Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB523: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026)
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify certain vernal pools in the State; requiring the Department to create and maintain a certain list of vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; and requiring the Department of the Environment to designate staff to receive training in vernal pool identification and to notify the Department of Natural Resources of a location that may qualify for inclusion on the list of vernal pools.
What the bill says
An act concerning Department of the Environment Natural Resources - Water Resources - Protection Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026) (Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations in a certain manner Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify and protect certain vernal pools in the State in a certain manner…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Department of the Environment Natural Resources - Water Resources - Protection Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pools Act of 2026) (Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations in a certain manner Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify and protect certain vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; requiring the Department, when issuing a certain permit, to protect certain vernal pools that are located within the geographic area covered by the permit of Natural Resources to create and maintain a certain list of vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; requiring the Department of the Environment to designate staff to receive training in vernal pool identification and to notify the Department of Natural Resources under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the regulatory protection of water resources and identification of vernal pools in the State. BY adding to Article - Environment Natural Resources Section 5-205 1-1002 Annotated Code of Maryland (2013 2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Environment Section 5-901(a), (b), (f), and (m) Annotated Code of Maryland (2013 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) Preamble WHEREAS, Vernal pools are unique, small-scale ecosystems that contribute significantly …