SB 610 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program - Alterations

SB 610 modifies Maryland's commercial license for catching blue and flathead catfish in tidal waters. It specifically allows license holders to use a gill net with a mesh size of 7 inches or smaller for catching blue catfish, in addition to the existing finfish trotline option. This change directly affects commercial fishermen who sell blue catfish caught in Maryland's tidal waters. The bill updates the license requirements without changing the $15 annual fee, 1-year term, or restrictions on transferring the license.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Department of Natural Resources - Commercial Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License - Alterations → Third - Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program - Alterations · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly restructured to shift from a permanent commercial fishing license to a temporary 'Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program' designed to aggressively curb the spread of invasive species. The new version expands the program's scope to include gill nets and electrofishing, removes gear restrictions like hook limits, and extends the program's duration to six years with an automatic sunset clause.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a permanent commercial license for blue and flathead catfish to a temporary pilot program specifically targeting invasive blue catfish. It now includes additional methods like gill nets and electrofishing and applies to a broader range of commercial fishing activities.

SCOPE

Established a new 'Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program' to specifically target and reduce the population of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay.

Expanded the program to include the Blue Catfish Gill Net Program and authorized the use of electrofishing for harvest.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the limit on the number of hooks allowed on a finfish trotline and authorized trotlines up to 2,400 feet in length.

Added a requirement for the Department to submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing the program's findings and recommendations.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective period from a standard annual cycle to a fixed six-year term ending June 30, 2030, with an automatic expiration.

DEFINITION

Replaced the permanent 'Commercial Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License' title with the new pilot program designation.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Mar 6, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 42

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 24, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-0-10)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors