Advocacy

The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA), protects families from losing inherited property through forced sales, which are often exploited by speculators. When multiple heirs inherit property without a will, the law currently allows any heir to force a sale, even against the wishes of the rest. This bill ensures fairer outcomes by allowing family members to buy out co-owners seeking a sale, requiring court-ordered appraisals and open-market sales rather than undervalued auctions, and prioritizing the division of property when possible. UPHPA helps preserve generational wealth, especially in communities of color and rural areas, and has already been adopted in over 20 states. Read more.

Maryland is taking bold steps to tackle food waste, protect the environment, and improve public health with the new On-Farm Organics and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Grant Programs (HB429/SB599), sponsored by Delegate Regina T. Boyce and effective October 1, 2026. Building on previous food waste and landfill regulations, this bill creates three targeted grant programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support farmers, and strengthen food security across the state. Read more.

The CHERISH Our Communities Act strengthens Maryland’s permitting system to protect overburdened communities and ensure residents have a meaningful voice in environmental decisions. It requires data-driven pollution assessments, limits new or expanding pollution sources, and requires existing polluters to reduce harmful emissions. By improving enforcement and accountability, the Act advances cleaner air, cleaner water, and healthier communities for all. The bill is gaining momentum in the legislature, with growing leadership support and upcoming advocacy efforts to build public pressure. Read more.

HB 1375 is legislation that would ban the use of paraquat in Virginia to protect public health and farming communities. Scientific research has linked paraquat exposure to serious health problems, including Parkinson’s disease and other chronic illnesses. With safer and more effective alternatives available, and more than 70 countries already banning its use, this bill represents a science-based step toward protecting families, farmworkers, and rural communities. Several entities and organizations have urged legislators to promote responsible environmental protections that prioritize health, safety, and sustainable agriculture. Read more.