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MarylandSB 02822025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Recreational Equality for Service Members Act

Sponsored By: Bryan W. Simonaire (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Hunting and FishingState Government - Agencies, Offices, and OfficialsArmed Forces -see also- Military Department; VeteransChesapeake Bay -see also- Chesapeake Bay RestorationDisabilitiesFish and Fishing -see also- Aquaculture; FishNets&DevForests and Parks -see also- MdNatlCapPkPlnCm; Plants; etc.GovernorHunting -see also- TrappingIdentification -see also- Biometrics; Fingerprinting; DrLicsLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsMilitary FamiliesMotor Vehicles -see also- Aband Veh; Ambulances; Buses; etc.Natural Resources -see also- Coal; For&Pks; Rivers; etc.Natural Resources, Department ofPublic Officials -see also- Atty Gen; Compt; Coun Admin; etcRules and RegulationsSports and RecreationVeterans

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Deployment protects fishing licenses from lapsing

Beginning October 1, 2025, a fishing license does not lapse when deployment or essential war-industry work prevents renewal or use. Deployment must be in the uniformed services. The license holder must notify the Department before deployment. The holder must apply to renew within one year after hostilities end or release from deployment.

Free lifetime licenses for qualifying veterans

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland may issue free lifetime fishing and hunting licenses to qualifying residents. Applicants must certify former prisoner-of-war status, a Veterans Affairs finding of unemployability, or a 100% service-connected disability. Out-of-state applicants need matching privileges for Maryland residents; no more than 20 complimentary angler licenses per other state may remain outstanding. Licenses cannot be transferred, and hunting licenses remain subject to the requirements of § 10-301.1. For the existing lifetime Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license, former prisoner-of-war eligibility also expands. It includes active uniformed service members, including reservists on active-duty orders, forcibly detained in the line of duty during armed conflict by an enemy government, its agents, or a hostile force.

Military members and veterans enter parks free

Beginning October 1, 2025, active service members, Maryland National Guard members, and veterans avoid Maryland State park day-use entry fees. Vehicles they occupy also avoid per-vehicle entry fees. Service and Guard members must show a valid uniformed services identification card. Veterans must show a valid veteran identification card, a veteran-marked driver's license, or other Department-accepted proof. Other facility-use fees, such as camping and cabin fees, still apply.

Service members skip some outdoor fees

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland-resident active service members can fish or hunt in Maryland during leave without specified licenses. They must carry a copy of their official leave order. The hunting exemption also covers bow and arrow, black powder, bonus antlered deer, and sika deer stamps. Active service members with a service-connected disability also receive these hunting license and stamp exemptions while carrying valid military identification.

Fishing groups serving military get fee relief

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland's Department of Natural Resources may grant an annual fishing-license exemption to government or nonprofit groups. Groups qualify by taking veterans or active service members with physical or mental disabilities fishing. They also qualify by offering fishing lessons or clinics to veterans or active service members. The exemption lowers the group's licensing costs, rather than providing a cash payment to participants.

More recreation grants for service members

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Chesapeake Bay Trust can use Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund grants for more service members. Eligible sponsors can serve veterans and uniformed service members beyond the armed forces. Grants can pay capital, operating, or program costs for the specified recreation, therapeutic, and green-jobs training opportunities. The Trust must confirm that funded opportunities benefit veterans or service members, and Department eligibility rules apply.

Veterans Trust uses federal eligibility definition

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Maryland Veterans Trust uses the federal veteran definition in 38 U.S.C. § 101. This replaces its prior state definition based on active-duty armed forces service, excluding training, and discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. The change affects the eligibility standard for Trust benefits, but its overall effect on who qualifies is not specified.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bryan W. Simonaire

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jack Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason C. Gallion

    Republican • Senate

  • J.B. Jennings

    Republican • Senate

  • M. Jackson

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Johnny Mautz

    Republican • Senate

  • Johnny Ray Salling

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 135 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 265

    5/6/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/3/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (46-0)

    4/3/2025Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (135-0)

    4/1/2025House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/31/2025House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {513921/1 Adopted

    3/31/2025House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

    3/31/2025House

  9. Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/19/2025House

  10. Referred Environment and Transportation

    3/13/2025House

  11. Third Reading Passed (47-0)

    3/12/2025Senate

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/12/2025Senate

  13. Floor Amendment {693121/1 (Senator Simonaire) Adopted

    3/12/2025Senate

  14. Favorable with Amendments {823325/1 Adopted

    3/12/2025Senate

  15. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/11/2025Senate

  16. Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/14/2025Senate

  17. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    1/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/3/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/12/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/10/2025

    PDF

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