Senate advances climate‑insurance study bill after debate over scope and funding

Senate Bill 739, presented on the floor March 20, 2026, would commission a data‑driven study of how climate change is altering risk across Maryland and how insurance markets are responding — aimed at protecting homeowners in areas where federal disaster aid is unavailable or denied.

Floor leader (speaker 19) told the Senate the study "is to look at what do we do where we have found ourselves in a situation like Allegheny County, where the federal government completely abandoned the residents," and said the Strategic Energy Investment Fund would provide $150,000 toward the work. The sponsor said the study would examine market failures that leave homeowners uninsured and provide policymakers with options to maintain insurance availability.

Opponents and questioners pressed whether the study would scrutinize state policies already enacted in Annapolis. Minority members sought clarity on whether the University of Maryland would investigate the General Assembly’s own policy choices. The floor leader replied the bill is not intended to "look into the fine work that we have been doing here in the Maryland General Assembly," but rather to examine solutions where federal support has fallen short.

Committee amendments adopted on the floor clarified membership, added a representative, and addressed the modest fiscal note. After debate, the Senate adopted the committee amendments without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading.

What happens next: The bill will return for third‑reading consideration; if passed, the study would be carried out under the timelines and reporting requirements specified in the bill and funded as described in the committee report.