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The Administrative Procedures Act (APA), State Government Article, §10-101 subseq., Annotated Code of Maryland states the process by which state agencies must follow to create regulatory law. The Department may propose emergency or permanent regulations through the APA process. Emergency regulations expire after a maximum of 180 days. The APA process for a permanent regulation includes a 30 day public comment period after publication of a proposed regulation in the MD register. The Department may also hold a public hearing during the official public comment period. Permanent regulations do not change unless the Department proposes amendments. To view current proposed regulations and information on the official public comment process visit the Fisheries Service Proposed Regulations webpage.

In addition to this APA process, the Department has initiated a pre-regulatory informational process to gain a better understanding of the public’s opinion. This process includes a bi-annual meeting to discuss upcoming proposals and web posting of unofficial drafts and/or explanations of upcoming regulatory proposals. The Department will take public feedback on these posted draft regulations. The information provided on this webpage refers to draft regulations or issues, which have not yet been proposed. Any text posted on this webpage is not official regulatory text and is subject to change prior to publication in the Maryland Register.

Public feedback submitted through this webpage will be reviewed by the Department prior to submitting proposed regulation. Please limit feedback to the specific changes addressed in the draft regulation. Comments received during the draft regulatory process will be kept separate from official public comment received during the APA regulatory process public comment period. We are unable to respond to the feedback we receive but we appreciate your time and your commitment to Maryland’s natural resources.