HB 446 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program

HB 446 creates a new commercial fishing license specifically for harvesting blue and flathead catfish using trotlines in the Chesapeake Bay. It directly affects licensed commercial fishers by allowing them to fish in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a location previously restricted by Department regulations. The bill prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from banning this activity within that area while requiring license holders to pay a $15 annual fee for a one-year license. This establishes a permanent regulatory framework for targeted commercial fishing of these species, rather than implementing a temporary pilot program.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Commercial Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License - Prohibited Regulations → Third - Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program · 6 edits

MODERATE

HB 446 was amended to add an Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program alongside existing commercial fishing regulations. The original bill focused only on allowing commercial trotline fishing south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, while the new version adds emergency provisions to combat invasive blue catfish spread through expanded fishing methods and reporting requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating commercial blue and flathead catfish trotline licenses to also establishing a comprehensive pilot program for managing invasive blue catfish populations in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

SCOPE

Added Section 2 establishing the Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program to curb the spread of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for Department to report findings and recommendations to Governor and General Assembly on or before December 1, 2025.

Added specific pilot program components including electrofishing authorization, trotline length limits up to 2,400 feet, unlimited hooks, and non-corrodible hooks.

Added Mid- and Lower-Bay Blue Catfish Trotline Program allowing trotline use south of William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge to maximum extent feasible.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing For-Hire/Commercial Blue Catfish Program participants to run fishing trips simultaneously and make regulatory changes to increase commercial harvest.

TIMELINE

Changed bill status from regular legislation to emergency bill with sunset provision, effective immediately through June 30, 2026, requiring three-fifths vote approval.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 172

executive

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 27, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-6)

house of delegates

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors