1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Central natural area” means an area within the Patuxent Research Refuge or the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center that provides habitat for native flora and fauna, including forests, woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and early successional grasslands and shrublands.

   3. (3) “Local zoning authority” means:

      1. (i) for land located in Anne Arundel County, the Anne Arundel County Council or other body with authority to designate zoning classifications; or
      2. (ii) for land located in the Maryland-Washington Regional District established under Title 20, Subtitle 1 of this article, a district council, as defined in § 14-101 of this article.
2. (b) Any federally owned land that is part of the property known as the Patuxent Research Refuge shall be designated and maintained in a zoning classification that restricts the uses to open space, reserved open space, or other resource conservation uses.

3. (c) If the federal government or any assignee sells, leases, licenses, or otherwise encumbers any portion of land that is part of the property known as the Patuxent Research Refuge, the local zoning authority shall continue a zoning classification for that property that:

   1. (1) restricts the uses to open space, reserved open space, or other resource conservation uses; and
   2. (2) does not permit commercial, industrial, or residential uses.
4. (d) A central natural area in the property known as the Patuxent Research Refuge may not be converted to be used for agriculture, active recreation, forestry, or other plant harvesting.

5. (e) Prior to any development on land in the property known as the Patuxent Research Refuge, the local zoning authority shall:

   1. (1) hold a public hearing; and
   2. (2) make a final decision, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment, that the proposed development will not have a substantial impact on any land in a central natural area.

Added by Acts 2026, c. 541, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.