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<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="7-319" title_number="7" title_name="Gas, Electric, and Water Companies" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Consumer Relations">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this section, “low–emissions housing” means housing that is engineered to or uses measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>There is a Green and Healthy Task Force.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Task Force consists of the following members:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, or the Director’s designee;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>one representative of the Office of People’s Counsel; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>as appointed by the chair of the Task Force:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>one representative of the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>one representative of the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>one representative of Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>one member who is an expert in public health;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>one member from a community concerned with environmental justice;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>one member who owns or develops affordable housing;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>one member who has received assistance from a low–income program that delivers energy efficiency measures; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>other members as determined by the chair of the Task Force.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee, shall serve as chair of the Task Force.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>The Department of Housing and Community Development shall provide staff for the Task Force.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>A member of the Task Force:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>The Task Force shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>beginning July 1, 2023, meet quarterly for a period of 3 years;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>advance the alignment, branding, and coordination of resources to more effectively deliver green and healthy housing for low–income households in the State;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>examine the public and private resources needed to address the housing needs of low–income communities;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>develop policy and statutory recommendations to eliminate barriers to low–income households achieving healthy, energy–efficient, affordable, and low–emissions housing; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>engage with interested parties and collaborate with other entities that can help advance the goals of the Task Force, including experts in the field of healthy, energy–efficient, and low–emissions housing.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>On or before July 1, 2024, and each July 1 through 2027, the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Health, the Secretary of the Environment, the Commission, the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text>
  </level>
</section>
