MD HB494

Expands natural resources benefits from "armed forces" to all "uniformed services," including the Public Health Service and NOAA Commissioned Corps, effective October 1, 2025

Grants active service members, Maryland National Guard members, and veterans free entry to State parks (waiving day-use and per-vehicle fees) upon presentation of valid military or veteran identification

Exempts active service members on leave from needing angler's licenses, Chesapeake Bay sport fishing licenses, and hunter's licenses when possessing official leave orders

Prevents fishing licenses in tidal waters from lapsing when licensees are deployed in uniformed services, allowing renewal within 1 year of release from deployment

Establishes standardized definitions across Maryland Code for "active duty," "active service member," "veteran," "uniformed services," and "reserve component" by referencing federal statutes (37 U.S.C. § 101 and 38 U.S.C. § 101)