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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*hb0784*
HOUSE BILL 784
M2 6lr2750
By: Delegate D. Jones
Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 26, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Aquaculture – Placement of Shellfish, Bags, Nets, and Structures on Submerged 2
Aquatic Vegetation – Extension 3
FOR the purpose of extending the authorization of a leaseholder of certain aquaculture 4
leases, with prior written approval from the Department of Natural Resources, to 5
place shellfish, bags, nets, and structures on submerged aquatic vegetation, subject 6
to certain requirements; and generally relating to aquaculture leases and submerged 7
aquatic vegetation. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Natural Resources 10
Section 4–11A–10(c) and (c–1) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
Chapter 238 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2019 , as amended by Chapte r 15
113 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 16
Section 3 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Natural Resources 20
2 HOUSE BILL 784
4–11A–10. 1
(c) A leaseholder may not: 2
(1) Place shellfish, bags, nets, or structures on submerged aquatic 3
vegetation without prior written approval from the Department; 4
(2) Plant or harvest shellfish within 500 yards of any stationary blind or 5
blind site that is occupied and being used for hunting migratory waterfowl; 6
(3) Sublease a lease; 7
(4) Transfer a lease without the approval of the Department; 8
(5) Harvest shellfish outside the hours established by the Department in 9
regulation; or 10
(6) Place unlawfully harvested oysters on a lease. 11
(c–1) In approving the placement of shellfish, bags, nets, or structures on 12
submerged aquatic vegetation under subsection (c)(1) of this section, the Department: 13
(1) May not authorize harvesting by dredge in areas where submerged 14
aquatic vegetation is present; 15
(2) Shall authorize for water column leases the placement of shellfish, 16
bags, nets, or structures in at least 10% of the area where submerged aquatic vegetation is 17
present; and 18
(3) Shall authorize harvest by diving in areas on any submerged land lease 19
where submerged aquatic vegetation is present. 20
Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2019, as amended by Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2024 21
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 22
1, 2019. It shall remain effective for a period of [8] 11 years and 1 month and, at the end 23
of June 30, [2027] 2030, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, 24
shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 25
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 26
1, 2026. 27