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Bills/2026 Regular Session

SB 431

EnactedCrossfile HB 578
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Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds - Regulations, Lists, Petitions, Essential Habitats, and Takings

Sponsor: Benjamin Brooks (District 10)Committee: Education, Energy, and the EnvironmentSubject: Natural Resources - GenerallyStatus: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 212 (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; authorizing the Department to promulgate regulations authorizing the taking of black vultures under certain circumstances; etc.

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Testimony (31)

MGA witness list
FAV 27FavorableFWA 2Favorable with amendmentsUNF 2Unfavorable
PositionWitnessOrganizationTestimony
FAVChester, AnnielobbyistAmerican Bird ConservancyOral + Written (PDF)
FAVBassett, ElleArundel Rivers FederationWritten (PDF)
FAVBassett, ElleArundel Rivers FederationWritten (PDF)
FAVSwanson, TaylorAssateague Coastal TrustWritten (PDF)
FAVStegman, MattChesapeake Bay FoundationWritten (PDF)
FAVStegman, MattChesapeake Bay FoundationWritten (PDF)
FAVDemiray, SoniaClimate Communications CoalitionWritten (PDF)
FAVVolodin, StaceylobbyistHumane World for AnimalsWritten (PDF)
FAVVolodin, StaceylobbyistHumane World for AnimalsOral + Written (PDF)
FAVSmith, VirginiaIndivisibleHoCoMDPosition only
FAVMcPherson, LydiaMaryland Department of Natural ResourcesWritten (PDF)
FAVMcPherson, LydiaMaryland Department of Natural ResourcesWritten (PDF)
FAVFulton, JudyMaryland Native Plant SocietyWritten (PDF)
FAVSchwarz, KurtMaryland Ornithological SocietyWritten (PDF)
FAVTodd, RobinMaryland Ornithological SocietyWritten (PDF)
FAVBrooks, BenjaminMaryland State SenateWritten (PDF)
FAVBrooks, BenjaminMaryland State SenateWritten (PDF)
FAVRadov, LisaMaryland Votes for Animals, Inc.Written (PDF)
FAVRadov, LisaMaryland Votes for Animals, Inc.Oral + Written (PDF)
FAVOstdahl, MaggielobbyistNational AquariumOral + Written (PDF)
FAVDeCheubel, LeezaRural Maryland CouncilWritten (PDF)
FAVWilpers, MichaelSierra Club MD ChapterWritten (PDF)
FAVSharif, HumnalobbyistThe Nature ConservancyPosition only
FAVBoyer, RonaldIndividualWritten (PDF)
FAVMcKnight, JonathanIndividualOral + Written (PDF)
FAVSenator Brooks, Senator BrookslegislatorIndividualOral
FAVSenator Brooks, Senator BrookslegislatorIndividualOral
UNFPrice, SuzanneConcerned CitizenPosition only
UNFGraf, LorilobbyistMaryland Building Industry AssociationWritten (PDF)
FWABallentine, TomNAIOP MarylandWritten (PDF)
FWAWeber, TedThe Climate Reality Baltimore Area ChapterWritten (PDF)

Organizations on record

American Bird ConservancyFAV 1
Arundel Rivers FederationFAV 2
Assateague Coastal TrustFAV 1
Chesapeake Bay FoundationFAV 2
Climate Communications CoalitionFAV 1
Concerned CitizenUNF 1
Humane World for AnimalsFAV 2
IndivisibleHoCoMDFAV 1
Maryland Building Industry AssociationUNF 1
Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesFAV 2
Maryland Native Plant SocietyFAV 1
Maryland Ornithological SocietyFAV 2
Maryland State SenateFAV 2
Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.FAV 2
NAIOP MarylandFWA 1
National AquariumFAV 1
Rural Maryland CouncilFAV 1
Sierra Club MD ChapterFAV 1
The Climate Reality Baltimore Area ChapterFWA 1
The Nature ConservancyFAV 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVChester, AnnieAmerican Bird ConservancyRegistered for: American Bird Conservancy
FAVVolodin, StaceyHumane World for AnimalsRegistered for: Humane World for Animals
FAVVolodin, StaceyHumane World for AnimalsRegistered for: Humane World for Animals
FAVOstdahl, MaggieNational AquariumRegistered for: National Aquarium
FAVSharif, HumnaThe Nature ConservancyRegistered for: Nature Conservancy, The
UNFGraf, LoriMaryland Building Industry AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Building Industry Association