February 2026 Riverkeeper Report

Bills, bills, bills! Unfortunately, I'm not singing the 1999 Destiny's Child hit song, I'm talking about our legislative session! Although warmer weather is (hopefully) on the horizon, most of my time right now is focused on advocating for stronger environmental laws that will better protect and restore our sensitive ecosystems. Currently, Arundel Rivers is tracking over 80 bills and has submitted or is preparing to submit testimony on over 30 bills.

Here are some updates on some Arundel Rivers' priority legislation: 

HB146/SB165: Requirements for Inspections and Pumping Services in Septic Systems. This bill requires septic systems be inspected and pumped out prior to property transfers. The best way to identify a failing or non-functioning septic system is through inspection and this bill takes a reasonable approach (that provides adequate exemptions) that is modeled after a similar well inspection process. Septics can be a significant contributor to nutrient and bacteria pollution in our rivers- this bill is a great step towards chipping away at our wastewater pollution sources. 

HB239/SB36: Starter and Silver Homes Act. While we at Arundel Rivers strongly support the goal of increasing affordable housing supply, we also want to make sure that land use policy does not inadvertently incentivize sprawl development of rural and sensitive landscapes. Arundel Rivers and partners submitted multiple amendments to this bill to protect areas such as critical areas and forested lands from development. We are grateful to the Department of Housing and Community Development for accepting most of our recommended amendments. 

State Budget: With environmental partners across the State, Arundel Rivers is supporting a budget that level-funds the state's environmental agencies, contains no additional diversions from conservation and open space programs, and protects dedicated funding sources for clean water and habitat restoration programs. 

Additional Bills Arundel Rivers is supporting: 

HB 247 Critical Areas Protection Program - Variances Alteration

HB254 Supporting Inclusive Community Adaptation Act

HB331/SB342 Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program 

Additional Bills Arundel Rivers is opposing: 

HB395/SB371: Water Pollution Control - DIscharge Permits - Concentrated Animal Feed Operations

HB613/SB368 Calvert and St Mary's county - Living Shoreline and Nonstructural Stabilization Measures

HB1388/SB875 Oysters - Rotational Harvest - Pilot Program

See you in the halls of Annapolis, 

Elle Bassett

South, West, and Rhode Riverkeeper