SB 186 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program

SB 186 creates a new commercial license for fishing blue and flathead catfish using trotlines in the Chesapeake Bay. It specifically prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from banning license holders from fishing in the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The license requires a $15 annual fee, is valid from September 1 to August 31, and does not require a separate tidal fishing license. This bill directly affects commercial fishermen seeking to target invasive catfish species in that specific Bay area, removing regulatory barriers to their fishing activities.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2024

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Oct 9, 2024 Signed Apr 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Commercial Blue and Flathead Catfish Finfish Trotline License - Prohibited Regulations → Third - Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a new Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program aimed at controlling invasive blue catfish populations in the Chesapeake Bay. The original version focused only on protecting commercial fishing rights, while the updated version adds emergency provisions and new pilot programs to actively manage invasive species.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely protecting commercial fishing rights to also establishing a pilot program for managing invasive blue catfish populations.

SCOPE

Added a new Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program to curb the spread of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill from a standard enactment to an emergency measure that takes effect immediately and remains effective through June 30, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Department of Natural Resources to establish a pilot program with specific components including for-hire/commercial fishing trips and trotline programs south of the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge.

Added provisions allowing the Department to authorize electrofishing, longer trotlines (up to 2,400 feet), unlimited hooks, and non-corrodible hooks to harvest blue catfish.

Added requirement for the Department to report findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Added co-sponsor (Senator Mautz) and committee report status indicating favorable with amendments.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2025

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 46

Feb 27, 2025

D Democratic33

32 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 171

executive

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-1)

senate

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Oct 9, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors