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HB 383

Municipalities - Limiting Access to Beaches - Prohibition

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 2 co-sponsors

HB 383 bans Maryland municipalities from restricting public beach access or imposing prohibitive fees, enforcing statewide open-beach policies over local ordinances.

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 383

Legislative bill overview

HB 383 prohibits Maryland municipalities from restricting public access to beaches or imposing fees that effectively limit beach access. The bill aims to ensure that residents have guaranteed public rights to Maryland's coastal areas regardless of local ordinances or seasonal restrictions.

Why is this important

Beach access is a significant quality-of-life issue in coastal communities, affecting public recreation, property values, and equity considerations. This bill addresses tensions between local government control and state-level protection of public resources, potentially overriding municipal zoning and management decisions that have traditionally governed beach use.

Potential points of contention

  • Local control vs. state mandate: Municipalities may argue they should determine beach management policies for their communities, including parking, maintenance capacity, and seasonal regulations
  • Environmental and safety concerns: Some coastal towns claim restrictions protect fragile ecosystems, prevent overcrowding, or manage public safety—concerns this bill could override
  • Property owner conflicts: Beachfront property owners and adjacent communities may oppose unrestricted access, citing noise, parking issues, and infrastructure strain
  • Implementation costs: Unlimited public access could require municipalities to increase beach maintenance, lifeguard services, and infrastructure without corresponding funding

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

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