Committee kills bills repealing ‘rain tax’

ANNAPOLIS — A House committee killed several bills related to the controversial stormwater management fee, including a bill proposed by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

The House Environment and Transportation Committee voted 14-7 along party lines to reject Hogan’s proposal and another bill that was essentially identical to the governor’s as well as a bill sponsored by Del. Patrick McDonough, R-Baltimore and Harford Counties, that would have exempted Baltimore County from the 2012 law.

“No issue resonates as strongly and no tax is as universally detested as the rain tax. Passing a law that forces only a handful of counties to raise taxes on their citizens – against their will – is wrong, unfair, and it needs to end,” Hogan said in a statement issued moments after the vote.

“Marylanders have spoken loudly and clearly on this issue. The overwhelming majority of voters across the state are strongly opposed to it, and some counties have already taken steps to repeal this burdensome tax. Considering the surge of opposition to the current law, I am confident that the General Assembly will still move forward with a repeal of the Rain Tax.”

The vote came just two days after the bills were heard in the same committee.

While the votes kill the House versions of the bill, Del. Kumar Barve, D-Montgomery County and chair of the committee, said it will not prejudice votes on similar bills working their way through the Senate.

“I do not believe this has anything to do with any other bill that may be conveyed by the Senate chamber,” Barve said.

Among those is a competing proposal by Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr.

Miller’s bill is essentially similar to Hogan’s proposal but also adds reporting requirements for counties that opt to not charge a fee. It also provides relief for nonprofit organizations.

Some top Republicans in the House say that Miller’s bill might be the best option at present for a repeal.

“We don’t care who gets the credit,” said Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore and Harford Counties and House minority whip.