Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SB 343
                      Department of Legislative Services
                              Maryland General Assembly
                                    2021 Session
                           FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                                 Third Reader
Senate Bill 343               (Chair, Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
                              Committee)(By Request - Departmental - Natural
                              Resources)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs           Environment and Transportation
           Natural Resources - Shrimp Fishery - Licensing and Regulation
This departmental bill prohibits a person from catching shrimp for commercial purposes
unless the person first obtains a license from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The bill also authorizes the department to adopt regulations (1) governing any aspect of the
shrimp fishery and (2) establishing and implementing a pilot program related to fishing for
shrimp. The regulations may authorize the department to establish for the shrimp fishery –
by public notice – closed areas, catch limits, seasons, size limits, gear restrictions, and
reporting requirements. The bill takes effect June 1, 2021.
                                    Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill is expected to be implemented with existing resources. Revenues
are not affected.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: DNR has determined that this bill has a meaningful impact on
small business (attached). The Department of Legislative Services concurs with this
assessment.
                                         Analysis
Current Law/Background: DNR indicates that the presence of shrimp in the
Chesapeake Bay has been growing, as well as interest in commercial harvest of the shrimp.
Shrimp are not explicitly regulated as a fishery under State fisheries laws, and DNR
indicates that there is uncertainty regarding who is allowed to harvest shrimp and with what
gear. The bill gives DNR broad authority to develop and manage the shrimp fishery.
                                Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Department of Natural Resources; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History:      First Reader - January 12, 2021
rh/lgc                    Third Reader - February 2, 2021
Analysis by: Scott D. Kennedy                          Direct Inquiries to:
                                                       (410) 946-5510
                                                       (301) 970-5510
SB 343/ Page 2
                 ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
TITLE OF BILL:        Natural Resources - Shrimp Fishery - Licensing and Regulation
BILL NUMBER:          SB 343
PREPARED BY:          James McKitrick, Director, Legislative and Constituent Services
PART A. ECONOMIC IMPACT RATING
       This agency estimates that the proposed bill:
       _____    WILL HAVE MINIMAL OR NO ECONOMIC IMPACT ON
       MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESSES
       OR
        X       WILL HAVE A MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON
       MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESSES
       PART B. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
       Creating a new fishery in Maryland will allow watermen – largely small businesses – to
       participate and earn additional income.
SB 343/ Page 3
Statutes affected: 
Text - First - Natural Resources - Shrimp Fishery - Licensing and Regulation: 4-904 Natural Resources
Text - Third - Natural Resources - Shrimp Fishery - Licensing and Regulation: 4-904 Natural Resources