EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0983*
SENATE BILL 983
C5, M5 5lr0809
SB 1025/24 – EEE CF HB 827
By: Senator Brooks
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2025
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Solar Energy – Distributed Generation Certificate of Public Convenience and 2
Necessity, Ground–Mounted Solar, and Small Solar Siting Workgroup 3
FOR the purpose of establishing a distributed generation certificate of public convenience 4
and necessity to authorize the construction and operation of a certain distributed 5
solar energy generating system; requiring the Power Plant Research Program, by a 6
certain date, to develop and submit to the Public Service Commission proposed siting 7
and design requirements and licensing conditions; prohibiting a person from 8
beginning construction of a distributed solar energy generating system unless a 9
distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity or certificate of 10
public convenience and necessity is first obtained from the Commission; prohibiting 11
a county from enacting zoning laws or adopting regulations restricting or prohibiting 12
the construction or operation of certain ground–mounted solar systems and facilities; 13
establishing a Small Solar Siting Workgroup to review, determine, and make 14
recommendations regarding certain best practices and statewide model policies for 15
certain solar energy generating systems; and generally relating to solar energy. 16
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
Article – Natural Resources 18
Section 3–306(a)(1) 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 22
Article – Public Utilities 23
Section 7–207(b)(1)(i) and (ii) and 7–207.1(c)(1) 24
Annotated Code of Maryland 25
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 27
Article – Public Utilities 28 2 SENATE BILL 983
Section 7–207(h) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3
BY adding to 4
Article – Public Utilities 5
Section 7–207.4 6
Annotated Code of Maryland 7
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 8
Preamble 9
WHEREAS, The State has set aggressive minimum renewable energy requirements, 10
recognizing that a shift toward sustainable energy sources is crucial for the health of our 11
planet and the well–being of future generations; and 12
WHEREAS, The State has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% 13
from 2006 levels, reflecting a proactive stance in the global effort to combat climate change; 14
and 15
WHEREAS, Distributed solar energy generation is an essential component of 16
meeting these aggressive policies, offering both economic opportunities and environmental 17
benefits; and 18
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds that an efficient permitting process for 19
distributed solar energy generating stations with consistency across jurisdictions is 20
necessary to meet the State’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction 21
commitments and can be structured to preserve farmland and forests; now, therefore, 22
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 23
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 24
Article – Natural Resources 25
3–306. 26
(a) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this article or the Public 27
Utilities Article, on application to the Public Service Commission for a certificate of public 28
convenience and necessity associated with power plant construction IN ACCORDANCE 29
WITH § 7–207 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ARTICLE, the Commission shall notify 30
immediately the Department [of Natural Resources] and the Department of the 31
Environment of the application. 32
Article – Public Utilities 33
7–207. 34
SENATE BILL 983 3
(b) (1) (i) [Unless] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF 1
THIS PARAGRAPH , UNLESS a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the 2
construction is first obtained from the Commission, a person may not begin construction in 3
the State of: 4
1. a generating station; or 5
2. a qualified generator lead line. 6
(ii) [If a person obtains Commission approval for construction under 7
§ 7–207.1 of this subtitle, the Commission shall exempt a person from the requirement to 8
obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this section.] A PERSON IS 9
NOT REQUIRED TO OBTA IN A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE A ND 10
NECESSITY UNDER THIS SECTION IF THE PERSO N OBTAINS: 11
1. COMMISSION APPROVAL F OR CONSTRUCTION UNDE R 12
§ 7–207.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 13
2. A DISTRIBUTED GENERA TION CERTIFICATE O F 14
PUBLIC CONVENIENCE A ND NECESSITY UNDER § 7–207.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 15
(h) (1) A county or municipal corporation has the authority to approve or deny 16
any local permit required under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued 17
under this section. 18
(2) A county or municipal corporation shall approve or deny any local 19
permits required under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this 20
section: 21
(i) within a reasonable time; and 22
(ii) to the extent local laws are not preempted by State law, in 23
accordance with local laws. 24
(3) A county or municipal corporation may not condition the approval of a 25
local permit required under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under 26
this section on receipt of any of the following approvals for any aspect of a generating 27
station, an overhead transmission line, or a qualified lead line proposed to be constructed 28
under the certificate: 29
(i) a conditional use approval; 30
(ii) a special exception approval; or 31
(iii) a floating zone approval. 32
4 SENATE BILL 983
7–207.1. 1
(c) (1) The Commission shall require a person that is exempted from the 2
requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity UNDER § 3
7–207(B)(1)(II)1 OF THIS SUBTITLE to obtain approval from the Commission under this 4
section before the person may construct a generating station described in subsection (b) of 5
this section. 6
7–207.4. 7
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 8
INDICATED. 9
(2) “DISTRIBUTED GENERATIO N CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC 10
CONVENIENCE AND NECE SSITY” OR “DGCPCN” MEANS A CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY 11
THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION THAT AUTHORI ZES THE CONSTRUCTION 12
AND OPERATION OF A D ISTRIBUTED SOLAR ENE RGY GENERATING SYSTE M. 13
(3) “DISTRIBUTED SOLAR ENE RGY GENERATING SYS TEM” MEANS A 14
COMMUNITY SOLAR ENER GY GENERATING SYSTEM , AS DEFINED IN § 7–306.2 OF 15
THIS TITLE, THAT: 16
(I) WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC 17
CONVENIENCE AND NECE SSITY UNDER § 7–207 OF THIS SUBTITLE IF THE SYSTEM 18
DOES NOT OBTAIN A DGCPCN UNDER THIS SECTION ; 19
(II) HAS A CAPACITY TO PR ODUCE MORE THAN 2 MEGAWATTS 20
BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 MEGAWATTS OF ALTERNA TING CURRENT ; AND 21
(III) IS NOT LOCATED WITHI N A MUNICIPAL CORPOR ATION. 22
(4) “FOREST” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 5–1601 OF THE 23
NATURAL RESOURCES ARTICLE. 24
(5) “POWER PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM” MEANS THE PROGRAM 25
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES UNDER TITLE 3, SUBTITLE 3 26
OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES ARTICLE. 27
(6) “STANDARD LICENSING CO NDITIONS” MEANS THE 28
PREDETERMINED LICENS ING CONDITIONS ADOPTED BY T HE COMMISSION UNDER 29
THIS SECTION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPE RATION OF A DISTRIBU TED SOLAR 30
ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM THAT HAS BEEN I SSUED A DGCPCN UNDER THIS 31
SECTION. 32
SENATE BILL 983 5
(7) “STANDARD SITING AND D ESIGN REQUIREMENTS ” MEANS THE 1
PREDETERMI NED OBJECTIVE REQUIR EMENTS ADOPTED BY TH E COMMISSION 2
UNDER THIS SECTION F OR THE SITING AND DE SIGN OF A DISTRIBUTE D SOLAR 3
ENERGY GENERATING SY STEM THAT HAS BEEN I SSUED A DGCPCN UNDER THIS 4
SECTION. 5
(B) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH 6
PROGRAM, AFTER GIVING NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT , 7
SHALL DEVELOP AND SU BMIT TO THE COMMISSION PROPOSED S TANDARD SITING 8
AND DESIGN REQUIREME NTS AND PROPOSED STA NDARD LICENSING COND ITIONS 9
FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A DGCPCN. 10
(2) IN DEVELOPING THE PROPOSED STANDARD SI TING AND DESIGN 11
REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROPOSED STANDARD LI CENSING CONDITIONS , THE 12
POWER PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM SHALL CONSIDE R: 13
(I) ACHIEVEMENT OF THE STATE’S CLIMATE AND RENEWA BLE 14
ENERGY COMMITMENTS ; 15
(II) REASONABLE SETBACKS AND LANDSCAPE SCREENING 16
REQUIREMENTS ; 17
(III) ENVIRONMENTAL PRESER VATION, INCLUDING 18
PROHIBITIONS ON FORE ST CLEARANCE EXCEPT WHERE NECESSARY TO : 19
1. REDUCE SOLAR PANEL S HADING NEAR THE 20
PERIMETER OF THE PRO JECT SITE; 21
2. FACILITATE INTERCONN ECTION INF RASTRUCTURE ; 22
AND 23
3. ENSURE ADEQUATE SITE ACCESS; 24
(IV) STORMWATER MANAGEMEN T, EROSION AND SEDIMENT 25
CONTROL, AND SITE STABILIZATI ON, ACCOUNTING FOR : 26
1. THE EFFECTS OF RUNOF F FROM SOLAR PANELS ; 27
2. THE IMPACTS OF SOLAR PANELS ON SOIL DENSI TY 28
AND COMPACTION ; AND 29
3. THE IMPACTS OF SOLAR PANELS ON GROUND COV ER 30
UNDER THE PANELS ; 31 6 SENATE BILL 983
(V) MINIMIZATION AND MIT IGATION OF THE EFFEC TS OF A 1
DISTRIBUTED SOLAR EN ERGY GENERATING SYST EM ON HISTORIC SITES ; 2
(VI) PUBLIC SAFETY; 3
(VII) INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES; AND 4
(VIII) LICENSING CONDITIONS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED B Y THE 5
COMMISSION FOR SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SY STEMS, INCLUDING 6
REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO DECOMMISSIONING . 7
(C) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T 8
REGULATIONS TO : 9
(I) IMPLEMENT STANDARD S ITING AND DESIGN 10
REQUIREMENTS AND STA NDARD LICENSING COND ITIONS FOR A DGCPCN; 11
(II) SPECIFY THE FORM OF THE APPLICATION FOR A 12
DISTRIBUTED SOLAR EN ERGY GENERATING SYST EM TO RECEIVE A DGCPCN AND 13
ANY APPLICATION FEE ; AND 14
(III) SPECIFY THE COMMISSION’S PROCEDURE FOR PROC ESSING 15
AN APPLICATION FOR A DGCPCN. 16
(2) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER THE PROPOSED ST ANDARD 17
SITING AND DESIGN RE QUIREMENTS AND THE P ROPOSED STANDARD LIC ENSING 18
CONDITIONS DEVELOPED BY THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM IN 19
ADOPTING THE REGULAT IONS UNDER THIS SUBS ECTION. 20
(3) (I) THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE POWER 21
PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM, MAY PERIODICALLY SOL ICIT PUBLIC COMMENTS 22
REGARDING IMPROVEMEN TS TO THE STANDARD S ITING AND DESIGN 23
REQUIREMENTS AND S TANDARD LICENSING CO NDITIONS FOR A DGCPCN. 24
(II) THE PROCESS FOR SOLIC ITING PUBLIC COMMENT S UNDER 25
SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SH ALL BE THE SAME AS T HE PROCESS FOR 26
SOLICITING PUBLIC CO MMENT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A REGULA TION. 27
(4) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY SET AN APPLICATION FEE FOR A 28
DGCPCN APPLICATION AT AN AM OUNT THAT THE COMMISSION DETERMINES MAY 29
OFFSET THE ADMINISTR ATIVE COSTS OF THE DGCPCN APPROVAL PROCESS . 30
SENATE BILL 983 7
(II) THE ADMINISTRATIVE CO STS UNDER SUBPARAGRA PH (I) OF 1
THIS PARAGRAPH S HALL BE BASED ON AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMB ER OF DGCPCN 2
APPLICATIONS THAT WI LL BE FILED WITH THE COMMISSION EACH YEAR . 3
(D) (1) A PERSON MAY NOT BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF A DI STRIBUTED 4
SOLAR ENERGY GENERAT ING SYSTEM UNLESS : 5
(I) A DGCPCN IS FIRST OBTAINED FR OM THE COMMISSION IN 6
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION; OR 7
(II) A CERTIFICATE OF PUB LIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY 8
IS FIRST OBTAINED FR OM THE COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH § 7–207 OF THIS 9
SUBTITLE. 10
(2) WHEN A PERSON SUBMITS AN APPLICATION FOR A DGCPCN TO 11
THE COMMISSION, THE PERSON SHALL SUB MIT A COPY OF THE AP PLICATION TO: 12
(I) THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM; AND 13
(II) THE GOVERNING BODY O F THE COUNTY WHERE T HE 14
DISTRIBUTED SOLAR EN ERGY GENERATING SYST EM IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED. 15
(E) (1) AFTER RECEIVING AN AP PLICATION FOR A DGCPCN BUT 16
BEFORE A DETERMINATI ON IS MADE UNDER SUB SECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION, THE 17
COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE AN OPPORTUNITY F OR PUBLIC COMMENT AN D HOLD 18
A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN APPLICATION FOR A DGCPCN IN EACH COUNTY IN 19
WHICH ANY PORTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTED SOLA R ENERGY 20
GENERATING SYSTEM IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCAT ED. 21
(2) THE COMMISSION MAY HOLD T HE PUBLIC HEARING VI RTUALLY 22
RATHER THAN IN PERSO N IF THE COMMISSION PROVIDES A COMPARABLE 23
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBL IC COMMENT AND PARTI CIPATION IN THE HEAR ING. 24
(F) (1) WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE AN APPLICATION FOR A 25
DGCPCN IS FILED WITH THE COMMISSION, THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH 26
PROGRAM SHALL : 27
(I) DETERMINE WHETHER TH E DISTRIBUTED SOLAR ENERGY 28
GENERATING SYSTEM SATISFIES THE STANDA RD SITING AND DESIGN 29
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DGCPCN; AND 30
(II) NOTIFY THE COMMISSION IN WRITING AS TO THE 31
DETERMINATION MADE U NDER ITEM (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , INCLUDING HOW AN 32 8 SENATE BILL 983
APPLICATION THAT IS DETERMINED NOT TO SA TISFY THE STANDARD S ITING AND 1
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS CAN CURE THE DEFICIE NCY. 2
(2) IN MAKING A DETERMINA TION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 3
SUBSECTION, THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM SHALL CONSIDE R PUBLIC 4
COMMENTS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION. 5
(G) (1) WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH 6
PROGRAM MAKES ITS DET ERMINATION UNDER SUB SECTION (F)(1) OF THIS 7
SECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL SCHE DULE A HEARING TO CO NSIDER THE 8
APPLICATION FOR A DGCPCN. 9
(2) (I) AT THE HEARING UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 10
SUBSECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL DETERMINE WHET HER THE PROPOSED 11
DISTRIBUTED SOLAR EN ERGY GENERATING SYST EM SATISFIES THE STA NDARD 12
SITING AND DESIGN RE QUIREMENTS . 13
(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL ISSU E A DGCPCN TO AN 14
APPLICANT TO CONSTRU CT A PROPOSED DISTRI BUTED SOLAR ENERGY 15
GENERATING SYSTEM SUBJECT TO TH E STANDARD LICENSING CONDITIONS IF THE 16
COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE PROPOSED DI STRIBUTED SOLAR ENER GY 17
GENERATING SYSTEM SA TISFIES THE STANDARD SITING AND DESIGN 18
REQUIREMENTS . 19
(III) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT IS SUE A DGCPCN TO AN 20
APPLICANT IF THE PROPOSED DISTRIBUTED SOLAR EN ERGY GENERATING SYST EM 21
DOES NOT SATISFY EAC H OF THE STANDARD SI TING AND DESIGN REQU IREMENTS. 22
(3) IN MAKING A DETERMINA TION UNDER THIS SUBS ECTION, THE 23
COMMISSION MAY CONSID ER PUBLIC COMMENTS R ECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION 24
UNDER SUBSECTION (E) OF THIS SECTION. 25
(H) (1) A DGCPCN ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION 26
SHALL REQUIRE THE PE RSON CONSTRUCTING TH E DISTRIBUTED SOLAR ENERGY 27
GENERATING SYSTEM TO OBTAIN THE FOLLOWING PERMITS AND APPROVAL S FROM 28
THE COUNTY , MUNICIPAL CORPORATIO N, OR SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT IN 29
WHICH THE SYSTEM IS TO BE C ONSTRUCTED : 30
(I) SITE PLAN APPROVAL ; 31
(II) STORMWATER MANAGEMEN T PLAN APPROVAL ; 32
(III) EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN APPROVA L; 33 SENATE BILL 983 9
(IV) ALL APPLICABLE BUILD ING AND ELECTRICAL P ERMITS; 1
AND 2
(V) ANY ADDITIONAL LOCAL PERMIT REQUIRED BY THE 3
STANDARD LICENSING C ONDITIONS. 4
(2) THE PROVISIONS OF § 7–207(H) OF THIS SUBTITLE SHA LL APPLY 5
TO ANY PERMITS AND A PPROVALS REQUIRED UN DER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 6
SUBSECTION. 7
(I) A DGCPCN ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION HAS 8
THE SAME FORCE AND EF FECT AS A CERTIFICAT E OF PUBLIC CONVENIE NCE AND 9
NECESSITY ISSUED UND ER § 7–207 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 10
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That a county may not enact zoning 11
laws or adopt regulations that restrict or prohibit the construction or operation of energy 12
generating systems or facilities that are ground–mounted solar with a capacity to produce 13
up to 2 megawatts of alternating current. 14
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 15
(a) There is a Small Solar Siting Workgroup. 16
(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 17
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 18
the Senate; 19
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 20
House; 21
(3) one representative of the Maryland Energy Administration, designated 22
by the Director of the Administration; 23
(4) one representative of the Department of Natural Resources, designated 24
by the Secretary of Natural Resources; 25
(5) one representative of the Department of the Environment, designated 26
by the Secretary of the Environment; 27
(6) one representative of the Department of Agriculture, designated by the 28
Secretary of Agriculture; 29
(7) one representative of the Department of Planning, designated by the 30
Secretary of Planning; 31 10 SENATE BILL 983
(8) one representative of the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Solar 1
Association, designated by the President of the Association; 2
(9) one representative of the Solar Energy Industries Association, 3
designated by the President of the Association; 4
(10) one representative of the Coalition for Community Solar Access, 5
designated by the President of the Coalition; 6
(11) one representative of the Maryland Association of Counties, designated 7
by the President of the Association; 8
(12) one representative of the Maryland Farm Bureau, designated by the 9
President of the Bureau; 10
(13) one representative of Forever Maryland, designated by the Executive 11
Director of Forever Maryland; 12
(14) one representative of the League of Conservation Voters, designated by 13
the Chair of the Board of Directors of the League; 14
(15) one representative of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 15
designated by the Executive Director of the Network; and 16
(16) one representative of the Maryland Sierra Club, designated by the 17
Director of the Club. 18
(c) The representative of the Maryland Energy Administration shall serve as 19
chair of the Workgroup. 20
(d) The Maryland Energy Administration shall provide staff for the Workgroup. 21
(e) A member of the Workgroup: 22
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 23
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 24
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 25
(f) The Workgroup shall review, determine, and make recommendations 26
regarding: 27
(1) best practices for solar energy generating systems with capacities of up 28
to 2 megawatts of alternating current, including: 29
(i) the possibility of statewide setback and screening requirements; 30 SENATE BILL 983 11
(ii) whether there should be additional State or local incentives for 1
the development of solar energy generating systems on brownfields, parking lots, and other 2
non–agriculturally–zoned land; 3
(iii) whether there should be additional State or local incentives for 4
agrivoltaics development; and 5
(iv) what other forms of standardization should apply to these solar 6
energy generating systems; and 7
(2) the establishment of a statewide model policy for solar energy 8
generating systems with capacities of up to 2 megawatts of alternating current. 9
(g) On or before December 1, 2025, the Workgroup shall submit an interim report 10
of its initial findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 11
2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 12
(h) On or before December 1, 2026, the Workgroup shall submit a final report of 13
its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the 14
State Government Article, the General Assembly. 15
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Sections 1 and 2 of thi s Act 16
may not be applied or interpreted to have any effect on or application to the construction 17
or modification of any solar energy generating system for which a certificate of public 18
convenience and necessity or other required approval was obtained before the effective date 19
of the regulations adopted by the Public Service Commission under § 7–207.4(c) of the 20
Public Utilities Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act. 21
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That it is the intent of the General 22
Assembly that nothing in Section 2 or 3 of this Act be construed to abrogate, modify, or 23
limit the holding of the Supreme Court of Maryland in Board of County Commissioners of 24
Washington County, Maryland v. Perennial Solar, LLC, 464 Md. 610 (2019). 25
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 26
1, 2025. Sections 2 and 3 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and, at the 27
end of June 30, 2027, Sections 2 and 3 of this Act, with no further action required by the 28
General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 29