Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB35: Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Invasive Trees
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to adopt certain ordinances to regulate tree of heaven and certain invasive trees; and authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to establish certain programs to incentivize the removal of tree of heaven and certain invasive trees.
What the bill says
An act concerning Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Tree of Heaven Invasive Trees FOR the purpose of authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to adopt certain ordinances to regulate trees tree of heaven and certain invasive trees; authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to establish a bounty program certain programs to incentivize the removal of trees tree of heaven and certain invasive trees; and generally relating to local management of trees tree of heaven and certain invasive trees…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Local Government - Regulatory Powers - Regulation of Tree of Heaven Invasive Trees FOR the purpose of authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to adopt certain ordinances to regulate trees tree of heaven and certain invasive trees; authorizing the governing body of a county or municipality to establish a bounty program certain programs to incentivize the removal of trees tree of heaven and certain invasive trees; and generally relating to local management of trees tree of heaven and certain invasive trees. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Local Government Section 1-1318 Annotated Code of Maryland (2013 Volume and 2025 Supplement) Preamble WHEREAS, Invasive species are nonnative plants, pathogens, and animals whose introduction causes harm to human health, environmental harm, or economic harm - typically through unchecked growth spread; and WHEREAS, The tree of heaven is a nonnative, deciduous hardwood tree that is considered an invasive species throughout North America because the species spreads quickly and aggressively, crowding out native plants with dense greenery while secreting a chemical into the soil that is toxic to surrounding plants; and WHEREAS, The tree of heaven is the preferred habitat for the spotted lanternfly, another invasive species that is causing economic damage to the agricultural community, stressing native plant populations, and generally acting as a nuisance …