Patuxent Research Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - Zoning Classification (Protecting Patuxent Research Refuge Act)

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill directs the local zoning authority—either a county or the Maryland‑Washington Regional District council—to designate federally owned portions of the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center as open‑space or reserved‑open‑space zones. It also bars any changes that would allow commercial, industrial, or residential development, even if the land is later sold, leased, or otherwise encumbered. The measure aims to preserve these research and natural areas from future development.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Hearings

• Education, Energy, and the Environment — Bill Hearing
  Education, Energy, and the Environment · Mar 31, 2026
• Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
  Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee · Mar 31, 2026
• Economic Matters — Bill Hearing
  Economic Matters · Mar 6, 2026

History

1. May 12, 2026Approved by the Governor - Chapter 541
2. Apr 13, 2026Third Reading Passed
3. Apr 13, 2026Returned Passed
4. Apr 9, 2026Second Reading Passed
5. Apr 9, 2026Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
6. Apr 9, 2026Favorable Adopted
7. Mar 24, 2026Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
8. Mar 23, 2026Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
9. Mar 20, 2026Third Reading Passed
10. Mar 19, 2026Second Reading Passed with Amendments
11. Mar 19, 2026Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
12. Mar 19, 2026Favorable with Amendments {

The 12 most recent of 14 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Lehman · sponsor
• Barnes
• Bartlett
• Boafo
• Chang
• Holmes
• Pena-Melnyk
• Rogers
• Taylor

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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