# Maryland SB 0901: Environment - Packaging and Paper Products - Producer Responsibility Plans Maryland SB 0901, Environment - Packaging and Paper Products - Producer Responsibility Plans, is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Malcolm Augustine (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-05-13 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 431) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0901-2025RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland SB 0901 - State: Maryland - Session: 2025 Regular Session - Title: Environment - Packaging and Paper Products - Producer Responsibility Plans - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-03-17 - Last action: 2025-05-13, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 431 - Sponsor: Malcolm Augustine (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 5 - Subjects: Environment, Accessibility - see also- Blind; Deaf; Disabilities; etc, Auditors and Audits, Awareness and Outreach, Beverage Containers, Child Care, Civil Rights and Social Equity, Commerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc., Committees and Commissions, Counties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc., Demographics -see also- Census; Data, Disclosure, Electronic Communication, Electronic Government, Environment, Department of the, Environmental Health, Environmental Incentives, Environmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; Pollut, Equipment -see also- Charging; Med. Equip.; MV Equip; etc., Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & Taxes, Forms, Hazardous and Toxic Substances -see also- Asbestos; Radiatn, Human Infrastructure -see also- WLE, Independent Contractors, Industry and Technology, Internet -see also- Internet Access, Liability, Medical Equipment and Devices, Minorities, Nonprofit Organizations, Notices, Open Government, Penalties and Sentences -see also- Death Penalty, Plastics, Prices -see also- Consumer Price Index, Primary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public Schools, Privacy, Public Buildings and Facilities -see also- Stadiums; St Hse, Records -see also- Land Records; Vital Records, Recycling, Refuse Disposal -see also- Recycling, Registration -see also- Motor Vehicle Registration, Reimbursement Rates, Reports, Residential Property -see also- Apartments; Condominiums, Retail Sales, Revenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax), Rules and Regulations, Salaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. Rates, Secondary Schools -see also- Private Schools; Public Sch, Storage, Studies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; Reports, Termination of Services, Time, Transportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etc, Weights and Measures, Women -see also- Gender, Work, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc. - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 5 (245 yes, 159 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 15 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Recycling workers gain wage and safety standards: benefit, medium. Plans must include applicable provider standards for safety programs, health benefits, and living wages. Provider standards also require acceptance of the listed materials relevant to their services. Plans must provide reimbursement at least quarterly for covered transport, collection, and processi… - Maryland requires wider recycling collection access: benefit, medium. Maryland must create a statewide list of covered materials suitable for curbside recycling or composting by July 1, 2027. Listed materials must receive convenient collection, at minimum wherever mixed trash collection is available. The Department can update the list and must send changes to produce… - Maryland sets long-term producer recycling goals: benefit, medium. Producer plans must set relevant material-by-material goals to reach within 5 years after the first plan version is approved. Goals cover recycling, composting, reuse, returns, waste reduction, recycled content, and greenhouse gas cuts. Maryland sets recycling-rate targets at 5, 10, and 15 years us… - Health rules allow packaging goal exemptions: benefit, low. Plans must identify health or safety rules that prevent packaging reduction, reuse, recycling, or composting and propose related exemptions. Producers can request exemptions on the state form; after council review, the Department must decide or seek more information within 120 days. Approval requir… - Producers get alternative collection fee relief: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, producers can operate approved alternative collection programs for covered materials they sell or distribute in Maryland. Programs must improve collection and provide dedicated collection for those materials. Reuse, recycling, or composting through an approved program can of… - Producers must get recycling plans approved: cost, medium. Producers must submit plans by July 1, 2028, and every 5 years afterward, individually or through a producer organization. They must first consult the advisory council and respond in writing; another person can assume responsibility for their materials. Producers cannot sell, offer, distribute, or… - Producers face escalating recycling violation penalties: cost, low. Beginning June 1, 2025, producer or producer-organization violations carry $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for a second. A third or later violation carries a $20,000 civil penalty. Producers receive written notice and 60 days to correct a violation before penalties; each continuing day aft… - Packaging businesses face rules and exemptions: mixed, medium. The law covers packaging and paper sold, offered, imported, or distributed in Maryland, but excludes bound books and specified unsafe materials. For store products, responsibility follows a hierarchy of manufacturers, licensees, brand owners, importers, and first distributors. Shipping packers hand… - Producer fees fund rising recycling reimbursements: mixed, medium. Producer fees must cover plan operations, service reimbursements, state oversight and enforcement, and reuse, composting, and recycling improvements. Minimum reimbursement rates reach 50% of cost per ton by July 1, 2028, 75% by July 1, 2029, and 90% by July 1, 2030, and annually afterward. The rate… - Recycling investments come with stricter standards: mixed, medium. Beginning June 1, 2025, improvement funding must support markets and infrastructure for reuse, composting, and recycling, prioritizing existing facilities. Plans must fund service gaps, describe expected results, and use open, competitive, fair selection for infrastructure investments. Plans must a… - Recycling providers get payments with duties: mixed, medium. Providers can request plan payments for eligible collection, transport, and processing of covered materials. Payments do not cover composting food waste or other materials outside the program. Beginning January 1, 2029, providers seeking payment must register each January 1 and submit contact detai… - Consumer fee limits allow service charges: mixed, low. Plans must use producer fees, not new or additional program fees charged to households, governments, businesses, or other nonproducers. This ban does not cover redeemable deposits for refill, reuse, or recycling, or service-provider charges. Service providers may charge for costs producer reimburse… - Producer fees pay for recycling assessments: mixed, low. Maryland’s Office of Recycling must hire an independent statewide needs-assessment consultant by July 30, 2034, and at least every 10 years afterward. The assessment covers service needs, infrastructure, costs, equity, economic opportunities, and producer-responsibility impacts. The consultant must… - Producer groups gain protections and duties: mixed, low. Producer organizations must be producer-created, tax-exempt charities, and the approved organization must register annually beginning July 1, 2026. Registration lists producers, brands, materials, and a contact; annual fees cover listed state costs, with only the recordkeeping portion capped at $1,… - Recycling reports balance disclosure and privacy: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2029, producers and organizations with approved plans must report annually on the prior calendar year. Reports cover progress, costs, collected materials, investments, audits, and education, and include payment of the state’s estimated next-year oversight costs. Annual reports mus… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Malcolm Augustine (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Benjamin Brooks (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Katie Fry Hester (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Cheryl C. Kagan (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Sara Love (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Mary Washington (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-04-07 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 33 | 11 | 3 | | 2025-04-07 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 100 | 36 | 4 | | 2025-04-07 | House | Floor Amendment {213325/1 (Delegate Grammer) Rejected | fail | 37 | 100 | 3 | | 2025-03-17 | Senate | Committee Amendment {233827/1 Adopted | pass | 40 | 0 | 4 | | 2025-03-17 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 35 | 12 | | ## Actions (24) - 2025-05-13: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 431 - 2025-04-07: Passed Enrolled (Senate) - 2025-04-07: Third Reading Passed (33-11) (Senate) - 2025-04-07: Senate Concurs House Amendments (Senate) - 2025-04-07: Third Reading Passed (100-36) (House) - 2025-04-07: Floor Amendment {213325/1 (Delegate Grammer) Rejected (37-100) (House) - 2025-04-05: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (House) - 2025-04-05: Favorable with Amendments {733521/1 Adopted (House) - 2025-04-05: Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation (House) - 2025-03-20: Hearing 3/27 at 1:00 p.m. (Environment and Transportation) (House) - 2025-03-20: Hearing canceled (Environment and Transportation) (House) - 2025-03-19: Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m. (Environment and Transportation) (House) - 2025-03-18: Referred Environment and Transportation Economic Matters (House) - 2025-03-17: Third Reading Passed (35-12) (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Committee Amendment {233827/1 Adopted (40-0) (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator West) Rejected (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Favorable with Amendments {233827/1 (Senate) - 2025-03-17: Favorable with Amendments {233827/1 Adopted (Senate) - 2025-03-14: Motion Laid Over (Senator Ready) Adopted (Senate) - 2025-03-14: Favorable with Amendments {233827/1 (Senate) - 2025-03-14: Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment (Senate) - 2025-02-04: Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate) - 2025-02-03: First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment (Senate) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2025-05-13: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/Chapters_noln/CH_431_sb0901e.pdf) - Enrolled, 2025-04-07: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0901e.pdf) - Third Reading, 2025-03-17: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0901t.pdf) - First Reading, 2025-02-04: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0901f.pdf) ## Related bills - SB 0227: Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions (vetoed) - HB 0482: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process (vetoed) - HB 0384: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established (vetoed) - SB 0157: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established (vetoed) - HB 1294: Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization (became law) - HB 0228: Maryland Veterans Trust – Assistance to Members of the Maryland National Guard (signed) ## Sources - [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/Chapters_noln/CH_431_sb0901e.pdf) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0901e.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0901t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0901f.pdf) ## Related - [SB 0227: Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0227-2025RS) - [HB 0482: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0482-2025RS) - [HB 0384: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0384-2025RS) - [SB 0157: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0157-2025RS) - [HB 1294: Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1294-2025RS) - [HB 0228: Maryland Veterans Trust – Assistance to Members of the Maryland National Guard](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0228-2025RS) - [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills) - [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0901-2025RS (as of 2026-10-19).