853	787
854		-	7–237.
	788	+	(2) THE CONSUME R PROTECTION POLICY DEVELOPED UNDER 25
	789	+	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL: 26
855	790
856		-	(c) (1) (i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings
857		-	indicated.
	791	+	(I) INCLUDE A DISCLOSURE FORM FOR SOLAR ENERG Y POWER 27
	792	+	PURCHASE AGREEMENTS , SOLAR ENERGY LEASE A GREEMENTS , AND SOLAR ENERGY 28
	793	+	LOAN AGREEMENTS THAT MUST BE SIGNED BY AN ELIGIBLE 29
	794	+	CUSTOMER–GENERATOR BEFORE ENT ERING INTO THE AGREE MENT; 30
	795	+	18 SENATE BILL 783
858	796
859		-	(ii) “Agrivoltaics” means the simultaneous use of areas of land for
860		-	both solar power generation and agriculture.
861	797
862		-	(iii) “Brownfield” means:
	798	+	(II) FOR A SOLAR ENERGY P OWER PURCHASE AGREEM ENT OR A 1
	799	+	SOLAR ENERGY LEASE A GREEMENT, PROHIBIT AN ANNUAL R ATE INCREASE OF MORE 2
	800	+	THAN 3%; 3
863	801
864		-	1. a former industrial or commercial site identified by federal
865		-	or State laws or regulations as contaminated or polluted; or
	802	+	(III) ALLOW A CUSTOMER –GENERATOR TO CANCEL AN 4
	803	+	AGREEMENT ENTE RED INTO WITH A THIR D PARTY UP TO 30 DAYS AFTER SIGNING 5
	804	+	THE AGREEMENT ; AND 6
866	805
867		-	~~2. a closed municipal or rubble landfill regulated under a~~
868		-	~~refuse disposal permit by the Department of the Environment~~.
	806	+	(IV) BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S 7
	807	+	WEBSITE AND SOCIAL M EDIA PLATFORMS . 8
869	808
870		-	(iv) “Community solar energy generating system” has the meaning
871		-	stated in § 7–306.2 of the Public Utilities Article.
	809	+	9–20B–05. 9
872	810
873		-	(v) “Electric company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the
874		-	Public Utilities Article.
875		-	Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	811	+	(f) The Administration shall use the Fund: 10
876	812
877		-	– 20 –
878		-	(2) This subsection applies through the life cycle of a community solar
879		-	energy generating system that:
	813	+	(12) to provide at least $500,000 each year to the Resiliency Hub Grant 11
	814	+	Program Fund under § 9–2011 of this title; [and] 12
880	815
881		-	(i) is placed in service after June 30, 2022; and
	816	+	(13) TO PROVIDE GRANTS TH ROUGH THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR 13
	817	+	PROGRAM UNDER § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE; AND 14
882	818
883		-	(ii) has been approved on or before December 31, [2025] 2030, by
884		-	the Public Service Commission under § 7–306.2 of the Public Utilities Article.
	819	+	[(13)] (14) to pay the expenses of the Program. 15
885	820
886		-	(3) ~~Personal property is exempt~~ from ~~county or municipal corporation~~
887		-	~~property tax if~~ the ~~property is machinery or equipment that is part of a community solar~~
888		-	~~energy generating system that~~:
	821	+	(g–1) [Up to 10% of the proceeds] PROCEEDS received by the Fund from compliance 16
	822	+	fees under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities Article shall be ALLOCATED AS 17
	823	+	FOLLOWS: 18
889	824
890		-	(i) has a generating capacity that does not exceed 2 5 megawatts as
891		-	measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter;
	825	+	(1) BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, AT LEAST 20% OF THE 19
	826	+	PROCEEDS SHALL BE USED TO PRO VIDE GRANTS TO SUPPO RT THE INSTALLATION OF 20
	827	+	NEW SOLAR ENERGY GEN ERATING SYSTEMS UNDE R THE CUSTOMER–SITED SOLAR 21
	828	+	PROGRAM; 22
892	829
893		-	(ii) provides at least 50% of the energy it produces to low– or
894		-	moderate–income customers at a cost that is at least 20% less than the amount charged by
895		-	the electric company that serves the area where the community solar energy generating
896		-	system is located; and
	830	+	(2) UP TO 10% OF THE PROCEEDS SHAL L BE credited to an 23
	831	+	administrative expense account for costs related to the administration of the Fund; 24
897	832
898		-	(iii) 1. is used for agrivoltaics; or
	833	+	(3) PROCEEDS COLLECTED B UT UNUSED FROM A PRE VIOUS YEAR 25
	834	+	SHALL BE USED BEFORE PROCEEDS ALLOCATED F OR THE CURRENT YEAR ; AND 26
899	835
900		-	2. is installed on a rooftop, brownfield, parking facility
901		-	canopy, landfill, or clean fill.
	836	+	(4) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL REALLOCATE TO OTHER 27
	837	+	AUTHORIZED USES ANY PROCEEDS THAT ARE NO T USED WITHIN 3 FISCAL YEARS 28
	838	+	AFTER COLLECTION . 29
902	839
903		-	(4) On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall report to the
904		-	Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, in
905		-	accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the number and location of
906		-	projects that, in the immediately preceding taxable year, have received the exemption
907		-	under this subsection.
	840	+	(i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, compliance fees 30
	841	+	paid under § 7–705(b) of the Public Utilities Article may be used only to make loans and 31 SENATE BILL 783 19
908	842
909		-	7–249.
910	843
911		-	(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO NONRESIDENTI AL SOLAR ENERGY
912		-	GENERATING SYSTEMS T HAT ARE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
913		-	UNDER § 7–207 OR § 7–207.1 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE ON OR AFTER
914		-	JULY 1, 2024.
	844	+	grants to support the creation of new Tier 1 renewable energy sources in the State that are 1
	845	+	owned by or directly benefit: 2
915	846
916		-	(B) ~~NONRESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS THAT ARE~~
917		-	~~CONSTRUCTED ON~~ THE ~~R OOFTOPS OF BUILDINGS OR ON PARKING FACILI TY~~
918		-	~~CANOPIES ARE NOT SUB JECT TO VALUATION~~ OR ~~TO PROPERTY TAX .~~
	847	+	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 3
	848	+	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State; 4
	849	+	or 5
919	850
920		-	7–~~250.~~
921		-	~~WES MOORE, Governor Ch~~. ~~595~~
	851	+	(ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 6
	852	+	of the Environment Article. 7
922	853
923		-	– 21 –
924		-	(A) THIS SECTION A PPLIES ONLY TO REAL PROPERTY THAT INCLUD ES A
925		-	PARKING FACILITY ON WHICH A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM HA S BEEN
926		-	CONSTRUCTED ON ITS C ANOPY IF THE SOLAR E NERGY GENERATING SYS TEM HAS
927		-	BEEN APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–207 OR §
928		-	7–207.1 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2024.
	854	+	(2) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities 8
	855	+	Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 9
	856	+	loans and grants to support the creation of new solar energy sources in the State that are 10
	857	+	owned by or directly benefit: 11
929	858
930		-	(B) THE GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPA L CORPORATION MAY
931		-	REDUCE OR ELIMINATE , BY LAW, THE PERCENTAGE OF TH E ASSESSMENT OF ANY
932		-	REAL PROPERTY THAT I S SUBJECT TO THE COU NTY OR MUNICIPAL COR PORATION
933		-	PROPERTY TAX UNDER T HIS ARTICLE IF THE R EAL PROPERTY INCLUDE S A PARKING
934		-	FACILITY ON WHICH A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM HAS BEEN
935		-	CONSTRUCTED ON ITS C ANOPY.
	859	+	(i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 12
	860	+	with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State; 13
	861	+	[or] 14
936	862
937		-	(B) (C) (1) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION THAT RED UCES
938		-	OR ELIMINATES THE PE RCENTAGE O F ASSESSMENT OF TAXA BLE REAL PROPERTY
939		-	UNDER SUBSECTION (A) (B) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L SUBMIT A COPY OF T HE LAW TO
940		-	THE DEPARTMENT .
	863	+	(ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 15
	864	+	of the Environment Article; OR 16
941	865
942		-	(2) IF THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES A COPY OF THE LAW ON O R
943		-	BEFORE MAY 1, THE CHANGE WILL BE E FFECTIVE FOR THE TAX ABLE YEAR
944		-	FOLLOWING THE DATE T HE LAW IS ENACTED .
	866	+	(III) HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME , AS 17
	867	+	DEFINED IN § 9–2016 OF THIS TITLE. 18
945	868
946		-	(C) (D) IF ANY REAL PROPERTY IS EXEMPT UNDER SUBS ECTION (B) (C) OF
947		-	THIS SECTION FROM CO UNTY PROPERTY TAX BU T IS SUBJECT TO MUNI CIPAL
948		-	CORPORATION PROPERTY TAX, THE DEPARTMENT OR THE SUP ERVISOR SHALL
949		-	PROVIDE THE MUNIC IPAL CORPORATION WIT H THE ASSESSMENT OF THE REAL
950		-	PROPERTY.
	869	+	SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 19
	870	+	as follows: 20
951	871
952		-	(D) (E) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLE MENT
953		-	THIS SECTION.
	872	+	Article – Tax – Property 21
954	873
955		-	7–~~522~~.
	874	+	1–101. 22
956	875
957		-	THE GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY SHALL EXEMP T OR PARTIALLY EXEMP T
958		-	A GROUND–MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM FROM THE COUNTY
959		-	REAL OR PERSONAL PRO PERTY TAX IF THE OWN ER OF THE SYSTEM AND THE
960		-	COUNTY ENTER INTO A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF T AXES AGREEMENT , APPROVED BY
961		-	ORDINANCE OF THE LEG ISLATIVE BODY OF THE COUNTY, THAT SPECIFIES:
	876	+	(j) (1) “Department” means the State Department of Assessments and 23
	877	+	Taxation. 24
962	878
963		-	(1) THAT THE OWNER OF TH E SYSTEM SHALL PAY TO THE COUNTY
964		-	EACH YEAR IN LIEU OF THE PAYMENT OF COUNT Y REAL OR PERSONAL P ROPERTY
965		-	TAXES DURING THE TER M OF THE AGREEMENT T HE SUM OF $2,500 PER MEGAWATT Ch. 595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
	879	+	(2) “Department” includes, unless the context requires otherwise, a 25
	880	+	supervisor. 26
966	881
967		-	– 22 –
968		-	OF GENERATING CAPACI TY OF THE SYSTEM , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING
969		-	CURRENT RATING OF TH E SYSTEM’S INVERTER;
	882	+	7–237. 27
970	883
971		-	(2) THE TERM OF THE AGRE EMENT; AND
	884	+	(c) (1) (i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings 28
	885	+	indicated. 29
972	886
973		-	(3) ~~THAT EACH YEAR AFTER~~ THE ~~EXPIRATION OR TE RMINATION~~ OF
974		-	~~THE AGREEMENT , FULL REAL~~ AND ~~PERSON AL PROPERTY TAXES SH ALL BE PAYABLE~~
975		-	~~ON THE PROPERTY .~~
	887	+	(ii) “Agrivoltaics” means the simultaneous use of areas of land for 30
	888	+	both solar power generation and agriculture. 31
	889	+	20 SENATE BILL 783
976	890
977		-	SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read
978		-	as follows:
979	891
980		-	~~Article – Public Utilities~~
	892	+	(iii) “Brownfield” means: 1
981	893
982		-	7–306.
	894	+	1. a former industrial or commercial site identified by federal 2
	895	+	or State laws or regulations as contaminated or polluted; or 3
983	896
984		-	(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs [(6) and (7)] (6), (7), AND (8) of this
985		-	subsection, the generating capacity of an electric generating system used by an eligible
986		-	customer–generator for net metering may not exceed 2 megawatts.
	897	+	2. a closed municipal or rubble landfill regulated under a 4
	898	+	refuse disposal permit by the Department of the Environment. 5
987	899
988		-	(2) An electric generating system used by an eligible customer–generator
989		-	for net metering shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by
990		-	the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and
991		-	Underwriters Laboratories.
	900	+	(iv) “Community solar energy generating system” has the meaning 6
	901	+	stated in § 7–306.2 of the Public Utilities Article. 7
992	902
993		-	(3) The Commission may adopt by regulation additional control and testing
994		-	requirements for eligible customer–generators that the Commission determines are
995		-	necessary to protect public safety and system reliability.
	903	+	(v) “Electric company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the 8
	904	+	Public Utilities Article. 9
996	905
997		-	(4) An electric company may not require an eligible customer–generator
998		-	whose electric generating system meets the standards of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this
999		-	subsection to:
	906	+	(2) This subsection applies through the life cycle of a community solar 10
	907	+	energy generating system that: 11
1000	908
1001		-	(i) ~~install additional controls~~;
	909	+	(i) is placed in service after June 30, 2022; and 12
1002	910
1003		-	(ii) perform or pay for additional tests; or
	911	+	(ii) has been approved on or before December 31, [2025] 2030, by 13
	912	+	the Public Service Commission under § 7–306.2 of the Public Utilities Article. 14
1004	913
1005		-	(iii) purchase additional liability insurance.
	914	+	(3) Personal property is exempt from county or municipal corporation 15
	915	+	property tax if the property is machinery or equipment that is part of a community solar 16
	916	+	energy generating system that: 17
1006	917
1007		-	(5) An eligible customer–generator or the eligible customer–generator’s
1008		-	assignee shall own and have title to all renewable energy attributes or renewable energy
1009		-	credits associated with any electricity produced by its electric generating system.
	918	+	(i) has a generating capacity that does not exceed 2 5 megawatts as 18
	919	+	measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter; 19
1010	920
1011		-	(6) The Commission may not prohibit the construction or operation of
1012		-	multiple net metered solar energy generating facilities located on separate contiguous lots WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595
	921	+	(ii) provides at least 50% of the energy it produces to low– or 20
	922	+	moderate–income customers at a cost that is at least 20% less than the amount charged by 21
	923	+	the electric company that serves the area where the community solar energy generating 22
	924	+	system is located; and 23
1013	925
1014		-	– 23 –
1015		-	that are owned by a local government solely because the capacity of the combined net
1016		-	metering systems exceeds the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if:
	926	+	(iii) 1. is used for agrivoltaics; or 24
1017	927
1018		-	~~(i) the net metered solar energy generating facilities are intended to~~
1019		-	~~be used solely for the benefit of the local government;~~
	928	+	2. is installed on a rooftop, brownfield, parking facility 25
	929	+	canopy, landfill, or clean fill. 26
1020	930
1021		-	(ii) the total capacity of the net metered solar energy generating
1022		-	facilities on the contiguous lots does not exceed 5 megawatts;
	931	+	(4) On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall report to the 27
	932	+	Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, in 28
	933	+	accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the number and location of 29
	934	+	projects that, in the immediately preceding taxable year, have received the exemption 30
	935	+	under this subsection. 31
1023	936
1024		-	(iii) the contiguous lots were not subdivided for the purpose of
1025		-	circumventing the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
	937	+	7–249. 32 SENATE BILL 783 21
1026	938
1027		-	(iv) the utility serving the net metered solar energy generating
1028		-	facilities is not an electric cooperative or municipal electric utility.
1029	939
1030		-	(7) The generating capacity of a community solar energy generating system
1031		-	established under § 7–306.2 of this subtitle that is used for net metering may not exceed 5
1032		-	megawatts.
1033	940
1034		-	(8) THE GENERATING CAPACI TY OF A NET METERED FACILITY THAT
1035		-	IS METER AGGREGATED UNDER § 7–306.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY NOT EXCEED 5
1036		-	MEGAWATTS .
	941	+	(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO NONRESIDENTI AL SOLAR ENERGY 1
	942	+	GENERATING SYSTEMS T HAT ARE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION 2
	943	+	UNDER § 7–207 OR § 7–207.1 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE ON OR AFTER 3
	944	+	JULY 1, 2024. 4
1037	945
1038		-	(I) NOTWITHSTANDING THE G ENERATING CAPACITY L IMITS ESTABLISHED
1039		-	IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR
1040		-	PARTICIPATING IN MET ER AGGREGATION UNDER § 7–306.2 OR § 7–306.3 OF THIS
1041		-	SUBTITLE MAY RECEIVE EXCESS GENERATION FROM MORE THAN ONE GENERATING
1042		-	SYSTEM, INCLUDING IF THE COM BINED GENERATING CAP ACITY OF ALL NET
1043		-	METERED FACILITIES T HAT ARE METER AGGREG ATED EXCEEDS 5 MEGAWATTS .
	946	+	(B) NONRESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS THAT ARE 5
	947	+	CONSTRUCTED ON THE R OOFTOPS OF BUILDINGS OR ON PARKING FACILI TY 6
	948	+	CANOPIES ARE NOT SUB JECT TO VALUATION OR TO PROPERTY TAX . 7
1044	949
1045		-	[(i)] (J) On or before November 1 of each year, the Commission shall report to
1046		-	the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the
1047		-	status of the net metering program under this section, including:
	950	+	7–250. 8
1048	951
1049		-	(1) the amount of capacity of electric generating facilities owned and
1050		-	operated by eligible customer–generators in the State by type of energy resource;
	952	+	(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO REAL PROPERT Y THAT INCLUDES A 9
	953	+	PARKING FACILITY ON WHICH A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM HA S BEEN 10
	954	+	CONSTRUCTED ON ITS C ANOPY IF THE SOLAR E NERGY GENERATING SYS TEM HAS 11
	955	+	BEEN APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–207 OR § 12
	956	+	7–207.1 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2024. 13
1051	957
1052		-	(2) based on the need to encourage a diversification of the State’s energy
1053		-	resource mix to ensure reliability, whether the rated generating capacity limit in subsection
1054		-	(d) of this section should be altered; and
	958	+	(B) THE GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPA L CORPORATION MAY 14
	959	+	REDUCE OR ELIMINATE , BY LAW, THE PERCENTAGE OF TH E ASSESSMENT OF ANY 15
	960	+	REAL PROPERTY THAT I S SUBJECT TO THE COU NTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION 16
	961	+	PROPERTY TAX UNDER T HIS ARTICLE IF THE R EAL PROPERTY INCLUDE S A PARKING 17
	962	+	FACILITY ON WHICH A SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM HAS BEEN 18
	963	+	CONSTRUCTED ON ITS C ANOPY. 19
1055	964
1056		-	(3) other pertinent information.
	965	+	(B) (C) (1) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION THAT RED UCES 20
	966	+	OR ELIMINATES TH E PERCENTAGE OF ASSE SSMENT OF TAXABLE RE AL PROPERTY 21
	967	+	UNDER SUBSECTION (A) (B) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L SUBMIT A COPY OF T HE LAW TO 22
	968	+	THE DEPARTMENT . 23
1057	969
1058		-	~~SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That~~ the ~~Laws~~ of ~~Maryland read~~
1059		-	~~as follows:~~
1060		-	Ch. ~~595 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND~~
	970	+	(2) IF THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES A COPY OF THE LAW ON O R 24
	971	+	BEFORE MAY 1, THE CHANGE WILL BE E FFECTIVE FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR 25
	972	+	FOLLOWING THE DATE T HE LAW IS ENACTED . 26
1061	973
1062		-	– 24 –
1063		-	Article – Public Utilities
	974	+	(C) (D) IF ANY REAL PROPERTY IS EXEMPT UNDER SUBS ECTION (B) (C) OF 27
	975	+	THIS SECTION FROM CO UNTY PROPERTY TAX BU T IS SUBJECT TO MUNI CIPAL 28
	976	+	CORPORATION PROPERTY TAX, THE DEPARTMENT OR THE SUP ERVISOR SHALL 29
	977	+	PROVIDE THE MUNICIPAL CO RPORATION WITH THE A SSESSMENT OF THE REA L 30
	978	+	PROPERTY. 31
1064	979
1065		-	5–305.
	980	+	(D) (E) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLE MENT 32
	981	+	THIS SECTION. 33
1066	982
1067		-	(a) This section applies to a project by an investor–owned gas company, electric
1068		-	company, or combination gas and electric company involving the construction,
1069		-	reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, or alteration of any underground gas
1070		-	or electric infrastructure of the company, and any related traffic control activities.
	983	+	7–522. 34 22 SENATE BILL 783
1071	984
1072		-	(b) An investor–owned gas company, electric company, or combination gas and
1073		-	electric company shall require a contractor or subcontractor on a project described in
1074		-	subsection (a) of this section to pay its employees not less than the prevailing wage rate
1075		-	determined solely by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry in a process substantially
1076		-	similar to the process established under Title 17, Subtitle 2 of the State Finance and
1077		-	Procurement Article.
1078	985
1079		-	(c) In accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 5 of the Labor and Employment Article,
1080		-	the Maryland Department of Labor shall enforce the requirement under subsection (b) of this
1081		-	section for contractors and subcontractors to pay employees not less than the prevailing wage
1082		-	rate determined solely by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.
1083	986
1084		-	SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That nothing in Section 5 of this
1085		-	Act or in § 7–714 of the Public Utilities Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall be
1086		-	construed to apply to or be interpreted to have any effect on or application to any contract
1087		-	awarded before June 1, 2024 Section 5 of this Act shall be construed to apply retroactively
1088		-	and shall be applied to and interpreted to affect contracts for projects by an investor–owned
1089		-	gas company, electric company, or combination gas and electric company involving the
1090		-	construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, or alteration of any
1091		-	underground gas or electric infrastructure of the company, and any related traffic control
1092		-	activities entered into on and after March 1, 2024.
	987	+	THE GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY SHALL EXEMP T OR PARTIALLY EXEMP T 1
	988	+	A GROUND–MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM FR OM THE COUNTY 2
	989	+	REAL OR PERSONAL PRO PERTY TAX IF THE OWN ER OF THE SYSTEM AND THE 3
	990	+	COUNTY ENTER INTO A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF T AXES AGREEMENT , APPROVED BY 4
	991	+	ORDINANCE OF THE LEG ISLATIVE BODY OF THE COUNTY, THAT SPECIFIES: 5
1093	992
1094		-	SECTION 3. 4. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided in
1095		-	Section 6 of this Act, a presently existing obligation or contract right may not be impaired
1096		-	in any way by this Act.
	993	+	(1) THAT THE OWNER OF THE SYSTEM SHALL PAY TO THE COUNTY 6
	994	+	EACH YEAR IN LIEU OF THE PAYMENT OF COUNT Y REAL OR PERSONAL P ROPERTY 7
	995	+	TAXES DURING THE TER M OF THE AGREEMENT T HE SUM OF $2,500 PER MEGAWATT 8
	996	+	OF GENERATING CAPACI TY OF THE SYSTEM , AS MEASURED BY THE A LTERNATING 9
	997	+	CURRENT RATI NG OF THE SYSTEM ’S INVERTER; 10
1097	998
1098		-	SECTION 4. 5. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 3 of this Act
1099		-	shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024.
	999	+	(2) THE TERM OF THE AGRE EMENT; AND 11
1100	1000
1101		-	SECTION 9. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That § 7–714 of the Public Utilities
1102		-	Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall be construed to apply only prospectively and
1103		-	may not be applied or interpreted to have any effect on or application to the development of
1104		-	a solar energy generating system begun before the effective date of this Act.
	1001	+	(3) THAT EACH YEAR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OR TE RMINATION OF 12
	1002	+	THE AGREEMENT , FULL REAL AND PERSON AL PROPERTY TAXES SH ALL BE PAYABLE 13
	1003	+	ON THE PROPERTY . 14
1105	1004
1106		-	SECTION 10. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That ~~Section 2~~ of ~~this Act shall~~
1107		-	~~take effect July 1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 595~~
	1005	+	SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 15
	1006	+	as follows: 16
1108	1007
1109		-	– 25 –
1110		-	June 30, 2027, Section 2 of this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly,
1111		-	shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.
	1008	+	Article – Public Utilities 17
1112	1009
1113		-	SECTION 6. 10. 11. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 3 4 of this Act
1114		-	shall take effect January 1, 2025.
	1010	+	7–306. 18
1115	1011
1116		-	SECTION 5. 7. 11. 12. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided
1117		-	in Section 6 Sections 9 and 10 10 and 11 of this Act, this Act shall take effect June 1, 2024.
	1012	+	(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs [(6) and (7)] (6), (7), AND (8) of this 19
	1013	+	subsection, the generating capacity of an electric generating system used by an eligible 20
	1014	+	customer–generator for net metering may not exceed 2 megawatts. 21
1118	1015
1119		-	Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.
	1016	+	(2) An electric generating system used by an eligible customer–generator 22
	1017	+	for net metering shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by 23
	1018	+	the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and 24
	1019	+	Underwriters Laboratories. 25
	1020	+
	1021	+	(3) The Commission may adopt by regulation additional control and testing 26
	1022	+	requirements for eligible customer–generators that the Commission determines are 27
	1023	+	necessary to protect public safety and system reliability. 28
	1024	+
	1025	+	(4) An electric company may not require an eligible customer–generator 29
	1026	+	whose electric generating system meets the standards of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this 30
	1027	+	subsection to: 31
	1028	+
	1029	+	(i) install additional controls; 32
	1030	+	SENATE BILL 783 23
	1031	+
	1032	+
	1033	+	(ii) perform or pay for additional tests; or 1
	1034	+
	1035	+	(iii) purchase additional liability insurance. 2
	1036	+
	1037	+	(5) An eligible customer–generator or the eligible customer–generator’s 3
	1038	+	assignee shall own and have title to all renewable energy attributes or renewable energy 4
	1039	+	credits associated with any electricity produced by its electric generating system. 5
	1040	+
	1041	+	(6) The Commission may not prohibit the construction or operation of 6
	1042	+	multiple net metered solar energy generating facilities located on separate contiguous lots 7
	1043	+	that are owned by a local government solely because the capacity of the combined net 8
	1044	+	metering systems exceeds the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection, if: 9
	1045	+
	1046	+	(i) the net metered solar energy generating facilities are intended to 10
	1047	+	be used solely for the benefit of the local government; 11
	1048	+
	1049	+	(ii) the total capacity of the net metered solar energy generating 12
	1050	+	facilities on the contiguous lots does not exceed 5 megawatts; 13
	1051	+
	1052	+	(iii) the contiguous lots were not subdivided for the purpose of 14
	1053	+	circumventing the limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and 15
	1054	+
	1055	+	(iv) the utility serving the net metered solar energy generating 16
	1056	+	facilities is not an electric cooperative or municipal electric utility. 17
	1057	+
	1058	+	(7) The generating capacity of a community solar energy generating system 18
	1059	+	established under § 7–306.2 of this subtitle that is used for net metering may not exceed 5 19
	1060	+	megawatts. 20
	1061	+
	1062	+	(8) THE GENERATING CAPACI TY OF A NET METERED FACILITY THAT 21
	1063	+	IS METER AGGREGATED UNDER § 7–306.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY NOT EXCEED 5 22
	1064	+	MEGAWATTS . 23
	1065	+
	1066	+	(I) NOTWITHSTANDING THE G ENERATING CAPACITY L IMITS ESTABLISHED 24
	1067	+	IN SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION , AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR 25
	1068	+	PARTICIPATING IN MET ER AGGREGATION UNDER § 7–306.2 OR § 7–306.3 OF THIS 26
	1069	+	SUBTITLE MAY RECEIVE EXCESS GENERATION FR OM MORE THAN ONE GEN ERATING 27
	1070	+	SYSTEM, INCLUDING IF THE COM BINED GENERATING CAP ACITY OF ALL NET 28
	1071	+	METERED FACILITIES T HAT ARE MET ER AGGREGATED EXCEED S 5 MEGAWATTS . 29
	1072	+
	1073	+	[(i)] (J) On or before November 1 of each year, the Commission shall report to 30
	1074	+	the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the 31
	1075	+	status of the net metering program under this section, including: 32
	1076	+
	1077	+	(1) the amount of capacity of electric generating facilities owned and 33
	1078	+	operated by eligible customer–generators in the State by type of energy resource; 34 24 SENATE BILL 783
	1079	+
	1080	+
	1081	+
	1082	+	(2) based on the need to encourage a diversification of the State’s energy 1
	1083	+	resource mix to ensure reliability, whether the rated generating capacity limit in subsection 2
	1084	+	(d) of this section should be altered; and 3
	1085	+
	1086	+	(3) other pertinent information. 4
	1087	+
	1088	+	SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 5
	1089	+	as follows: 6
	1090	+
	1091	+	Article – Public Utilities 7
	1092	+
	1093	+	5–305. 8
	1094	+
	1095	+	(a) This section applies to a project by an investor–owned gas company, electric 9
	1096	+	company, or combination gas and electric company involving the construction, 10
	1097	+	reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, or alteration of any underground gas 11
	1098	+	or electric infrastructure of the company, and any related traffic control activities. 12
	1099	+
	1100	+	(b) An investor–owned gas company, electric company, or combination gas and 13
	1101	+	electric company shall require a contractor or subcontractor on a project described in 14
	1102	+	subsection (a) of this section to pay its employees not less than the prevailing wage rate 15
	1103	+	determined solely by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry in a process substantially 16
	1104	+	similar to the process established under Title 17, Subtitle 2 of the State Finance and 17
	1105	+	Procurement Article. 18
	1106	+
	1107	+	(c) In accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 5 of the Labor and Employment Article, 19
	1108	+	the Maryland Department of Labor shall enforce the requirement under subsection (b) of this 20
	1109	+	section for contractors and subcontractors to pay employees not less than the prevailing wage 21
	1110	+	rate determined solely by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry. 22
	1111	+
	1112	+	SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That nothing in Section 5 of this 23
	1113	+	Act or in § 7–714 of the Public Utilities Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall be 24
	1114	+	construed to apply to or be interpreted to have any effect on or application to any contract 25
	1115	+	awarded before June 1, 2024 Section 5 of this Act shall be construed to apply retroactively 26
	1116	+	and shall be applied to and interpreted to affect contracts for projects by an investor–owned 27
	1117	+	gas company, electric company, or combination gas and electric company involving the 28
	1118	+	construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, or alteration of any 29
	1119	+	underground gas or electric infrastructure of the company, and any related traffic control 30
	1120	+	activities entered into on and after March 1, 2024. 31
	1121	+
	1122	+	SECTION 3. 4. 7. AND BE IT FURTHE R ENACTED, That, except as provided in 32
	1123	+	Section 6 of this Act, a presently existing obligation or contract right may not be impaired 33
	1124	+	in any way by this Act. 34
	1125	+
	1126	+	SECTION 4. 5. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 3 of this Act 35
	1127	+	shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024. 36 SENATE BILL 783 25
	1128	+
	1129	+
	1130	+
	1131	+	SECTION 9. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That § 7–714 of the Public Utilities 1
	1132	+	Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall be construed to apply only prospectively and 2
	1133	+	may not be applied or interpreted to have any effect on or application to the development of 3
	1134	+	a solar energy generating system begun before the effective date of this Act. 4
	1135	+
	1136	+	SECTION 10. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall 5
	1137	+	take effect July 1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of 6
	1138	+	June 30, 2027, Section 2 of this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, 7
	1139	+	shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 8
	1140	+
	1141	+	SECTION 6. 10. 11. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 3 4 of this Act 9
	1142	+	shall take effect January 1, 2025. 10
	1143	+
	1144	+	SECTION 5. 7. 11. 12. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That , except as provided 11
	1145	+	in Section 6 Sections 9 and 10 10 and 11 of this Act, this Act shall take effect June 1, 2024. 12
	1146	+
	1147	+
	1148	+
	1149	+
	1150	+	Approved:
	1151	+	________________________________________________________________________________
	1152	+	Governor.
	1153	+	________________________________________________________________________________
	1154	+	President of the Senate.
	1155	+	________________________________________________________________________________
	1156	+	Speaker of the House of Delegates.