EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0870*
SENATE BILL 870
M2, M1 5lr3415
CF 5lr3406
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
Boating – Migratory Waterfowl Season – Prohibited Acts 2
FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from operating a vessel within a certain distance 3
of a stationary blind or blind site that is occupied and being used for hunting 4
migratory waterfowl during open season; and generally relating to prohibited acts 5
related to boating. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – Natural Resources 8
Section 4–512 and 8–701(a) and (s) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY adding to 12
Article – Natural Resources 13
Section 8–724.2 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND , 17
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
Article – Natural Resources 19
4–512. 20
During the open season for migratory waterfowl, a person may not fish by any means 21
within 500 yards of any stationary blind or blind site which is occupied and is being used 22
for hunting migratory waterfowl. 23
8–701. 24 2 SENATE BILL 870
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(s) (1) “Vessel” means every description of watercraft, including an ice boat 2
but not including a seaplane, that is used or capable of being used as a means of 3
transportation on water or ice. 4
(2) “Vessel” includes the motor, spars, sails, and accessories of a vessel. 5
8–724.2. 6
DURING THE OPEN SEASO N FOR MIGRATORY WATE RFOWL, A PERSON MAY NOT 7
OPERATE A VESSEL , INCLUDING A KAYAK OR A PADDLE BOAT, IN ANY MANNER 8
WITHIN 500 YARDS OF ANY STATION ARY BLIND OR BLIND S ITE THAT IS OCCUPIED 9
AND BEING USED FOR H UNTING MIGRATORY WAT ERFOWL. 10
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 11
1, 2025. 12