The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts provides:

• Education. MASCD informs members about legislative issues and processes allowing for increased participation. 
• Outreach. MASCD enlightens members of pending legislation and related compliance issues relevant to natural resource conservation.
• Access. MASCD serves as a communication link between Congress and the General Assembly and key constituents, groups, and local decision makers.
• Feedback. MASCD supplies details about the impact pending legislation may have on the conservation districts, related professions, or segments of society.

Maryland General Assembly 

The 2006 legislative session began on January 11, 2006. The following bills of interest to MASCD have been introduced and are currently being discussed.  The session ends on April 10, 2006 and, between now and then, these bills will either pass or fail.  Click on the bill number for more details about the bills, a list of the bill sponsor/s, a copy of the bill, a fiscal note or other information from the Maryland State Legislators website. 

Bills of Interest

MASCD Specific Legislation

HB 2           Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006 
                House: Environmental Matters and Appropriations    

HB 91         Department of Agriculture - Cost Sharing for Water Pollution Control 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 150       Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2007) 
                House: Appropriations    

SB 5           Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006 
                Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs and Budget and Taxation 

SB 110       Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2007) 
                Senate: Budget and Taxation     

Of General Interest (Listed by bill number)

HB 20         Environment - Air Quality - New Source Review 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 50         Income Tax - Credit for Homeland Security Expenses 
                House: Ways and Means    

HB 90         Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation - Dwelling Relocation 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 108       Aquaculture - Transgenic and Genetically Altered Species - Prohibitions - Sunset Extension 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 109       Maryland Department of the Environment - Sound Level Meters - Use by Counties 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 154       Maryland Estate Tax - Federal Credit and Deduction for State Death Taxes and Unified Credit Effective Exemption Amount 
                House: Ways and Means    

HB 155       Local Governments - Zoning Regulations and Building Permits - Appeals - Neighborhood Associations 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 173       Homestead Tax Credit - Eligibility - Transferred Property 
                House: Ways and Means    

HB 180       Department of Agriculture - Maryland Agricultural Land Link Program 
                House: Environmental Matters    

HB 189       Healthy Air Act 
                House: Economic Matters    

HB 205       Anne Arundel County - Deer Hunting on Private Lands - Sundays 
                House: Environmental Matters    

SJ 1           Air Pollution - Mercury Emissions Limits 
                Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs    

SB 2           Maryland Estate Tax 
                Senate: Budget and Taxation    

SB 31         Agriculture - University of Maryland Agricultural Internship Program 
                Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs    

SB 54         State-Owned Vehicles - State Fleet Biodiesel Fuel Usage Act of 2006 
                Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs    

SB 100       Critical Areas Program - Resource Conservation Areas - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge 
                Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs    

SB 155       Harford County - Eminent Domain - Limitation on Condemnation Authority 
                Senate: Judicial Proceedings    

SB 167       Electric Companies - Net Energy Metering - Accrual of Generated Electricity
                Senate: Finance    

SB 174       Environment - Bay Restoration Fund - Exemption 
                Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs    

Find your Legislator - use this link to identify your state and federal representatives, and contact them by email, phone or mail with your opinion on any legislation.