Environment agency asks for modest increase as it pitches fee changes, dam safety work and climate investments

DLS and the Maryland Department of the Environment used the subcommittee hearing to mark implementation priorities and to press for a statutory remedy to declining special‑fund revenues.

DLS analyst Andrew Gray said MDE’s FY25 operating allowance increases by about $2.8 million (1.3%) to $222.2 million and summarized performance measures showing recent gains in air‑quality attainment and concerns about child blood‑lead surveillance data. Gray highlighted programmatic changes including a proposed $1 million statewide recycling needs assessment, procurement of shellfish monitoring boats, and preliminary resources for advanced clean trucks work.

Gray flagged programmatic and reporting issues: delayed contractor reports for blood‑lead surveillance, the need for clarity on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act/Inflation Reduction Act allocations, and questions about staff allocations in statewide subobjects for personnel. He also reviewed progress on the Tree Solutions Now Act (5 million trees by 2031), noting current planting trajectories are far below the target and urging comment on how MDE and partner agencies will accelerate implementation.

Secretary Serena McElwain said the administration has pursued discipline and reallocation to strengthen enforcement, dam safety, and climate work. She told the panel MDE had secured roughly $330 million in federal funding since the governor took office, described the department’s intent to implement building energy performance standards and to pursue an $195 million EPA grant for climate pollution reduction, and advocated HB245 as a fee package that would generate more than $11 million for MDE programs and reduce reliance on general funds.

"The polluter should pay," McElwain said, arguing that several permitting and regulatory programs should be fee‑supported rather than subsidized by general revenue. Senators pressed on where general fund dollars remain necessary, on the increased number of buildings covered by proposed building energy performance standards, and on how MDE will address reporting and sampling‑bias concerns in lead surveillance.

Committee members also focused on dam safety: DLS noted about 557 active dams, with 62 identified in need of repair or unsafe, and recommended funding for five dam engineers and other steps that MDE acknowledged would require resources and clarification in the fiscal plan.

Ending: The committee asked for follow‑up on IIJA/IRA allocations, detailed personnel subobject breakout, and further explanation of how HB245 revenues would be allocated across administrations and programs.