EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1263*
HOUSE BILL 1263
M2 5lr3416
CF SB 841
By: Delegates Adams, Hutchinson, Jacobs, and Otto
Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Natural Resources – Public Clam Fishery Area – Establishment 2
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with 3
the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission, to identify by regulation based on certain 4
data the public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay; prohibiting the lease of the 5
public clam fishery area for shellfish aquaculture; and generally relating to the 6
public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay. 7
BY adding to 8
Article – Natural Resources 9
Section 4–1006.3 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 14
Article – Natural Resources 15
4–1006.3. 16
(A) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TIDAL FISHERIES ADVISORY 17
COMMISSION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IDEN TIFY BY REGULATION T HE PUBLIC 18
CLAM FISHERY AREA IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BASED ON COMMERCI AL 19
HARVESTING ACTIVITY DURING THE 3 YEARS PRECEDING JUNE 1, 2025, ANY 20
SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT , AND OTHER QUANTITATI VE DATA 21
KNOWN OR MADE AVAILA BLE TO THE DEPARTMENT . 22
(B) THE PUBLIC CLAM FISHE RY AREA MAY NOT BE L EASED FOR SHELLFISH 23
AQUACULTURE . 24 2 HOUSE BILL 1263
(C) A TIDAL FISH LICENS E HOLDER MAY CATCH C LAMS IN AREAS LOCATE D 1
OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC C LAM FISHERY AREA UNL ESS PROHIBITED BY LA W. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 3
1, 2025. 4