MarylandHB 14002026 Regular SessionHouse

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.

Shellfish harvesters face penalties with hearing rights

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland requires a hearing before suspending or revoking a shellfish aquaculture harvester permit or registration card. If the hearing officer finds a knowing violation, the state must suspend it for up to 5 years for a first offense. A second or later offense requires revocation. Offenses include taking oysters from a prohibited area more than 200 feet outside a lease, or from a lease without being its holder or designee. Delivering oysters to a dealer more than 1 hour past the state health plan's deadline also triggers penalties. Other offenses include commercial harvesting from natural oyster bars or public shellfish fishery areas without valid oyster-catching authorization. Unlawfully taking oysters commercially from those areas and planting them on an aquaculture lease also qualifies. During suspension or revocation, the person cannot do any aquaculture work, even work requiring no other license or registration. The person can seek court review of the state's final decision.

Shellfish leaseholders get deadlines and gear risks

Beginning October 1, 2026, this process covers sole shellfish aquaculture leaseholders facing lease termination after permit or registration card suspension or revocation. They can submit a gear-removal or lease-transfer plan within 90 days after the administrative proceeding ends. Maryland must review the plan within 60 days and notify the holder whether it is complete or needs revisions. Within 30 days after notice, the holder must submit required revisions and a lease transfer application. The state must approve a completed transfer application within 90 days of receiving it. The state cannot terminate the lease before this process is complete. Failure to complete the process can mean losing gear and equipment to the state for destruction or other disposal.

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
Republican • 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

Enacted
4/28/2026
PDF
Third Reading
3/21/2026
PDF
First Reading
2/13/2026
PDF

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