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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Designates Megalodon as State Shark and Proclaims Purple Lights Night
Last action · May 12, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 505Sponsor: Carl Jackson
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What This Bill Does
Maryland establishes the megalodon as the official State shark, designates The Natural History Society of Maryland as the State natural sciences museum, and requires the Governor to proclaim October 1 as Purple Lights Night starting October 1, 2026.
Changes only official state designations and commemorative observances; no funding allocations or service modifications are created.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
The Natural History Society of Maryland
The organization receives the official designation as the State natural sciences museum.
Victims or survivors of domestic violence
They are honored annually through the official proclamation of Purple Lights Night.
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
What new official state designations are created by this legislation?
When is Purple Lights Night observed?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
19 actions- May 12, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 505
- Apr 13, 2026SenateFloorPassed Enrolled
- Apr 13, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (43-0)
- Apr 13, 2026SenateFloorSenate Concurs House Amendments
- Apr 13, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (133-0)
- Apr 13, 2026HouseFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
Show 13 earlier actions
- Apr 13, 2026HouseFavorable with Amendments { 763121/1 Adopted
- Apr 11, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
- Mar 26, 2026HouseHearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 20, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Government, Labor, and Elections
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (44-0)
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFavorable with Amendments { 403925/1 Adopted
- Mar 18, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
- Feb 16, 2026SenateHearing 3/12 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 16, 2026SenateHearing canceled
- Feb 16, 2026SenateHearing 2/16 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
- Sep 15, 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- Significance15How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy0Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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