HB 513 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Crimes Relating to Animals - Restrictions on Keeping Roosters

HB 513 limits rooster ownership in Maryland to no more than 5 roosters per acre or 25 total on a single property, starting January 1, 2027, unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects property owners keeping roosters, excluding commercial poultry farms, schools, animal shelters, and 4-H members who provide written authorization with specific details (like breed and location). Violations may result in misdemeanor fines up to $1,000, with enforcement handled by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with local animal control. The bill aims to address concerns linked to cockfighting and Avian Flu spread, as noted in its preamble.

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 22, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Agriculture - Roosters - Restrictions → Third - Crimes Relating to Animals - Restrictions on Keeping Roosters · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand its scope from just agriculture-related rooster restrictions to include criminal law provisions, making violations a civil offense rather than a criminal misdemeanor. The amendments also added new exemptions for keeping more roosters if the person has more hens than roosters, and clarified enforcement procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from solely an agriculture article to include criminal law provisions, changing the legal consequences of violations from criminal misdemeanor charges to civil penalties.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's classification from 'Agriculture' to include 'Criminal Law' provisions, expanding the legal framework under which rooster restrictions are enforced.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed violation consequences from criminal misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 to civil offenses with escalating penalties: warning for first offense, up to $500 per rooster for second offense, and up to $1,000 per rooster for third or subsequent offenses.

Added specific enforcement authority allowing local animal control authorities to enforce violations within their jurisdiction.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new exemption allowing persons to keep more roosters if they can prove they kept more adult hens than roosters in the preceding 6-month period.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'enclosure' to clarify what structures count as movement-constraint devices for roosters.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report status showing the bill was favorably amended and adopted by the House, with second reading on February 27, 2025.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 1, 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 185

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 12, 2025

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 1, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-5-2)

house of delegates

Jan 22, 2025

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

17 primary · 0 co-sponsors