MarylandHB 14002026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card

Sponsored By: Jay A. Jacobs (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Hunting and FishingAquacultureBoundariesCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.Delivery ServicesEquipment -see also- Charging; Med. Equip.; MV Equip; etc.EthicsFishing 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 RegistrationTime

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stricter enforcement for shellfish permits

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department can suspend your shellfish aquaculture harvester permit or registration card for up to 5 years for a first listed violation. A second or later listed violation leads to revocation. You may not do any aquaculture work during a suspension or after revocation, even with another license. Grounds include taking oysters more than 200 feet inside a closed or prohibited area, or using banned gear more than 200 feet into that area. Other grounds include delivering oysters to a dealer more than 1 hour past the time in the Health Department’s Vibrio plan, taking from a lease if you are not the leaseholder or designee, harvesting natural oyster bars or public areas without authorization, or planting unlawfully taken oysters on a lease. Before any action, the Department holds an administrative hearing. After the hearing, if the presiding officer finds you knowingly committed a listed offense, the Department must suspend or revoke as set above. You can seek judicial review of the final decision.

Lease transfer and gear removal timeline

Beginning October 1, 2026, if you are the sole holder of a lease that is terminated after an administrative case, you can submit a plan within 90 days to remove gear or transfer the lease. The Department reviews your plan within 60 days and tells you if it is complete or needs changes. You then have 30 days to send revisions and a lease transfer application. The Department approves a complete transfer application within 90 days. The Department may not terminate the lease before this process is complete. If you do not finish the steps, your gear and equipment may be forfeited to the State.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jay A. Jacobs
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Christopher T. Adams
Republican • House
Steven J. Arentz
Republican • House
Terry L. Baker
Republican • House
Barry Beauchamp
Republican • House
Regina T. Boyce
Democratic • House
Jason C. Buckel
House
Barrie S. Ciliberti
Republican • House
Jefferson L. Ghrist
Republican • House
Anne Healey
Democratic • House
Kevin B. Hornberger
Republican • House
Seth A. Howard
Republican • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Susan K. McComas
Republican • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Stuart Michael Schmidt
Republican • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
William J. Wivell
Republican • House
Natalie Ziegler
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/23/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 137 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 304
4/28/2026
Returned Passed
4/8/2026House
Third Reading Passed (43-0)
4/8/2026Senate
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
4/3/2026Senate
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
4/2/2026Senate
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
3/23/2026Senate
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
3/23/2026House
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
3/21/2026House
Favorable with Amendments {603327/1 Adopted
3/21/2026House
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
3/20/2026House
Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
2/13/2026House
First Reading Environment and Transportation
2/13/2026House

Bill Text

Third Reading
3/21/2026
PDF
First Reading
2/13/2026
PDF

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