The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Expands Boating Grant Fund to Cover Companions of Individuals With Disabilities and Veterans
Last action · May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 654Sponsors: Bryan Simonaire and 1 other
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
Maryland law now requires grants from the Individuals With Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Boating Fund to support water-dependent activities for eligible family members and s, effective October 1, 2026.
Nonprofit organizations applying for up to $40,000 in annual state grants can now include funding for companions accompanying participants with disabilities or service-connected disabilities in water sports.
- The Individuals With Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Boating Fund was established to support water-based recreational opportunities through state grants administered by the Department of Disabilities. 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.
Individuals with disabilities
Their accompanying family members and direct support professionals are now explicitly included in grant-funded water recreation activities.
Service-disabled veterans
Their accompanying family members and direct support professionals are now explicitly included in grant-funded water recreation activities.
Nonprofit organizations
Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations can use grant funds to support eligible companions alongside primary participants.
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
Who qualifies as an eligible companion under this law?
What is the maximum grant amount available per fiscal year?
When does this legislation take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
15 actions- May 26, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 654
- Apr 13, 2026SenateFloorReturned Passed
- Apr 13, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (134-1)
- Apr 9, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 8, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Environment and Transportation
- Mar 25, 2026HouseHearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
Show 9 earlier actions
- Feb 13, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Environment and Transportation
- Feb 12, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (43-0)
- Feb 10, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor Amendment { 193825/1 (Senator Simonaire) Adopted
- Feb 10, 2026SenateFloorFavorable Adopted
- Feb 9, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable Report by Finance
- Jan 19, 2026SenateHearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m.
- Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Finance
- Oct 21, 2025SenateIntroducedPre-filed
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
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy5Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools