by Jane Seigler, MHC Government Relations Committee Co-Chair
The 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.
The legislators this session are working under the cloud of a looming budget deficit, exacerbated by uncertainty surrounding the availability of federal funds for a vast array of programs administered by the state. That 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 intersection 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 intersection 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 Commission from “a representative of the horse–breeding industry” to “a representative 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of Baltimore County to establish a deer management program to manage the deer population on county parklands has been withdrawn.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 cultivating the soil or herding or cutting livestock”) by the Maryland Horse Industry Board. MHIB already licenses boarding, lesson and rental stables, 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 After discussions with MHIB and the bills’ sponsors, the bills were withdrawn in favor of a working group to study the issue further over the summer.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
There is good news on the controversial bill that passed last year, making 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 recreational facilities that use inanimate equipment, and those that use horses, and he agreed that an exemption for equine activities made sense. He invited MHC to be the only other witness on the panel supporting his bill.
Within a few days, we gathered information from equestrian facilities 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. The 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 racetracks 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 incentives for agricultural and conservation best practices. MDA has been holding focus sessions with farmers as it designs this program, and MHC has been invited to, and participated in, each of those sessions.
SB 658/HB 1288 permits noncompete clauses that apply while employment is ongoing.
HB 1393* would put new requirements on “youth sports programs” below the high school level of play (including riding programs), covering things like background checks for personnel, whether paid or volunteer, and removal and return to play policies after injuries.
SB 417/HB 832 authorizes year round Sunday hunting in Carroll County.
HB 654 rolls back the 10:30 am time restriction on Sunday hunting in Wicomico county.
SB 796* rolls back the 10:30 am time restriction on Sunday hunting in Dorchester County.
SB 634/HB741 would require fox chasers to purchase full hunting licenses, but would exempt fox chasers from the requirement to take hunter safety courses.
March is the last full month of the 2025 MD General Assembly Session, and things will be happening fast. By joining MHC at mdhorsecouncil.org/join, you can stay up to date on everything that may affect you, your horses, and your horse business.
Bill numbers marked with * indicate that they were introduced in a prior Session, but failed to pass.
