Bill > HB1279

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt, by October 1, 2025, new standards as part of the Maryland Building Performance Standards. The key provisions include: 1. A requirement that new buildings and significant building improvements meet all water and space heating demands without the use of fossil fuels, with some limited waivers available. 2. An electric-ready standard for new buildings granted a waiver from the fossil fuel use requirement. 3. A solar-ready requirement for new larger buildings (20,000 square feet or more of continuous roof space and 20 stories or less in height). 4. New electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for different types of buildings. 5. Energy conservation requirements for new commercial and residential buildings over 25,000 square feet, including gradually decreasing site energy use intensity targets and a net-zero energy balance requirement by 2035. Local jurisdictions can adopt more stringent energy requirements. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2024.