MarylandHB 04942025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Recreational Equality for Service Members Act

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Deployment protects service members’ fishing licenses

Beginning October 1, 2025, deployment in the uniformed services protects a Maryland fishing license from lapsing for nonrenewal or nonuse. The license holder must notify the Department of Natural Resources before deployment. They must apply for renewal within one year after hostilities end or they are released from deployment. Wartime restrictions on net use also do not forfeit future rights to those nets once restrictions end.

Free lifetime licenses for qualifying veterans

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland may issue free lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to residents who certify a qualifying status. Eligible applicants are former prisoners of war, veterans found unemployable by Veterans Affairs, and veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities. Out-of-state applicants qualify only when their home state offers similar privileges to qualifying Maryland residents. No more than 20 complimentary fishing licenses per other state may be outstanding at once. These licenses cannot be transferred; lifetime hunting licenses also remain subject to Maryland’s statutory licensing requirements.

Group fishing waivers help veterans and military

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Department of Natural Resources may grant annual fishing-license exemptions to government entities and nonprofit groups. Covered fishing trips serve veterans or active service members with physical or mental disabilities. Exemptions may also cover fishing clinics and instruction for veterans or active service members. The exemption goes to the organization, not directly to participants.

Outdoor grants help veterans and service members

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund supports nonprofit programs through Chesapeake Bay Trust grants. Activities include hunting, fishing, water recreation, outdoor therapy, and training for green and outdoor agricultural jobs. Beneficiaries include Gold Star recipients, eligible veterans, active service members, and permanently disabled people who require wheelchairs. Grants cover eligible capital, operating, and program costs; the Department of Natural Resources must confirm claimed benefits for veterans and service members. The Department must set program rules, and fund spending supplements rather than replaces existing funding.

Service members skip some outdoor licenses

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland-resident active service members on leave in Maryland can hunt and fish without specified licenses. They must carry a copy of their official leave order while hunting or fishing. Fishing waivers cover the angler’s license and Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license in the covered waters. Hunting waivers cover the hunter’s license and bow, black powder, bonus antlered deer, and sika deer stamps. Active service members with service-connected disabilities also receive those hunting waivers when carrying valid military identification.

Veterans and military skip park entry fees

Beginning October 1, 2025, veterans, active service members, and any Maryland National Guard member receive Maryland State Park entry waivers. The waivers cover their day-use entry fees and per-vehicle fees for vehicles they occupy. Service members and Guard members must present a valid uniformed services identification card. Veterans must show a valid veteran ID, a veteran-designated driver’s license, or another form of identification accepted by the Department of Natural Resources. Other facility-use service fees still apply.

Federal definition guides Maryland veteran benefits

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland uses the federal definition of veteran in 38 U.S.C. § 101. It replaces the prior state definition for programs providing veteran benefits, rights, or privileges. The provision does not identify which people gain or lose eligibility.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Nick Allen
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Michele Guyton
Democratic • House
Marvin E. Holmes
Democratic • House
Mary A. Lehman
Democratic • House
Robbyn Lewis
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2025