Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees
SB 266 authorizes Maryland counties and municipalities to adopt local ordinances regulating the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a nonnative tree that spreads aggressively and harms native ecosystems. The bill allows local governments to ban selling, planting, or allowing the tree to grow on property, require containment if it's present, and impose civil fines for violations. It also permits communities to create bounty programs incentivizing residents to remove the tree. This directly affects property owners who may have the tree and local governments seeking to manage its spread.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 19, 2026
Signed Apr 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Third - Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees
→
Enrolled - Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees
·
2 edits
·
Apr 28, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, adding formal certification details and proofreader signatures. The substantive policy text remains identical to the previous version, with no changes to the regulations, definitions, or enforcement mechanisms regarding invasive trees.
TECHNICAL
Added enrolled bill formatting, including proofreader signatures and presentation details for the Governor.
Removed draft metadata such as committee report status and specific reading dates.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026
How they voted
38–6
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 22, 2026
D
Democratic36
88% Yea
R
Republican13
46% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 28, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 209
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 22, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (38-6-5)
senate
Mar 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ben Brooks
DDemocratic
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