Land Surveyors and Property Line Surveyors - Private Property Access - Prohibition
HB0716 would prohibit a land surveyor or property line surveyor from conducting a survey on private property during deer firearms hunting season unless the surveyor has the written permission of the property owner. The bill adds a new section to the Business Occupations and Professions Article and is aimed at limiting access to private land during a specific hunting period, while preserving an exception for owner-authorized work.
The measure is narrowly focused on surveying activity on private property during deer firearms hunting season, as defined in the Natural Resources Article. It does not change the licensing framework for surveyors generally, but it creates a new conduct restriction tied to seasonal hunting activity and property-owner consent. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB0716 would amend the Business Occupations and Professions Article by adding a new restriction on licensed land surveyors and property line surveyors. It would make it unlawful to perform surveys on private property during deer firearms hunting season without written permission from the property owner, and violations would remain subject to the existing misdemeanor and administrative penalty provisions in the title. The bill affects surveyors, property owners, and potentially hunters and land access practices during hunting season, but it does not alter the underlying definitions of land surveyor or property line surveyor.
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a targeted, precautionary proposal rather than a broadly controversial one. The stated purpose suggests concern about safety, access, or interference with deer firearms hunting season, and the bill was assigned to the House Economic Matters Committee for hearing. No vote record or committee transcript is available in the provided context, so there is no evidence of formal support or opposition beyond the bill’s introduction and hearing status.
The main point of contention is likely the balance between private property access for surveying work and restrictions during deer firearms hunting season. Property owners and hunting interests may favor the written-permission requirement as a safety and access control measure, while surveyors and property development interests may view it as an operational limitation that could delay work or complicate scheduling. Because the bill is limited to private property and a specific season, any debate would likely center on whether the restriction is necessary and whether written permission is an appropriate safeguard.