Natural Resources - Edible Forests and Foraging Program - Establishment
Sponsor: Lorig Charkoudian (District 20)Committee: Environment and TransportationSubject: Natural Resources - GenerallyStatus: Hearing 2/04 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Establishing an Edible Forests and Foraging Program within the Department of Natural Resources; requiring individuals who forage in designated foraging areas to obtain a foraging permit; requiring the Department to charge a permit application fee and establish a fee waiver process for individuals who demonstrate financial need; requiring the Department to establish and maintain edible forests on State land, subject to available funding; etc.
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Testimony (19)
MGA witness listFAV 8FavorableFWA 5Favorable with amendmentsUNF 5UnfavorableINFO 1Information only
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Stegman, Matt | Chesapeake Bay Foundation | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Smith, Virginia | IndivisibleHoCoMD | Position only |
| FAV | Crump, Patrick | MEPPN | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Plante, Cecilia | Maryland Legislative Coalition | Position only |
| FAV | Farmer, Kyle | Montgomery College Permaculture Club | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Charkoudian, Lorig | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Delegate Charkoudian, Delegate Charkoudianlegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Mauer, William | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Marcus, Ellen | None | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Boyer, Ronald | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | McDowell, Liz | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Meyerovich, Mark | Individual | Position only |
| UNF | Rosa, Richard | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | McPherson, Lydia | Maryland Department of Natural Resources | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Hoffman, Kirsten | Maryland Native Plant Coalition | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Smith, Marlene | Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Chapter | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Broadman, Dorie | Wild Ones Nation's Capital Region Chapter | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | LAPORTE, MARIE | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Palmer, Harrison | Maryland Department of Agriculture | Written (PDF) |