MD HB49

Amends Maryland's Building Energy Performance Standards to add exemptions for covered buildings containing permanent Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities operated by federal intelligence/defense agencies or the State, and excludes hospitals from the definition of "covered building"

Requires the Department of Environment to certify county-administered building energy performance standards programs that were in place before March 1, 2025, allowing counties to enforce standards and collect alternative compliance fees up to the same amounts as the state program

Expands regulatory provisions to credit on-site renewable energy generation and biomethane use toward energy targets, and exclude energy use from steam sterilization and emergency backup power generation at healthcare facilities, laboratories, and military buildings

Establishes an annual reporting fee of $100 per covered building (adjusted for inflation) to cover administrative costs, and deposits alternative compliance fees into the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund

Requires the Department of Environment to conduct and submit by December 31, 2026 an analysis of policy options comparing direct emissions reduction requirements, energy use intensity requirements, and combined approaches, including cost-effectiveness and implementation recommendations