Municipalities - Limiting Access to Beaches - Prohibition
HB0383 would prohibit a municipality from restricting access to the portion of a beach above the mean high tide line solely to municipal residents. The bill applies only to beaches in Maryland that are owned by a municipality, and it targets local rules that reserve beach access for residents while leaving other lawful access restrictions unaffected.
The measure adds a new section to the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. If enacted, it would limit municipal authority over publicly owned beaches by barring residency-based access restrictions for the specified beach area, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
HB0383 would create a new statewide limitation on municipal control of beach access by amending the Local Government Article to add Section 4-112. Municipalities that own beaches would be prohibited from reserving the area above the mean high tide line for residents only, which could require changes to local ordinances, beach pass policies, and enforcement practices. The bill would affect municipal governments and beach users, especially in coastal communities where resident-only beach access rules may exist.
The available record shows no committee testimony, recorded votes, or floor debate, so there is no documented public sentiment in the provided materials. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears straightforward and regulatory in nature, aimed at expanding public access rather than creating a new program or funding obligation. The sponsor list suggests active legislative interest, but the bill was ultimately withdrawn by the sponsor.
The main point of potential contention is the balance between municipal home rule and statewide regulation of local beach access. Supporters would likely view the bill as preventing exclusionary resident-only policies on municipally owned beaches, while opponents may argue that municipalities should retain authority to manage access to local recreational resources for their residents. Because the bill is limited to the area above the mean high tide line and to beaches owned by municipalities, disputes would likely focus on the scope of local control rather than on broader coastal property rights.