Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1599: Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
Establishing the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program to provide funding for certain oyster propagation and replenishment projects that mitigate the effects of certain transportation projects on the State's oyster population; establishing the Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to certain commercial watermen and small businesses; and prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from making certain approvals for tidal fish licenses or authorizations of certain borrowers.
What the bill says
An act concerning Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program - Established Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established FOR the purpose of establishing the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program to provide funding for certain oyster propagation and replenishment projects that mitigate the effects on the State's oyster population of certain transportation projects on the State's oyster population…
From the enrolled text, May 19, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program - Established Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established FOR the purpose of establishing the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program to provide funding for certain oyster propagation and replenishment projects that mitigate the effects on the State's oyster population of certain transportation projects on the State's oyster population; establishing the Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to certain commercial watermen and small businesses; prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from making certain approvals for tidal fish licenses or authorizations of certain borrowers; and generally relating to the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund. BY adding to Article - Natural Resources Section 4-1020.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Economic Development Section 10-526.1 and 10-526.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Natural Resources 4-1020.1. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "PROGRAM" MEANS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. (B) THERE IS A CHESAPEAKE BAY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT. Ch. 553 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (C) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR OYSTER PROPAGATION …