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MarylandHB 02582026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Standards and Procedures

Sponsored By: Regina T. Boyce (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Natural Resources - GenerallyBoundariesChesapeake Bay -see also- Chesapeake Bay RestorationCoastal BaysCommittees and CommissionsEvaluations and ReviewsMaps and ChartsNatural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc.Rules and RegulationsStandards and Best PracticesTimeTreesVoting -see also- Absentee and Mail-In Voting

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger penalties and replanting after illegal clearing

Beginning October 1, 2026, if a court finds you illegally cut or cleared trees in the Critical Area, you must pay damages equal to the estimated replanting cost to the local government. Replanting plans must be prepared and overseen by the State Forester, a licensed forester, a licensed landscape architect, or another professional approved by the Department when replanting is ordered.

New siting rules for development areas

Beginning October 1, 2026, new intensely developed areas must be contiguous and adjoining to an existing intensely developed area. New limited development areas must be contiguous and adjoining to an existing limited development area. The law also defines “adjacent” to mean sharing a boundary or being separated only by a street, road, right‑of‑way, or utility or access easement for land-classification decisions.

Fixed dates for Critical Area map changes

Beginning October 1, 2026, to change a Critical Area classification based on a mapping mistake, you must use land uses or natural features from fixed dates. Use December 1, 1985 for the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and June 1, 2002 for the Atlantic Coastal Bays. For areas added by remapping, use the date of the remap.

Commission rulemaking and decision timelines updated

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Commission must adopt or amend Critical Area regulations by an affirmative vote and follow State rulemaking procedures. If the chair does not act within 30 days, a proposal is deemed a program amendment and the Commission must be notified. After an override vote, the Commission has 130 days to act.

Local Critical Area reviews every 10 years

Beginning October 1, 2026, local Critical Area programs complete comprehensive reviews every 10 years instead of every 6 years. This lengthens the period between required updates to local rules.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Regina T. Boyce

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Marvin E. Holmes

    Democratic • House

  • Robbyn Lewis

    Democratic • House

  • Darrell Odom

    Democratic • House

  • Dana Stein

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/12/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 130 • No: 2 • Other: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 274

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/9/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (41-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/8/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/13/2026Senate

  8. Third Reading Passed (130-2)

    3/12/2026House

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/10/2026House

  10. Favorable with Amendments {113220/1 Adopted

    3/10/2026House

  11. Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

    3/9/2026House

  12. Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/19/2026House

  13. First Reading Environment and Transportation

    1/14/2026House

  14. Pre-filed

    9/30/2025House

Bill Text

  • Third Reading

    3/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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