SB 625

WES MOORE, Governor  Ch. 411
Chapter 411
  (Senate Bill 625)
AN ACT concerning
  Carbon Removal Technology and Practices Dioxide Capture, Removal, and
Sequestration Projects – Regulations and Use of Funding Standards for Biochar
  and Wood Vault Technologies
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to develop, in
    consultation with the Department of Agriculture, and adopt regulations and
    standards governing the permitting of certain carbon removal technology and
    practices dioxide capture, removal, and sequestration projects that utilize biochar or
    wood vault technologies; requiring each State agency to use available funding sources
    to fund carbon removal projects that utilize certain carbon removal technology and
    practices; and generally relating to carbon removal technology and practices dioxide
    capture, removal, and sequestration projects that utilize biochar or wood vault
    technologies.
BY adding to
     Article – Environment
     Section 2–1213 9–303.6
     Annotated Code of Maryland
     (2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
  Preamble
       WHEREAS, The current practice of applying solid waste regulations to the process
of carbon removal is unsuitable; now, therefore,
      SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
  Article – Environment
2–1213 9–303.6.
      (A) IN THIS SECTION, “CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE, REMOVAL, OR
SEQUESTRATION PROJECT” MEANS A PROJECT THAT PROVIDES OR SEEKS TO
PROVIDE FOR THE LONG–TERM ISOLATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE THROUGH STORAGE
IN A GEOLOGIC FORMATION.
      (B)     ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT
REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS GOVERNING THE  PERMITTING OF CARBON
REMOVAL TECHNOLOGY AND PRACTICES THAT  ARE CERTIFIED BY AN
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Ch. 411  2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED THIRD–PARTY CERTIFICATION BODY DIOXIDE
CAPTURE, REMOVAL, OR SEQUESTRATION PROJECTS THAT UTILIZE BIOCHAR OR
WOOD VAULT TECHNOLOGIES.
     (B )IN DEVELOPING THE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS UNDER
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
     (B)    EACH STATE AGENCY SHALL USE AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCES TO
FUND CARBON REMOVAL PROJECTS THAT UTILIZE CARBON REMOVAL TECHNOLOGY
AND PRACTICES THAT ARE CERTIFIED BY AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
THIRD–PARTY CERTIFICATION BODY.
      SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2026.
Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2026.
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