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HB0451 • 2026

Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

Education Energy
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Delegates Fraser-Hidalgo , Solomon , Wolek , Boyce , Foley , Holmes , Odom , and Stein
Last action
2026-05-12
Official status
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 540
Effective date
2026-06-01

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on any changes to the membership composition, only that it has been altered.

Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Reporting and Sunset Extension

This law changes the reporting requirements for the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council and removes its termination date.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Council to submit annual reports of its work and recommendations by December 1st each year, starting in 2026.
  • Removes the previous deadline for when the Council would end its operations.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The members of the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council
  • State agencies and officials involved with electric vehicle infrastructure

Terms To Know

Zero emission electric vehicle
An electric car that does not release any pollutants into the air.
Plug-in electric drive vehicle
A type of zero emission electric vehicle that needs to be plugged in to charge its battery.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the Council will fund its operations.
  • It is unclear what specific changes were made to the membership composition beyond those explicitly mentioned.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

313929/1

None

Favorable with Amendments { 313929/1 Adopted

Plain English: AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILL 451 (First Reading File Bill) AMENDMENT NO.

  • AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILL 451 (First Reading File Bill) AMENDMENT NO.
  • 1 On page 1, in the sponsor line, strike “ and Wolek ” and substitute “ Wolek, Boyce, Foley, Holmes, Odom, and Stein ”; in lines 2 and 3, strike “Reporting and Sunset E xtension” and substitute “ Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal ”; strike beginning with “deadlines” in line 4 down through “for” in line 5 and substitute “membership and duties of ”; in line 5, strike “extending” and substitute “ repealing”; strike in their entirety lines 8 through 12, inclusive; and in line 15, strike “2–113(h)” and substitute “2–113”.
  • AMENDMENT NO.
  • 2 On page 1, after line 24, insert: “(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
443422/1

None

Favorable with Amendments { 443422/1 Adopted

Plain English: AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 451 (Third Reading File Bill) On page 2, in lines 8, 10, 12, 13, and 14, in each instance, strike the brackets; in line 12, strike “(4)”; and in line 13, strike “A”.

  • AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 451 (Third Reading File Bill) On page 2, in lines 8, 10, 12, 13, and 14, in each instance, strike the brackets; in line 12, strike “(4)”; and in line 13, strike “A”.
  • On page 4, in line 3, strike “[(ix)” and substitute “(VIII)”; in line 4, strike “(x)” and substitute “(IX)”; in line 6, strike “(xi)] (VIII)” and substitute “(X)”; and in lines 7, 8, 9, 11, and 14, strike “(IX)”, “(X)”, “(XI)”, “(XII)”, and “(XIII)”, respectively, and substitute “(XI)”, “(XII)”, “(XIII)”, “(XIV)”, and “(XV)”, respectively.
  • HB0451/443422/1 BY: Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-12 Post Passage

    Approved by the Governor - Chapter 540

  2. 2026-04-06 Senate

    Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

  3. 2026-03-24 House

    House Concurs Senate Amendments

  4. 2026-03-24 House

    Third Reading Passed (95-38)

  5. 2026-03-24 House

    Passed Enrolled

  6. 2026-03-20 Senate

    Third Reading Passed (33-10)

  7. 2026-03-18 Senate

    Favorable with Amendments { 443422/1 Adopted

  8. 2026-03-18 Senate

    Second Reading Passed with Amendments

  9. 2026-03-13 Senate

    Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.

  10. 2026-03-02 House

    Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

  11. 2026-02-23 House

    Third Reading Passed (91-36)

  12. 2026-02-22 House

    Favorable with Amendments { 313929/1 Adopted

  13. 2026-02-22 House

    Second Reading Passed with Amendments

  14. 2026-02-22 Senate

    Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

  15. 2026-01-28 House

    Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.

  16. 2026-01-23 House

    First Reading Environment and Transportation

  17. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - First - Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council – Reporting and Sunset Extension

  18. Maryland General Assembly

    Vote - House - Committee - Environment and Transportation

  19. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Third - Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

  20. Maryland General Assembly

    Vote - Senate - Committee - Education, Energy, and the Environment

  21. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Enrolled - Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

  22. Maryland General Assembly

    Text - Chapter - Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

Official Summary Text

Altering the membership and duties of the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council; requiring the Council to submit annual reports of its work and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2026, and each year thereafter; and repealing the termination date of the Council.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb0451*

HOUSE BILL 451
R7 (6lr1832)
ENROLLED BILL
— Environment and Transportation/Education, Energy, and the Environment —
Introduced by Delegates Fraser–Hidalgo, Solomon, and Wolek Wolek, Boyce, Foley,
Holmes, Odom, and Stein

Read and Examined by Proofreaders:

_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.

Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this

_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.

______________________________________________
Speaker.

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council – Reporting 2
and Sunset Extension Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal 3

FOR the purpose of altering the deadlines for the interim and final reporting requirements 4
for membership and duties of the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle 5
Infrastructure Council; extending repealing the termination date for the Council; 6
and generally relating to the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure 7
Council. 8

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Transportation 10
Section 2–113(b) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13
2 HOUSE BILL 451

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Transportation 2
Section 2–113(h) 2–113 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Chapter 447 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 7
Section 2 8

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 9
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 10

Article – Transportation 11

2–113. 12

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 13

(2) “Council” means the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle 14
Infrastructure Council. 15

(3) [“Fuel cell electric vehicle” has the meaning stated in § 11–125.1 of this 16
article. 17

(4)] “Plug–in electric drive vehicle” has the meaning stated in § 11–145.1 of 18
this article. 19

[(5)] (4) “Zero emission electric vehicle” includes[: 20

(i) A] A plug–in electric drive vehicle[; and 21

(ii) A fuel cell electric vehicle]. 22

(b) There is a Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council. 23

(c) The Council consists of the following members: 24

(1) One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 25
the Senate; 26

(2) Two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of 27
the House; 28

(3) The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; 29
HOUSE BILL 451 3

(4) The Secretary of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee; 1

(5) The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee; 2

(6) The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; 3

(7) The Secretary of General Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 4

(8) THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, OR THE SECRETARY’S 5
DESIGNEE; 6

(9) The Executive Director of t he Technical Staff of the Maryland Public 7
Service Commission, or the Executive Director’s designee; 8

[(9)] (10) The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, or the 9
Director’s designee; 10

[(10)] (11) The People’s Counsel, or the People’s Counsel’s designee; and 11

[(11)] (12) The following members appointed by the Governor: 12

(i) [One representative of an institution of higher education in the 13
State with expertise in energy, transportation, or the environment; 14

(ii)] Two representatives of the Maryland Association of Counties, 15
including: 16

1. A representative who resides in a rural region of the State; 17
and 18

2. A representative who resides in an urban or suburban 19
region of the State; 20

[(iii)] (II) Two representatives of the Maryland Mu nicipal League, 21
including: 22

1. A representative who resides in a rural region of the State; 23
and 24

2. A representative who resides in an urban or suburban 25
region of the State; 26

[(iv)] (III) One representative of an electric vehicle driver advocacy 27
organization; 28

4 HOUSE BILL 451

[(v)] (IV) Two representatives of electric companies in the State; 1

[(vi)] (V) One representative of a light –duty plug–in electric drive 2
vehicle manufacturer; 3

[(vii)] (VI) One representative of a heavy–duty plug–in electric drive 4
vehicle manufacturer; 5

[(viii)] (VII) One representative of a manufacturer of plug –in electric 6
drive vehicle charging stations; 7

[(ix) (VIII) One representative of manufacturers of fuel cell electric 8
vehicles; 9

(x) (IX) One representative of manufacturers of fuel cell electric 10
vehicle infrastructure equipment; 11

(xi)] (VIII) (X) One representative of fleet vehicle operators; 12

[(xii)] (IX) (XI) One representative of electrical workers; 13

[(xiii)] (X) (XII) Two representatives of the environmental 14
community; 15

[(xiv)] (XI) (XIII) One public member with expertise in energy or 16
transportation policy; 17

[(xv)] (XII) (XIV) One representative of a new vehicle dealer 18
association in the State; AND 19

[(xvi) One representative of the retail electric supplier community; and 20

(xvii)] (XIII) (XV) One representative of an automotive dismantler 21
and recycler that dismantles, destroys, or recycles zero emission electric vehicles and that, 22
if applicable, recycles lithium–ion batteries. 23

(d) The Governor shall designate the chair or cochairs of the Council. 24

(e) The Department shall provide staff support to the Council with the assistance 25
of the Maryland Energy Administration and the Maryland Public Service Commission. 26

(f) A member of the Council: 27

(1) May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but 28

HOUSE BILL 451 5

(2) Is entitled to reimbursement of expenses under the Standard State 1
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 2

(g) The Council shall: 3

(1) [Develop an action plan to facilitate the successful integration of zero 4
emission electric vehicles into the State’s transportation network; 5

(2) Assist in developing and coordinating statewide standards for 6
streamlined permitting and installation of residential and commer cial electric vehicle 7
charging and hydrogen refueling stations and supply equipment; 8

(3) Develop a recommendation for a statewide electric vehicle charging and 9
hydrogen refueling infrastructure plan, including placement opportunities for public 10
charging and hydrogen refueling stations; 11

(4) Increase consumer awareness and demand for zero emission electric 12
vehicles through public outreach; 13

(5) Make recommendations regarding monetary and nonmonetary 14
incentives to support zero emission electric vehicle ownership and maximize private sector 15
investment in zero emission electric vehicles; 16

(6) Develop targeted policies to support fleet purchases of zero emission 17
electric vehicles; 18

(7) Develop charging solutions for existing and future multidwelling units; 19

(8) Develop model procurement practices for light –duty vehicles that 20
include an evaluation of the vehicle life cycle costs inclusive of estimated fuel cost over the 21
anticipated life of the vehicle; 22

(9) Encourage local and regional efforts to pro mote the use of electric 23
vehicles and attract federal funding for State and local zero emission electric vehicle 24
programs; 25

(10) Recommend policies that support zero emission electric vehicle 26
charging and hydrogen refueling from clean energy sources; 27

(11) Recommend a method of displaying pricing information at public 28
charging and hydrogen refueling stations; 29

(12) Establish performance measures for meeting zero emission electric 30
vehicle–related employment, infrastructure, and regulatory goals; and 31

6 HOUSE BILL 451

(13)] IDENTIFY BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES TO THE INTEGRATION OF 1
ZERO EMISSION ELECTR IC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE INTO THE 2
STATE’S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK; 3

(2) IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND RECOMMEND POLICI ES AND 4
BEST–PRACTICE INITIATIVES FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ZERO EMISSION ELECTRIC 5
VEHICLE CHARGING INF RASTRUCTURE INTO THE STATE’S TRANSPORTATION 6
NETWORK, INCLUDING IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS AND BUILDINGS; 7

(3) CONVENE STATE AND LOCAL AGENC IES AND OFFICIALS AN D 8
OTHER INTERESTED STA KEHOLDERS TO ASSIST WITH T HE ALIGNMENT AND 9
COORDINATION OF POLI CIES AND BEST –PRACTICE INITIATIVES FOR THE 10
INTEGRATION OF ZERO EMISSION ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE 11
INTO THE STATE’S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK; 12

(4) ESTABLISH PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR MEE TING ZERO 13
EMISSION ELECTRIC VEHICLE–RELATED USE, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND REGULATORY 14
GOALS; 15

(5) DEVELOP TARGETED POLI CIES TO SUPPORT FLEE T PURCHASES 16
OF ZERO EMISSION ELECTRIC VEHICLES; 17

(6) DEVELOP CHARGING SOLU TIONS FOR EXISTING A ND FUTURE 18
MULTIDWELLING UNITS; AND 19

(7) Pursue other goals and objectives that promote the [utilization] USE of 20
zero emission electric vehicles in the State. 21

(h) (1) On or before December 1, [2024, and] 2027 2026, AND ON OR BEFORE 22
December 1[, 2025,] EACH YEAR THROUGH 2031 THEREAFTER, the Council shall submit 23
interim ANNUAL reports of its work and recommendations to the Governor and, in 24
accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 25

(2) On or before June 30, [2026] 2031, the Council shall submit a final 26
report of its work and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 27
of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 28

Chapter 447 of the Acts of 2024 29

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 30
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of [2] 7 years and, at the end of June 30, 31
[2026] 2031, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be 32
abrogated and of no further force and effect. 33

HOUSE BILL 451 7

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 1
1, 2026. 2

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.