HB 35 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees

HB 35 authorizes Maryland counties and municipalities to create local rules regulating Tree of Heaven (an invasive species), directly affecting property owners and local governments. The bill allows communities to ban the sale, planting, or growth of Tree of Heaven on private property, and requires property owners to remove it. Local governments may also establish cash reward programs to incentivize removal, and enforce rules through civil fines or requiring damage mitigation. This bill provides concrete tools for local management of the invasive tree without mandating statewide action.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Aug 14, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Tree of Heaven → Third - Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from regulating only 'Tree of Heaven' to covering 'Tree of Heaven' and any other invasive trees listed by the Department of Agriculture. This allows local governments to regulate a wider variety of invasive tree species. The bill also added a new definition for a 'Native Tree Replacement Program' and updated the bounty program requirements to include eradication standards for all listed invasive trees.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened from a single invasive species (Tree of Heaven) to include all invasive trees on the state's prohibited list.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Listed Invasive Tree' to include any tree on the Department of Agriculture's Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List.

Added a new definition for 'Native Tree Replacement Program' to describe a system where residents receive a native tree for removing an invasive one.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the bounty and replacement program requirements to apply to all listed invasive trees, not just Tree of Heaven, and added specific requirements for proper identification and professional removal methods.

SCOPE

Updated the bill's title and purpose to explicitly include the regulation of invasive trees in general, in addition to Tree of Heaven.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 19, 2026

D Democratic36

31 Yea 5

86% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 210

executive

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 20, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (129-8-5)

house of delegates

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

Aug 14, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors