Committee advances deer‑management bill after debate over Sunday‑hunting carve‑outs in Baltimore area
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Summary
House Bill 10‑63, establishing a new 'deer damage' permit and a temporary regulatory window for Sunday hunting, was amended to prohibit use of the new permit to authorize Sunday hunting in Baltimore City and three surrounding counties; a Baltimore‑specific bow‑season limitation proposed by Senator Washington prompted debate and the bill advanced as amended.
April, committee staff, briefed the committee on House Bill 10‑63, which would create a new deer‑damage permit allowing the Department of Natural Resources to authorize reduction of deer populations on contiguous properties of at least 10 acres when deer damage is documented. The bill would also authorize agencies to adopt Sunday‑hunting regulations during a three‑year window (07/01/2027–06/30/2030) while repealing certain county‑specific authorizations.
Committee‑adopted Hester amendments prohibit the new permit from being used to authorize Sunday hunting in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and Prince George’s County and expand reporting requirements. Senator Washington offered an amendment to limit expansion of Sunday bow hunting in Baltimore City to private property and to one Sunday per month within applicable safety zones. The amendment prompted multiple members to question delegation coordination and whether Baltimore City officials and the bill sponsor supported the change; Senator Attar reported the Baltimore City sponsor did not support the Washington amendment and the city administration had sought broader Sunday authorizations.
Senators discussed how county delegations and DNR interaction would affect local flexibility. April reiterated that outside the specified 'prohibited' counties, counties could request changes to Sunday‑hunting rules via the department and that the temporary regulatory authorization would expire on 06/30/2030 unless acted on by the General Assembly.
The committee adopted related amendments and, later in the session, completed a roll call on the amended bill that produced affirmative votes and the item was carried from committee. Members noted they might pursue floor amendments and that some delegation coordination remained unresolved.
Ending: The committee carried the amended bill and recorded votes; Senators indicated possible floor amendments and further local coordination would follow.
