HB 731

Wildlife - Protections and Highway Crossings

Sponsor: Sheila Ruth (District 44B)Committee: Environment and TransportationSubject: Natural Resources - GenerallyStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 549 (as of Dec 1, 2025)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Establishing the Maryland Connectivity Coalition to foster collaboration among State and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders for the purpose of protecting endangered wildlife from habitat fragmentation; requiring the State Highway Administration to have final decision-making authority regarding decisions related to placement, funding, or design of wildlife crossings; etc.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (0)

MGA witness list

FAV 20FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendments

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Popham, Brysonlobbyist	Bryson F. Popham, P.A.	Written (PDF)
FAV	Stegman, Matt	Chesapeake Bay Foundation	Position only
FAV	Demiray, Sonia	Climate Communications Coalition	Written (PDF)
FAV	Wilson, Emily	Department of Natural Resources	Written (PDF)
FAV	Volodin, Staceylobbyist	Humane World for Animals	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Plante, Cecilia	Maryland Legislative Coalition	Position only
FAV	Schwarz, Kurt	Maryland Ornithological Society	Written (PDF)
FAV	Radov, Lisa	Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Fredriksson, Ryanlobbyist	National Aquarium	Written (PDF)
FAV	Wilpers, Michael	Sierra Club MD Chapter	Oral
FAV	McNair, Lee	Unitarian Universalist Environmental Justice Ministry	Position only
FAV	Southerland, Mark	Vernal Pool Partners	Written (PDF)
FAV	miles, williamlobbyist	self employed	Oral
FAV	Arndt, Dave	Individual	Position only
FAV	Delegate Ruth, Delegate Ruthlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Griffith, Anna	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Kerr, Cait	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Law, Elizabeth	Individual	Position only
FAV	Ruth, S	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	boos, Mistylobbyist	Individual	Oral + Written (PDF)
FWA	Westervelt, Patricia	Maryland Department of Transportation	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Bryson F. Popham, P.A.FAV 1

Chesapeake Bay FoundationFAV 1

Climate Communications CoalitionFAV 1

Department of Natural ResourcesFAV 1

Humane World for AnimalsFAV 1

Maryland Department of TransportationFWA 1

Maryland Legislative CoalitionFAV 1

Maryland Ornithological SocietyFAV 1

Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.FAV 1

National AquariumFAV 1

self employedFAV 1

Sierra Club MD ChapterFAV 1

Unitarian Universalist Environmental Justice MinistryFAV 1

Vernal Pool PartnersFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVPopham, BrysonBryson F. Popham, P.A.Registered for: Agency Insurance Company of Maryland; Agency Services, Inc.; Army Alliance; Bryson F. Popham P.A.; Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Baltimore (BOMA); CVS Health…

FAVVolodin, StaceyHumane World for AnimalsRegistered for: Humane World for Animals

FAVFredriksson, RyanNational AquariumRegistered for: National Aquarium

FAVmiles, williamself employedRegistered for: Association of Forest Industries, Inc.; Herschell Claggett, Jr.; Hunters of Maryland; Goose Chase Farm, LLC…

FAVboos, MistyRegistered for: Wildlands Network