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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0701*
SENATE BILL 701
M3 6lr3375
CF HB 775
By: Senator Mautz
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Wetlands and Waterways Permits – Lighthouse Piers – Permission of Owner of 2
Private Wetlands 3
FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from being required to obtain permission from the 4
owner of private wetlands in order to construct a certain pier under certain 5
circumstances; and generally relating to wetlands and waterways permits and the 6
construction of piers. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Environment 9
Section 16–101(a), (k), and (l) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12
BY adding to 13
Article – Environment 14
Section 16–105.1 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Environment 20
16–101. 21
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
(k) (1) “Pier” means any pier, wharf, dock, walkway, bulkhead, breakwater, 23
piles, or other similar structure. 24
2 SENATE BILL 701
(2) “Pier” does not include any structure on pilings or stilts that was 1
originally constructed beyond the landward boundaries of State or private wetlands. 2
(l) (1) “Private wetlands” means any land not considered “State wetland” 3
bordering on or lying beneath tidal waters, which is subject to regular or periodic tidal 4
action and supports aquatic growth. 5
(2) “Private wetlands” includ es wetlands, transferred by the State by a 6
valid grant, lease, patent, or grant confirmed by Article 5 of the Maryland Declaration of 7
Rights, to the extent of the interest transferred. 8
16–105.1. 9
(A) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION AND NOTWITHSTANDING 10
ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS TITLE, A PERSON MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN 11
PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER OF PRIVATE WETLANDS IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT A 12
PIER THAT IS: 13
(1) WITHIN THE PRIVATE WETLANDS; 14
(2) CONNECTED TO A LIGHTHOUSE; AND 15
(3) NOT CONNECTED TO THE SHORE. 16
(B) A PERSON UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL OBTAIN ALL 17
NECESSARY APPROVALS FROM THE BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO 18
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PIER. 19
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effec t 20
October 1, 2026. 21