All Roll Calls
Yes: 179 • No: 0
MarylandSB 01662026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card
Sponsored By: Jack Bailey (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Hunting and FishingAnnotated Code of MarylandApplicants and ApplicationsAquacultureBoundariesCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.Delivery ServicesEthicsFishing Nets and DevicesHearingsJudicial Review -see also- AppealsLeases and RentNatural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc.Natural Resources, Department ofOystersPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyPermits -see also- Building PermitsPlans and ProposalsRegistration -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationStandards and Best PracticesTime
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Tougher penalties for shellfish harvesters
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department can suspend your shellfish harvester permit or registration for a first listed violation for up to 5 years. A second or later violation results in revocation. Listed offenses include: taking oysters more than 200 feet inside a closed or prohibited area (outside a lease); using prohibited gear more than 200 feet inside a prohibited area; delivering oysters to a dealer more than 1 hour past the time set by Maryland’s Vibrio control plan; taking oysters from a lease if you are not the leaseholder or an authorized designee; taking oysters for commercial sale from public or natural bars without a valid oyster authorization; and planting unlawfully taken public oysters on a lease. If your permit or card is suspended or revoked, you may not do any aquaculture work during that period, even if another license would allow it. These penalties apply in addition to any other fines or sanctions.
Lease transfer after permit suspension
Beginning October 1, 2026, if you are the sole leaseholder and your permit or registration is suspended or revoked and your lease is terminated after an administrative case, you get a set process to remove gear or transfer the lease. You have 90 days after the case ends to submit a plan. The Department has 60 days to review and tell you if it is complete or needs changes. You then have 30 days to send revisions and a lease transfer application. The Department must approve the transfer within 90 days of a complete application, and it may not end the lease before this process finishes. If you do not complete the steps, your gear and equipment on the lease area may be forfeited to the State.
Hearing and court review before penalties
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department holds a formal hearing before suspending or revoking your permit or registration card. You can contest the citation at the hearing. If the hearing officer finds you knowingly committed a listed offense, the Department issues the suspension or revocation as required. After the final decision, you can ask a court to review it.
Law starts October 1, 2026
This law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jack Bailey
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/8/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 134 • No: 0 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 305
4/28/2026Returned Passed
4/8/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (134-0)
4/8/2026HouseFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/3/2026HouseFavorable Report by Environment and Transportation
4/3/2026HouseHearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
3/25/2026HouseReferred Environment and Transportation
3/20/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (45-0)
3/19/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/18/2026SenateFavorable with Amendments {633824/1 Adopted
3/18/2026SenateFavorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/18/2026SenateHearing 2/03 at 1:00 p.m.
1/16/2026SenateFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
1/14/2026SenatePre-filed
10/1/2025Senate
Bill Text
Third Reading
3/18/2026
First Reading
1/14/2026
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