MD HB250

Authorizes the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties up to $5,000 per violation (not exceeding $100,000 total) for violations related to water appropriation, use, and dam safety, with each day of violation counting as a separate offense.

Requires the Department to provide written notice and an opportunity for informal settlement meetings before pursuing civil or administrative penalties, and to consider any good faith applications for loans from the Private Dam Repair Fund.

Removes previous limitations that restricted the Department's enforcement authority to only water appropriation and use matters, expanding enforcement powers to cover the full subtitle including dam safety.

Directs administrative penalties collected under these provisions to be paid into the Maryland Clean Water Fund, except for penalties related to unsafe dam conditions, which go to the Private Dam Repair Fund.

Establishes nine factors for assessing penalty amounts, including willfulness of violation, actual environmental harm, cleanup costs, degree of hazard, pattern of violations, and cooperation with the Department after notification.