MarylandHB 04912025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

St. Mary's County - Metropolitan Commission - Discontinuance of Service

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Counties - Local LawsCommittees and CommissionsPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetySewageSt. Mary's CountyTermination of ServicesWastewaterWater -see also- Coastal Bays; Riv,Str,Lks; Wastewater; etc.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Water and sewer customers face shutoffs

Beginning October 1, 2025, St. Mary’s County’s Metropolitan Commission can stop water and sewer service for unpaid charges. This applies to service, connection, inspection, benefit, or other charges unpaid more than 30 days after their due date. The Commission must collect both turn-off and turn-on charges before restoring service. It can also stop some or all service to improved private property it finds unsafe, unfit, or unsuitable to live in. That finding must result from an accident or a human-caused or natural disaster.

Water rule violators face higher costs

Beginning October 1, 2025, St. Mary’s County’s Metropolitan Commission can use administrative remedies or court action for water or sewer rule violations. These rules cover public water and sewer use, sewer drains, building sewer lines and mains, related equipment, connections, and discharges. Administrative options include violation notices, consent orders, show-cause hearings, compliance orders, cease-and-desist orders, and emergency suspensions. Fines can reach $1,000 per violation per day. The Commission can also charge actual enforcement costs, including time and materials; the former less-than-$1,000 limit is removed without a new fixed maximum. The Commission must establish procedures for using these remedies.

Unsafe properties get utility charge relief

Beginning October 1, 2025, St. Mary’s County’s Metropolitan Commission must pause a property’s ready-to-serve charge during an unsafe-property shutoff. This applies when an accident or human-caused or natural disaster makes an improved private property unsafe, unfit, or unsuitable to live in. The pause starts when the Commission stops service and lasts until service is restored.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 181 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 137 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 599
5/13/2025
Returned Passed
4/5/2025House
Third Reading Passed (44-0)
4/4/2025Senate
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/3/2025Senate
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
4/3/2025Senate
Hearing 4/01 at 3:30 p.m.
4/1/2025Senate
Hearing canceled
4/1/2025Senate
Hearing 4/01 at 1:30 p.m.
4/1/2025Senate
Hearing canceled
4/1/2025Senate
Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
3/17/2025Senate
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/12/2025Senate
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
3/11/2025House
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
3/11/2025House
Favorable with Amendments {103522/1 Adopted
3/11/2025House
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
3/10/2025House
Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.
1/27/2025House
First Reading Environment and Transportation
1/20/2025House

Bill Text

Enacted
5/13/2025
PDF
Third Reading
3/11/2025
PDF
First Reading
1/20/2025
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation