Recreational Equality for Service Members Act

HB 494, the "Recreational Equality for Service Members Act," removes fees for active military service members and veterans at Maryland state parks, including for vehicles occupied by them. It also ensures fishing licenses in tidal waters don’t expire during active duty deployment and extends fee exemptions to include more service members under updated definitions. The bill broadens the definition of "veteran" to cover members of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, aligning with federal standards. These changes directly affect active service members, veterans, and their families by improving access to recreational opportunities. The law modifies multiple sections of Maryland’s natural resources and state government codes to implement these policy updates.