Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB494 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3		EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4	4		[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5		-	Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6		-	Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7		-	amendment.
8	5		hb0494
9	6
10	7		HOUSE BILL 494
11	8		M2, P1 5lr2422
12	9		CF SB 282
13		-	By: Delegate Allen ~~Delegates Allen, Guyton, Holmes, Lehman, and R. Lewis~~
	10	+	By: Delegate Allen
14	11		Introduced and read first time: January 20, 2025
15	12		Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
16		-	Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
17		-	House action: Adopted
18		-	Read second time: March 2, 2025
19	13
20		-	~~CHAPTER ______~~
	14	+	A BILL ENTITLED
21	15
22	16		AN ACT concerning 1
23	17
24	18		Recreational Equality for Service Members Act 2
25	19
26	20		FOR the purpose of establishing rules of interpretation related to the uniformed services; 3
27	21		altering the rule of interpretation for “veteran”; altering the application of certain 4
28	22		provisions of law governing natural resources to apply to all uniformed services, 5
29	23		rather than only the armed forces; altering the circumstances under which licenses 6
30	24		for fishing in tidal waters do not lapse; authorizing active service members, veterans, 7
31	25		and vehicles of which an active service member or veteran is an occupant to enter a 8
32	26		State park without paying a certain fee; and generally relating to service members 9
33	27		and veterans. 10
34	28
35	29		BY adding to 11
36	30		Article – General Provisions 12
37	31		Section 1–101.1, 1–101.2, 1–103.1, 1–114.1, 1–114.2, and 1–116 13
38	32		Annotated Code of Maryland 14
39	33		(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
40	34
41	35		BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
42	36		Article – General Provisions 17
43	37		Section 1–117 18
44	38		Annotated Code of Maryland 19
45	39		(2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
46	40
47	41		BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
48		-	Article – Natural Resources 22 2 HOUSE BILL 494
	42	+	Article – Natural Resources 22
	43	+	Section 1–106, 1–405(a), (b), and (d)(3) and (10), 4–217(b)(1), 4–705, and 4–745(c)(5) 23
	44	+	and (e)(1) 24
	45	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 25
	46	+	(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26
	47	+
	48	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 27 2 HOUSE BILL 494
49	49
50	50
51		-	~~Section 1~~–~~106, 1–405(a), (b), and (d)(3) and (10), 4–217(b)(1), 4–604(c)(2), 4–607,~~ 1
52		-	4–~~705,~~ and 4–745(c)(5) and (e)~~(1), 10–301(c)(1)(ii) and (iii), and 10–303~~ 2
	51	+	Article – Natural Resources 1
	52	+	Section 1–405(c) and (d)(1) and (2) and 4–745(e)(2) and (3) 2
53	53		Annotated Code of Maryland 3
54	54		(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 4
55	55
56		-	BY ~~repealing and reenacting, without amendments,~~ 5
	56	+	BY adding to 5
57	57		Article – Natural Resources 6
58		-	Section 1–~~405(c)~~ and ~~(d)(1) and (2) and 4~~–~~745(e)(2) and (3)~~ 7
	58	+	Section 5–1014 and 5–1015 7
59	59		Annotated Code of Maryland 8
60	60		(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
61	61
62		-	BY ~~adding to~~ 10
63		-	Article – ~~Natural Resources~~ 11
64		-	Section 5–~~1014 and 5–1015~~ 12
	62	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 10
	63	+	Article – State Government 11
	64	+	Section 9–901 12
65	65		Annotated Code of Maryland 13
66		-	(~~2023~~ Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
	66	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
67	67
68		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
69		-	Article – State Government 16
70		-	Section 9–901 17
71		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 18
72		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19
	68	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 15
	69	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 16
73	70
74		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
75		-	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21
	71	+	Article – General Provisions 17
76	72
77		-	~~Article – General Provisions 22~~
	73	+	1–101.1. 18
78	74
79		-	1–101.1. 23
	75	+	“ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 19
	76	+	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20
80	77
81		-	“ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 24
82		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 25
	78	+	1–101.2. 21
83	79
84		-	1–101.2. 26
	80	+	“ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 22
	81	+	STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 23
85	82
86		-	“ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 27
87		-	STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 28
	83	+	1–103.1. 24
88	84
89		-	1–103.1. 29
	85	+	“ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 25
	86	+	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 26
90	87
91		-	“ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 30
92		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 31
	88	+	1–114.1. 27
93	89
94		-	1–114.1. 32
	90	+	“RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 28
	91	+	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 29
	92	+
	93	+	1–114.2. 30
95	94		HOUSE BILL 494 3
96	95
97	96
98		-	“~~RESERVE COMPONENT~~ ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 1
	97	+	“SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 1
99	98		GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
100	99
101		-	1–~~114.2~~. 3
	100	+	1–116. 3
102	101
103		-	“~~SERVICE MEMBER~~ ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 4
	102	+	“UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 4
104	103		GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 5
105	104
106		-	1–~~116~~. 6
	105	+	1–117. 6
107	106
108		-	“UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 7
109		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
	107	+	With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable to a 7
	108	+	veteran under this Code, “veteran” includes[, if the individual is eligible under 38 U.S.C. § 8
	109	+	101, a member of the commissioned corps of: 9
110	110
111		-	1~~–117. 9~~
	111	+	(1) the Public Health Service; or 10
112	112
113		-	(A) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 10
114		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 11
	113	+	(2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its 11
	114	+	predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey] AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ME ETS THE 12
	115	+	DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” UNDER § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 13
115	116
116		-	(B) With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable 12
117		-	to a veteran under this Code, “veteran” includes[, if the individual is eligible under 38 13
118		-	U.S.C. § 101, a member of the commissioned corps of: 14
	117	+	Article – Natural Resources 14
119	118
120		-	(1~~) the Public Health Service; or~~ 15
	119	+	1–106. 15
121	120
122		-	(2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its 16
123		-	predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey] AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ME ETS THE 17
124		-	DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” UNDER § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 18
	121	+	(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 16
125	122
126		-	Article – Natural Resources 19
	123	+	(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 17
	124	+	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 18
127	125
128		-	1–106. 20
	126	+	(C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF 19
	127	+	THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20
129	128
130		-	(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated. 21
	129	+	(D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 21
	130	+	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 22
131	131
132		-	(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 22
133		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 23
	132	+	[(b)] (E) “Informational meeting” means a meeting, open to the public, at which 23
	133	+	the applicant or the Department of Natural Resources presents information concerning a 24
	134	+	permit or certificate application. An informational meeting is not a contested case hearing 25
	135	+	nor an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article. 26
134	136
135		-	(C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF 24
136		-	THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 25
137		-
138		-	(D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 26
139		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 27
140		-
141		-	[(b)] (E) “Informational meeting” means a meeting, open to the public, at which 28
142		-	the applicant or the Department of Natural Resources presents information concerning a 29 4 HOUSE BILL 494
	137	+	[(c)] (F) “Public hearing” means a meeting, open to the public, at which the 27
	138	+	Department of Natural Resources receives oral and written comments concerning a 28
	139	+	decision to issue or deny a permit or certificate. A public hearing is not a contested case 29
	140	+	hearing nor an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article. 30
	141	+	4 HOUSE BILL 494
143	142
144	143
145		-	~~permit or certificate application.~~ ~~An informational meeting is not a contested case hearing~~ 1
146		-	~~nor an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of the~~ State Government Article. 2
	144	+	(G) “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 1
	145	+	STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2
147	146
148		-	[(c)] (F) “Public hearing” means a meeting, open to the public, at which the 3
149		-	Department of Natural Resources receives oral and written comments concerning a 4
150		-	decision to issue or deny a permit or certificate. A public hearing is not a contested case 5
151		-	hearing nor an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article. 6
	147	+	(H) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 3
	148	+	STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 4
152	149
153		-	(G) “~~SERVICE MEMBER~~ ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 7
154		-	~~STATE~~ GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
	150	+	(I) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 5
	151	+	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6
155	152
156		-	(H) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 9
157		-	STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 10
	153	+	1–405. 7
158	154
159		-	(I) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 11
160		-	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 12
	155	+	(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 8
161	156
162		-	1–405. 13
163		-
164		-	(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 14
165		-
166		-	(2) “Eligible sponsor organization” means a nonprofit charitable 15
167		-	organization that provides any of the following opportunities for Gold Star recipients, 16
168		-	disabled veterans or other veterans who could benefit from one of the opportunities 17
169		-	provided, disabled SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] or other 18
170		-	SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] who could benefit from one 19
171		-	of the opportunities provided, or permanently disabled persons who require the use of a 20
172		-	wheelchair: 21
173		-
174		-	(i) Recreational hunting or fishing, including providing at no cost: 22
175		-
176		-	1. An angler’s license and trout stamps; 23
177		-
178		-	2. A Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license; or 24
179		-
180		-	3. A hunting license and any corresponding stamps; 25
181		-
182		-	(ii) Recreational water activities; 26
183		-
184		-	(iii) Other recreational outdoor activities; 27
185		-
186		-	(iv) Therapeutic outdoor activities; or 28
187		-
188		-	(v) Workforce training for green jobs, including outdoor agricultural 29
189		-	jobs. 30
190		-	HOUSE BILL 494 5
191		-
192		-
193		-	(3) “Gold Star recipient” means a recipient of the U.S. Department of 1
194		-	Defense Gold Star for surviving spouses, parents, and next of kin of members of the armed 2
195		-	forces [of the United States] who lost their lives in combat. 3
196		-
197		-	(b) (1) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Chesapeake 4
198		-	Bay Trust may use the Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund established under subsection 5
199		-	(d) of this section to make grants to eligible sponsor organizations. 6
200		-
201		-	(ii) In awarding a grant to an eligible sponsor organization that 7
202		-	provides opportunities that the eligible sponsor organization believes benefit veterans or 8
203		-	SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States], the Chesapeake Bay Trust 9
204		-	shall determine whether the opportunities provided by the eligible sponsor organization 10
205		-	will, in fact, benefit veterans or SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United 11
206		-	States]. 12
207		-
208		-	(2) A grant awarded under this subsection may be used only to pay capital, 13
209		-	operational, or programming costs incurred by an eligible sponsor organization in providing 14
210		-	any of the following opportunities: 15
	157	+	(2) “Eligible sponsor organization” means a nonprofit charitable 9
	158	+	organization that provides any of the following opportunities for Gold Star recipients, 10
	159	+	disabled veterans or other veterans who could benefit from one of the opportunities 11
	160	+	provided, disabled SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] or other 12
	161	+	SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] who could benefit from one 13
	162	+	of the opportunities provided, or permanently disabled persons who require the use of a 14
	163	+	wheelchair: 15
211	164
212	165		(i) Recreational hunting or fishing, including providing at no cost: 16
213	166
214	167		1. An angler’s license and trout stamps; 17
215	168
216	169		2. A Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license; or 18
217	170
218	171		3. A hunting license and any corresponding stamps; 19
219	172
220	173		(ii) Recreational water activities; 20
221	174
222	175		(iii) Other recreational outdoor activities; 21
223	176
224	177		(iv) Therapeutic outdoor activities; or 22
225	178
226	179		(v) Workforce training for green jobs, including outdoor agricultural 23
227	180		jobs. 24
228	181
229		-	(c) The Department ~~shall adopt regulations to implement this section, including~~ 25
230		-	~~regulations establishing eligibility requirements~~ for ~~applicants for grants to eligible~~ 26
231		-	~~sponsor organizations~~. 27
	182	+	(3) “Gold Star recipient” means a recipient of the U.S. Department of 25
	183	+	Defense Gold Star for surviving spouses, parents, and next of kin of members of the armed 26
	184	+	forces [of the United States] who lost their lives in combat. 27
232	185
233		-	(d) (1) In this subsection, “Fund” means the Healing Hunting and Fishing 28
234		-	Fund. 29
235		-
236		-	(2) There is a Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund. 30
237		-
238		-	(3) The purpose of the Fund is to provide any of the following opportunities 31
239		-	for Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans or other veterans who could benefit from one of 32 6 HOUSE BILL 494
	186	+	(b) (1) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Chesapeake 28
	187	+	Bay Trust may use the Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund established under subsection 29
	188	+	(d) of this section to make grants to eligible sponsor organizations. 30
	189	+	HOUSE BILL 494 5
240	190
241	191
242		-	the opportunities, disabled SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] 1
243		-	or other SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] who could benefit 2
244		-	from one of the opportunities, and permanently disabled persons who require the use of a 3
245		-	wheelchair: 4
	192	+	(ii) In awarding a grant to an eligible sponsor organization that 1
	193	+	provides opportunities that the eligible sponsor organization believes benefit veterans or 2
	194	+	SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States], the Chesapeake Bay Trust 3
	195	+	shall determine whether the opportunities provided by the eligible sponsor organization 4
	196	+	will, in fact, benefit veterans or SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United 5
	197	+	States]. 6
246	198
247		-	(i) Recreational hunting or fishing, including providing at no cost: 5
	199	+	(2) A grant awarded under this subsection may be used only to pay capital, 7
	200	+	operational, or programming costs incurred by an eligible sponsor organization in providing 8
	201	+	any of the following opportunities: 9
248	202
249		-	~~1. An angler’s license and trout stamps;~~ 6
	203	+	(i) Recreational hunting or fishing, including providing at no cost: 10
250	204
251		-	2. ~~A Chesapeake Bay~~ and ~~coastal sport fishing license~~; ~~or 7~~
	205	+	1. An angler’s license and trout stamps; 11
252	206
253		-	3. A ~~hunting license~~ and ~~any corresponding stamps~~; 8
	207	+	2. A Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license; or 12
254	208
255		-	~~(ii) Recreational water activities~~; 9
	209	+	3. A hunting license and any corresponding stamps; 13
256	210
257		-	(~~iii~~) ~~Other~~ recreational ~~outdoor~~ activities; 10
	211	+	(ii) Recreational water activities; 14
258	212
259		-	(iv) ~~Therapeutic~~ outdoor activities; ~~or 11~~
	213	+	(iii) Other recreational outdoor activities; 15
260	214
261		-	(v) Workforce training for green jobs, including outdoor agricultural 12
262		-	jobs. 13
	215	+	(iv) Therapeutic outdoor activities; or 16
263	216
264		-	(10) Money expended from the Fund for grants to eligible sponsor 14
265		-	organizations is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that 15
266		-	otherwise would be appropriated for any of the opportunities specified under subsection 16
267		-	(b)(2) of this section that are provided to Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans or other 17
268		-	veterans who could benefit from one of the opportunities, disabled SERVICE members [of 18
269		-	the armed forces of the United States] or other SERVICE members [of the armed forces of 19
270		-	the United States] who could benefit from one of the opportunities, or permanently disabled 20
271		-	persons who require the use of a wheelchair. 21
	217	+	(v) Workforce training for green jobs, including outdoor agricultural 17
	218	+	jobs. 18
272	219
273		-	4–217. 22
	220	+	(c) The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section, including 19
	221	+	regulations establishing eligibility requirements for applicants for grants to eligible 20
	222	+	sponsor organizations. 21
274	223
275		-	(b) (1) The ~~Department may issue an annual license exemption to a 23~~
276		-	~~governmental entity or a nonprofit organization to: 24~~
	224	+	(d) (1) In this subsection, “Fund” means the Healing Hunting and Fishing 22
	225	+	Fund. 23
277	226
278		-	(i) Take individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are 25
279		-	[serving or have served in the armed forces of the United States] VETERANS OR ACTIVE 26
280		-	SERVICE MEMBERS fishing in the tidal or nontidal waters of the State; or 27
	227	+	(2) There is a Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund. 24
281	228
282		-	(ii) Provide fishing clinics and instructional opportunities to: 28
	229	+	(3) The purpose of the Fund is to provide any of the following opportunities 25
	230	+	for Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans or other veterans who could benefit from one of 26
	231	+	the opportunities, disabled SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] 27
	232	+	or other SERVICE members [of the armed forces of the United States] who could benefit 28
	233	+	from one of the opportunities, and permanently disabled persons who require the use of a 29
	234	+	wheelchair: 30
283	235
284		-	1. Individuals who are [serving or have served in the armed 29
285		-	forces of the United States] VETERANS OR ACTIVE S ERVICE MEMBERS ; 30
	236	+	(i) Recreational hunting or fishing, including providing at no cost: 31
	237	+
	238	+	1. An angler’s license and trout stamps; 32 6 HOUSE BILL 494
	239	+
	240	+
	241	+
	242	+	2. A Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license; or 1
	243	+
	244	+	3. A hunting license and any corresponding stamps; 2
	245	+
	246	+	(ii) Recreational water activities; 3
	247	+
	248	+	(iii) Other recreational outdoor activities; 4
	249	+
	250	+	(iv) Therapeutic outdoor activities; or 5
	251	+
	252	+	(v) Workforce training for green jobs, including outdoor agricultural 6
	253	+	jobs. 7
	254	+
	255	+	(10) Money expended from the Fund for grants to eligible sponsor 8
	256	+	organizations is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that 9
	257	+	otherwise would be appropriated for any of the opportunities specified under subsection 10
	258	+	(b)(2) of this section that are provided to Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans or other 11
	259	+	veterans who could benefit from one of the opportunities, disabled SERVICE members [of 12
	260	+	the armed forces of the United States] or other SERVICE members [of the armed forces of 13
	261	+	the United States] who could benefit from one of the opportunities, or permanently disabled 14
	262	+	persons who require the use of a wheelchair. 15
	263	+
	264	+	4–217. 16
	265	+
	266	+	(b) (1) The Department may issue an annual licen se exemption to a 17
	267	+	governmental entity or a nonprofit organization to: 18
	268	+
	269	+	(i) Take individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are 19
	270	+	[serving or have served in the armed forces of the United States] VETERANS OR ACTIVE 20
	271	+	SERVICE MEMBERS fishing in the tidal or nontidal waters of the State; or 21
	272	+
	273	+	(ii) Provide fishing clinics and instructional opportunities to: 22
	274	+
	275	+	1. Individuals who are [serving or have served in the armed 23
	276	+	forces of the United States] VETERANS OR ACTIVE S ERVICE MEMBERS ; 24
	277	+
	278	+	2. Individuals who are participating in a physical or mental 25
	279	+	wellness outdoor event; 26
	280	+
	281	+	3. Individuals who are participating in a special needs 27
	282	+	outdoor event; 28
	283	+
	284	+	4. Individuals who are acting under the authority of a 29
	285	+	scientific collection permit issued under § 4–212 of this subtitle; or 30
286	286		HOUSE BILL 494 7
287	287
288	288
289		-	2. ~~Individuals~~ who are ~~participating in a physical or mental~~ 1
290		-	~~wellness outdoor event;~~ 2
	289	+	5. Residents of the State who are underserved with respect 1
	290	+	to fishing opportunities, as determined by the Department in regulation. 2
291	291
292		-	3. Individuals who are participating in a special needs 3
293		-	outdoor event; 4
	292	+	4–705. 3
294	293
295		-	4. Individuals who are acting under the authority of a 5
296		-	scientific collection permit issued under § 4–212 of this subtitle; or 6
	294	+	(A) A license does not lapse if the licensee fails to renew or make bona fide use of 4
	295	+	[his] THE license because of [induction or enlistment into] THE LICENSEE ’S 5
	296	+	DEPLOYMENT IN the [armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES or employment in essential 6
	297	+	war industries[, and the]. 7
297	298
298		-	5. Residents of the State who are underserved with respect 7
299		-	to fishing opportunities, as determined by the Department in regulation. 8
	299	+	(B) THE licensee [applies] SHALL INFORM THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE 8
	300	+	LICENSEE’S DEPLOYMENT AND APP LY to the Department for the renewal of [his] THE 9
	301	+	license within [one] 1 year of the termination of hostilities or from the date of [his] THE 10
	302	+	LICENSEE’S release from DEPLOYMENT IN the [armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 11
300	303
301		-	4–604. 9
	304	+	(C) If a licensee cannot fish every net for which [he] THE LICENSEE was licensed 12
	305	+	at any time during a war emergency because of some condition arising out of a war, [he] 13
	306	+	THE LICENSEE may not be deprived of [his] THE right to a license for these nets thereafter. 14
302	307
303		-	~~(c) An angler’s license is not required of the following: 10~~
	308	+	4–745. 15
304	309
305		-	(2) ~~Any resident [serving~~ in the ~~armed forces of the United States]~~ ~~WHO IS 11~~
306		-	~~AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER, while on leave in~~ the ~~State, during the resident’s leave 12~~
307		-	~~period,~~ if~~, while angling,~~ the ~~resident possesses a copy of the resident’s official leave order; 13~~
	310	+	(c) A person may fish for finfish in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries or 16
	311	+	in State waters of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays and their tributaries without a 17
	312	+	Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license if the person: 18
308	313
309		-	4–607. 14
	314	+	(5) Is a resident [serving in the armed forces of the United States] WHO IS 19
	315	+	AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER while on leave in the State, during the resident’s leave 20
	316	+	period, if, while fishing, the resident possesses a copy of the resident’s official leave order; 21
310	317
311		-	(a) (1) The Department may issue annually a complimentary angler’s license 15
312		-	to the President of the United States, the governor of any state, and any official of the game 16
313		-	and fish department of any other state. 17
	318	+	(e) (1) In this subsection, “former prisoner of war” means a person who, while 22
	319	+	[serving in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States] AN ACTIVE 23
	320	+	SERVICE MEMBER , was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy 24
	321	+	government or its agents, or a hostile force, during a period of armed conflict. 25
314	322
315		-	(2) The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary angler’s license to 18
316		-	any Maryland resident who certifies that the resident is: 19
	323	+	(2) The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary Chesapeake Bay 26
	324	+	and coastal sport fishing license to any Maryland resident who certifies that the resident 27
	325	+	is: 28
317	326
318		-	(i) A former prisoner of war; 20
	327	+	(i) A former prisoner of war; 29
319	328
320		-	(ii) An American veteran who the U.S. Department of Veterans 21
321		-	Affairs determines is unemployable; or 22
	329	+	(ii) An American veteran who the U.S. Department of Veterans 30
	330	+	Affairs determines is unemployable; or 31
322	331
323		-	(iii) A 100% service connected disabled American veteran. 23
324		-
325		-	(3) The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary angler’s license to 24
326		-	an out–of–state person: 25
327		-
328		-	(i) Who certifies that the person is: 26
329		-
330		-	1. A former prisoner of war; 27
331		-
332		-	2. An American veteran who the U.S. Department of 28
333		-	Veterans Affairs determines is unemployable; or 29
334		-
335		-	3. A 100% service connected disabled American veteran; and 30 8 HOUSE BILL 494
	332	+	(iii) A 100% service connected disabled American veteran. 32
	333	+	8 HOUSE BILL 494
336	334
337	335
	336	+	(3) The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary Chesapeake Bay 1
	337	+	and coastal sport fishing license to an out–of–state person: 2
338	338
339		-	(ii) Whose state of residence extends similar privileges to former 1
340		-	prisoners of war, American veterans who the U.S. Department of Veterans Aff airs 2
341		-	determines are unemployable, or 100% service connected disabled American veterans of 3
342		-	this State. 4
343		-
344		-	(b) Not more than 20 complimentary angler’s licenses for each state other than 5
345		-	Maryland shall be outstanding at any time. 6
346		-
347		-	(c) A complimentary angler’s license is not transferable and shall be issued 7
348		-	without a fee. 8
349		-
350		-	(d) For the purposes of this section, “former prisoner of war” means a person who, 9
351		-	while [serving in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States] AN ACTIVE 10
352		-	SERVICE MEMBER , was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy 11
353		-	government or its agents, or a hostile force, during a period of armed conflict. 12
354		-
355		-	4–705. 13
356		-
357		-	(A) A license does not lapse if the licensee fails to renew or make bona fide use of 14
358		-	[his] THE license because of [induction or enlistment into] THE LICENSEE ’S 15
359		-	DEPLOYMENT IN the [armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES or employment in essential 16
360		-	war industries[, and the]. 17
361		-
362		-	(B) THE licensee [applies] SHALL INFORM THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE 18
363		-	LICENSEE’S DEPLOYMENT AND APPLY to the Department for the renewal of [his] THE 19
364		-	license within [one] 1 year of the termination of hostilities or from the date of [his] THE 20
365		-	LICENSEE’S release from DEPLOYMENT IN the [armed forces] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 21
366		-
367		-	(C) If a licensee cannot fish every net for which [he] THE LICENSEE was licensed 22
368		-	at any time during a war emergency because of some condition arising out of a war, [he] 23
369		-	THE LICENSEE may not be deprived of [his] THE right to a license for these nets thereafter. 24
370		-
371		-	4–745. 25
372		-
373		-	(c) A person may fish for finfish in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries or 26
374		-	in State waters of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays and their tributaries without a 27
375		-	Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license if the person: 28
376		-
377		-	(5) Is a resident [serving in the armed forces of the United States] WHO IS 29
378		-	AN ACTIVE SERVICE ME MBER while on leave in the State, during the resident’s leave 30
379		-	period, if, while fishing, the resident possesses a copy of the resident’s official leave order; 31
380		-
381		-	(e) (1) In this subsection, “former prisoner of war” means a person who, while 32
382		-	[serving in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States] AN ACTIVE 33 HOUSE BILL 494 9
383		-
384		-
385		-	SERVICE MEMBER , was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy 1
386		-	government or its agents, or a hostile force, during a period of armed conflict. 2
387		-
388		-	(2) The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary Chesapeake Bay 3
389		-	and coastal sport fishing license to any Maryland resident who certifies that the resident 4
390		-	is: 5
391		-
392		-	(i) A former prisoner of war; 6
393		-
394		-	(ii) An American veteran who the U.S. Department of Veterans 7
395		-	Affairs determines is unemployable; or 8
396		-
397		-	(iii) A 100% service connected disabled American veteran. 9
398		-
399		-	(3) The Department may issue a lifetime complimentary Chesapeake Bay 10
400		-	and coastal sport fishing license to an out–of–state person: 11
401		-
402		-	(i) Who certifies that the person is: 12
403		-
404		-	1. A former prisoner of war; 13
405		-
406		-	2. An American veteran who the U.S. Department of 14
407		-	Veterans Affairs determines is unemployable; or 15
408		-
409		-	3. A 100% service connected disabled American veteran; and 16
410		-
411		-	(ii) Whose state of residence extends similar privileges to former 17
412		-	prisoners of war, American veterans who the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 18
413		-	determines are unemployable, or 100% service connected disabled American veterans of 19
414		-	this State. 20
415		-
416		-	5–1014. 21
417		-
418		-	(A) ON PRESENTATION OF A VALID UNIFORMED SERV ICES IDENTIFICATION 22
419		-	CARD BY AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND 23
420		-	NATIONAL GUARD: 24
421		-
422		-	(1) AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEM BER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE 25
423		-	MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD MAY ENTER A STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY 26
424		-	DAY–USE ENTRY FEE THAT H AS BEEN ESTABLISHED ; AND 27
425		-
426		-	(2) A VEHICLE OF WHICH AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R OR ANY 28
427		-	MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD IS AN OCCUPANT MAY E NTER A 29
428		-	STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY PER –VEHICLE F EE THAT HAS BEEN 30
429		-	ESTABLISHED. 31
430		-	10 HOUSE BILL 494
431		-
432		-
433		-	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXEMPT AN ACTIVE SER VICE MEMBER , ANY 1
434		-	MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD, OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL FRO M 2
435		-	PAYING OTHER FACILIT Y USE SERVICES FEES NOT DESCRIBED IN SUB SECTION (A) 3
436		-	OF THIS SECTION. 4
437		-
438		-	5–1015. 5
439		-
440		-	(A) ON PRESENTATION OF A VALID VETERAN IDENTI FICATION CARD , A 6
441		-	DRIVER’S LICENSE THAT INDIC ATES THE LICENSE HOL DER IS A VETERAN , OR ANY 7
442		-	OTHER FORM OF IDENTI FICATION ACCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT 8
443		-	ESTABLISHES THE HOLD ER’S VETERAN STATUS : 9
444		-
445		-	(1) A VETERAN MAY ENTER A STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY 10
446		-	DAY–USE ENTRY FEE THAT H AS BEEN ESTABLISHED ; AND 11
447		-
448		-	(2) A VEHICLE OF WHICH A V ETERAN IS AN OCCUPAN T MAY ENTER A 12
449		-	STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY PER –VEHICLE FEE THAT HAS BEEN 13
450		-	ESTABLISHED. 14
451		-
452		-	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXEMPT A VE TERAN OR OTHER INDIV IDUAL 15
453		-	FROM PAYING ANY OTHE R FACILITY USE SERVI CES FEES NOT DESCRIB ED IN 16
454		-	SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 17
455		-
456		-	10–301. 18
457		-
458		-	(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following 19
459		-	persons are not required to obtain a hunter’s license, bow and arrow stamp, black powder 20
460		-	stamp, bonus antlered deer stamp, or sika deer stamp: 21
461		-
462		-	(ii) Any resident [serving in the armed forces of the United States] 22
463		-	WHO IS AN ACTIVE SER VICE MEMBER while on leave in the State, during the resident’s 23
464		-	leave period, if, while hunting, the resident possesses a copy of the resident’s official leave 24
465		-	order; 25
466		-
467		-	(iii) Any person [serving in the armed forces of the United States] 26
468		-	who IS AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER AND has a service–connected disability, if, while 27
469		-	hunting, the person possesses valid military identification; and 28
470		-
471		-	10–303. 29
472		-
473		-	(a) (1) The Department annually may issue a complimentary hunting license 30
474		-	to the President of the United States, the governor of any state, or an official or an 31
475		-	enforcement officer of the game and fish management agency of another state which 32
476		-	reciprocally offers complimentary hunting licenses. 33
477		-	HOUSE BILL 494 11
478		-
479		-
480		-	(2) (i) Subject to the requirements of § 10–301.1 of this subtitle, the 1
481		-	Department may issue a lifetime complimentary hunting license to a Maryland resident 2
482		-	who certifies that the resident is: 3
	339	+	(i) Who certifies that the person is: 3
483	340
484	341		1. A former prisoner of war; 4
485	342
486	343		2. An American veteran who the U.S. Department of 5
487	344		Veterans Affairs determines is unemployable; or 6
488	345
489		-	3. A 100% service connected disabled American veteran. 7
	346	+	3. A 100% service connected disabled American veteran; and 7
490	347
491		-	(ii) Subject to the requirements of § 10–301.1 of this subtitle, the 8
492		-	Department may issue a lifetime complimentary hunting license to an out–of–state person: 9
	348	+	(ii) Whose state of residence extends similar privileges to former 8
	349	+	prisoners of war, American veterans who the U.S. Department of Vetera ns Affairs 9
	350	+	determines are unemployable, or 100% service connected disabled American veterans of 10
	351	+	this State. 11
493	352
494		-	1. ~~Who certifies that the person is: 10~~
	353	+	5–1014. 12
495	354
496		-	A. A former prisoner of war; 11
	355	+	(A) ON PRESENTATION OF VA LID UNIFORMED SERVIC ES IDENTIFICATION 13
	356	+	BY AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER: 14
497	357
498		-	B. An ~~American veteran who the U.S. Department of 12~~
499		-	~~Veterans Affairs determines is unemployable~~; ~~or 13~~
	358	+	(1) AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEM BER MAY ENTER A STATE PARK 15
	359	+	WITHOUT PAYING ANY D AY–USE ENTRY FEE THAT H AS BEEN ESTABLISHED ; AND 16
500	360
501		-	C. A 100% service connected disabled American veteran; and 14
	361	+	(2) A VEHICLE OF WHICH AN ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBE R IS AN 17
	362	+	OCCUPANT MAY ENTER A STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY PER–VEHICLE FEE 18
	363	+	THAT HAS BEEN ESTABL ISHED. 19
502	364
503		-	2. Whose state of residence extends similar privileges to 15
504		-	former prisoners of war, American veterans who the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 16
505		-	determines are unemployable, or 100% service connected disabled American veterans of 17
506		-	this State. 18
	365	+	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXEMPT AN ACTIVE SER VICE MEMBER OR 20
	366	+	OTHER INDIVIDUAL FRO M PAYING OTHER FACIL ITY USE SERVICES FEE S NOT 21
	367	+	DESCRIBED IN SUBSECT ION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 22
507	368
508		-	~~(3) A complimentary license is not transferable~~. 19
	369	+	5–1015. 23
509	370
510		-	(b) ~~For the purposes~~ of ~~this section~~, ~~“former prisoner of war” means~~ a ~~person who, 20~~
511		-	~~while [serving~~ in the ~~active military,~~ ~~naval~~, or ~~air service of the United States] AN ACTIVE 21~~
512		-	~~SERVICE MEMBER , was forcibly detained or interned in~~ the ~~line of duty by an enemy 22~~
513		-	~~government or its agents,~~ ~~or a hostile force,~~ ~~during a period of armed conflict. 23~~
	371	+	(A) ON PRESENTATION OF A VALID VETERAN IDENTI FICATION CARD , A 24
	372	+	DRIVER’S LICENSE THAT INDIC ATES THE LICENSE HOLDER IS A VETERAN, OR ANY 25
	373	+	OTHER FORM OF IDENTI FICATION ACCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT 26
	374	+	ESTABLISHES THE HOLD ER’S VETERAN STATUS : 27
514	375
515		-	Article – State Government 24
516		-
517		-	9–901. 25
518		-
519		-	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 26
520		-
521		-	(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 27
522		-
523		-	(C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN IND IVIDUAL WHO IS: 28
524		-
525		-	(1) AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE UNIFORMED S ERVICES; OR 29
526		-	12 HOUSE BILL 494
	376	+	(1) A VETERAN MAY ENTER A STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY 28
	377	+	DAY–USE ENTRY FEE THAT H AS BEEN ESTABLISHED ; AND 29
	378	+	HOUSE BILL 494 9
527	379
528	380
529		-	(2) SERVING IN A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNI FORMED 1
530		-	SERVICES ON ACTIVE D UTY ORDERS. 2
	381	+	(2) A VEHICLE OF WHICH A VE TERAN IS AN OCCUPANT MAY ENTER A 1
	382	+	STATE PARK WITHOUT PA YING ANY PER –VEHICLE FEE THAT HAS BEEN 2
	383	+	ESTABLISHED. 3
531	384
532		-	(D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 10 U.S.C. § 101. 3
	385	+	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXEMPT A VETERAN OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL 4
	386	+	FROM PAYING ANY OTHE R FACILITY USE SERVI CES FEES NOT DESCRIB ED IN 5
	387	+	SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 6
533	388
534		-	~~[(b)] (E) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Veterans Trust. 4~~
	389	+	Article – State Government 7
535	390
536		-	[(c)] (F) “Department” means the Department of Veterans and Military 5
537		-	Families. 6
	391	+	9–901. 8
538	392
539		-	(G) “MILITARY FAMILY ” INCLUDES THE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT 7
540		-	CHILDREN OF A SERVIC E MEMBER OR VETERAN RELATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 8
541		-	ADOPTION. 9
	393	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 9
542	394
543		-	(H) “~~RESERVE COMPONENT~~ ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 10
	395	+	(B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 10
544	396
545		-	~~[(d)]~~ (I) “~~Secretary~~” means ~~the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families.~~ 11
	397	+	(C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS: 11
546	398
547		-	(J) ~~“SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS~~ AN ~~INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER~~ OF : 12
	399	+	(1) AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE UNIFORMED S ERVICES; OR 12
548	400
549		-	(1) THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES; OR 13
	401	+	(2) SERVING IN A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNI FORMED 13
	402	+	SERVICES ON ACTIVE D UTY ORDERS. 14
550	403
551		-	(2) ~~A RESERVE COMPONENT OF~~ THE ~~UNIFORMED SER VICES~~. 14
	404	+	(D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 10 U.S.C. § 101. 15
552	405
553		-	[(e)] (K) “~~Trust~~” means the Maryland Veterans Trust. 15
	406	+	[(b)] (E) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Veterans Trust. 16
554	407
555		-	(L) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 16
	408	+	[(c)] (F) “Department” means the Department of Veterans and Military 17
	409	+	Families. 18
556	410
557		-	[(f)] (M) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, “veteran” [means an 17
558		-	individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than 18
559		-	for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable] HAS 19
560		-	THE MEANING STATED I N 38 U.S.C. § 101. 20
	411	+	(G) “MILITARY FAMILY ” INCLUDES THE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT 19
	412	+	CHILDREN OF A SERVIC E MEMBER OR VETERAN RELATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 20
	413	+	ADOPTION. 21
561	414
562		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
563		-	October 1, 2025. 22
	415	+	(H) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 22
	416	+
	417	+	[(d)] (I) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. 23
	418	+
	419	+	(J) “SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER OF : 24
	420	+
	421	+	(1) THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES; OR 25
	422	+
	423	+	(2) A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNIFORMED SER VICES. 26
	424	+	10 HOUSE BILL 494
	425	+
	426	+
	427	+	[(e)] (K) “Trust” means the Maryland Veterans Trust. 1
	428	+
	429	+	(L) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 2
	430	+
	431	+	[(f)] (M) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, “veteran” [means an 3
	432	+	individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than 4
	433	+	for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable] HAS 5
	434	+	THE MEANING STATED I N 38 U.S.C. § 101. 6
	435	+
	436	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTE D, That this Act shall take effect 7
	437	+	October 1, 2025. 8
	438	+