A House committee voted against Gov. Larry Hogan's proposal to repeal stormwater management fees.
The House Environment and Transportation Committee voted 14-7 against the bill Friday.
Hogan, a Republican, campaigned against the fees, which critics derided as the “rain tax.” Hogan says residents spoke overwhelmingly against the fees. The governor says he's confident the Legislature will still repeal them.
Del. Kumar Barve, a Montgomery County Democrat who chairs the panel, said the vote on Hogan's bill doesn't prejudice the committee against a related bill coming from the Senate.
Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, a Calvert County Democrat, is sponsoring a bill that would end the state mandate for fees, so long as nine counties and Baltimore city can show they are paying for federally mandated stormwater cleanup.
