Natural Resources, Department Of
Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Wildlife Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund - Establishment [HB-1511]
[Agriculture ]
[Animals ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Environmental ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
[Recreation ]
Establishing the Wildlife Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund, consisting of the proceeds from the sale of conservation deer stamps, grants and contributions directed to the Fund, and money in the State budget, to reimburse a person for damage caused by deer, geese, and other wildlife to crops and other agricultural products; authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to accept requests for grants for certain projects; and authorizing the Governor to include in the annual budget an appropriation of at least $50,000 for the Fund.
Sponsored by: Rep. Charles Otto
Hearing 3/12 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/04/2025
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Gettr Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Department of Natural Resources - Savage River Lodge - Hotel Rental Surcharge [HB-1277]
[Taxes ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Tourism ]
[Funding ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, beginning in fiscal year 2027, to assess and collect an 8% hotel rental surcharge on rental units at the Savage River Lodge and remit the proceeds to the Comptroller for distribution to Garrett County; and requiring Garrett County to designate 6% of the proceeds for the promotion of Garrett County and any amount over 6% is to be distributed to the general fund of the county.
Sponsored by: Rep. Jim Hinebaugh
Hearing 3/25 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/18/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Public Clam Fishery Area - Establishment [HB-1263]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Agriculture ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission, to identify by regulation the public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay based on commercial harvesting activity during the 3 years preceding June 1, 2025, any surveys conducted by the Department, and other quantitative data known or made available to the Department; and prohibiting the lease of the public clam fishery area for shellfish aquaculture.
Sponsored by: Rep. Jay Jacobs
Hearing Canceled on 03/02/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Western Maryland - Elk [HB-1299]
[Animals ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Environmental ]
[Science ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to study the biological carrying capacity and cultural carrying capacity of elk in Western Maryland; and requiring the Department to report to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 2026, the findings and recommendations of the study on whether elk should be reintroduced in Western Maryland.
Sponsored by: Rep. Barrie Ciliberti
First Reading Environment And Transportation on 02/07/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
State Boat Act - Abandoned or Sunken Recreational Vessels - Identification and Removal [HB-1260]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Water ]
[Environmental ]
[Public Safety ]
[Recreation ]
Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to remove abandoned or sunken recreational vessels secured to certain apparatuses or left anchored and unattended for more than 60 days under certain circumstances; requiring the Department to consider and document certain factors when determining whether a recreational vessel is abandoned or sunken under certain provisions of law; and authorizing the Department to use funds budgeted for the Natural Resources Police to remove or store certain abandoned or sunken vessels.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
Hearing Canceled on 03/02/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Blue Catfish - Population Control [HB-1249]
[Animals ]
[Agriculture ]
[Water ]
[Environmental ]
[Food ]
Establishing that regulations of the Department of Natural Resources governing the catching of blue catfish shall establish a pilot program authorizing the use of electrofishing, shall authorize the use of finfish trotlines of up to 2,400 feet in length, may not set a limit on the number of hooks used, and shall authorize the use of hooks that are not corrodible; and requiring the Department of Agriculture to report on or before September 1, 2025, outlining needs and best practices for collecting, processing, and marketing blue catfish.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
First Reading Environment And Transportation on 02/07/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans' Care [HB-1181]
[Veterans ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Recreation ]
[Healthcare ]
[Mental Health ]
Establishing the Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans' Care to study issues and estimate costs related to the establishment of a State park dedicated to providing recreational opportunities and therapeutic services to veterans; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 1, 2026.
Sponsored by: Rep. William Wivell
Third Reading Passed (139-0) on 03/12/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Generating Stations - Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act) [HB-1036]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Climate Change ]
Altering the factors the Public Service Commission must consider before taking final action on a certificate of public convenience and necessity; establishing a distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity to authorize the construction and operation of a certain distributed solar energy generating system; requiring the Power Plant Research Program, by July 1, 2026, to develop and submit to the Commission proposed siting and design requirements and licensing conditions; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. C.T. Wilson
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 624 on 05/20/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Electricity and Gas - Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act) [HB-1035]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Climate Change ]
[Housing ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Public Health ]
Authorizing the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue loans, in addition to grants, for certain purposes relating to reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from certain multifamily residential buildings; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration, in coordination with the Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources, to pursue certain agreements with neighboring states and federal agencies related to the development of new nuclear energy generation stations; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. C.T. Wilson
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 626 on 05/20/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Oyster Restoration - Use of Federal Funds - Prohibition [SB-837]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Funding ]
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from using federal funds for oyster restoration projects in State waters from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030, both inclusive, subject to a certain exception.
Sponsored by: Sen. Stephen Hershey
Hearing 3/04 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/04/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Howard County - Patuxent River Wildland - Use of Mechanical or Motorized Equipment Ho. Co. 5-25 [SB-968]
[Environmental ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Recreation ]
[Water ]
Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to use mechanical or motorized equipment to retain, maintain, remove, or replace existing trails and remove, replace, or dispose of nonnative species within the Patuxent River Wildland to ensure clear and safe access to the wildland.
Sponsored by: Sen.
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 586 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Endangered and Threatened Species - Incidental Taking - Bats [SB-946]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
Authorizing the Secretary of Natural Resources to issue an incidental taking permit for the Indiana bat, the eastern small-footed bat, the northern long-eared bat, or the tricolored bat if an applicant submits a certain conservation plan and the Secretary makes certain findings.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mike McKay
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 550 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Data Centers - Fast Track Pass for Co-Location and Sales and Use Tax [SB-903]
[Taxes ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Energy ]
[Telecommunications ]
[Economic Development ]
[Data Privacy ]
Establishing an expedited certificate of public convenience and necessity review process for certain co-located energy generation projects that have received a fast track pass; establishing a Data Center Fast Track Advisory Committee in the Public Service Commission to facilitate the application for and review and awarding of fast track passes; altering the requirements for qualified data center personal property to be eligible to be exempt from the sales and use tax; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Katie Hester
Hearing Canceled (education, Energy, And The Environment) on 03/04/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Blue Catfish - Population Control [SB-960]
[Animals ]
[Agriculture ]
[Water ]
[Environmental ]
[Food ]
Establishing that regulations of the Department of Natural Resources governing the catching of blue catfish shall establish a pilot program authorizing the use of electrofishing, shall authorize the use of finfish trotlines of up to 2,400 feet in length, may not set a limit on the number of hooks used, and shall authorize the use of hooks that are not corrodible; and requiring the Department of Agriculture to report on or before September 1, 2025, outlining needs and best practices for collecting, processing, and marketing blue catfish.
Sponsored by: Sen. Johnny Mautz
Hearing 3/04 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/04/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Public Clam Fishery Area - Establishment [SB-841]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Agriculture ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission, to identify by regulation the public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay based on commercial harvesting activity during the 3 years preceding June 1, 2025, any surveys conducted by the Department, and other quantitative data known or made available to the Department; and prohibiting the lease of the public clam fishery area for shellfish aquaculture.
Sponsored by: Sen. Johnny Mautz
Hearing 3/04 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/04/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Electricity and Gas - Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act) [SB-937]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Climate Change ]
[Housing ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Public Health ]
[Budget and Spending ]
Authorizing the Department of Housing and Community Development to issue loans, in addition to grants, for certain purposes relating to reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from certain multifamily residential buildings; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration, in coordination with the Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources, to pursue certain agreements with neighboring states and federal agencies related to the development of new nuclear energy generation stations; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Brian Feldman
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 625 on 05/20/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Generating Stations - Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act) [SB-931]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Climate Change ]
Altering the factors the Public Service Commission must consider before taking final action on a certificate of public convenience and necessity; establishing a distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity to authorize the construction and operation of a certain distributed solar energy generating system; requiring the Power Plant Research Program, by July 1, 2026, to develop and submit to the Commission proposed siting and design requirements and licensing conditions; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Brian Feldman
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 623 on 05/20/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Oyster Restoration - Use of Federal Funds - Prohibition [HB-1022]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Funding ]
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from using federal funds for oyster restoration projects in State waters from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030, both inclusive, subject to a certain exception.
Sponsored by: Rep. Jay Jacobs
Hearing 2/26 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/05/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans' Care [SB-781]
[Veterans ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Recreation ]
[Healthcare ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Establishing the Task Force on the Establishment of a State Park Dedicated to Veterans' Care to study issues and estimate costs related to the establishment of a State park dedicated to providing recreational opportunities and therapeutic services to veterans; and requiring the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 1, 2026.
Sponsored by: Sen. Paul Corderman
Hearing 3/04 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/04/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board - Establishment [SB-711]
[Recreation ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
Establishing the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board to advise the Secretary of Natural Resources on the operation, acquisition, regulation, and general oversight of off-highway recreational vehicle trails and recreation in the State.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mike McKay
Reassigned To Environment And Transportation on 03/20/2025