S.B. 394

VETOES

clothes washers will cause the prices to increase at multi-housing (college
dormitories, elderly housing, etc.) and coin-operated laundry facilities. This will have
a disproportionate impact on poorer subdivisions around the state. Also, consumers
looking to purchase ceiling fans will have no choice but to purchase the more
expensive fans with higher efficiency standards. Consumers currently have the option
to purchase these fans if they choose to do so.

Finally, our surrounding states do not have these standards. By adopting this
legislation, Maryland would risk losing businesses to its neighboring states that have
friendlier business climates.

For the above stated reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 394.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

Senate Bill No. 394

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Energy Efficiency Standards Act

FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Energy Administration to adopt
regulations establishing by a certain date to establish certain minimum energy
efficiency standards for certain new products sold in the State; prohibiting
certain new products from being sold or offered for sale in the State on or after
certain dates unless the products meet the minimum energy efficiency
standards; prohibiting certain new products from being installed in the State on
or after a certain date unless the products meet the minimum energy efficiency
standards; authorizing the Administration to delay the effective date of certain
standards for up to a certain period in certain circumstances; requiring the
Administration to adopt certain testing procedures and labeling requirements;
providing for the certification of new products; authorizing the Administration
to test certain products and make certain inspections to determine compliance;
requiring the Administration to work with the Department of Housing and
Community Development regarding certain inspections; authorizing the
Administration to investigate certain complaints; authorizing the Attorney
General to institute certain enforcement proceedings; providing for certain
penalties; providing for the application of this Act; requiring the Administration
to monitor a certain study, to conduct a certain assessment, and to report by a
certain date; defining certain terms; requiring the Governor, upon a certain
contingency, to reassign a certain obligation under this Act to a certain State
agency; providing for the termination of a portion of this Act; and generally
relating to energy efficiency standards for certain products.

BY adding to

Article - State Government

Section 9-2006

Annotated Code of Maryland

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