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HB 1071

Environment - Stormwater Management for Agritourism

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Boyce and 7 co-sponsors

Maryland requires farms offering tourist activities to implement stormwater management systems preventing water quality degradation from agricultural and visitor-related runoff.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 14
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Bill Summary · HB 1071

Legislative bill overview

HB 1071 establishes stormwater management requirements specifically tailored to agritourism operations in Maryland. The bill addresses how farms and agricultural properties that host tourist activities must handle runoff and water quality impacts from both agricultural use and visitor activities.

Why is this important

Agritourism—farms offering activities like corn mazes, petting zoos, and hayrides—has grown significantly in Maryland but often operates in a regulatory gray area between agricultural and commercial classifications. Proper stormwater management prevents contamination of local waterways, protects the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, and reduces flooding risks while allowing agricultural businesses to continue operations without excessive regulatory burden.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Small family farms may face substantial expenses implementing new stormwater infrastructure, potentially making agritourism economically unviable for marginal operations
  • Regulatory definition disputes: Disagreement over what constitutes "agritourism" and which operations must comply, with implications for farm classification and tax status
  • Enforcement and oversight: Uncertainty about which agency enforces requirements and how violations are handled—could create compliance confusion or inconsistent implementation across counties

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

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