HB 578

Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats, and Takings

Sponsor: Julie Palakovich Carr (District 17)Committee: Environment and TransportationSubject: Natural Resources - GenerallyStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 211 (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and, if warranted, update regulations related to the Irreplaceable Natural Areas Program by July 1, 2033, and at least every 10 years thereafter; requiring the Secretary to delist an endangered or threatened species under certain circumstances; authorizing the Secretary to adopt management protocols for designated essential habitats; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate regulations authorizing the taking of black vultures under certain circumstances; etc.

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Testimony (24)

MGA witness list

FAV 21FavorableUNF 2UnfavorableINFO 1Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Bassett, Elle	Arundel Rivers Federation	Written (PDF)
FAV	Swanson, Taylor	Assateague Coastal Trust	Written (PDF)
FAV	Brown, Jim	Audubon Mid-Atlantic	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Stegman, Matt	Chesapeake Bay Foundation	Written (PDF)
FAV	Volodin, Staceylobbyist	Humane World for Animals	Written (PDF)
FAV	Smith, Virginia	IndivisibleHoCoMD	Position only
FAV	Ziegler, Natalie	Legislative Rural Caucus	Written (PDF)
FAV	McPherson, Lydia	Maryland Department of Natural Resources	Written (PDF)
FAV	Fulton, Judy	Maryland Native Plant Society	Written (PDF)
FAV	Schwarz, Kurt	Maryland Ornithological Society	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Todd, Robin	Maryland Ornithological Society	Written (PDF)
FAV	Tabrizi, Maryam	Maryland Resident	Oral
FAV	Radov, Lisa	Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Ostdahl, Maggielobbyist	National Aquarium	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	DeCheubel, Leeza	Rural Maryland Council	Written (PDF)
FAV	Wilpers, Michael	Sierra Club MD Chapter	Written (PDF)
FAV	Boyer, Ronald	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Delegate Palakovich Carr, Delegate Palakovich Carrlegislator	Individual	Oral
FAV	Kerr, Cait	Individual	Position only
FAV	Palakovich Carr, Julie	Individual	Written (PDF)
FAV	Smith, Greg	Individual	Position only
UNF	Graf, Lorilobbyist	Maryland Building Industry Association	Written (PDF)
UNF	Ballentine, Tom	NAIOP Maryland	Written (PDF)
INFO	Snow, Ryanlobbyist	R&R Solutions	Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Arundel Rivers FederationFAV 1

Assateague Coastal TrustFAV 1

Audubon Mid-AtlanticFAV 1

Chesapeake Bay FoundationFAV 1

Humane World for AnimalsFAV 1

IndivisibleHoCoMDFAV 1

Legislative Rural CaucusFAV 1

Maryland Building Industry AssociationUNF 1

Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesFAV 1

Maryland Native Plant SocietyFAV 1

Maryland Ornithological SocietyFAV 2

Maryland ResidentFAV 1

Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.FAV 1

NAIOP MarylandUNF 1

National AquariumFAV 1

R&R SolutionsINFO 1

Rural Maryland CouncilFAV 1

Sierra Club MD ChapterFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

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

FAVOstdahl, MaggieNational AquariumRegistered for: National Aquarium

UNFGraf, LoriMaryland Building Industry AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Building Industry Association

INFOSnow, RyanR&R SolutionsRegistered for: Araminta USA; Dorchester County, Maryland; For All Seasons; Maryland Farm Bureau; Talbot Watermen's Association; Tetrus Corp.…