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SB 870

Behavioral health services; correctional facilities, exchange of medical/mental health information.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Barbara Favola

Prohibits operating any vessel within 500 yards of an occupied migratory waterfowl blind during open season to reduce disturbance and safety risks.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0317)
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Bill Summary · SB 870

Summary — SB 870: Boating — Migratory Waterfowl Season — Prohibited Acts (Maryland)

Note: The supplied document contains multiple different bills labeled “SB 870” from different jurisdictions (including Hawaii and Illinois). The summary below focuses on the Maryland measure titled “Boating – Migratory Waterfowl Season – Prohibited Acts,” as reflected in the Annotated Code excerpts.

Purpose / Intent

The bill is intended to protect migratory waterfowl hunters and reduce disturbance to hunting blinds during the open hunting season by restricting vessel traffic (including small non‑motorized craft) near occupied stationary blinds or blind sites.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 8–724.2 to the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
  • Prohibits any person from operating a vessel “in any manner” within 500 yards of any stationary blind or blind site that is occupied and being used for hunting migratory waterfowl during the open season.
  • Explicitly states that “vessel” includes kayaks and paddle boats; other definitions of “vessel” referenced in Section 8–701 clarify that the term covers every description of watercraft (motor, spars, sails, accessories, ice boats) except seaplanes.
  • Retains an existing related prohibition (Section 4–512) that already forbids fishing within 500 yards of an occupied stationary blind during migratory waterfowl season.
  • The bill text sets an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Recreational boaters and small‑craft users (motorboats, kayaks, paddle boats) who operate in waters where migratory waterfowl hunting occurs.
  • Hunters using stationary blinds — intended beneficiaries by reducing disturbances and safety risks.
  • Law enforcement and natural resources enforcement agencies — responsible for education and compliance/enforcement.
  • Anglers are already subject to a related 500‑yard fishing restriction.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public-safety and hunter-safety benefits by reducing vessel disturbance and potential unsafe interactions between boats and hunters.
  • Navigation limitations for boaters near hunting areas during open season; may require route changes or increased awareness.
  • Enforcement challenges: identifying occupied blind sites and monitoring compliance across large water areas; may require public outreach, signage, and coordination with local agencies.
  • No penalty provisions are included in the excerpt; enforcement and sanctions would rely on existing Natural Resources enforcement authorities and statutes.

Procedural notes

  • The bill text provided was introduced in the Maryland Senate (Sen. Mautz) and assigns the new section to the Natural Resources subtitle. The bill itself specifies an effective date of July 1, 2025.
  • Because the document includes other SB 870 variants and a multi‑jurisdictional action log, readers should confirm final status and enactment details with the Maryland General Assembly or official state code updates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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