EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0446*
HOUSE BILL 446
M2 5lr2418
CF SB 186
By: Delegates T. Morgan, Addison, Beauchamp, Ciliberti, Davis, Foley, Hartman,
Hutchinson, Jacobs, Otto, and Ziegler
Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Commercial Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License – Prohibited 2
Regulations 3
FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain regulations adopted by the Department of Natural 4
Resources from prohibiting the holder of a commercial blue and flathead catfish 5
finfish trotline license from fishing in a certain part of the Chesapeake Bay; and 6
generally relating to the commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Article – Natural Resources 9
Section 4–701.2 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
4–701.2. 16
(a) There is a commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license. 17
(b) (1) The license authorizes the holder to catch for sale blue and flathead 18
catfish in the tidal waters of the State using a finfish trotline, as defined in Department 19
regulations. 20
(2) (I) A licensee shall fish in accordance with Department regulations. 21
2 HOUSE BILL 446
(II) REGULATIONS ADOPTED U NDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF 1
THIS PARAGRAPH MAY NOT PR OHIBIT A LICENSEE FR OM FISHING IN THE MA IN STEM 2
OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY THAT IS SOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE. 3
(c) A person who wishes to obtain the license shall complete and submit an 4
application for the license to the Department or any person designated by the Department. 5
(d) An applicant for the license does not need to hold a tidal fish license under § 6
4–701 of this subtitle to be eligible for the license. 7
(e) The term of the license is 1 year from September 1 through August 31 the 8
following year. 9
(f) The annual license fee is $15. 10
(g) A licensee may not transfer a license issued under this section. 11
(h) A licensee shall have a commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline 12
license in the licensee’s possession when the licensee fishes under the license. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 14
1, 2025. 15