Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1267: Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act)
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Requiring a certain local zoning authority to designate and maintain certain property in a zoning classification that restricts the uses in a certain manner under certain circumstances; requiring the appropriate authority to maintain certain property in a certain zoning classification that restricts the uses in a certain manner under certain circumstances; requiring, prior to any development on certain property, a certain local zoning authority to hold a hearing and make a decision in consultation with certain entities; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act) FOR the purpose of requiring a certain local zoning authority to designate and maintain certain property in a zoning classification that restricts the uses in a certain manner under certain circumstances; requiring the appropriate authority to maintain certain property in a certain zoning classification that restricts the uses in a certain manner under certain circumstances…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act) FOR the purpose of requiring a certain local zoning authority to designate and maintain certain property in a zoning classification that restricts the uses in a certain manner under certain circumstances; requiring the appropriate authority to maintain certain property in a certain zoning classification that restricts the uses in a certain manner under certain circumstances; requiring, prior to any development on certain property, a certain local zoning authority to hold a hearing and make a decision, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment, that the proposed development will not have a substantial impact on that property; and generally relating to land use. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Land Use Section 1-401(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Land Use Section 1-401(b)(19), 4-217, and 25-211 Annotated Code of Maryland (2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Land Use Section 1-401(b)(19) through (32) Annotated Code of Maryland (2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing Article - Land Use Section 25-211 Annotated Code of Maryland (2012 Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF …