The sponsor of legislation that would have written into law the regulations developed under former Gov. Martin O'Malley to curb phosphorus runoff from farms said negotiations with Gov. Larry Hogan have come close enough to an agreement that he may withdraw his bill.
Sen. Paul Pinsky, a Prince George's County Democrat, introduced the bill after Hogan -- in one of his first acts as governor -- withdrew the anti-pollution regulations before they became final.
Pinsky said his negotiations with the governor's office are getting to a point where the substitute rules are strong enough to deal with the problem of phosphorus runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.
"I think we're close if not at consensus," Pinsky said.
Pinsky delayed Senate floor action on the bill Wednesday. The measure, which was approved in committee with extensive changes, was on the agenda for preliminary approval. The bill as revised would set firm deadlines for the rules without writing them into law.