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HB 447

Natural Resources - Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robin Grammer

HB 447 establishes a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in Maryland, restricting future legislative ability to regulate these activities.

First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
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Bill Summary · HB 447

Legislative bill overview

HB 447 establishes a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in Maryland, presumably adding protections that would make these activities difficult to restrict through future legislation or regulation. The bill appears to create a fundamental right similar to those found in some state constitutions, placing hunting and fishing on a constitutional footing rather than treating them as privileges subject to regulatory change.

Why is this important

This bill would fundamentally shift how Maryland governs wildlife activities by elevating hunting and fishing from regulated privileges to constitutional rights. Such changes can significantly constrain a state's ability to adapt wildlife management policies in response to ecological changes, species conservation needs, or public health concerns, as any restrictions would face heightened legal scrutiny.

Potential points of contention

  • Conservation vs. rights: Wildlife managers may argue that strict constitutional protections could hamper efforts to protect endangered species, manage overpopulation, or respond to ecological crises requiring hunting restrictions
  • Public land access: Questions about whether constitutional hunting rights guarantee access to public lands and how this interacts with property rights of private landowners
  • Regulatory flexibility: Future legislatures would face constitutional barriers to adjusting seasons, methods, species protections, or licensing requirements, limiting adaptive management in response to changing environmental conditions

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

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