MRN Advocacy 2024
The Maryland General Assembly Session convenes on Wednesday, January 10, 2024
(2024 Session Dates of Interest). Read below for brief recaps of our activities to date:
*See Current Legislation for descriptions of bills we are following as well as statements and actions where applicable.
3/11/2024 Update:
Environment - Office of Recycling - Mattress Stewardship Program - Establishment HB1355. Kitty McIlroy
testified in support with minor amendments during the
Environment and Transportation Committee Hearing on March 6.
3/1/2024 Update:
Environment - Covered Electronic Devices Recycling Program – Establishment SB686 / HB830. MRN President Kitty McIlroy
testified in front of the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on Tuesday, February 20, in support of
SB686.
McIlroy also provided
testimony on Wednesday, February 21, during the House Environment and Transportation Committee Hearing on House version
HB830.
Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety In Maryland SB532 / HB468. Legislative Committee chair Chaz Miller
testified in front of the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on Thursday, February 22, in support of
SB532 emphasizing the dangers that lithium-ion batteries pose to recycling and waste facilities, as well as collection trucks, when placed in recycling and/or trash bins.
Read full statement.
Kitty McIlroy also provided
testimony on the House version
HB468 during the House Economic Matters Hearing on Thursday, February 29, citing the same concerns.
Read full statement.
Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program HB735 / SB642. On Wednesday, February 28, Chaz Miller offered an
informational testimony on
HB735 during the House Environment and Transportation Hearing recommending that no legislative action be taken until the
Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment required by SB222 (passed in 2023) is completed. Miller also
testified on the Senate version
SB642 on Tuesday, March 5.
Read full statement.
Read a full recap of the testimonies.
2/15/2024 Update:
Maryland Paint Stewardship SB325 and HB1: Chaz Miller testified in support of Paint Stewardship at the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee hearing on February 6 and at the House Environment and Transportation Committee hearing (view testimony) on February 7. Miller emphasized that MRN has supported this bill for the last several years and as this year’s version is identical to 2023, which passed both houses but did not make it through the final rush, urged the speedy adoption of the bill as an environmental win for Maryland. Read statement of support for HB1 and SB325.
Plastic Products - Postconsumer Recycled Content Program HB168: During the February 7th House Environment and Transportation Committee hearing, Miller also testified in support of the bill citing that although we support it, we do offer several suggested changes including altering the recycling content goal deadlines, reconsideration of the requirements for household cleaning and personal care products, and expansion of the waiver provision (9-2608) to include conditions found in New Jersey’s law. Read full statement.
2/6/2024 Update: Here's a brief rundown of what we're working on to date:
Paint Stewardship (HB1 and SB325) - Support
Food Waste and Solid Waste Reduction - Grants, Fund, and Surcharge (HB163 and SB56) - Position TBD
Plastic Products - Postconsumer Recycled Content Program (HB168) - Support with amendments
State Buildings and State Highways - Collection of Yard Waste (HB173) - Support with amendments
Covered Electronic Devices Recycling Program - Establishment (HB0830 and SB0686) - Drafted by MRN President Kitty McIlroy and MRN’s Legislative Committee, this bill revises Maryland’s existing Statewide Electronics Recycling Program (SERP) (enacted in 2005, amended in 2007), by enacting a system for reuse, refurbishment and recycling of covered electronic devices (CEDs) by incorporating consumer fees/advanced recovery fees. The bill has both House and Senate sponsors.
Read more on Maryland 2024 Legislation Update – What You Need to Know
If you have any comments or questions in the meanwhile, please don’t hesitate to contact us by reply by email or at (443) 741-8740.