ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Senate has voted to increase the responsibilities and scope of the state's Commission on Climate Change.
Senators voted 32-14 on Tuesday for the bill, with support and opposition for the legislation falling on Democratic and Republican party lines, respectively.
The bill puts into law the requirements of a 2014 executive order signed by then-Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Within the order is the expansion of the commission's membership, as well as the development of a plan for an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The bill also requires the commission to assess the impact of climate change on Maryland's agriculture, and asks certain agencies to report on annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The legislation now goes to the House of Delegates.
