SB 161 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources - State Park Entry Fee - Exemptions

SB 161 would allow veterans to enter Maryland state parks without paying daily entry fees by presenting a valid veteran ID card, a driver's license indicating veteran status, or other department-accepted documentation proving veteran status. It applies to the veteran themselves and their vehicle, exempting both from standard daily entry and per-vehicle fees. The exemption does not cover additional fees for park facilities like picnic areas or boat rentals. This bill amends existing law to expand fee exemptions for veterans at state parks.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jul 24, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Natural Resources - State Park Entry Fee - Exemptions Third - Natural Resources - State Park Entry Fee - Exemptions · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was amended to expand its sponsorship to include six additional senators and formally record its favorable committee approval and adoption by the Senate. The substantive text regarding veteran entry fee exemptions remains unchanged, though the formatting was updated to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding veteran exemptions is unchanged; the change is procedural, reflecting the bill's advancement from first reading to adoption.
TECHNICAL

Added six additional senators (Attar, Brooks, Carozza, Feldman, Harris, and Hester) to the list of sponsors.

Added status indicators showing the bill was reported favorably by the committee, adopted by the Senate, and read for the second time.

Updated the bill header to replace 'A BILL ENTITLED' with 'CHAPTER ______' and added signature lines for the Governor and legislative leaders.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

460
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 9, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 28, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 337
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Apr 2, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-0-10)
house of delegates
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred Environment and Transportation
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)
senate
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Jul 24, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
7 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors