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Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to establish a certain process to include a notation of veteran status on a license, permit, registration, or public profile.

Altering the stated purpose of the Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program to include the advancement of forest health and resilience through the promotion and maintenance of native trees and shrubs.

Altering certain standards and requirements for variances from land use requirements under the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program.

Establishing that the holder of a Maryland Golden Age Pass is entitled to free day-use entry at certain State parks and is authorized to launch a boat at any State park without paying a boat launch fee; altering the days of the week on which the holder of a Maryland Golden Age Pass may camp overnight in a State park at a discounted fee; and establishing that the free day-use entry applies to everyone in the vehicle with the holder of a Maryland Golden Age Pass under certain circumstances.

Authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a marine vessel or multiple individuals who jointly co-own a marine vessel to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the marine vessel on the death of the sole owner or each co-owner; and altering certain provisions of law governing the transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles to allow multiple individuals who jointly co-own a motor vehicle to designate a transfer-on-death beneficiary.

Altering the date, from November 30 to October 1 each year, by which the Office of the Attorney General must report on certain activities of the Office's Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit and certain activities taken by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources in response to findings of the Unit.

Altering and updating the standards and procedures governing the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program related to the approval of regulations, local program comprehensive reviews, locational standards for growth allocation, correcting mapping mistakes, and tree replanting.

Authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a marine vessel or multiple individuals who jointly co-own a marine vessel to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the marine vessel on the death of the owner or each co-owner; and altering certain provisions of law governing the transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles to allow multiple individuals who jointly co-own a motor vehicle to designate a transfer-on-death beneficiary.

Authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a certain vessel to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the vessel on the death of the owner; requiring a designated beneficiary who survives the owner of a vessel to apply to the Department for a new certificate of title for the vessel; and requiring an application for a certificate of title for a vessel to contain certain information.

Authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a certain vessel to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the vessel on the death of the owner; requiring a designated beneficiary who survives the owner of a vessel to apply to the Department for a new certificate of title for the vessel; and requiring an application for a certificate of title for a vessel to contain certain information.

Altering the individuals and vehicles that may enter a State park without paying a certain fee on presentation of a valid veteran identification card, a driver's license or other State-issued license or identification card that indicates the holder is a veteran, or any other form of identification that establishes the holder's veteran status or former Maryland National Guard status.

Establishing an Edible Forests and Foraging Program within the Department of Natural Resources; requiring individuals who forage in designated foraging areas to obtain a foraging permit; requiring the Department to charge a permit application fee and establish a fee waiver process for individuals who demonstrate financial need; requiring the Department to establish and maintain edible forests on State land, subject to available funding; etc.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to assess and collect an 8% hotel rental surcharge on rental units at Savage Highlands State Park and remit the proceeds to the Comptroller for distribution to Garrett County; and requiring Garrett County to use and distribute the proceeds from the surcharge either for promotion of the county or for the general fund of the county.

Altering the stated purpose of the Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program to include the advancement of forest health and resilience through the promotion and maintenance of native trees and shrubs.

Altering and updating the standards and procedures governing the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program related to the approval of regulations, local program comprehensive reviews, locational standards for growth allocation, correcting mapping mistakes, and tree replanting.

Altering the date, from November 30 to October 1 each year, by which the Office of the Attorney General must report on certain activities of the Office's Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit and certain activities taken by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources in response to findings of the Unit.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to facilitate community participation in project planning and development; establishing the Resilience Through Restoration Capital Grant Fund to provide funding for nature-based restoration projects intended to reduce the State's climate change vulnerability; requiring, by October 1, 2027, the Department to develop a website, guidance, and training for certain tools and resources; requiring, by December 31, 2035, the Department to take certain actions relating to climate change; etc.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to include in an annual report to certain committees of the General Assembly the amount of proceeds from a certain agricultural land transfer tax that are attributable to the taxation of certain instruments of writing that transfer title to parcels of land that are entirely woodland that were distributed to the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund during the immediately preceding fiscal year; and requiring the Department to report any uncertainties regarding certain amounts.

Altering certain terminology relating to State parks that preserve and interpret the history of certain populations.

Authorizing certain governmental entities to waive certain fees imposed by statute for veterans; and requiring certain governmental entities to adopt regulations before waiving certain fees imposed by statute for veterans.

Altering certain terminology relating to State parks that preserve and interpret the history of certain populations.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to include in an annual report to certain committees of the General Assembly the amount of proceeds from a certain agricultural land transfer tax that are attributable to the taxation of certain instruments of writing that transfer title to parcels of land that are entirely woodland that were distributed to the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives and Fellowship Fund during the immediately preceding fiscal year; and requiring the Department to report any uncertainties regarding certain amounts.

Establishing requirements for the use of living shorelines and nonstructural stabilization measures in Calvert County and St. Mary's County; and exempting property located in Calvert County and St. Mary's County from certain general requirements regarding the use of nonstructural shoreline stabilization measures.

Requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and, if warranted, update certain regulations on or before July 1, 2033, and at least every 10 years thereafter; altering the impacts the Secretary can make reference to when making certain determinations; requiring the Secretary to delist an endangered or threatened species under certain circumstances; requiring a petition to remove a listed species to contain certain information; etc.

Establishing requirements for the use of living shorelines and nonstructural stabilization measures in Calvert County and St. Mary's County; and exempting property located in Calvert County and St. Mary's County from certain general requirements regarding the use of nonstructural shoreline stabilization measures.

Repealing a requirement that for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 $25,000,000 of the balance of a special fund dedicated to certain land preservation programs be allocated to the General Fund of the State.

Modifying certain reporting requirements, boards, and commissions for practicability and efficiency; repealing certain reporting requirements that are unnecessary, obsolete, or duplicative; repealing as obsolete the Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board, Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission, and Commission on Trauma-Informed Care; repealing as unnecessary the Partnership for Workforce Quality Advisory Board; etc.

Authorizing the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to award grants and loans to certain entities for the management of certified heritage areas under certain circumstances; decreasing from 10% to 7% the percentage of Program Open Space funds transferred to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund that may be used for certain operating expenses; repealing a provision of law authorizing the distribution of up to $300,000 to the Maryland Historical Trust; etc.

Requiring the Power Plant Research Program to study and make recommendations on nuclear energy and its role as a renewable energy resource that can effectively combat climate change in the State; and requiring, by September 30, 2027, the Program to report its official findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Repealing a requirement that for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029 $25,000,000 of the balance of a special fund dedicated to certain land preservation programs be allocated to the General Fund of the State.

Requiring the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and, if warranted, update certain regulations on or before July 1, 2033, and at least every 10 years thereafter; altering the impacts the Secretary can make reference to when making certain determinations; requiring the Secretary to delist an endangered or threatened species under certain circumstances; requiring a petition to remove a listed species to contain certain information; etc.

Establishing the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board to advise the Secretary of Natural Resources on the operation, acquisition, regulation, and general oversight of off-highway recreational vehicle trails and recreation in the State.

Requiring, beginning on certain dates, certain State and local projects for which 50% of project costs are funded with State funds to be in compliance with riverine siting and design criteria established under the Act; and requiring, on or before July 1, 2027, and in consultation with specified State agencies, the Coast Smart Council to establish riverine siting and design criteria to address the 500-year flood impacts on State and local capital projects.

Establishing the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program to provide funding for certain oyster propagation and replenishment projects that mitigate the effects on the State's oyster population of certain transportation projects that maintain or expand the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Authorizing the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to award grants and loans to certain entities for the management of certified heritage areas under certain circumstances; decreasing from 10% to 7% the percentage of Program Open Space funds transferred to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund that may be used for certain operating expenses; repealing a provision of law authorizing the distribution of up to $300,000 to the Maryland Historical Trust; etc.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership park between the Department and Baltimore City; altering the authorized uses of a certain part of the Park System Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund; prohibiting the Department from charging an entrance fee to the State Park; requiring the Governor to include in the budget bill for fiscal year 2028 $2,8880,354 for the establishment of the Park and an additional appropriation of $280,000 for the hiring of a certain consultant; etc.

Establishing an Edible Forests and Foraging Program within the Department of Natural Resources; requiring individuals who forage in designated foraging areas to obtain a foraging permit; requiring the Department to charge a permit application fee and establish a fee waiver process for individuals who demonstrate financial need; requiring the Department to establish and maintain edible forests on State land, subject to available funding; etc.

Authorizing a local jurisdiction to enact local laws providing for or requiring the preservation of natural resources through certain mechanisms.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to assess and collect an 8% hotel rental surcharge on rental units at Savage Highlands State Park and remit the proceeds to the Comptroller for distribution to Garrett County; and requiring Garrett County to use and distribute the proceeds from the surcharge either for promotion of the county or for the general fund of the county.

Altering the purpose and authorized uses of the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund; and requiring, for fiscal years 2028 and 2029, the Governor to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $500,000 to the Fund to be used solely for the protection and restoration of Deep Creek Lake.

Continuing the Urban Trees Program administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust; and making permanent a requirement that the Governor include $10,000,000 in the annual budget bill for the Urban Trees Program.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish and implement a pilot program for ecosystem value-oriented forest management plans to provide additional incentives for enrolling in and extending commitments to forest conservation and management; establishing the Forest Ecosystem Value Incentives Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to finance the pilot program; and requiring the Governor to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $10,000,000 to the Fund in fiscal year 2028.

Authorizing certain governmental entities to waive certain fees imposed by statute for veterans; and requiring certain governmental entities to adopt regulations before waiving certain fees imposed by statute for veterans.

Establishing the Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program to provide funding for certain oyster propagation and replenishment projects that mitigate the effects on the State's oyster population of certain transportation projects that maintain or expand the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore; and requiring the Governor, beginning in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter, to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $2,000,000 for the Program from the Transportation Trust Fund.

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish Gwynns Falls State Park as a partnership park between the Department and Baltimore City; altering the authorized uses of a certain part of the Park System Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund; prohibiting the Department from charging an entrance fee to the State Park; requiring the Governor to include in the budget bill for fiscal year 2028 $2,8880,354 for the establishment of the Park and an additional appropriation of $280,000 for the hiring of a certain consultant; etc.