Important Legislation Encourages Marylanders To Invest In Clean-Fuel Or Electric Vehicles

Note: Senate Finance Committee to Hold Hearing on SB 168 on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 1:00 PM,House Environment and Transportation Committee to Hold Hearing on HB 151 on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 1:00 PM

“This year, let’s work together to enact the ‘Clean Cars Act’ and to support clean and renewable energy solutions and green energy jobs.” - Governor Larry Hogan, January 30, 2019

Clean Cars Act Of 2019

Governor Hogan’s Proposed Legislation Expands The Electric Vehicle Tax Credit To Include Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles. “Subject to available funding, a credit is allowed against the excise tax imposed for a plug-in electric vehicle or fuel cell electric vehicle… For a fuel cell electric vehicle, the credit allowed under this section may not exceed $3,000.” (“Senate Bill 168,” Maryland General Assembly, 1/21/19)

• Proposed Legislation More Than Doubles The Amount Of Dedicated Funds To The Electric Infrastructure And Vehicle Tax Credit Programs To $6 Million. “And be it further enacted, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, for fiscal year 2020 the lesser of $6,000,000 or the actual total amount of credits allowed against the excise tax shall be transferred from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund established under § 9-20B-05 of the State Government Article to the Transportation Trust Fund to offset a reduction in revenues from the vehicle excise tax credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles under § 13-815 of the Transportation Article, as enacted by this Act. For fiscal year 2020, the total amount of credits allowed against the excise tax may not exceed $6,000,000.” (“Senate Bill 168,” Maryland General Assembly, 1/21/19)

Under Governor Hogan’s Leadership Maryland Has Been A Leader In Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Governor Hogan Pushed For And Enacted The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act To Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Maryland Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 40% By 2030, Standards That Are Much Tougher Than The Paris Climate Accord. “The State shall reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 2006 levels by 2030... On or before December 31, 2018, the Department shall: Submit a proposed plan that reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 2006 levels by 2030 to the Governor and the General Assembly... The Department shall, on or before December 31, 2019, adopt a final plan that reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 2006 levels by 2030.” (“Senate Bill 323,” Maryland General Assembly, 4/4/16)

• The Chesapeake Climate Action Network Stated That The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act Makes Maryland Have The Third Strongest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target In The Nation. “Only California and New York have set higher climate goals, which were enshrined through executive action... The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2016 (HB 610/SB 323) renews and extends a landmark law first passed in 2009.” (Press Release, “MD Lawmakers Approve One Of The Nation’s Strongest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals,” Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 3/17/16)

Under Governor Hogan’s Leadership Maryland Joined The Bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance. (Letter, Governor Larry Hogan To Executive Director Julie Cerqueira Re: U.S. Climate Alliance, Office Of The Governor, 1/10/18)

The Hogan Administration Worked With Member States To Strengthen The Terms Of The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. “Governor Larry Hogan announced today that Maryland and the eight other states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) have agreed to reduce the program’s carbon pollution cap by 30 percent from 2020 to 2030. This multi-state initiative will continue the Hogan administration’s longstanding commitment to improving air quality standards while growing Maryland’s economy.” (Press Release, “Maryland, RGGI States To Strengthen Emissions Cap,”Office Of The Governor, 8/23/17)