1. BRF Legislative Amendment and Aligning for Growth
Presentation to the
Trading Advisory Committee
September 22, 2016
Presentation by:
Jim George
Maryland Department of Environment

2. BRF Legislative Amendment
on Credit Purchases
Graphic: ShutterStock.com

3. BRF Amendment Background (Con’t)
Stakeholder Concerns from 2016 (HB325):
No limits on when & how many credits ($) may be purchased.
Questions regarding what the credits apply to.
Safeguard the uses of dedicated funds.
Potential impacts on Ag sector ability to meet its Bay goals.
State involvement in market place pricing.
Premature given limited understanding of trading program.
Potential expectation for restoration to occur in urban locale.
Potential impact on funding stormwater permit obligations.
Concern small WWTPs will not receive upgrade funding.

4. BRF Amendment: Next Steps & Schedule
Sept. 22, 2016: Provide a background briefing to the TAC. Confirm the accurate documentation of current and additional issues to be addressed in a BRF credit purchase policy document.
Sept/Oct – Develop a draft White Paper to address issues & seek interagency review.
Oct. 17 – Present White Paper & ID a TAC Subgroup at TAC Meeting
Oct/Nov – Discuss White Paper & Legis. with TAC Subgroup
Nov. 17 – Discuss Subgroup findings at TAC Meeting
Nov/Dec – Further meeting of Subgroup if needed
Dec. 12 – Seek closure on the key issues & draft legislation at TAC Meeting

5. Aligning for Growth
Graphic: ShutterStock.com

6. AfG: Next Steps & Schedule
Sept. 22, 2016: Background briefing for TAC
Sept/Oct – Interagency Review of draft AfG policy proposal
Oct. 17 – BRF focus of TAC Meeting. Identify Subgroup to work on AfG.
Oct/Nov – Seek feedback on draft AfG policy proposal with TAC Subgroup
Nov. 17 – Present AfG policy proposal at TAC Meeting*
Nov/Dec – Seek further feedback from Subgroup on AfG
Dec. 12 – Seek consensus where possible at TAC Meeting.
Possible break from AfG discussion during legislative session if closure is not reached in December 2016.
Reach closure on AfG policy in spring/summer 2017.
* Contingent on time available; BRF legislation discussion is a priority due to legislative schedule.