The Prince George's County Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee is hereby created to serve as a link between the farming community and local government.

The Committee shall have the power and duty to: Serve as the central point of information for the farming community regarding governmental programs affecting agricultural operations; Advise County government regarding the effect on agricultural operations of existing laws, policies, rules and regulations; Advise County government regarding the effect on agricultural operations of potential laws, policies, rules and regulations; Work to establish better communication and understanding between the agricultural industry and the community at large; and Advise the County government on the implementation of state and local initiatives pertaining to development such as, but not limited to, rural legacy, nutrient management, and smart growth programs.

The Committee shall be composed of thirteen members nominated by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. Four members shall be citizen members with specific farming interests. The other nine members shall represent the Farm Bureau, the Maryland Cooperative Extension, the County Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board, the Soil Conservation District, and the United States Department of Agriculture, non-farming interests, Prince George's County Association of Realtors, one member from the equine community and one member from the forestry community. One ex-officio member may be appointed by the County Executive and one ex-officio member by the County Council. Members shall be selected so as to represent diverse geographic locations and a broad range of agricultural interests. The term of office for each member shall be three years; however, the terms of the initial appointments shall be staggered with five members appointed to three-year terms, five members appointed to two-year terms, and three members appointed to one-year terms. The committee members shall elect annually from their own membership a chairman and such other officers as it deemed necessary. Staff support shall be provided by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

The Committee shall meet in public session on call of the chairman as frequently as required to perform its duties and exercise its responsibilities.

The Committee shall advise the County Executive and County Council on issues of interest to the agricultural and rural populace, both on the Committee's own initiative and upon the request of either branch of County government. Further, the Committee shall submit an annual report to the County Executive and County Council summarizing its activities during the preceding year together with any recommendations or requests it deems appropriate to further the public purpose of the committee.

The Prince George's County Agricultural Reconciliation Subcommittee is hereby created to serve as a link between the Agricultural Reconciliation Subcommittee and the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee and the farming community and local government.

The Subcommittee shall have the power and duty to: Advise the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee on the farming community regarding governmental programs affecting agricultural operations; Advise the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee regarding the effect on agricultural operations of existing laws, policies, rules and regulations; Advise the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee regarding the effect on agricultural operations of potential laws, policies, rules and regulations; Advise the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee in establishing better communication and understanding between the agricultural industry and the community at large; and Assist the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee in advising County government on the implementation of state and local initiatives pertaining to development such as, but not limited to, rural legacy, nutrient management, and smart growth programs.

The Subcommittee shall be composed of five members nominated by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The five members shall represent an active agricultural community member, an active agricultural community member that is a voting member of the Farm Bureau, a forestry representative, the Prince George's County Association of Realtors, and a non-farmer community member. One ex-officio member may be appointed by the County Executive and one ex-officio member by the County Council. Members shall be selected so as to represent diverse geographic locations and a broad range of agricultural interests. The term of office for each member shall be three years; however, the terms of the initial appointments shall be staggered with four members appointed to three-year terms, four members appointed to two-year terms, and three members appointed to one-year terms. The Subcommittee members shall elect annually from their own membership a chairman and such other officers as it deemed necessary. Staff support shall be provided by the Prince George's County Agricultural Marketing Specialist.

The Subcommittee shall meet in public session on call of the chairman of the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee and the chairman of the Agricultural Reconciliation Subcommittee as frequently as required to perform its duties and exercise its responsibilities.

The Subcommittee shall advise the County Executive and County Council on issues of interest to the agricultural and rural populace, both on the chairman of the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee's initiative and/or the chairman of the Agricultural Reconciliation Subcommittee's initiative upon the request of either branch of County government. Further, the Subcommittee shall submit an annual report to the Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee summarizing its activities during the preceding year together with any recommendations or requests it deems appropriate to further the public purpose of the Subcommittee.