Bill > S2559

This bill aims to address the issue of crumbling concrete foundations caused by the presence of pyrite or pyrrhotite. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring home inspectors to provide information about the possible presence of pyrite or pyrrhotite in the concrete foundation to potential buyers or lessees. 2. Establishing a licensing system for quarries that produce aggregate concrete, including requirements for geological testing, reporting, and limits on the total sulfur content. Quarries operating without a license will be liable for any property damage and subject to civil penalties. 3. Creating a "Crumbling Concrete Relief Agency" within the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide information to the public, maintain a database of licensed quarries, and administer a "Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund" to provide financial assistance to homeowners for foundation repair or replacement. 4. Allowing homeowners to apply for residential property tax abatements due to the presence of pyrite or pyrrhotite in their foundation, and waiving building permit fees for work associated with crumbling concrete foundation replacement. The bill also includes a provision requiring active quarries to submit a complete license application or obtain interim approval within two months of the bill's passage.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2559