HB 1599 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established

HB 1599 establishes Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program within the Department of Natural Resources. The program provides $2 million annually (starting fiscal year 2028) from the Transportation Trust Fund to fund oyster propagation and replenishment projects. These projects specifically mitigate harm to the state's oyster population caused by transportation projects at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and channel maintenance. The law requires the Governor to include this funding in the annual budget bill, directly affecting oyster restoration groups and transportation project developers needing to offset environmental impacts.

Issues: ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

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

May 2026

Introduced Feb 16, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program - Established → Third - Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from a single-purpose oyster replenishment measure to a dual-purpose act that also establishes a new financial assistance fund for the Maryland seafood industry. While the original oyster program details remain largely intact, the new legislation adds a mechanism to provide loans and grants to commercial watermen and small businesses, while simultaneously restricting the Department of Natural Resources from approving tidal fish licenses for borrowers who are delinquent on these new loans.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely addressing Chesapeake Bay oyster population mitigation to also include financial support for the broader seafood industry.

SCOPE

Added the establishment of a new 'Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund' to provide loans and grants to commercial watermen and small businesses.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a new restriction preventing the Department of Natural Resources from approving or transferring tidal fish licenses for borrowers who are delinquent on loans from the new seafood fund.

FISCAL

Added a provision authorizing the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation to transfer up to $337,500 from existing loan programs to the new seafood fund.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for the new 'Fund' and 'Corporation' within the Economic Development Article, replacing the previous standalone definitions for the oyster program.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 26, 2026

How they voted

48–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 49

Mar 27, 2026

D Democratic36

35 Yea 1

97% 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

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 553

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Budget and Taxation

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (48-0-1)

senate

Mar 26, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (127-6-9)

house of delegates

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Committee

First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

19 primary · 0 co-sponsors