BALTIMORE BULLETIN

The 2026 Maryland Legislative Session has come to an end, leaving in its wake a myriad of climate wins and losses. This past year’s Annual Environmental Forum previewed some of the primary climate legislation to be considered in the 2026 session (highlighted with 🪴 below), and the environmental track at Maryland Jewish Advocacy Day allowed for passionate members of the community to lobby on priority environmental bills (highlighted below with 🌿). Efforts from community members across the state were translated into real legislative progress.

Below, I break down the session's greatest climate achievements, the obstacles that still stand in our way, and how you can remind legislators of the issues you care about! 

Advocacy is an important part of expanding impact within the Coalition, and Maryland has a wide variety of climate legislation to focus on. Keep an eye out for an invitation to the 2026 Annual Environmental Forum, where Adamah and BJC will discuss climate legislation that will be important in the 2027 state session!

All the best,

P.S. As always, feel free to forward this bulletin to your colleagues and/or congregants!

View all past Baltimore Bulletins here.

Bills Passed:

• Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532/SB 841) has made Maryland the third state in the country to authorize balcony solar! Balcony (portable) solar will ensure that all Maryland residents can access solar power without needing a permanent roof affixation. Although balcony solar isn’t currently authorized for commercial buildings, it can be a meaningful action for your organization’s congregants/ employees to take.
• 🪴 Vernal Pools (HB 701/SB 523) legislation was passed to protect vernal pools and other ephemeral wetland habitats, which lost protection in the 2023 SCOTUS decision Sackett v. EPA.
• 🪴 Biosolids Safety and PFAS Protection Act (SB 719/HB 925) was passed to prevent the land application of sewage sludge if it has a concentration at or above 50 ppb of PFOA and PFOS. 
• On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program (HB 410/SB 546) will award grants to eligible entities for on-farm organics recycling, composting, and food waste prevention. 
• HB 405 will reduce barriers to electric vehicle charging in common areas of condos and homes that belong to a homeowner's association.
• HB 35/SB 266 will allow local jurisdictions to regulate trees considered invasive in Maryland. This will allow counties/cities to develop bounty programs on invasive trees like Callery pear or tree of heaven.

Bills Not Passed (YET!):

• 🪴🌿 Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB 437/SB 59) would require MDOT to perform an impact assessment of major highway expansion projects and implement a corresponding public transportation program. The bill passed the House, was amended and passed the Budget and Tax Committee, but stalled on the Senate floor. MDOT is, however, planning to move forward with aspects of the bill administratively.
• 🪴🌿 Bottle Bill (Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program) (HB 0232/SB 0346) would establish a fee and subsequent financial return for the reuse and recycling of beverage containers. The bill had a strong hearing in the House, important new stakeholder support, and amendments that greatly improve the bill. There is support from the House Speaker and the Senate President, and there is strong belief amongst activists that the bill will pass next year.
• 🪴🌿 CHERISH Act (from Cumulative Harms to Environmental Restoration for Improving our Shared Health) (SB 0781/HB 1268) proposes a people-centered approach when considering polluting facility locations and is community-led based on best practices from laws already passed in other states. The bill enhances consequences for permit violations in protected areas that go directly to compensate the community. It is noteworthy that the bill went the furthest that a cumulative impacts bill has gone in Maryland!

Keeping the Momentum Post Session:

This being an election year makes it the perfect time to remind legislators of the issues that you care about! You can do this by:

• Attending town halls
• Attending candidate forums
• Signing action alerts from organizations such as CCAN, IPL-DMV and The Sierra Club
• Emailing and/or calling your elected officials to let them know about issues you feel strongly about
   

Fix that Leak: Practical Ways to Stop Energy (and Money) Loss 

Thursday, May 14 (1-2 pm ET)

In this workshop, we’ll break down how your building’s “envelope” affects comfort and energy use and walk through both low-cost fixes you can start now and larger upgrades to plan for over time.

Myths and Anxieties Around Electrifying: HVAC, EVs, Stoves, and Geothermal

Monday, May 18 (3-4 pm ET)

Don't let the myths and anxieties about today’s new technologies of the clean energy revolution obscure their tremendous benefits. Join us for some myth busting and discover the opportunities waiting for you.

Heat Pumps 101: A Practical Introduction

Thursday, May 21 (1-2 pm ET)

Join us to learn the basics, know the right questions to ask, and see how heat pumps are an achievable step toward a fossil-fuel-free building.

Moving Climate Action Forward: A Two-Part Intensive

Monday, June 1 (3-4 pm ET)

Climate action inside a Jewish organization isn't always a technical challenge, it's also a leadership one. This two-part intensive is designed to give you practical skills and peer support to lead climate action in your organization with more confidence and clarity.

Make Habitat, Not Lawns: Building Community and Connection through Gardens

Monday, June 8 (1-2 pm ET))

Converting lawns into thriving native habitats is not just an ecological effort—it’s a way to build community, deepen connection to Jewish values, and take meaningful climate action right in your yard. Learn more with Adamah and our partners at the National Wildlife Federation.

The Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM) is excited to recruit new members to our national Leadership Board for next school year.

If you have any incredible Jewish teens in your network who you think might be a good fit to join this national board, we invite you to nominate them here: JYCM National Leadership Board Nomination Form. You can also send them the application directly: 2026-2027 Jewish Youth Climate Movement Leadership Board Application.