Maryland League of Conservation Voters

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In Their Words …

“On environmental protection depend our quality of life, our security and ultimately our survival. So support the League of Conservation Voters...then get out and vote.”

Russell Train, Former EPA Administrator

Issues & Legislation

2008 Environmental Legislative Wrap-up

At midnight on April 7, the 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned. Thanks to you, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters was successful in keeping the environment front and center for lawmakers.

This session, we made major strides in increasing energy efficiency and protecting our shorelines and the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) was very pleased to have the strong support of the O’Malley Administration, which introduced legislation addressing three of our environmental priorities and fought for the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Continue reading about our environmental priority bills as well as other important environmental initiatives during the 2008 legislative session.

Download our Environmental Legislative Wrap-Up: pdf

2008 Session Wrap-Up 251.39 Kb

Download our press release: pdf

April 8 Session Press Release 31.88 Kb

In the News:

Baltimore Sun Editorial: State legislature adopts an environmental ethos

Global Warming Solutions Now

Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) (SB 309/ HB 712)

Update: Unfortunately, the bill was weakened by a “poison pill” amendment on the Senate floor. Debate on the bill continued into the closing hours of the session when it was ultimately killed in the House Economic Matters committee.

On March 24th, the GWSA, SB 309, was voted out of the Senate (31-16)! See how your Senator voted here.

Download testimony: pdf Global Warming Solutions Act 114.14 Kb

Download press release for hearing and Governor's support: pdf Business Leaders, Scientists, Environmentalists Testify in Favor of Bill to Promote Clean Energy and Cut Global Warming Pollution 25% by 2020 52.39 Kb

Download factsheet: pdf Global Warming Solutions Act 48.11 Kb

What you can do: Email your legislator today to urge them to make Maryland a leader in the fight against climate change.

Critical Areas Reform

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Administrative and Enforcement Provisions (SB 844/ HB 1253)

UPDATE: HB 1253 is on the way to Governor O'Malley's desk! On April 4th, it passed out of the Senate floor 41 - 6. HB 1253 already passed out of the House of Delegates 115-22. See how your delegate voted here.

Download press release: pdf Governor's Critical Area Bill Nears Final Vote 6.18 Kb

Download testimony: Critical Area Reform(Senate) 114.62 Kb , Critical Area (House) 115.29 Kb

Download factsheet: Critical Areas Reform 45.35 Kb

What you can do: Email your legislator today and urge them strengthening Maryland's Critical Areas Law to protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Energy Efficiency for Maryland

EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008 (SB 205/HB 374) and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program (SB 268/HB 368)

UPDATE: These bills were approved by the General Assembly and have been sent to the Governor's desk. See how your Senator voted on SB 205.
Download factsheet: pdf Energy Efficiency Bills 54.60 Kb

Download testimony: pdf Empower Maryland 18.34 Kb
Submitted February 12, 2008

What you can do: Email your legislators today and ask them to vote to save consumers money, create green jobs, and fight global warming!

Dedicated Fund for the Bay

Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund (SB 213/ HB 369)

UPDATE: HB 369 was approved by the General Assembly and has been sent to the governor. SB 213 passed the Senate (46-0) on Friday March 7th! See how your Senator voted. This bill was heard in the House Environmental Matters Committee on March 26th. On March 18, HB 369 passed out of the House (118-17). See how your delegated voted here. The House version of this bill was heard in the Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on March 28th.

In addition, legislators on a joint budget conference committee voted to allocate $25 million in the budget for next year to the dedicated clean-up fund established during special session!

Download testimony: pdf Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund (Senate) 114.12 Kb, pdf Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund (House) 113.71 Kb

Download factsheet: pdf Green Fund Factsheet 40.43 Kb

What you can do: Email your legislators and ask them to fully fund the Bay fund!

Resources

How a Bill Becomes a Law»

How to Get Involved»

Find Your Legislators»

Lobbying/Communications Tips»

Md. General Assembly»

Governor's Website»

2007 Scorecard

Download the pdf
(652 kb)

Legislator Lookup

Not sure who your state legislators are?
Look them up here»

Legend

+ Pro-environment vote
- Anti-environment vote
E Excused absence
A Not voting (advantage for the environment)
a Not voting (disadvantage for the environment