Annapolis, MD — Tuesday, the Maryland House passed HB59; an amended bill that leaves thousands of Maryland residents and religious institutions at risk of foreclosure and evictions due to unpaid water bills. Earlier this year, the Moore administration pledged to reform Maryland’s cruel collections process, but the administration acquiesced to changes promoted by collection agencies, thus allowing those companies to continue removing people from their homes for unpaid water bills. 

Last month, 19 organizations sent a letter organized by Food & Water Watch to Moore and Day urging the passage of HB59 without amendments that would not withhold protections. 

In response, Food & Water Watch Southern Regional Director Jorge Aguilar issued the following statement:

“We are extremely disappointed in Governor Moore and Secretary of Housing Day for their unwillingness to fight for Marylanders faced with the threat of evictions. Dozens of groups have implored Governor Moore and Secretary Day to stand up for the most vulnerable Maryland residents and they have instead sought to compromise with the collections industry. We hope the administration will stand up and ensure rights for all Marylanders by calling for the Senate to do away with the bad-faith amendments that were made to the bill. 

“We are further worried that the Moore administration’s failure to fight for a strong bill may imperil the future of Baltimore City’s protections, which have been in place for years. We need to make sure more people have protections, not less.” 

If passed, the bill will go into effect January 2026.