# Maryland HB 0404: Natural Resources - State Parks - Terminology Maryland HB 0404, Natural Resources - State Parks - Terminology, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Bernice Mireku-North (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-28 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 272) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0404-2026RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland HB 0404 - State: Maryland - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Natural Resources - State Parks - Terminology - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-01-22 - Last action: 2026-04-28, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 272 - Sponsor: Bernice Mireku-North (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Natural Resources - Generally, Baltimore City, Cecil County, Charles County, Classifications and Designations, Forests and Parks -see also- MdNatlCapPkPlnCm; Plants; etc., Historical Matters -see also- Archives; Monumts; Museum; etc, Montgomery County, Natural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc., Natural Resources, Department of, Prince George's County, Racial Matters -see also- Ethnic Affairs; Minorities - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (179 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 6 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Community planning for Gwynns Falls State Park: benefit, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department and Baltimore City hold focus groups near the future park. They list priority needs and cost estimates for repairs, habitat work, historic restoration, trails, staffing, equipment, and public safety. They also create a stakeholder committee that includes Fr… - Community voice and partnerships in state parks: benefit, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department must get input from key state commissions when creating parks that tell the stories of African American, Asian, Indigenous or Native American, and Hispanic or Latino communities. The long‑range plan must include new parks that preserve and explain these his… - Freedman’s State Park in Montgomery County: benefit, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department establishes Freedman’s State Park as a partnership park. The park preserves and teaches Black American history in and around Brookeville, Olney, Sandy Spring, Zion, and Laytonsville, using State and partner‑owned sites. The Department sets up a stakeholder… - Port Deposit State Park at Bainbridge: benefit, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department establishes Port Deposit State Park as a partnership park focused on Black American history. The State holds 120 to 150 acres at the Bainbridge site, including the Tome School, the Snow Hill archaeological site, and nearby conservation land. The Department… - Volunteer programs and better park access: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, the long‑range plan reports on a volunteer management program and how charitable funds improve parks. It also reports on work with transportation agencies to improve bike, sidewalk, and trail access to State parks. - Pipeline to park jobs for workers: benefit, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, the long‑range plan includes workforce programs for park jobs. The Department works with the State’s HBCUs and follows the National Park Service diversity model. The goal is a pipeline for rangers and full‑time staff from volunteers, foster youth, and underserved communit… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Bernice Mireku-North (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-08 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 43 | 0 | 2 | | 2026-02-26 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 136 | 0 | | ## Actions (12) - 2026-04-28: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 272 - 2026-04-08: Returned Passed (House) - 2026-04-08: Third Reading Passed (43-0) (Senate) - 2026-04-03: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (Senate) - 2026-04-02: Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment (Senate) - 2026-02-27: Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment (Senate) - 2026-02-26: Third Reading Passed (136-0) (House) - 2026-02-24: Second Reading Passed (House) - 2026-02-24: Favorable Adopted (House) - 2026-02-23: Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation (House) - 2026-01-28: Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. (House) - 2026-01-22: First Reading Environment and Transportation (House) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2026-04-28: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_272_hb0404t.pdf) - Third Reading, 2026-02-24: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0404t.pdf) - First Reading, 2026-01-22: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0404f.pdf) ## Related bills - SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law) - SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law) - SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law) - SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law) - SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law) - HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law) ## Sources - [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_272_hb0404t.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0404t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0404f.pdf) ## Related - [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS) - [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS) - [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS) - [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS) - [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS) - [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS) - [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills) - [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0404-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).