By MDBayNews Staff
Maryland lawmakers from both parties are advancing legislation aimed at protecting private property owners and public safety during hunting season—while pushing back against what critics describe as unchecked access by corporate utility interests.
Earlier this week, Justin Ready announced the filing of SB 545, a bill that would prohibit power line surveyors from entering private property during Maryland’s hunting season. A companion measure has been cross-filed in the House of Delegates, signaling early bipartisan momentum.
According to Ready, the legislation is rooted in a simple principle: landowners should not have to worry about uninvited corporate survey crews walking onto their property during an active hunting season.
“No sacrificing your right to feed your family and hunt on your own property for corporate utility interests,” Ready wrote.
Support Across Chambers
The House version of the bill is sponsored by Jesse Pippy, with additional support from Carroll County lawmakers Chris West and William Folden, who are co-sponsoring the Senate measure.
The cross-chamber backing reflects a rare point of agreement in Annapolis: hunting season presents unique safety concerns, and property owners should not be forced to accommodate survey work tied to large-scale infrastructure projects during that period.
A Direct Shot at Utility Access Practices
While the bill is narrowly tailored, it has broader implications for ongoing disputes over energy transmission projects and land access rights—particularly those involving MPRP, Inc., which has faced criticism from landowners and rural communities over survey and access practices.
Supporters argue that survey activity during hunting season increases the risk of dangerous encounters and undermines long-standing property rights traditions in rural Maryland.
Opponents from the utility sector are expected to argue that survey delays could slow infrastructure development. But lawmakers backing the bill say safety and private property rights should come first.
What the Law Does / What It Doesn’t Do
What the Law Does
- Prohibits power line surveyors from entering private property during hunting season without the landowner’s consent.
- Prioritizes public safety by reducing the risk of dangerous encounters between hunters and unannounced survey crews.
- Reinforces private property rights, especially in rural areas where hunting is a primary seasonal activity.
- Applies narrowly and seasonally, targeting a specific time window rather than imposing a permanent ban.
What the Law Doesn’t Do
- Does not stop power line or transmission projects from moving forward outside of hunting season.
- Does not revoke existing easements or property agreements already granted by landowners.
- Does not prohibit surveying entirely—it delays access during hunting season unless permission is given.
- Does not apply to emergency utility work necessary to address immediate safety or service concerns.
Why This Matters
Maryland’s rural counties have increasingly pushed back against what they view as a top-down approach to infrastructure planning—especially when private land access is involved. SB 545 does not block power line projects outright, but it draws a firm boundary during a time of year when safety risks are elevated and land use is most sensitive.
For many constituents, the issue isn’t partisan—it’s personal.
As the General Assembly considers the bill, the debate is likely to become a test case for how far corporate access rights extend when they collide with private property, public safety, and rural traditions.
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