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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*hb1315*
HOUSE BILL 1315
M3 6lr2183
By: Delegate Pruski
Introduced and read first time: February 12, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Department of the Environment – Vessel–Based Microplastic Particle Removal 2
Technologies – Study 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment, in consultation with the 4
Department of Natural Resources , to con duct a study of technologies installed or 5
used on vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles in the Chesapeake Bay 6
and its tributaries ; and generally relating to microplastic particle removal 7
technologies. 8
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENER AL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 9
That: 10
(a) The Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Department of 11
Natural Resources, shall conduct a comprehensive study of technologies installed or used 12
on vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles and assess their potential to reduce 13
microplastic pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 14
(b) The study shall: 15
(1) identify, describe, and categorize technologies installed or used on 16
vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles, including: 17
(i) microplastic collection devices that use the cooling–water return 18
flow of outboard motors to filter and capture microplastic particles , including devices 19
marketed for outboard engines; 20
(ii) filtration systems designed for installation on commercial vessels 21
or larger vessels that work by drawing in water and removing microplastic particles before 22
discharge; 23
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(iii) floating or stationary systems that remove microplastic particles 1
from surface waters, rivers, or harbors; and 2
(iv) any emerging or experimental technologies designed for 3
installation or use on vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles; 4
(2) assess the technical performance of the technologies identified under 5
item (1) of this subsection, including, to the extent available: 6
(i) microplastic particle size ranges targeted by the technologies; 7
(ii) how efficiently each technology collects or removes microplastic 8
particles under typical operating conditions; 9
(iii) the volume of wat er treated or filtered during normal vessel 10
operation; and 11
(iv) maintenance requirements, filter service intervals, and 12
operational considerations for vessel owners; 13
(3) evaluate the environmental and water quality benefits and drawbacks 14
of using technologies installed or used on vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles 15
in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, including: 16
(i) potential reductions in microplastic concentrations in surface 17
waters and nearshore habitats; 18
(ii) the potential for supporting existing efforts to reduce plastic and 19
microplastic pollution in watersheds, stormwater, and wastewater; and 20
(iii) any adverse environmental impacts associated with the 21
installation, operation, or maintenance of the technologies; 22
(4) analyze the practicality of large–scale or targeted use of technologies 23
installed or used on vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles in the Chesapeake 24
Bay and its tributaries, including: 25
(i) integration with recreational and commercial outboard engines, 26
including charter vessels, marinas, and rental fleets; 27
(ii) use on workboats, research vessels, and other State –owned or 28
locally owned vessels; and 29
(iii) prioritizing use in areas with higher microplastic particle loads, 30
including urban tidal waters, marinas, and shipping channels; 31
HOUSE BILL 1315 3
(5) assess the economic and implementation factors for using technologies 1
installed or used on vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles, including: 2
(i) capital and operating costs for vessel owners and operators; 3
(ii) incentives, grants, or pilot programs to encourage voluntary 4
adoption; 5
(iii) partnerships with manufacturers of outboard motors, boat 6
builders, or distributors to integrate microplastic filters or collectors as standard or optional 7
equipment; 8
(iv) workforce and training needs for the installation and 9
maintenance of the technologies; and 10
(v) opportunities to use federal funding or public –private 11
partnerships for demonstration projects; 12
(6) review regulations, permitting requirements, and policies impacting 13
technologies installed or used on vessels to capture or remove micr oplastic particles , 14
including: 15
(i) federal or State requirements related to onboard water 16
treatment or discharge that impacts the use of the technologies; 17
(ii) whether there is a need for regulatory clarification or guidance 18
on the use or disposal of collected microplastic particles; and 19
(iii) integration of the technologies into Chesapeake Bay restoration, 20
total maximum daily load, or other water quality improvement programs; and 21
(7) identify data and research needs for technologies installed or used on 22
vessels to capture or remove microplastic particles, including: 23
(i) long–term performance and durability; 24
(ii) reductions in microplastic loads throughout the Chesapeake Bay; 25
and 26
(iii) ecological effects of large–scale microplastic particle removal. 27
(c) The Department of the Environment shall: 28
(1) review research, pilot projects, and technology inventories on 29
microplastic removal in marine and estuarine waters , including those relating to 30
technologies installed on or used with vessels and corresponding performance data; 31
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(2) assess opportunities for the State to host or participate in pilot or 1
demonstration projects to test technologies installed or used on vessels to capture or remove 2
microplastic particles in the Chesapeake Bay; 3
(3) consult with the Department of Natural Resources and other State 4
agencies responsible for water quality, boating, fisheries, and Chesapeake Bay restoration; 5
and 6
(4) solicit input from stakeholders, including: 7
(i) manufacturers and distributors of outboard motors and 8
technologies installed or used on vessels to capture microplastic particles; 9
(ii) recreational and commercial boat builders and dealers; 10
(iii) representatives of the charter boat and for –hire fishing 11
industries operating in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; 12
(iv) marina operators and boating trade associations; 13
(v) environmental and watershed advocacy organizations working to 14
reduce plastic and microplastic pollution; 15
(vi) academic and research institutions specializing in microplastics, 16
estuarine ecology, and marine engineering; and 17
(vii) local governments and regional entities involved in Chesapeake 18
Bay restoration. 19
(d) On or before December 1, 2027, the Department of the Environment shall 20
submit an interim report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 21
Government Article, the General Assembly that includes: 22
(1) a description of all technologies reviewed and preliminary findings on 23
performance and potential environmental benefits; 24
(2) an initial assessment of practicability, costs, and stakeholder input; and 25
(3) identification of questions and data needs to be addressed in the 26
remainder of the study. 27
(e) On or before July 1, 2028, the Department of the Environment shall submit a 28
final report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State Government 29
Article, the General Assembly that includes: 30
(1) the results of the study; 31
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(2) an analysis of the effect of technologies installed or used on vessels on 1
microplastic pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; 2
(3) recommendations for policy changes, pilot programs, funding 3
mechanisms, or incentives to support the use of technologies installed or used on vessels to 4
capture or remove microplastic particles where appropriate; and 5
(4) any recommended statutory or regulatory changes necessary to 6
integrate technologies installed or used on vessels to capture or remove microplastic 7
particles into State water quality and Chesapeake Bay restoration programs. 8
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 9
October 1, 2026. 10