Natural Resources, Department Of
Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Shellfish Aquaculture - Harvest Hours [SB-879]
[Agriculture ]
[Water ]
[Environmental ]
Repealing a restriction on the harvesting of shellfish between the hours of sunset and sunrise from certain areas leased for aquaculture; and requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish by regulation the hours for harvesting shellfish within leased areas.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 551 on 05/09/2024
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Gettr Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Department of Natural Resources - Issuance of Salvage Title for Abandoned or Sunken Vessels - Authorization [HB-936]
[Environmental ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Water ]
[Public Safety ]
Authorizing a person to apply for a salvage title for an abandoned or sunken vessel; and authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to issue a salvage title for an abandoned or sunken vessel if the abandoned or sunken vessel is in such a condition of disrepair that the Department cannot remove the vessel intact or if the Department determines that the vessel is a total loss.
Sponsored by: Rep. Robert Long
Hearing 2/28 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/06/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Deep Creek Lake - Lower Lake Levels - Requirement and Impact Study [SB-837]
[Water ]
[Environmental ]
[Energy ]
[Recreation ]
[Science ]
Requiring the Water and Science Administration in the Department of the Environment, under certain circumstances to require Brookfield Power Piney & Deep Creek LLC to lower the level of Deep Creek Lake for at least 4 weeks between October 31 and January 1; requiring the Department of Natural Resources or a contractor hired by the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a study while the lake level is lowered to determine the impact of the lower levels on nvasive plants, sediment deposits, and the whitewater industry; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mike McKay
Hearing 4/03 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/21/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Hunting - Tundra Swans [HB-957]
[Animals ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Recreation ]
[Environmental ]
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish an annual tundra swan hunting season if authorized by federal law; requiring the Department to request that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorize an annual tundra swan hunting season in the State and provide the Department with a certain number of permits to take tundra swan annually; and requiring the Department to distribute tundra swan permits annually using a lottery-based system and to charge a certain permit application fee under certain circumstances.
Sponsored by: Rep. Kevin Hornberger
Hearing 2/28 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/06/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund and Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board – Alterations and Establishment [HB-866]
[Recreation ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
Altering the contents and authorized uses of the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund; establishing the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board to advise the Secretary of Natural Resources on certain matters and review and approve certain expenditures; and altering the percentages of the revenue from a certain excise tax the Comptroller is required to distribute to the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and each year thereafter.
Sponsored by: Rep. Jason Buckel
Hearing 2/29 At 1:00 P.m. (environment And Transportation) on 02/07/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Deep Creek Lake - Lower Lake Levels - Requirement and Impact Study [HB-910]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Science ]
Requiring the Water and Science Administration in the Department of the Environment to require Brookfield Power Piney & Deep Creek LLC to lower the level of Deep Creek Lake for at least 4 weeks between November 30 and February 28; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a certain study while the lake level is lowered to determine the impact of the lower levels on the spread of invasive plants and accumulated sediment deposits; requiring certain units of the State to consider the reports when taking certain actions; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Jim Hinebaugh
Hearing 2/23 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/06/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund and Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board - Alterations and Establishment [SB-857]
[Recreation ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Budget and Spending ]
Altering the contents and authorized uses of the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund; establishing the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board to advise the Secretary of Natural Resources on certain matters and review and approve certain expenditures; and altering the percentages of the revenue from a certain excise tax the Comptroller is required to distribute to the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and each year thereafter.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mike McKay
First Reading Judicial Proceedings on 02/02/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Shellfish Aquaculture - Harvest Hours [HB-857]
[Agriculture ]
[Water ]
[Environmental ]
Repealing a restriction which prohibited the harvesting of shellfish between the hours of sunset and sunrise from certain areas leased for aquaculture; and requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish by regulation the hours for harvesting shellfish within leased areas.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Jones
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 550 on 05/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Dorchester County - Sunday Hunting - Repeal of Time Restrictions [SB-847]
[Animals ]
[Recreation ]
Repealing the time restrictions that apply to Sunday hunting in Dorchester County.
Sponsored by: Sen. Johnny Mautz
Hearing 2/27 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Stream Restoration Contractors Licensing Board, Stream Restoration Contractors, and Stream Restoration Project Requirements [SB-798]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Construction ]
[Public Safety ]
Establishing the Stream Restoration Contractors Licensing Board; requiring a person to be licensed as a stream restoration contractor or be employed by an individual or entity that is licensed as a stream restoration contractor before the person performs or solicits to perform stream restoration contractor services in the State, subject to a certain exception; requiring the Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, to develop a certain assessment; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Katie Hester
Withdrawn By Sponsor on 03/13/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Fisheries – Striped Bass or Rockfish – Juvenile Survey [SB-711]
[Animals ]
[Environmental ]
[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 sampling sites in the central region of the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay in addition to sampling sites in the northern and southern regions of the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay; and establishing certain requirements for the central region sampling sites.
Sponsored by: Sen. Jack Bailey
Hearing 2/27 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/07/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Natural Resources – Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Surveys [HB-807]
[Environmental ]
[Water ]
[Science ]
Altering the definition of "aerial survey" for purposes of surveying submerged aquatic vegetation to include other surveys that encompass certain geographic areas and use certain methodologies; and requiring the Department of Natural Resources to study and report to the General Assembly on the implications and feasibility of using alternative methods other than an aerial survey to delineate SAV protection zones on or before December 1, 2025.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 512 on 05/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Natural Resources - Sunday Hunting - Migratory Game Birds [HB-778]
[Animals ]
[Recreation ]
Authorizing a person to hunt migratory game birds on Sundays.
Sponsored by: Rep. Jason Buckel
Hearing 2/21 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/05/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Operating a Vessel While Under the Influence of Alcohol - Enforcement (Nick's Law) [HB-770]
[Alcoholic Beverages ]
[Crime ]
[Public Safety ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Recreation ]
Altering the time period within which a court may prohibit a person convicted under certain circumstances of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol from operating a vessel on the waters of the State; requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in coordination with the Natural Resources Police Force, to establish and maintain a database of persons prohibited from operating a vessel on the waters of the State due to a certain conviction for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Stuart Schmidt
Referred Rules on 04/06/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Operating a Vessel While Under the Influence of Alcohol - Enforcement (Nick's Law) [SB-740]
[Alcoholic Beverages ]
[Crime ]
[Public Safety ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Recreation ]
Altering the time period within which a court may prohibit a person convicted under certain circumstances of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol from operating a vessel on the waters of the State; requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in coordination with the Natural Resources Police Force, to establish and maintain a database of persons prohibited from operating a vessel on the waters of the State due to a certain conviction for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Mike McKay
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 418 on 05/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Tree Expert Licenses - Application and Renewal Fee Alterations and Insurance Requirements [SB-683]
[Insurance ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Environmental ]
[Workers' Compensation ]
[Public Safety ]
Specifying the maximum amounts of certain fees relating to tree expert licensing established by the Department of Natural Resources by regulation; and authorizing the Department to permanently revoke or temporarily suspend a tree expert license if the license holder fails to maintain liability, property, or workers' compensation insurance as required by law.
Sponsored by: Sen. Katie Hester
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 510 on 05/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Abandoned or Sunken Vessels and Waterway Improvement Fund Grants [SB-674]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Water ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Requiring the owner of a vessel that is required to be numbered to include certain contact information for each owner of the vessel with the application for a certificate of number; requiring the Department of Natural Resources, before and after seizing, removing, or taking an abandoned or sunken vessel into custody, to attempt to contact certain individuals in a certain manner; requiring the Department to distribute at least $250,000 from the Waterway Improvement Fund each fiscal year to a certain organization for a certain purpose; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Michael Jackson
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 560 on 05/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Maryland Trails Advisory Committee and the Maryland Office of Trails - Establishment (Great Maryland Trails Act) [SB-645]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Recreation ]
[Community Development ]
Establishing the Maryland Office of Trails in the Department of Transportation to develop and maintain the Maryland Trails Network, advance the development, maintenance, and use of trails in the State, develop a certain inventory and database, and collect certain information regarding trails; establishing a Director of the Maryland Office of Trails to oversee the Office and collaborate with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; establishing the Maryland Trails Advisory Commission; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Sarah Elfreth
Hearing 2/16 At 9:00 A.m. on 02/09/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Oysters, Striped Bass, and Crabs - Commercial Authorizations - Suspensions and Revocations [HB-725]
[Animals ]
[Crime ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Public Safety ]
Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from revoking a person's authorization to catch oysters, striped bass, or crabs unless the person has been convicted of or entered an accepted plea of nolo contendere to a certain crime; altering and establishing certain procedures for the suspension or revocation of an authorization to catch oysters, striped bass, or crabs; and authorizing the Department to reinstate a certain authorization under certain circumstances.
Sponsored by: Rep. Steven Arentz
Hearing 2/21 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/01/2024
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Maryland 2024 Regular Session
Frederick and Washington Counties – Bow Hunting – Openly Carrying Handguns [SB-611]
[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. Mike McKay
Hearing 2/13 At 1:00 P.m. on 01/29/2024