Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB947: Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program - Alterations
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2026
Altering the Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program to include the Blue Catfish Gill Net Program and any other program the Department of Natural Resources considers effective in curbing the spread of the blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; and requiring the Department to report by December 1 each year beginning in 2026, to certain committees of the General Assembly on the activities of the Pilot Program during the immediately preceding year, including findings and recommendations related to the Program.
What the bill says
An act concerning Department of Natural Resources - Commercial Invasive Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License Pilot Program - Alterations FOR the purpose of altering the commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license to allow a person to catch blue catfish with certain gear Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program to include the Blue Catfish Gill Net Program; and generally relating to the commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program…
From the enrolled text, April 21, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Department of Natural Resources - Commercial Invasive Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License Pilot Program - Alterations FOR the purpose of altering the commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license to allow a person to catch blue catfish with certain gear Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program to include the Blue Catfish Gill Net Program; and generally relating to the commercial blue and flathead catfish finfish trotline license Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Natural Resources Chapter 171 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2025 Section 4-701.2 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Chapter 172 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2025 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Chapter 171 of the Acts of 2025 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That: (a) The Department of Natural Resources, in coordination with the Invasive Catfish Advisory Committee, shall establish the Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program. (b) The purpose of the Pilot Program is to curb the spread of the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. (c) The Pilot Program consists (2) the Mid- and …