Maryland Overview – 2024 Session
MARYLAND
Legislative Overview – 2024 Session
(Adjourned on April 18, 2024)
15 pet related items were proposed during the 2024 legislative session, 8 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 85/SB 641 | Commercial Feed Registration Fee Increase: Amends Title 2 (Department of Agriculture), Subtitle 16 (Spay/Neuter Fund), Section 2-1602 (Spay/Neuter Fund) of Maryland Agriculture Law to: (1) Establish a process through which a person may make a voluntary donation to the Fund; and (2) Adjust the current fee imposed on commercial feed for inflation. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| HB 345/SB 916 | Endangered/Threatened Species Listing: Amends Title 4 (Fish & Fisheries), Sections 4-101 (Definitions), 4-2A-04 (Endangered and Threatened Species Lists) and Title 10 (Wildlife), Sections 10-101 (Definitions), 10–2A-05 (Review of Threatened or Endangered Species Lists) of Maryland Natural Resources Code to: (1) require certain petitions to review the listing or unlisting of endangered or threatened species to contain certain information; (2) require the Secretary of Natural Resources to review and, if warranted, update certain regulations listing endangered or threatened species on or before a certain date; and (3) alter definitions of “fish” and “wildlife” as they relate to endangered and threatened species. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE ON 7/1/24) |
| HB 1107 | Dog & Cat Spay-Neuter Tax Credit: Amends Title 10 (Income Tax), Subtitle 7 (Income Tax Credits) of Maryland General Tax Code by adding a new Section 10-758 to allow for a credit against the State income tax for certain qualified expenses incurred by an individual during the taxable year to spay or neuter a dog or cat. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| HB 1179 | Landlord/Tenant – Pet Ownership Prohibition: Amends Division 1 (Housing & Community Programs), Title 2 (Department of Housing & Community Development) of Maryland Housing & Community Development Code by adding a new Section 2-304 to prohibit an owner or agent of an owner of a certain housing development from imposing certain prohibitions and costs related to a resident’s possession of pets. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 157 | Dog Microchipping Requirement: Amends Title 13 (Other Powers of Counties-Regulatory), Subtitle 1 (Regulation of Animals), Part 1 (In General) of Maryland Local Government Law to establish requirements for microchipping of dogs. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 868 | Compensatory Damages – Injury/Death to a Pet: Amends Title 11 (Judgments), Subtitle 1 (Judgments-Miscellaneous), Section 11-110 (Damages for injuries or death caused to pets) of Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceeding Code to strike compensatory damages provisions from current statute. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
View ALL Maryland legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.