A number of bills were passed during the Maryland General Assembly's 2012 legislative session that will impact certain sectors of the construction industry. Ober|Kaler has put together brief summaries of certain bills from information supplied by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services. For assistance in determining how these developments affect your operations, contact the author, Jack Boyd, the Construction Group chairs, Joe Kovars and Jack Morkan, or your Ober|Kaler attorney.

Senate Bill 117 (Water Appropriation Permits – Construction Dewatering Projects)

This bill authorizes the Maryland Department of the Environment to waive the notice and hearing requirements for water appropriation or use permit applications for construction dewatering projects. The bill should expedite the process for obtaining water appropriation or use permits for such projects. The bill was approved by the Governor on April 10, 2012, and will take effect on October 1, 2012...