On February 19, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 265 – Community Solar Energy Generating Systems – Prohibited Locations – Adjacent Parcels with amendments. 

This bill would remove the existing prohibition on co-locating community solar projects on adjacent parcels. Sponsor amendments, supported by MACo, would align community solar siting and revise standards with the safeguards enacted under the Renewable Energy Certainty Act of 2025.

Counties support expanding access to community solar but seek to modernize siting guardrails to ensure consistent, predictable standards that protect priority preservation areas, manage local impacts, and safeguard public interests as Maryland’s energy framework continues to evolve. Together, these changes preserve the benefits of community solar while providing clear, predictable, and responsible siting standards for local governments.

From MACo Testimony:

After working with the sponsor, counties have agreed on several amendments to modernize and harmonize these guardrails so that community solar and comparable standard solar projects are subject to consistent, predictable safeguards. This approach preserves the benefits of community solar while ensuring local governments have clear and equitable tools to manage siting and community impacts.

SB 265’s cross-file, HB 1607, was heard on March 13 in the Environment and Transportation Committee. Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony in support of this bill with amendments.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog