HB 1400 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card

HB 1400 creates penalties for shellfish aquaculture permit and registration card holders who violate specific regulations. It directly affects commercial shellfish harvesters in Maryland who hold these permits. Key violations include harvesting oysters too close to closed areas, using prohibited gear, exceeding time restrictions, harvesting from leased areas without authorization, or taking oysters commercially without proper permits. For a first violation, permits may be suspended for up to 5 years; repeat violations result in permanent revocation. During suspension or revocation, individuals cannot work in any aquaculture activity, even if unrelated to shellfish.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed Apr 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card → Third - Shellfish Aquaculture - Penalties - Suspension or Revocation of Permit or Registration Card · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add new sponsors and include a favorable committee report, indicating it has moved forward in the legislative process. The core text was significantly rewritten to clarify definitions, correct a typo regarding permit revocation, and add a new section allowing leaseholders to remove gear or transfer leases within specific timeframes after a permit suspension. These changes aim to provide clearer enforcement rules and a structured process for leaseholders facing permit issues.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a specific administrative process for leaseholders to remove equipment or transfer leases following a permit suspension or revocation.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new sponsors (Healey and Ziegler) to the bill.

TIMELINE

Added a committee report indicating the bill was adopted favorably with amendments.

DEFINITION

Corrected a repetitive typo in the definition of permit revocation and reorganized the list of defined terms.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection requiring the Department to allow leaseholders 90 days to remove gear or transfer a lease after an administrative proceeding terminates a lease.

Updated the restriction on suspended permit holders to explicitly include 'permit or registration card' in the prohibited activities.

ENFORCEMENT

Revised the list of offenses to clarify distance restrictions and add a new offense regarding unlawfully taking oysters for commercial purposes and planting them on a lease.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 304

executive

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 11, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-4)

house of delegates

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

19 primary · 0 co-sponsors