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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland directs Department of the Environment to set stormwater rules for agritourism and requires Montgomery County to review approval processes by December 31, 2026
Last action · April 14, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 13Sponsors: Craig Zucker and 1 other
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What This Bill Does
The State of Maryland requires the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations and a model ordinance providing flexibility in enforcing stormwater rules on agricultural land and defining , taking effect October 1, 2026. Montgomery County and the Montgomery Soil Conservation District must jointly review stormwater plan approval processes for agritourism and report findings to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2026. The law distinguishes agricultural accessory uses from commercial development and considers specific best management practices such as standard plans for temporary parking areas.
Farmers and operators face new standardized stormwater management rules and definitions that separate agricultural accessory uses from commercial developments, while Montgomery County undertakes a mandated review of its plan approval processes.
- Stormwater management in Maryland is governed by subtitle 2 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, which sets criteria and procedures implemented by the Department of the Environment and local jurisdictions. context
- Local soil conservation districts in Maryland frequently collaborate with county governments to review grading, sediment control, and agricultural stormwater plans. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Farmers and agritourism operators
Operations are subject to new stormwater management enforcement rules, distinct definitions separating agricultural uses from commercial development, and potential new standards for temporary parking and runoff treatment.
Department of the Environment
Must adopt new regulations, define agriculture and agritourism, and update the Maryland Stormwater Design Manual.
Montgomery County and Montgomery Soil Conservation District
Must jointly conduct a review of stormwater plan approval processes for agritourism and submit a report by December 31, 2026.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
13 actions- Apr 14, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 13
- Apr 10, 2026SenateFloorReturned Passed
- Apr 9, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (127-6)
- Apr 3, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 3, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Environment and Transportation
- Mar 25, 2026HouseHearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
Show 7 earlier actions
- Mar 20, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Environment and Transportation
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (45-0)
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFavorable with Amendments { 363121/1 Adopted
- Mar 16, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
- Feb 10, 2026SenateHearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Differentiation of Agricultural Uses
The legislation formally separates agricultural accessory uses and agritourism from standard commercial development within stormwater enforcement guidelines.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance55How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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