Government Relations Committee THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL


by Jane Seigler, MHC Government Relations Committee Co-Chair Te deadline for introducing new


bills in the Maryland Senate passed on February 3, and in the House on February 7. Bills can still be introduced and secure passage after those dates, but they face additional procedural hurdles and the relentless running of the clock before the session adjourns at midnight on April 7. Te legislators this session are work- ing under the cloud of a looming bud- get deficit, exacerbated by uncertainty surrounding the availability of federal funds for a vast array of programs ad- ministered by the state. Tat cloud is


casting a shadow on many bills that normally would proceed without controversy. In last month’s Equiery, we reported on some bills of interest that


had been introduced as of that writing (see https://equiery.com/the- 2025-maryland-legislative-session-is-in-full-swing/). Only three of those have moved as of this writing:


HB 7* would authorize “a person operating a bicycle that is approaching a stop sign at an intersection on a highway with two or fewer lanes for moving traffic to cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersec- tion without stopping if the person reduces the speed of the bicycle to a reasonable rate and yields the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersec- tion or any approaching vehicle on another highway that is near enough to the intersection to pose an immediate danger,” has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate.


SB 240 changes the designated seat on the MD Agricultural Commis- sion from “a representative of the horse–breeding industry” to “a repre- sentative of the equine industry.” It has passed the Senate and is now in the House.


HB 173 requires the Department of Recreation and Parks of Baltimore County to establish a deer management program to manage the deer population on county parklands has been withdrawn.


SB 380/HB 162* would require licensing of breeders (except for “horse racing and standardbred stables or farms using horses for working or cul- tivating the soil or herding or cutting livestock”) by the Maryland Horse Industry Board. MHIB already licenses boarding, lesson and rental sta- bles, and rescues and sanctuaries. After discussions with MHIB and the bills’ sponsors, the bills were withdrawn in favor of a working group to study the issue further over the summer.


Liability Waivers Update


Tere is good news on the controversial bill that passed last year, mak- ing written waivers of ordinary negligence unenforceable in lawsuits. Senator Gallion contacted MHC on short notice, telling us that he was putting in a bill (SB 642) to restrict the law’s application to just indoor trampoline parks. We explained the inherent difference between recre- ational facilities that use inanimate equipment, and those that use horses, and he agreed that an exemption for equine activities made sense. He in- vited MHC to be the only other witness on the panel supporting his bill. Within a few days, we gathered information from equestrian facili-


ties on the adverse effect of the law on their insurance and operations. At the hearing on February 11, MHC President Kim Egan testified to that adverse effect and the singular nature of equestrian activities. Te members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee seemed very receptive to amending the law to exempt equestrian facilities - many mentioned how their offices had been flooded with calls opposed to the bill last year. Stay tuned!


New Bills


SB 321/HB 352 imposes late fees and reinstatement fees on expired stable licenses.


SB 365/HB 541 establishes a nonprofit organization navigator within the Department of Commerce to work with nonprofits and units of State government to resolve complexities and delays in State grant-making processes and to represent nonprofit interest and concerns as a member of the Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council.


SB 968 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to enter into use agreements with volunteers to facilitate the use of motor vehicles and motorized equipment for the purpose of maintaining existing paths within the Patuxent River Wildland to ensure clear and safe access for first responders. (See the MHC Trails Stewardship column on page 34 for background on this bill.)


SB 982/HB 1048 authorizes Historical Horse Racing at certain race- tracks and other facilities.


HB 766 requires that the DNR Wildlife Advisory Commission member appointed to represent the farming community be selected from a list of candidates provided by the Maryland Farm Bureau.


HB 856 provides a funding mechanism for the race courses at Fair Hill.


SB 428/HB 506 establishes the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program Fund to support and provide in- centives for agricultural and conservation best practices. MDA has been holding focus sessions with farmers as it designs this program, and MHC


MHC does not endorse political candidates. We support incumbents who are in a position to support, or have already supported, the horse industry on general policy issues and in specific pieces of legislation.


www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | MARCH 2025 | 13


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52