SB 558 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

SB 558 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 offset damage to the state's oyster population caused by transportation activities at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and shipping channel maintenance. The funding must be included in the governor's annual budget bill. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established → Enrolled - Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established · 1 edit · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized into an enrolled version, changing the header to reflect official passage and preparing it for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy content regarding the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and the Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund remains unchanged, with no modifications to funding amounts, eligibility criteria, or operational rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text represents the final, enacted version of the legislation.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document header from 'Second Printing' to 'Enrolled Bill' and added official proofreading and sealing sections to indicate the bill has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for executive action.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

49–0

Passed

Total votes 49

Mar 26, 2026

D Democratic36

36 Yea

100% 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

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 552

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 13, 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 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-5-5)

house of delegates

Mar 26, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (49-0)

senate

Mar 21, 2026

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Budget and Taxation

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors