Natural Resources, Department Of
Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Wildlife Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund - Establishment [SB-736]
[Agriculture ]
[Animals ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
Establishing the Wildlife Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund 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 from the Fund for projects that seek to prevent damage caused by deer, geese, or other wildlife; and authorizing the Governor to include in the annual budget an appropriation of at least $50,000 to the Fund.
Sponsored by: Sen. William Folden
Hearing 3/04 At 1:00 P.m. (education, Energy, And The Environment) on 02/04/2025
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Gettr Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Endangered and Threatened Species - Incidental Taking - Bats [HB-894]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
Authorizing the Secretary of Natural Resources to issue an incidental taking permit for the Indiana bat, the northern long-eared bat, the tricolor bat, or the eastern small-footed bat if an applicant submits a certain conservation plan and the Secretary makes certain findings.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 551 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Prince George's County - Natural Resources - Sunday Deer Hunting and Archery Hunting Safety Zones [HB-882]
[Animals ]
[Public Safety ]
[Recreation ]
Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on each Sunday of the deer bow hunting season in Prince George's County; and adding Prince George's County to the list of counties in which the safety zone for archery hunters extends a distance of 50 yards from a dwelling house, residence, church, or any other building or camp occupied by human beings.
Sponsored by: Rep. Kriselda Valderrama
First Reading Environment And Transportation on 01/30/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Hunter Safety Education - Issuance of Identification Number [HB-854]
[Firearms/Gun Control ]
[Public Safety ]
[Animals ]
[Education ]
[Law Enforcement ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to print an assigned permanent identification number in a certain manner for a person who completes the course of instruction in conservation and in competency and safety in the handling of firearms.
Sponsored by: Rep. Kevin Hornberger
Withdrawn By Sponsor on 02/17/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Fisheries - Striped Bass or Rockfish - Juvenile Survey [HB-889]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[Science ]
[Water ]
Expanding the scope of the annual young-of-the-year juvenile survey of striped bass or rockfish by requiring the Department of Natural Resources to conduct the survey at at least a certain number of additional sampling sites in the central region of the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay; and requiring the Department to report the results of the survey to certain Commissions and committees of the General Assembly by December 31 each year.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
Third Reading Passed (137-1) on 03/17/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Tidal Fish Licenses - Oyster Authorizations - Administrative Penalties [HB-893]
[Animals ]
[Water ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Public Safety ]
[Environmental ]
[Crime ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to suspend for up to 5 years for a first violation, rather than revoke, a person's oyster authorization for knowingly committing certain violations; providing for the reinstatement for certain persons of an oyster authorization and an entitlement to engage or work in the oyster fishery; altering a certain offense related to the use of prohibited gear; and repealing the 90-day time period within which a certain administrative hearing must be held.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 552 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Environment - Coal Combustion By-Products - Fees, Coordinating Committee, and Regulations [HB-902]
[Environmental ]
[Energy ]
[Waste Management / Recycling ]
[Water ]
[Mining ]
Providing that a certain base fee established by the Department of the Environment that is paid by a certain generator of coal combustion by-products is not less than $2.30 per ton; altering the factors that the Department is required to consider in establishing the fee; establishing the Statewide Coal Combustion By-Products Coordinating Committee to share information, monitoring results, and certain remedial actions with respect to certain coal combustion by-product sites; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Favorable With Amendments Report By Environment And Transportation on 04/07/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Pursuing Wounded Deer After Legal Hunting Hours and Using a Light - Authorization [HB-857]
[Animals ]
[Public Safety ]
[Recreation ]
[Law Enforcement ]
Authorizing a person who is authorized by the Department of Natural Resources to hunt deer and who wounds a deer during legal hunting hours to pursue and kill the deer after legal hunting hours using the means authorized for the applicable hunting season or permit which may include use of a light or throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, a headlight, an artificial light, a battery, or any other device while pursuing the wounded deer.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 553 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Wildlife - Protections and Highway Crossings [SB-635]
[Animals ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Environmental ]
[Public Safety ]
Establishing the Maryland Connectivity Coalition to foster collaboration among State and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders for the purpose of protecting endangered wildlife from habitat fragmentation; requiring the State Highway Administration to have final decision-making authority regarding decisions related to placement, funding, or design of wildlife crossings; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Referred Rules And Executive Nominations on 04/01/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Hunting - Nonlead Ammunition, Fox Chasing, and Deer Management [SB-634]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Sports ]
Altering the definition of "hunt" to no longer exclude the sport of fox chasing; establishing the Deer Management Assistance Program in the Department of Natural Resources; requiring the Department to require, through a certain phasing-out process, the use of nonlead ammunition on or before July 1, 2029; and establishing certain exemptions and requirements for any person who participates in the sport of fox chasing.
Sponsored by: Sen. Karen Lewis Young
Hearing 3/04 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/04/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Department of Natural Resources – Savage River Lodge – Hotel Rental Surcharge [SB-638]
[Taxes ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Tourism ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources 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 use and distribute the proceeds from the surcharge in a certain manner.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mike McKay
Withdrawn By Sponsor on 03/11/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Hunting - Nonlead Ammunition, Fox Chasing, and Deer Management [HB-741]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Sports ]
Altering the definition of "hunt" to no longer exclude the sport of fox chasing; establishing the Deer Management Assistance Program in the Department of Natural Resources; requiring the Department to require, through a certain phasing-out process, the use of nonlead ammunition on or before July 1, 2029; and establishing certain exemptions and requirements for any person who participates in the sport of fox chasing.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Hearing 2/19 At 1:00 P.m. on 01/29/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Wildlife - Protections and Highway Crossings [HB-731]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Public Safety ]
Establishing the Maryland Connectivity Coalition to foster collaboration among State and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders for the purpose of protecting endangered wildlife from habitat fragmentation; requiring the State Highway Administration to have final decision-making authority regarding decisions related to placement, funding, or design of wildlife crossings; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 549 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Repeal of Somers Cove Marina Commission and Improvement Fund and Alteration of Operations [HB-720]
[Water ]
[Community Development ]
[Recreation ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Repealing provisions of law relating to the Somers Cove Marina Commission, the Somers Cove Marina Improvement Fund, and the operation of Somers Cove Marina; requiring the Secretary to develop a master plan for the operation and improvement of services at Somers Cove Marina by October 1, 2027; requiring all revenue received by the Department from activities associated with Somers Cove Marina be deposited in the Natural Resources Property Maintenance Fund; establishing the Somers Cove Marina Advisory Commission; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep.
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 444 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Public Lands - Acquisition, Staffing, Operations, and Funding [HB-717]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Environmental ]
[Funding ]
[Real Estate ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Water ]
Altering provisions of law regarding the acquisition of real property by the Department of Natural Resources; establishing a Land and Property Management Program in the Department to process certain transactions; authorizing the Department and the Natural Resources Police to establish affiliated foundations; authorizing the Governor to transfer certain Program Open Space funds to the Department under certain circumstances; altering and repealing certain provisions of law regarding the use of Program Open Space local funding; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep.
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 443 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Wicomico County - Sunday Hunting Time Restrictions - Repeal [HB-654]
[Animals ]
[Public Safety ]
[Recreation ]
Repealing certain time restrictions that apply to the hunting of game birds and mammals on certain Sundays on private property and public land designated for Sunday hunting in Wicomico County.
Sponsored by: No sponsors
Hearing 2/28 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/12/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Maryland Green Schools - Website, Outreach, and Designations (Green Schools Stewardship Act) [HB-540]
[Environmental ]
[Education ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Science ]
[Community Development ]
[Climate Change ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Health ]
[Children and Youth ]
Requiring the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education to update, by March 1, 2027, and maintain a certain website; requiring the Association to conduct certain outreach efforts with a certain frequency; requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the State Department of Education and in consultation with other relevant parties, to establish criteria for designating green schools in the State as green schools mentor schools; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Sarah Wolek
Hearing 2/12 At 1:00 P.m. on 01/29/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act [HB-506]
[Agriculture ]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Food ]
Establishing the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program; establishing the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program Fund to support actions associated with the Program's purpose; altering the definition of "healthy soils" for purposes of the Maryland Healthy Soils Program; exempting certain holders of certain fishing licenses from the requirement to obtain a food establishment license from the Maryland Department of Health; establishing the Water Quality Monitoring Program; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 430 on 05/13/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Frederick and Washington Counties - Bow Hunting - Openly Carrying Handguns [HB-511]
[Firearms/Gun Control ]
[Animals ]
[Public Safety ]
[Law Enforcement ]
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting certain licensed bow hunters from openly carrying a handgun under certain circumstances in Frederick County and Washington County during deer hunting season.
Sponsored by: No sponsors
Hearing 2/26 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/05/2025
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Maryland 2025 Regular Session
Frederick and Washington Counties - Bow Hunting - Openly Carrying Handguns [SB-449]
[Firearms/Gun Control ]
[Animals ]
[Public Safety ]
[Law Enforcement ]
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting certain licensed bow hunters from openly carrying a handgun under certain circumstances in Frederick County and Washington County during deer hunting season.
Sponsored by: Sen.
Hearing 3/26 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/19/2025