MarylandHB 11952025 Regular SessionHouse

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Membership, Reporting, Billing, and Planning (WSSC Planning and Reporting Act of 2025) MC/PG 105-25

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Bi-County AgenciesAssessments and Taxation, Department ofAuditors and AuditsBonds -see also- County & Baltimore City Bonds; State BondsBudgets -see also- Capital BudgetsCommittees and CommissionsCreditElectronic GovernmentEnvironmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; PollutHearingsInterestLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceLegislative Services, Department ofMontgomery CountyNoticesPrices -see also- Consumer Price IndexPrivacyPublic Officials -see also- Atty Gen; Compt; Coun Admin; etcPublic Service CommissionRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Rules and RegulationsSalaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesSewageStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; ReportsSunsetWashington Suburban Sanitary DistrictWater -see also- Coastal Bays; Riv,Str,Lks; Wastewater; etc.Water PollutionWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

County environmental director joins water board

Montgomery County's environmental protection director or a designee takes one of the county's three WSSC seats. The member can vote and serve as chair or vice chair. Service starts when one of the next two Montgomery commissioner terms expiring after October 1, 2025, ends. The County Executive chooses which term. This seat is exempt from the usual registered-voter, other-position, and commissioner-term restrictions described in the law.

Stronger budget independence for water watchdog

WSSC must include its Inspector General's recommended amounts in its yearly operating budget proposal. The office's budget approval must be independent, without Commission staff involvement. With budget approval and enough funds, WSSC's general counsel must provide legal help and may hire special counsel when appropriate or legally required. The Inspector General can hire separate counsel without the general counsel's consent, but needs Commission approval. The Commission must first consider any comments or recommendations from the general counsel.

Public water financial plans and disclosures

WSSC must send a long-term financial plan to both county councils and the General Assembly by November 1, 2025. An independent financial advisor must help test risks from changes in employment, interest rates, and water use. Updated plans and financial-management policies are due June 1, 2026, and every five years afterward. WSSC must publish the plan, stress tests, and bond-rating documents on its searchable website. It must also post Refund Hearing Board and Dispute Resolving Board case counts and financial outcomes without identifying people.

Water utility reviews property-tax debt options

Beginning October 1, 2025, WSSC must assess property taxes needed to support its debt solely to meet this review requirement. It must work with Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation and other stakeholders as needed. Findings are due to both county councils and their state legislative delegations by December 1, 2026. The report may include additional property-tax options. This requirement does not impose a tax.

Environmental director gets no water-board pay

Montgomery County's environmental protection director cannot receive compensation for duties as a WSSC member. The restriction does not state that it applies to the director's designee. This provision does not specify the amount of pay affected.

New billing schedules and high-bill help

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) must bill monthly, every other month, or quarterly, as it decides—not twice yearly. Billing should follow a set schedule without estimates; more frequent bills change when customers must pay. WSSC must report on better high-bill customer contact by November 1, 2025, and full implementation by November 1, 2026. It must post these changes online and explain them in customer notification letters. These rules do not change usage charges or create a bill credit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 138 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 593
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.
3/18/2025Senate
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/17/2025Senate
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
3/17/2025House
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
3/14/2025House
Favorable with Amendments {493627/1 Adopted
3/14/2025House
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
3/14/2025House
Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
2/21/2025House
First Reading Environment and Transportation
2/6/2025House

Bill Text

Enacted
5/13/2025
PDF
Third Reading
3/14/2025
PDF
First Reading
2/6/2025
PDF

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