EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0841*
SENATE BILL 841
M2 5lr3413
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By: Senator Mautz
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2025
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
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 QUANT ITATIVE DATA 21
KNOWN OR MADE AVAILA BLE TO THE DEPARTMENT . 22
(B) THE PUBLIC CLAM FISHERY AREA MAY NOT BE LEASED FOR SHELLF ISH 23
AQUACULTURE . 24 2 SENATE BILL 841
(C) A TIDAL FISH LICENSE H OLDER MAY CATCH CLAM S IN AREAS LOCATED 1
OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC C LAM FISHERY AREA UNL ESS PROHIBITE D BY LAW. 2
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 3
1, 2025. 4