Natural Resources - Fishing Licenses and Stamps - Alterations
HB 40 increases fees for Maryland's resident consolidated senior sport fishing licenses from $5 to $12 annually and removes the previous exemption allowing holders to fish for trout without a separate trout stamp. It also raises resident angler license fees from $20.50 to $32 and nonresident annual license fees from $30.50 to $55. The bill directly affects seniors (65+), anglers, and trout fishers by requiring payment of updated fees and reinstating the trout stamp requirement for senior license holders. These changes update specific sections of Maryland's Natural Resources code governing fishing license fees and exemptions.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Oct 12, 2024
Signed Apr 8, 2025
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MODERATE
This bill updates Maryland's fishing license laws by establishing a new consolidated senior sport fishing license for residents aged 65 and older, adjusting license fees for various categories, and clarifying exemptions and application requirements. The changes affect how residents can legally fish, what they must pay, and who is exempt from licensing requirements.
Scope change
The bill expands eligibility for a special senior fishing license and modifies fee structures for both residents and nonresidents, while maintaining existing exemptions for certain groups.
ELIGIBILITY
New resident consolidated senior sport fishing license created for Maryland residents aged 65 and older, allowing them to fish without additional angler or trout stamp requirements.
FISCAL
Annual resident angler license fee increased from $20.50 to $32; nonresident annual license fee increased from $30.50 to $55; short-term 7-day license fee increased from $7.50 to $16.
Short-term 3-day nonresident license fee increased from $5 to $35.
REQUIREMENT
Updated license fee amounts in the statute to reflect new pricing, with old fees shown in brackets for reference.
TIMELINE
Bill was introduced January 8, 2025, read first time January 8, 2025, read second time February 11, 2025, and adopted by the House.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 15, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2025
How they voted
33–12
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 46
Mar 15, 2025
D
Democratic33
96% Yea
R
Republican13
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 8, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 45
executive
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 15, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (33-12-1)
senate
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
Oct 12, 2024
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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