Natural Resources - Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife

HB 447 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish that every person in Maryland has the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods, subject to existing regulations. It also amends Maryland law to affirm that fishing and hunting are preferred methods for wildlife management and must be preserved for the public good. The bill requires voter approval at the November 2026 general election to take effect, as it would change the state constitution and update related statutes (Sections 4-103 and 10-102 of the Natural Resources Article). If passed, it would enshrine these rights in the constitution while maintaining current regulatory frameworks for wildlife conservation.