Worcester (SB 824/HB 466) – Sunday hunting of all species, all Sun- days on public and private land. House bill amended to add 10:30 re- striction and passed.
Wicomico (SB 796/HB 1087) – Sunday hunting of all species, all Sun- days on public and private land. House bill amended to add 10:30 re- striction and passed.
Howard County archery safety zone (HB 1005) - reduces from 150 to 50 yards the required distance from dwelling or certain other buildings, but only applies to managed hunts and DMPs and requires elevated tree stands.
Tese bills DID NOT CROSS OVER. Although it is not completely impossible that some of these bills will eventually pass, it is very unlikely.
Animal abuse penalties (SB 85/HB 405) - Increases penalties for criminal neglect that results in the death or euthanasia of an animal, up to 3 years in prison and fine of up to $5000. Also, a judge can prohibit ownership, pos- session or residing with an animal for a period determined by the Court.
Solar tax credit (SB 103/HB 1271) - creates credit against state income tax of $15,000 or 25% of the installed cost of residential roof top solar panels.
Outdoor lighting standards (HB 851) - requires the Department of the Environment to develop outdoor lighting standards that consider energy consumption, environmental, public health, and public safety impacts of outdoor lighting.
Vet student loan forgiveness (HB 1133) - provides for payments of up to $20,000 to participants who sign a contract to practice in the State for at least 2 years; and requires that participants be selected based on ex- perience, training, and availability to practice in certain high-need areas.
Rodent harborage (HB 841) - authorizes lawsuits against land owners who allow rodents to exist and proliferate on their property. We have asked for an amendment to make clear that an exemption for property “zoned for agricultural use” be broadened to property where farming is permitted, even if the property is not technically zoned as “agricultural.” We have been working with the sponsor to craft new language.
Agricultural use assessment (SB 418/HB 592) - requires that improve- ments to property in support of value added agriculture be assessed as agri- cultural and not commercial. We were successful in getting an amendment to make sure that Equine Activities are included as value added agriculture.
Inheritance tax (HB 100) - Capping the inheritance tax on agricultural real property that is bequeathed to a “beneficiary of limited means” at the lesser of 10% of the “clear value” of the property OR 20% of the federal adjusted gross income of the beneficiary of limited means for the taxable year in which the decedent died. A beneficiary of limited means = federal adjusted gross income is not more than $125,000 for an individual or $250,000 for couples filing jointly, surviving spouses or heads of households.
PG County (SB 155) - Sunday hunting each Sunday of the deer hunting sea- son from the first Sunday in October through the second Sunday in January.
Worcester County (HB 467) – Sunday hunting each Sunday of the spring tur- key season, public and private land. May become moot if HB 466 fully passes.
Calvert County (SB 323/HB 449) – Sunday hunting all species all Sun- days, repealing the 10:30 restriction.
Mid-Shore Sunday hunting (SB 777/HB 1118) – repealing 10:30 re- striction for all species in Caroline, Dorchester; for all deer seasons in Talbot; for deer firearms in Wicomico; for Spring turkey in Talbot.
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THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | APRIL 2023 | 37
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