SB 181 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Hunting - Restrictions of Venison Donation

Maryland's SB 181 requires hunters to use non-lead ammunition for all game species by specific dates: pen-raised birds by July 1, 2027; upland birds, migratory birds, and turkeys by July 1, 2028; and deer and other game by July 1, 2029. It directly affects licensed hunters using firearms for hunting in Maryland, excluding muzzleloaders and handguns if non-lead ammunition isn't commercially available. The bill defines "non-lead ammunition" as having less than 1% lead content or being federally approved as non-toxic. The Department of Natural Resources must adopt these regulations by the specified deadlines. The bill is pending approval and has not yet taken effect.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Jul 7, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Hunting - Lead and Lead-Based Ammunition - Phase-Out → Third - Hunting - Restrictions of Venison Donation · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from a single focus on phasing out lead ammunition to include a ban on donating venison from lead-killed deer to tax-exempt food organizations. This change adds a new requirement that processed deer meat cannot be donated to 501(c)(3) charities unless the deer was harvested using non-lead ammunition or a bow and arrow, addressing concerns about lead poisoning in food banks.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly broadened to include restrictions on venison donation to charitable organizations, in addition to the existing lead ammunition phase-out.

REQUIREMENT

Added a prohibition on donating processed deer meat to tax-exempt organizations (501(c)(3)) if the deer was killed with lead ammunition, unless the deer was harvested with a bow and arrow.

TIMELINE

Extended the lead ammunition phase-out deadline for all game species from July 1, 2029, to July 1, 2030.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new exception allowing the use of lead ammunition for deer hunting under management permits on or before June 30, 2031.

DEFINITION

Added a new section repealing and reenacting Section 10-408(e) of the Natural Resources Article to codify the venison donation restrictions.

PREAMBLE

Updated the bill title and purpose statement to explicitly include the new venison donation restrictions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

26–8

Passed · 15 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

25 Yea 11

69% Yea

R Republican13

1 Yea 8 Nay 4

61% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Kagan) Adopted

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (26-8-15)

senate

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Jul 7, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

7 primary · 0 co-sponsors