MD HB671

County water and sewerage plans must include by January 1, 2026 a plan to minimize flooding and sea level rise risks to existing on-site sewage disposal systems and limit new installations in Coast Smart Climate Ready Action Boundary or Riverine Climate Ready Action Boundary areas

Beginning July 1, 2026, new on-site sewage disposal systems in climate vulnerable areas require nitrogen removal technology, Department approval considering climate resiliency and potential drain field inundation, plus an alternative compliance fee equivalent to municipal wastewater connection costs

Replacement of existing on-site sewage disposal systems in climate vulnerable areas must use nitrogen removal technology and receive Department approval with climate resiliency considerations

Bay Restoration Fund expanded to provide financial assistance covering up to 100% of drain field installation or replacement costs for low-income homeowners in climate vulnerable areas when the Department approves the system

Department must adopt regulations including site evaluation criteria and design requirements for systems in climate vulnerable areas that minimize climate impact, including prohibiting deep trench systems