Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 596

Bill Title: Courts - Nonprofit Associations - Standing to Participate in Governmental Proceedings

Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Brochin, Klausmeier, and Pinsky

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: JPR

Bill Summary: This bill authorizes a nonprofit association to institute, defend, intervene or participate in a judicial, administrative or other form of governmental proceeding or any form of alternative dispute resolution. The association may also assert a claim in its name on behalf of its members - if one or more of its members have standing to assert a claim in their own right, the association's interest are germane to the proceeding, and neither the asserted claim nor the requested relief requires that the member participate in the proceeding.

History: None

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: This legislation would expand the standing requirement to allow nonprofit associations to assert the same rights as an aggrieved party, when no special harm exists. Passage of this legislation is contrary to long-established common law in Maryland. Implications of this broadening of standing include a substantial increase in workload for an already over-taxed judicial branch.

For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposed this legislation.

Position Statement: Click here to download a pdf version of the Maryland Chamber's position statement.

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.