Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen introduced the Maryland Water Conservation Act (SB 549) in 2002. While the sample legislation provided here is based on this introduced legislation, it was the House version, HB 693, introduced by Delegate Frush, that was eventually signed into law. HB 693 was originally identical to Van Hollen's SB 549 but was amended in the final days of the Legislature, most significantly by striking all references to wastewater treatment and NPDES permits. Thus the provisions of the bill as enacted now apply only to new or expanded water appropriation permits and state financial assistance for public water systems. The amended bill received overwhelming bi-partisan support and passed the Senate 44-0 and the House 129-7 in late March 2002.

Other State Action

Maine
LD 1488 - Mandatory Reporting for Water Withdrawals. This bill requires annual water use reporting, beginning on December 1, 2003, by all water users who withdraw more than specified threshold levels. The bill also directs the state environmental protection agency to adopt rules that establish water use standards to help protect aquatic life and that establish criteria for designating watersheds most at risk from excessive water withdrawals. It was enacted in 2002.

New Hampshire
SB410 - Commercial withdrawals. Subjects commercial withdrawals greater than 57,600 gallons per day to new standards. Clarifies area around a well that must be studied before a permit is issued. Future water needs must be considered. Applicants must prove ability to pay for any problems created by pumping. Launches a study of the hierarchy of water use and best uses of a specific water resource. Gives communities limited veto authority over proposals. The bill passed the House in 2002, but not the Senate.

SB437 - Regional interconnects. Allows governor to declare an emergency and order protection of public water supplies. Lets the state require regional water hookups in emergencies or upon public request. It was enacted in 2002.

SB440 - Conservation. Lets state develop and mandate conservation measures for public water supplies. It was enacted in 2002.

Texas
HB 2404 (enacted in 2001) - Multifamily housing submetering. Requires the submetering and allocation of water service in apartment houses, manufactured home rental communities, condominiums, and other multiple use facilities.

California
AB 1561 (enacted in 2002) - Energy and water efficiency standards:  clothes washers. Requires regulations pertaining to energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers to require these clothes washers manufactured on or after January 1, 2007 to be at least as water efficient as commercial washers.