SB 21 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources - State Parks - Maryland Golden Age Pass

SB 21 modifies Maryland's Golden Age Pass program to provide free day-use entry at all state parks with service fees for residents aged 62+ who hold the pass. It also allows pass holders to launch boats at any state park without fees and extends free entry to all passengers in their vehicle when a per-vehicle fee applies. The bill changes overnight camping discounts to apply Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays), replacing the previous Sunday-Thursday schedule. The changes will take effect October 1, 2026, and directly affect eligible seniors visiting Maryland state parks.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jun 2, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Natural Resources - State Parks - Maryland Golden Age Pass → Third - Natural Resources - State Parks - Maryland Golden Age Pass · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally adopted and read a second time, moving it closer to becoming law. The text of the bill itself remains substantively unchanged, preserving the eligibility for seniors (62+) to receive free day-use entry, discounted camping, and free boat launches at Maryland State Parks.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to apply to Maryland State Parks for individuals aged 62 and older.

TIMELINE

Added procedural status updates indicating the bill was reported favorably by the committee, adopted by the Senate, and read for the second time.

TECHNICAL

Added a placeholder for the chapter number and signature lines for the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, indicating the bill is ready for final enactment.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

46–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 49

Feb 9, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% 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 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 333

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 2, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-8)

house of delegates

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)

senate

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Jun 2, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors