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Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features a summary of bills of interest from the end of the 2026 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly. Prepared by Percy Public Affairs and the Maryland Turfgrass Council. Read from MTC Turf News magazine.

At the stroke of midnight on Monday, April 13th, the Maryland General Assembly adjourned (SINE DIE) the 2026 Legislative Session in Annapolis, Maryland.

This year, the Maryland General Assembly introduced a total of 3,473 individual pieces of legislation (1406-Senate/2067-House) – this included proposed policy bills, legislative bond initiatives, and joint resolutions.

During the 90-Day Session, Percy Public Affairs flagged multiple bills of interest for the Maryland Turfgrass Council (MTC). Below is summary of the legislation that MTC took action on in Annapolis.

Bill Summary

House Bill 91, entitled; “Agriculture – Neonicotinoid Pesticides – Prohibitions” – This bill prohibits a person from distributing, selling, or using any corn, soybean, or wheat seeds that have been coated in or treated with a neonicotinoid pesticide. In addition, the bill generally prohibits a person from using a neonicotinoid pesticide to treat outdoor ornamental plants and turf, except as specified. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to temporarily suspend both of these prohibitions under specified conditions.

House Bill 164, entitled; “State Buildings and State Highways – Collection and Disposal of Yard Waste” – This bill generally prohibits State employees or contractors from disposing of yard waste collected on the grounds of a State building or a State highway in a single-use plastic container. All such yard waste must be collected in a container that (1) will not be discarded with the yard waste or (2) is a compostable paper bag.

MTC and MASFMA’s Position: Opposed. Bill Status: FAILED.

House Bill 164, entitled; “Gasoline-Powered Leaf Blowers – Purchase and Use – Prohibitions” – This bill, subject to specified exceptions, prohibits, (1) beginning July 1, 2026, the State from purchasing a gasoline-powered leaf blower and (2) beginning January 1, 2031, the use of a gasoline-powered leaf blower by the State and its contractors and subcontractors working on State-owned land. Each State agency in the Executive Branch must monitor and enforce that agency’s compliance with the bill. The bill also establishes (1) a provision relating to the authority of local governments to enact standards relating to gasoline powered leaf blowers and (2) a requirement for the State and its contractors and subcontractors to comply with local standards that are at least as stringent as the bill’s standards when managing State property.

MTC and MASFMA’s Position: Support. Bill Status: Failed.

House Bill 321, entitled; “Environment – Synthetic Turf Industry and Disposal Study – Deadline Extension” – This bill extends the deadline, from July 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027, by which the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) must submit a specified report relating to synthetic turf to specified committees of the General Assembly.

MTC and MASFMA’s Position: Opposed. Bill Status: Failed.

House Bill 833/ Senate Bill 53, entitled; “Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland – Reestablishment” – This bill reestablishes the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) must provide staff for the commission. Commission members may not receive compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for expenses. By December 1, 2026, the commission must submit an interim report on the progress and status of the commission to the Legislative Policy Committee. By December 1, 2027, the commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly. MTC was amended into the final bills as a new member of the Commission and will be an active participant.

MTC and MASFMA’s Position: Support. Bill Status: Passed.

House Bill 1237, entitled; “Pesticide Applications – Subscription Contract Requirements and Registry Establishment” – This bill requires the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to establish a Residential Pollinator Protection and Neighbor Notification Registry for the purpose of registering individuals residing in residential areas who are interested in receiving notice of pesticide applications on contiguous or adjacent properties. MDA may charge a reasonable registration fee to an applicant for inclusion in the registry; however, MDA must waive the fee under specified conditions. The bill establishes related requirements for MDA, pesticide business licensees, pesticide applicators, and public agency permittees. In addition, the bill establishes requirements for a pesticide business licensee that has a subscription contract for pest control with a residential customer.

MTC and MASFMA’s Position: Support with Amendments. Bill Status: Passed.

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