MD
Maryland House Bill HB1273

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1273 Compare Versions

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33 EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
44 [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.
85 *hb1273*
96
107 HOUSE BILL 1273
118 M5 5lr0063
129 CF 5lr0064
1310 By: Chair, Economic Matters Committee (By Request – Departmental – Maryland
1411 Energy Administration)
1512 Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
1613 Assigned to: Economic Matters and Environment and Transportation
17-Committee Report: Favorable
18-House action: Adopted
19-Read second time: March 7, 2025
2014
21-CHAPTER ______
15+A BILL ENTITLED
2216
2317 AN ACT concerning 1
2418
2519 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and Customer–Sited Solar 2
2620 Program – Alterations 3
2721
2822 FOR the purpose of authorizing the use of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund 4
2923 for certain grants and loans; altering the allowed uses of the Regional Greenhouse 5
3024 Gas Initiative auction revenue and certain compliance fee revenue; altering certain 6
3125 reporting requirements for the Fund; altering the definition of “low to moderate 7
3226 income” for purposes of the Customer–Sited Solar Program; and generally relating 8
3327 to the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and the Customer–Sited Solar 9
3428 Program. 10
3529
3630 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11
3731 Article – State Government 12
3832 Section 9–2016(a)(1) and (b) 13
3933 Annotated Code of Maryland 14
4034 (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
4135
4236 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
4337 Article – State Government 17
4438 Section 9–2016(a)(3), 9–20B–05, and 9–20B–12 18
4539 Annotated Code of Maryland 19
4640 (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
41+
42+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 21
43+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22
44+
45+Article – State Government 23
46+
47+9–2016. 24
4748 2 HOUSE BILL 1273
4849
4950
50- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 1
51-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 2
51+ (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
5252
53-Article – State Government 3
53+ (3) “Low to moderate income” means a household with an annual 2
54+household income at or below 150% of the [average] AREA median income [for the State]. 3
5455
55-9–2016. 4
56+ (b) There is a Customer–Sited Solar Program in the Administration. 4
5657
57- (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 5
58+9–20B–05. 5
5859
59- (3) “Low to moderate income” means a household with an annual 6
60-household income at or below 150% of the [average] AREA median income [for the State]. 7
60+ (a) IN THIS SECTION , “HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCO ME” 6
61+MEANS A HOUSEHOLD WI TH AN ANNUAL HOUSEHO LD INCOME AT OR BELO W 150% 7
62+OF THE AREA MEDIAN I NCOME. 8
6163
62- (b) There is a Customer–Sited Solar Program in the Administration. 8
64+ (A–1) There is a Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 9
6365
64-9–20B–05. 9
66+ (b) The purpose of the Fund is to implement the Strategic Energy Investment 10
67+Program. 11
6568
66- (a) IN THIS SECTION , “HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCO ME” 10
67-MEANS A HOUSEHOLD WI TH AN ANNUAL HOUSEHO LD INCOME AT OR BELO W 150% 11
68-OF THE AREA MEDIAN I NCOME. 12
69+ (c) The Administration shall administer the Fund. 12
6970
70- (A–1) There is a Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 13
71+ (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 13
72+the State Finance and Procurement Article. 14
7173
72- (b) The purpose of the Fund is to implement the Strategic Energy Investment 14
73-Program. 15
74+ (2) The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall 15
75+account for the Fund. 16
7476
75- (c) The Administration shall administer the Fund. 16
77+ (e) The Fund consists of: 17
7678
77- (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of 17
78-the State Finance and Procurement Article. 18
79+ (1) all of the proceeds from the sale of allowances under § 2–1002(g) of the 18
80+Environment Article; 19
7981
80- (2) The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall 19
81-account for the Fund. 20
82+ (2) money appropriated in the State budget to the Program; 20
8283
83- (e) The Fund consists of: 21
84+ (3) repayments and prepayments of principal and interest on loans made 21
85+from the Fund; 22
8486
85- (1) all of the proceeds from the sale of allowances under § 2–1002(g) of the 22
86-Environment Article; 23
87+ (4) interest and investment earnings on the Fund; 23
8788
88- (2) money appropriated in the State budget to the Program; 24
89+ (5) compliance fees paid under § 7–705 of the Public Utilities Article; 24
8990
90- (3) repayments and prepayments of principal and interest on loans made 25
91-from the Fund; 26
91+ (6) money received from any public or private source for the benefit of the 25
92+Fund; 26
9293
93- (4) interest and investment earnings on the Fund; 27
94+ (7) money transferred from the Public Service Commission under § 27
95+7–207.2(c)(3) of the Public Utilities Article; and 28
9496
95- (5) compliance fees paid under § 7–705 of the Public Utilities Article; 28
96- HOUSE BILL 1273 3
97-
98-
99- (6) money received from any public or private source for the benefit of the 1
100-Fund; 2
101-
102- (7) money transferred from the Public Service Commission under § 3
103-7–207.2(c)(3) of the Public Utilities Article; and 4
104-
105- (8) money distributed under § 2–614.1 of the Tax – General Article. 5
106-
107- (f) The Administration shall use the Fund: 6
108-
109- (1) to invest in the promotion, development, and implementation of: 7
110-
111- (i) cost–effective energy efficiency and conservation programs, 8
112-projects, or activities, including measurement and verification of energy savings; 9
113-
114- (ii) renewable and clean energy resources; 10
115-
116- (iii) climate change programs directly related to reducing or 11
117-mitigating the effects of climate change; and 12
118-
119- (iv) demand response programs that are designed to promote 13
120-changes in electric usage by customers in response to: 14
121-
122- 1. changes in the price of electricity over time; or 15
123-
124- 2. incentives designed to induce lower electricity use at times 16
125-of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability is jeopardized; 17
126-
127- (2) to provide targeted programs, projects, activities, and investments to 18
128-reduce electricity consumption by customers in the low–income and moderate–income 19
129-residential sectors; 20
130-
131- (3) to provide supplemental funds for low–income energy assistance 21
132-through the Electric Universal Service Program established under § 7–512.1 of the Public 22
133-Utilities Article and other electric assistance programs in the Department of Human 23
134-Services; 24
135-
136- (4) to provide rate relief by offsetting electricity rates of residential 25
137-customers, including an offset of surcharges imposed on ratepayers under Title 7, Subtitle 26
138-2, Part II of the Public Utilities Article; 27
139-
140- (5) to provide grants, loans, and other assistance and investment as 28
141-necessary and appropriate to implement the purposes of the Program as set forth in § 29
142-9–20B–03 of this subtitle; 30
143-
144- (6) to implement energy–related public education and outreach initiatives 31
145-regarding reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; 32 4 HOUSE BILL 1273
97+ (8) money distributed under § 2–614.1 of the Tax – General Article. 29 HOUSE BILL 1273 3
14698
14799
148100
149- (7) to provide rebates under the Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment 1
150-Rebate Program established under § 9–2009 of this title; 2
101+ (f) The Administration shall use the Fund: 1
151102
152- (8) to provide grants to encourage combined heat and power projects at 3
153-industrial facilities; 4
103+ (1) to invest in the promotion, development, and implementation of: 2
154104
155- (9) to provide at least $1,200,000 in each fiscal year for fiscal year 2025 5
156-through fiscal year 2028 to the Climate Technology Founder’s Fund established under § 6
157-10–858 of the Economic Development Article; 7
105+ (i) cost–effective energy efficiency and conservation programs, 3
106+projects, or activities, including measurement and verification of energy savings; 4
158107
159- (10) subject to subsection (f–2) of this section, to provide at least $2,100,000 8
160-in funding each fiscal year to the Maryland Energy Innovation Fund established under § 9
161-10–835 of the Economic Development Article; 10
108+ (ii) renewable and clean energy resources; 5
162109
163- (11) to provide at least $500,000 each year to the Resiliency Hub Grant 11
164-Program Fund under § 9–2011 of this title; 12
110+ (iii) climate change programs directly related to reducing or 6
111+mitigating the effects of climate change; and 7
165112
166- (12) to provide grants through the Customer–Sited Solar Program under § 13
167-9–2016 of this title; [and] 14
113+ (iv) demand response programs that are designed to promote 8
114+changes in electric usage by customers in response to: 9
168115
169- (13) TO PROVIDE LOANS AND GRANTS FOR BUILDING 15
170-ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION ELECT RIFICATION; AND 16
116+ 1. changes in the price of electricity over time; or 10
171117
172- (14) to pay the expenses of the Program. 17
118+ 2. incentives designed to induce lower electricity use at times 11
119+of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability is jeopardized; 12
173120
174- (f–1) (1) Any funding provided under subsection (f)(9) of this section that is not 18
175-spent in a given fiscal year shall revert to the Fund in the following fiscal year. 19
121+ (2) to provide targeted programs, projects, activities, and investments to 13
122+reduce electricity consumption by customers in the low–income and moderate–income 14
123+residential sectors; 15
176124
177- (2) The Administration may provide additional funding for the purposes 20
178-stated in subsection (f)(9) of this section. 21
125+ (3) to provide supplemental funds for low–income energy assistance 16
126+through the Electric Universal Service Program established under § 7–512.1 of the Public 17
127+Utilities Article and other electric assistance programs in the Department of Human 18
128+Services; 19
179129
180- (f–2) Of the funds transferred to the Maryland Energy Innovation Fund under 22
181-subsection (f)(10) of this section: 23
130+ (4) to provide rate relief by offsetting electricity rates of residential 20
131+customers, including an offset of surcharges imposed on ratepayers under Title 7, Subtitle 21
132+2, Part II of the Public Utilities Article; 22
182133
183- (1) at least $1,200,000 may be used to fund the Maryland Clean Energy 24
184-Center established under § 10–806 of the Economic Development Article; and 25
134+ (5) to provide grants, loans, and other assistance and investment as 23
135+necessary and appropriate to implement the purposes of the Program as set forth in § 24
136+9–20B–03 of this subtitle; 25
185137
186- (2) at least $900,000 may be used to fund the Maryland Energy Innovation 26
187-Institute established under § 10–829 of the Economic Development Article. 27
138+ (6) to implement energy–related public education and outreach initiatives 26
139+regarding reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; 27
188140
189- (g) Proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of allowances under § 2–1002(g) 28
190-of the Environment Article shall be allocated as follows: 29
141+ (7) to provide rebates under the Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment 28
142+Rebate Program established under § 9–2009 of this title; 29
191143
192- (1) at least 50% shall be credited to an energy assistance account to be used 30
193-for the Electric Universal Service Program and other electricity assistance programs in the 31
194-Department of Human Services; 32 HOUSE BILL 1273 5
144+ (8) to provide grants to encourage combined heat and power projects at 30
145+industrial facilities; 31
146+ 4 HOUSE BILL 1273
147+
148+
149+ (9) to provide at least $1,200,000 in each fiscal year for fiscal year 2025 1
150+through fiscal year 2028 to the Climate Technology Founder’s Fund established under § 2
151+10–858 of the Economic Development Article; 3
152+
153+ (10) subject to subsection (f–2) of this section, to provide at least $2,100,000 4
154+in funding each fiscal year to the Maryland Energy Innovation Fund established under § 5
155+10–835 of the Economic Development Article; 6
156+
157+ (11) to provide at least $500,000 each year to the Resiliency Hub Grant 7
158+Program Fund under § 9–2011 of this title; 8
159+
160+ (12) to provide grants through the Customer–Sited Solar Program under § 9
161+9–2016 of this title; [and] 10
162+
163+ (13) TO PROVIDE LOANS AND GRANTS FOR BUILDING 11
164+ELECTRIFICATION AND TRANSPORTATION ELECT RIFICATION; AND 12
165+
166+ (14) to pay the expenses of the Program. 13
167+
168+ (f–1) (1) Any funding provided under subsection (f)(9) of this section that is not 14
169+spent in a given fiscal year shall revert to the Fund in the following fiscal year. 15
170+
171+ (2) The Administration may provide additional funding for the purposes 16
172+stated in subsection (f)(9) of this section. 17
173+
174+ (f–2) Of the funds transferred to the Maryland Energy Innovation Fund under 18
175+subsection (f)(10) of this section: 19
176+
177+ (1) at least $1,200,000 may be used to fund the Maryland Clean Energy 20
178+Center established under § 10–806 of the Economic Development Article; and 21
179+
180+ (2) at least $900,000 may be used to fund the Maryland Energy Innovation 22
181+Institute established under § 10–829 of the Economic Development Article. 23
182+
183+ (g) Proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of allowances under § 2–1002(g) 24
184+of the Environment Article shall be allocated as follows: 25
185+
186+ (1) at least 50% shall be credited to an energy assistance account to be used 26
187+for the Electric Universal Service Program and other electricity assistance programs in the 27
188+Department of Human Services; 28
189+
190+ (2) at least 20% shall be credited to a low and moderate income 29
191+ELECTRIFICATION , efficiency, and conservation programs account and to a general 30
192+ELECTRIFICATION , efficiency, and conservation programs account for 31
193+ELECTRIFICATION , energy efficiency, and conservation programs, projects, or activities 32 HOUSE BILL 1273 5
194+
195+
196+and demand response programs, of which at least one–half shall be targeted to the low and 1
197+moderate income ELECTRIFICATION , efficiency, and conservation programs account for: 2
198+
199+ (i) the low–income residential sector at no cost to the participants 3
200+of the programs, projects, or activities; and 4
201+
202+ (ii) the moderate–income residential sector; 5
203+
204+ (3) at least 20% shall be credited to a renewable and clean energy programs 6
205+account for: 7
206+
207+ (i) renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives; 8
208+
209+ (ii) energy–related public education and outreach; and 9
210+
211+ (iii) climate change and resiliency programs; and 10
212+
213+ (4) up to 10%, but not more than $7,500,000, shall be credited to an 11
214+administrative expense account for costs related to the administration of the Fund, 12
215+including the review of electric company plans for achieving electricity savings and demand 13
216+reductions that the electric companies are required under law to submit to the 14
217+Administration. 15
218+
219+ (g–1) Proceeds received by the Fund from compliance fees under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of 16
220+the Public Utilities Article shall be allocated as follows: 17
221+
222+ (1) beginning in fiscal year 2025, at least 20% of the proceeds shall be used 18
223+to provide grants to support the installation of new solar energy generating systems under 19
224+the Customer–Sited Solar Program; 20
225+
226+ (2) up to 10% of the proceeds shall be credited to an administrative expense 21
227+account for costs related to the administration of the Fund; 22
228+
229+ (3) proceeds collected but unused from a previous year shall be used before 23
230+proceeds allocated for the current year; and 24
231+
232+ (4) the Administration shall reallocate to other authorized uses any 25
233+proceeds that are not used within 3 fiscal years after collection. 26
234+
235+ (h) (1) [Energy] ELECTRIFICATION , ENERGY efficiency, and conservation 27
236+programs under subsection (g)(2) of this section include: 28
237+
238+ (i) low–income energy efficiency programs; 29
239+
240+ (ii) residential and small business energy efficiency programs; 30
241+
242+ (iii) commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs; 31 6 HOUSE BILL 1273
195243
196244
197245
198- (2) at least 20% shall be credited to a low and moderate income 1
199-ELECTRIFICATION, efficiency, and conservation programs account and to a general 2
200-ELECTRIFICATION , efficiency, and conservation programs account for 3
201-ELECTRIFICATION , energy efficiency, and conservation programs, projects, or activities 4
202-and demand response programs, of which at least one–half shall be targeted to the low and 5
203-moderate income ELECTRIFICATION , efficiency, and conservation programs account for: 6
246+ (iv) State and local energy efficiency programs; 1
204247
205- (i) the low–income residential sector at no cost to the participants 7
206-of the programs, projects, or activities; and 8
248+ (v) demand response programs; 2
207249
208- (ii) the moderate–income residential sector; 9
250+ (vi) loan programs and alternative financing mechanisms; and 3
209251
210- (3) at least 20% shall be credited to a renewable and clean energy programs 10
211-account for: 11
252+ (vii) grants to training funds and other organizations supporting job 4
253+training for deployment of energy efficiency and energy conservation technology and 5
254+equipment. 6
212255
213- (i) renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives; 12
256+ (2) Energy–related public education and outreach and renewable and clean 7
257+energy programs and initiatives under subsection (g)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section include: 8
214258
215- (ii) energy–related public education and outreach; and 13
259+ (i) production incentives for specified renewable energy sources; 9
216260
217- (iii) climate change and resiliency programs; and 14
261+ (ii) expansion of existing grant programs for solar, geothermal, and 10
262+wind programs; 11
218263
219- (4) up to 10%, but not more than $7,500,000, shall be credited to an 15
220-administrative expense account for costs related to the administration of the Fund, 16
221-including the review of electric company plans for achieving electricity savings and demand 17
222-reductions that the electric companies are required under law to submit to the 18
223-Administration. 19
264+ (iii) loan programs and alternative financing mechanisms; and 12
224265
225- (g–1) Proceeds received by the Fund from compliance fees under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of 20
226-the Public Utilities Article shall be allocated as follows: 21
266+ (iv) consumer education and outreach programs that are designed to 13
267+reach low–income communities. 14
227268
228- (1) beginning in fiscal year 2025, at least 20% of the proceeds shall be used 22
229-to provide grants to support the installation of new solar energy generating systems under 23
230-the Customer–Sited Solar Program; 24
269+ (i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, compliance fees 15
270+paid under § 7–705(b) of the Public Utilities Article may be used only to make loans and 16
271+grants to support the creation of new Tier 1 renewable energy sources in the State that are 17
272+owned by or directly benefit: 18
231273
232- (2) up to 10% of the proceeds shall be credited to an administrative expense 25
233-account for costs related to the administration of the Fund; 26
274+ (i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 19
275+with [an average] A median income at or below 80% of the [average] median income for the 20
276+State; [or] 21
234277
235- (3) proceeds collected but unused from a previous year shall be used before 27
236-proceeds allocated for the current year; and 28
278+ (ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 22
279+of the Environment Article; OR 23
237280
238- (4) the Administration shall reallocate to other authorized uses any 29
239-proceeds that are not used within 3 fiscal years after collection. 30
281+ (III) HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME . 24
240282
241- (h) (1) [Energy] ELECTRIFICATION , ENERGY efficiency, and conservation 31
242-programs under subsection (g)(2) of this section include: 32
243- 6 HOUSE BILL 1273
283+ (2) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities 25
284+Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 26
285+loans and grants to support the creation of new solar energy sources in the State that are 27
286+owned by or directly benefit: 28
287+
288+ (i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 29
289+with [an average] A median income at or below 80% of the [average] median income for the 30
290+State; 31
291+ HOUSE BILL 1273 7
244292
245293
246- (i) low–income energy efficiency programs; 1
294+ (ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 1
295+of the Environment Article; or 2
247296
248- (ii) residential and small business energy efficiency programs; 2
297+ (iii) households with low to moderate income[, as defined in § 9–2016 3
298+of this title]. 4
249299
250- (iii) commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs; 3
300+ [(i–1) (1) (i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings 5
301+indicated. 6
251302
252- (iv) State and local energy efficiency programs; 4
303+ (ii) “Area median income” has the meaning stated in § 4–1801 of the 7
304+Housing and Community Development Article. 8
253305
254- (v) demand response programs; 5
306+ (iii) “Low and moderate income” means having an annual household 9
307+income that is at or below 120% of the area median income. 10
255308
256- (vi) loan programs and alternative financing mechanisms; and 6
309+ (2)] (3) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b–1) of the Public Utilities 11
310+Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 12
311+loans and grants to promote increased opportunities for the growth and development of 13
312+small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses in the State that install 14
313+geothermal systems in the State. 15
257314
258- (vii) grants to training funds and other organizations supporting job 7
259-training for deployment of energy efficiency and energy conservation technology and 8
260-equipment. 9
315+ (j) (1) The Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner 16
316+as other State money may be invested. 17
261317
262- (2) Energy–related public education and outreach and renewable and clean 10
263-energy programs and initiatives under subsection (g)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section include: 11
318+ (2) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund. 18
264319
265- (i) production incentives for specified renewable energy sources; 12
320+ (3) Any repayment of principal and interest on loans made from the Fund 19
321+shall be paid into the Fund. 20
266322
267- (ii) expansion of existing grant programs for solar, geothermal, and 13
268-wind programs; 14
323+ (4) Balances in the Fund shall be held for the benefit of the Program, shall 21
324+be expended solely for the purposes of the Program, and may not be used for the general 22
325+obligations of government. 23
269326
270- (iii) loan programs and alternative financing mechanisms; and 15
327+ (k) Expenditures from the Fund shall be made by: 24
271328
272- (iv) consumer education and outreach programs that are designed to 16
273-reach low–income communities. 17
329+ (1) an appropriation in the annual State budget; or 25
274330
275- (i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, compliance fees 18
276-paid under § 7–705(b) of the Public Utilities Article may be used only to make loans and 19
277-grants to support the creation of new Tier 1 renewable energy sources in the State that are 20
278-owned by or directly benefit: 21
331+ (2) a budget amendment in accordance with § 7–209 of the State Finance 26
332+and Procurement Article. 27
279333
280- (i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 22
281-with [an average] A median income at or below 80% of the [average] median income for the 23
282-State; [or] 24
334+ (l) An expenditure by budget amendment may be made under subsection (k) of 28
335+this section only after: 29
283336
284- (ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 25
285-of the Environment Article; OR 26
286-
287- (III) HOUSEHOLDS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOME . 27
288-
289- (2) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b)(2)(i)2 of the Public Utilities 28
290-Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 29
291-loans and grants to support the creation of new solar energy sources in the State that are 30
292-owned by or directly benefit: 31 HOUSE BILL 1273 7
337+ (1) the Administration has submitted the proposed budget amendment and 30
338+supporting documentation to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Senate 31
339+Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, House Appropriations Committee, 32
340+and House Economic Matters Committee; and 33 8 HOUSE BILL 1273
293341
294342
295343
296- (i) low– to moderate–income communities located in a census tract 1
297-with [an average] A median income at or below 80% of the [average] median income for the 2
298-State; 3
344+ (2) the committees have had 45 days for review and comment. 1
299345
300- (ii) overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 4
301-of the Environment Article; or 5
346+ (m) (1) A loan or grant made available from the Fund to a unit of State or local 2
347+government shall comply with §§ 14–416 and 17–303 of the State Finance and Procurement 3
348+Article. 4
302349
303- (iii) households with low to moderate income[, as defined in § 9–2016 6
304-of this title]. 7
350+ (2) At least 80% of workers participating in a project or program that 5
351+receives money from the Fund must reside within 50 miles of the project or program, or 6
352+another distance defined by the local jurisdiction where the project or program is located. 7
305353
306- [(i–1) (1) (i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings 8
307-indicated. 9
354+9–20B–12. 8
308355
309- (ii) “Area median income” has the meaning stated in § 4–1801 of the 10
310-Housing and Community Development Article. 11
356+ (a) On or before January 1 each year, the Administration shall report to the 9
357+Governor, to the Board, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, to the General 10
358+Assembly and the members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Economic 11
359+Matters Committee on the uses and expenditures of the Fund from the prior fiscal year. 12
311360
312- (iii) “Low and moderate income” means having an annual household 12
313-income that is at or below 120% of the area median income. 13
361+ (b) The report shall include: 13
314362
315- (2)] (3) Compliance fees paid under § 7–705(b–1) of the Public Utilities 14
316-Article shall be accounted for separately within the Fund and may be used only to make 15
317-loans and grants to promote increased opportunities for the growth and development of 16
318-small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses in the State that install 17
319-geothermal systems in the State. 18
363+ (1) a detailed accounting of all amounts IN EXCESS OF $10,000 received 14
364+by and disbursed from the Fund, including the amount and recipient of each grant awarded 15
365+by the Administration[, and identifying multiple grants awarded to the same person or the 16
366+same address]; 17
320367
321- (j) (1) The Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner 19
322-as other State money may be invested. 20
368+ (2) all amounts used by the Administration for administrative purposes, 18
369+including the funding source from which each amount was obtained; 19
323370
324- (2) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund. 21
371+ (3) programs, projects, and activities included in each category under § 20
372+9–20B–05(g) of this subtitle; 21
325373
326- (3) Any repayment of principal and interest on loans made from the Fund 22
327-shall be paid into the Fund. 23
374+ (4) the status of programs, projects, activities, and investments 22
375+implemented with funds from the Fund, including an evaluation of the impact of the 23
376+programs, projects, activities, and investments that are directed to low–income or 24
377+moderate–income residential sectors or to other particular classes of ratepayers; 25
328378
329- (4) Balances in the Fund shall be held for the benefit of the Program, shall 24
330-be expended solely for the purposes of the Program, and may not be used for the general 25
331-obligations of government. 26
379+ (5) an estimate of [electricity] GREENHOUSE GAS savings from the 26
380+programs, projects, activities, and investments; 27
332381
333- (k) Expenditures from the Fund shall be made by: 27
382+ (6) the number of allowances sold in each auction; 28
334383
335- (1) an appropriation in the annual State budget; or 28
384+ (7) the average allowance price from each auction; 29
336385
337- (2) a budget amendment in accordance with § 7–209 of the State Finance 29
338-and Procurement Article. 30
339-
340- (l) An expenditure by budget amendment may be made under subsection (k) of 31
341-this section only after: 32 8 HOUSE BILL 1273
386+ (8) an estimate of revenue from future auctions; 30
387+ HOUSE BILL 1273 9
342388
343389
390+ (9) an accounting of all amounts received or disbursed by the Fund from 1
391+all other sources, including money received in accordance with orders issued and settlement 2
392+agreements approved by the Public Service Commission; 3
344393
345- (1) the Administration has submitted the proposed budget amendment and 1
346-supporting documentation to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Senate 2
347-Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, House Appropriations Committee, 3
348-and House Economic Matters Committee; and 4
394+ (10) recommendations for changes to the allocation of funds under § 4
395+9–20B–05(g) of this subtitle; 5
349396
350- (2) the committees have had 45 days for review and comment. 5
397+ (11) the status of programs and expenditures in the current fiscal year; and 6
351398
352- (m) (1) A loan or grant made available from the Fund to a unit of State or local 6
353-government shall comply with §§ 14–416 and 17–303 of the State Finance and Procurement 7
354-Article. 8
399+ (12) possible or expected program initiatives and changes in later years. 7
355400
356- (2) At least 80% of workers participating in a project or program that 9
357-receives money from the Fund must reside within 50 miles of the project or program, or 10
358-another distance defined by the local jurisdiction where the project or program is located. 11
359-
360-9–20B–12. 12
361-
362- (a) On or before January 1 each year, the Administration shall report to the 13
363-Governor, to the Board, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, to the General 14
364-Assembly and the members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Economic 15
365-Matters Committee on the uses and expenditures of the Fund from the prior fiscal year. 16
366-
367- (b) The report shall include: 17
368-
369- (1) a detailed accounting of all amounts IN EXCESS OF $10,000 received 18
370-by and disbursed from the Fund, including the amount and recipient of each grant awarded 19
371-by the Administration[, and identifying multiple grants awarded to the same person or the 20
372-same address]; 21
373-
374- (2) all amounts used by the Administration for administrative purposes, 22
375-including the funding source from which each amount was obtained; 23
376-
377- (3) programs, projects, and activities included in each category under § 24
378-9–20B–05(g) of this subtitle; 25
379-
380- (4) the status of programs, projects, activities, and investments 26
381-implemented with funds from the Fund, including an evaluation of the impact of the 27
382-programs, projects, activities, and investments that are directed to low–income or 28
383-moderate–income residential sectors or to other particular classes of ratepayers; 29
384-
385- (5) an estimate of [electricity] GREENHOUSE GAS savings from the 30
386-programs, projects, activities, and investments; 31
387-
388- (6) the number of allowances sold in each auction; 32
389-
390- (7) the average allowance price from each auction; 33 HOUSE BILL 1273 9
391-
392-
393-
394- (8) an estimate of revenue from future auctions; 1
395-
396- (9) an accounting of all amounts received or disbursed by the Fund from 2
397-all other sources, including money received in accordance with orders issued and settlement 3
398-agreements approved by the Public Service Commission; 4
399-
400- (10) recommendations for changes to the allocation of funds under § 5
401-9–20B–05(g) of this subtitle; 6
402-
403- (11) the status of programs and expenditures in the current fiscal year; and 7
404-
405- (12) possible or expected program initiatives and changes in later years. 8
406-
407- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 9
408-1, 2025. 10
409-
410-
411-
412-Approved:
413-________________________________________________________________________________
414- Governor.
415-________________________________________________________________________________
416- Speaker of the House of Delegates.
417-________________________________________________________________________________
418- President of the Senate.
401+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, Th at this Act shall take effect July 8
402+1, 2025. 9