MarylandHB 11622025 Regular SessionHouse

Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, or Refrigeration Contractors - Equipment Sales

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Civil fines for equipment rule violations

Beginning October 1, 2025, people, including company officers, face civil fines for breaking the equipment sales rules. The maximum is $1,000 for a first violation and $5,000 for a second or later violation. For other heating, cooling, and refrigeration contractor-law violations, the Board may impose up to $5,000 per violation, unless another limit applies. The Board weighs seriousness, harm, good faith, past violations, and other relevant factors when setting its penalties. Actual fines can be lower than the maximum, and collected penalties go to Maryland’s General Fund.

New limits on equipment sales

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland sellers cannot knowingly sell or offer heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration equipment to ineligible buyers. Buyers must hold a Board-issued master, master-restricted, or limited license; employ someone with one; resell to Board-licensed people; or qualify for a licensing exemption. An exception covers sellers of construction materials beyond equipment-installation materials when equipment sales provide less than 25% of revenue. Single-family homeowners doing their own work remain exempt, as do people building single-family homes for their own residence. Other exemptions cover qualifying utility and government employees, licensed engineers, and regular property-maintenance employees working on their employer’s property. Exemptions also cover self-contained appliances not exceeding 225 volts or 25 amperes, and fuel-supplier employees who exclusively install oil burners. Qualifying master electricians working on electric resistance heat and master plumbers working on hydronic heating systems also remain exempt.

Equipment sellers must give licensing notices

Beginning October 1, 2025, equipment sellers must give buyers a written licensing notice at the time of sale. The notice explains Maryland’s license requirements for providing or helping with heating, cooling, and refrigeration services, including installation. This replaces the requirement to collect buyers’ names and license numbers. The Board must adopt implementing regulations by January 1, 2026, including the required notice information.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Dana Stein
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 49

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 11 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 101 • No: 38

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 386
5/6/2025
Returned Passed
4/7/2025House
Third Reading Passed (35-11)
4/7/2025Senate
Second Reading Passed
4/5/2025Senate
Favorable Adopted
4/5/2025Senate
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
4/5/2025Senate
Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.
3/18/2025Senate
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/17/2025Senate
Third Reading Passed (101-38)
3/17/2025House
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
3/15/2025House
Favorable with Amendments {783824/1 Adopted
3/15/2025House
Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
3/15/2025House
Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m.
2/6/2025House
First Reading Economic Matters
2/6/2025House

Bill Text

Enacted
5/6/2025
PDF
Third Reading
3/15/2025
PDF
First Reading
2/6/2025
PDF

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