Potomac River Compact; Potomac River Fisheries Commission, appointment of members.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary text specifies that the bill amends the Compact, but does not provide details on what happens if Maryland disagrees with Virginia’s proposed changes.

Potomac River Compact; Potomac River Fisheries Commission

This bill changes the appointment process for members of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission in Virginia.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Governor to appoint three at-large members of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.
• Specifies that one member from Virginia must be the Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).
• Allows current VMRC members on the Commission to complete their terms as usual.
• Directs the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources to notify Maryland's Senate President and House Speaker about Virginia’s agreement with the changes.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Governor of Virginia who will appoint three at-large members.
• The Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) who must be a member of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.
• Maryland's Senate President and House Speaker who need to know about Virginia’s agreement.

Terms To Know

Potomac River Compact

An agreement between Virginia and Maryland that sets rules for managing the Potomac River.

Potomac River Fisheries Commission

A group that manages fish in the Potomac River area, including setting fishing rules.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill will only take effect after Maryland's General Assembly agrees to the changes.
• It does not specify what happens if Maryland does not agree with Virginia’s proposed changes.

Official Summary Text

Potomac River Compact; Potomac River Fisheries Commission; appointment of members.
Amends the Potomac River Compact (the Compact) with the State of Maryland to require the Governor of Virginia to appoint three at-large members of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (the Commission). The bill also provides that the fourth member from Virginia shall be the Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). Currently, three such members are members of the VMRC and one such member is appointed by the Governor of Virginia. The bill provides that any Virginia member of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission who is a member of the VMRC shall be permitted to carry out the remainder of his term and directs the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, no later than October 1, 2026, to notify the Senate President and the House Speaker of the Maryland General Assembly in writing that the Commonwealth of Virginia has confirmed and ratified an amendment to the Compact and requests that the Maryland General Assembly confirm and ratify the same pursuant to the Compact. The bill will become effective upon the confirmation and ratification of a law of the Maryland General Assembly providing consent to the amendments made to the Compact in the bill.

Current Bill Text

HB 843

SUBCOMMITTEE

1. Line 47, introduced, after Commission

insert

or his designee

SUBCOMMITTEE

2. Line 56, introduced, after Commission

insert

or his designee

SUBCOMMITTEE

3. Line 56, introduced, after

strike

his

insert

the Commissioner's