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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb1001*
SENATE BILL 1001
M1 6lr3602
By: Senator Mautz
Introduced and read first time: February 24, 2026
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Natural Resources – Development of Abandoned Railroad Corridors – Proof of 2
Title 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Natural Resources, prior to undertaking 4
the development of a railroad corridor property for recreational use, to establish 5
through a title search that the State owns the property in fee simple; and generally 6
relating to the development of railroad corridor properties for recreational use. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Natural Resources 9
Section 5–1010 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 14
Article – Natural Resources 15
5–1010. 16
(a) The General Assembly finds that: 17
(1) In order to provide the public with access to the use, enjoyment, and 18
appreciation of the outdoor areas of Maryland, it is declared to be the public policy of this 19
State to provide the means and procedures for establishing and expa nding a network of 20
recreational and scenic trails; 21
(2) Abandoned railroad corridor property is a unique source of land 22
corridors that are, in many cases, suitable for recreational trails; 23
2 SENATE BILL 1001
(3) Railroad corridor property is being abandoned at a high ra te and is 1
often sold in segments, thereby fragmenting the original corridors and leaving unconnected 2
segments which may be suitable for acquisition for recreational trail use; 3
(4) The preservation of abandoned rail corridor property for use as 4
recreational trails is in the public interest; and 5
(5) A systematic and continuing statewide program of acquiring abandoned 6
railroad corridor property is needed to preserve this unique and irreplaceable source of 7
recreational trails. 8
(b) (1) The Department sha ll maintain liaison with, provide factual data to, 9
and work with the Department of Transportation, the State Railroad Administration, the 10
Department of Planning, other agencies, and local governments to determine the suitability 11
for trail purposes of railroad corridor property proposed for abandonment. 12
(2) The Department may conduct feasibility studies and appraisals of 13
railroad corridor property proposed for abandonment. 14
(3) The Department may acquire railroad corridors pursuant to the 15
National Trails Systems Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1241 et seq., as amended. 16
(c) (1) If, under the provisions of § 7 –901 of the Transportation Article, the 17
Department of Transportation acquires railroad corridor property considered suitable for 18
use as recreational trails, the Department may request interim use of the property for 19
public recreational use. 20
(2) The Department may lease a corridor from the Department of 21
Transportation and sublease it to a local government subject to all the terms and conditions 22
of the original lease. 23
(3) Any lease of railroad corridor property by the Department for interim 24
use for public recreation shall be subject to restoration or reconstruction for railroad 25
purposes, and the interim use may not be considered as an abandonment of the use of the 26
railroad corridor for railroad purposes. 27
(4) (I) Prior to undertaking the development of a railroad corridor 28
property for recreational use the Department shall conduct a public hearing in the affected 29
county. 30
(II) The hearing shall be advertised in a newspaper of general 31
circulation in the affected county for 3 consecutive weeks. 32
(D) PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RAILROAD 33
CORRIDOR PROPERTY FO R RECREATIONAL USE , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 34
SENATE BILL 1001 3
ESTABLISH THROUGH A TITLE SEARCH THAT TH E STATE OWNS THE PROPER TY IN 1
FEE SIMPLE. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 3
October 1, 2026. 4