<section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-101" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <text>There is a Department of Agriculture, established as a principal department of the State government.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-102" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <text>The head of the Department is the Secretary of Agriculture, who shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary shall receive the salary provided in the State budget. He serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible directly to the Governor. The Secretary shall counsel and advise the Governor on all matters assigned to the Department of Agriculture and is responsible for carrying out the Governor’s policies with respect to these matters. The Secretary shall be responsible for the operation of the Department and shall establish guidelines and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient administration of the Department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary, with the approval of the Governor, shall appoint a deputy secretary who has the duties provided by law or delegated by the Secretary. The deputy secretary serves at the pleasure of the Secretary and shall receive the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Secretary also shall have within the Department assistants, professional consultants, and employees as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Assistants in charge of areas of responsibility and professional consultants shall be in the executive service, management service, or special appointments in the State Personnel Management System and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Wherever it is provided by law that the Secretary makes an appointment to a particular office within the Department with the approval of the Governor, the Secretary may not remove the appointee without first obtaining the Governor’s approval.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall appoint and remove all other personnel in accordance with the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary may delegate the authority to appoint and remove personnel of any unit to the administrator of the unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 5–502 through 5–504 of the General Provisions Article, an individual who owns or operates a farm that is subject to the regulatory authority of the Department may be employed within the Department, if the individual, with respect to the farm activities of the individual’s farm, does not exercise any regulatory or supervisory authority in the individual’s capacity as an employee of the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the State Ethics Commission, shall adopt regulations to govern conflicts of interest with respect to employment of individuals who own or operate a farm under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-103" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary is responsible for the budget of his office and for the budgets of positions and units within the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article. He is responsible for adopting and reviewing rules and regulations for the Department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary may create any advisory unit of any size he deems appropriate. At least one member of the Maryland Agricultural Commission shall be included on each advisory unit.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The office of Secretary shall have a seal to authenticate copies of records or papers of the Department.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Secretary is responsible for coordination and direction of comprehensive planning facilities initiated by his office. In addition, he shall keep himself fully appraised of plans, proposals, and projects of each position and unit within the Department, and may approve, disapprove, or modify any of them.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In addition to the meetings of any unit within the Department provided for by law or called by the chairman of the unit, the Secretary may call a meeting of any unit for the consideration of any subject which he considers necessary and proper, whenever he deems it appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Every position or unit within the Department shall report to the Secretary as provided in written directives adopted by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Secretary may exercise or perform any power, duty, responsibility, or function which any position or unit within the Department may exercise or perform, except those vested by law in the Maryland Agricultural Commission. The Secretary has general supervision, direction, and control of the provisions of this article and generally of all matters in any way affecting or relating to the fostering, protection, and development of the agricultural interests of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-103.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may establish a farm quarantine and issue appropriate orders necessary to control or restrict the use of farmland, crops, livestock, poultry, or a farm product existing on a farm that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has been exposed to or contaminated by a radiological or chemical toxic material or agent; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is infected or infested with a disease, pest, or pathogen.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before establishing a quarantine for a farm, the Secretary shall consult with the Governor, the Secretary of Health, and the Secretary of the Environment on issues of human health and the environment.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before a quarantine or order issued under this section takes effect, the Secretary shall give reasonable notice of the quarantine or order:</text> <level label="1"> <text>In a newspaper of general circulation in the quarantine area;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Through television or radio serving the quarantine area;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>By circulating notices or posting signs at conspicuous places in the quarantine area; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>By notifying each landowner, tenant, or animal owner of the quarantine or order.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall establish procedures to allow a landowner, tenant, or animal owner to request the amendment, rescission, or termination of a quarantine or order issued under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A request to amend, rescind, or terminate a quarantine or order issued under this section may not suspend a quarantine or order of the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For the purpose of controlling or restricting the use of farmland, crops, livestock, poultry, or farm products as provided by this section, the Secretary may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Quarantine a farm area of the State known or reasonably believed to contain a farm product, crops, livestock, poultry, or farmland in an infected, infested, or contaminated condition;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Regulate the movement, distribution, sale, or transportation of a crop, livestock, poultry, or farm product when it is reasonably likely to transfer infestation, infection, or contamination;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Regulate or prohibit the on–farm grazing of livestock and poultry, slaughter and processing of livestock and poultry, packing of eggs, and harvesting or planting of a crop in a quarantined area when the Secretary determines that the action may prevent, limit, control, or eradicate any threat;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Direct as part of a quarantine order for a quarantined farm area, treatments or decontamination;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Enter private land that is part of a farm operation to inspect, sample, or test soil or crops, livestock, poultry, or a farm product on a farm; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Direct the treatment, stop–sale, detention, condemnation, seizure, or destruction of any crop, livestock, poultry, or farm product when the Secretary knows or reasonably believes that the action is necessary to control, retard, or eradicate a threat on a farm.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person may not resist the application of a quarantine or order of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A person may not conceal the fact that a farm has been exposed to or contaminated by any radiological or chemical agent or toxic material or has been infected or infested with any disease, pest, or pathogen.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Any farm quarantine or order by the Secretary under this section may provide for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The imposition of a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 for each violation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The method and conditions of collecting the civil penalty.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary may bring an action for an injunction against a person violating the provisions of this section, or violating a valid order or farm quarantine issued by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In an action for an injunction brought under this section, a finding of the Secretary after a hearing shall be prima facie evidence of each fact found.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On a showing by the Secretary that a person is violating or is about to violate the provisions of this section or is violating or is about to violate any valid order or quarantine issued by the Secretary, an injunction shall be granted without the necessity of showing a lack of adequate remedy at law.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In circumstances of an emergency creating conditions of imminent danger to agriculture, public health and safety, or the environment, the Secretary may institute an action for an immediate injunction to halt any activity causing the danger.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>An injunction instituted under this section shall be issued without bond.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>The Secretary may order any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other law enforcement officer of the State or of any county to provide information or assist in the execution or enforcement of any farm quarantine or order of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any authority of the Secretary of the Environment under § 8–105 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-103.2" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may apply to a judge of the District Court or a circuit court for an administrative search warrant to enter any farm to conduct any inspection required or authorized by law to determine compliance with the provisions relating to the control and restriction of farmland, crops, livestock, poultry, or farm products, exposed to or contaminated by any radiological or chemical toxic material or agent or infected or infested with any disease or pest.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The application shall be in writing and signed and sworn to by the applicant and shall particularly describe the place, structure, premises, vehicle, or records to be inspected and the nature, scope, and purpose of the inspection to be performed by the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the filing of a search warrant application with a court, it shall be approved by the Attorney General of Maryland as to its legality in both form and substance under the standards and criteria of this section, and a statement to this effect shall be included as part of the application.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A judge of a court referred to in subsection (a) of this section may issue the warrant on finding that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The applicant has sought access to the property for the purpose of making an inspection;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>After requesting, at a reasonable time, the owner, tenant, or other individual in charge of the property to allow access, access to the property has been denied; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>After making a reasonable effort, the applicant has been unable to locate the owner, tenant, or other individual in charge of the property;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The requirements of subsection (b) of this section are met;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Secretary or designee of the Secretary is authorized or required by law to make an inspection of the property for which the warrant is sought; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Probable cause for the issuance of the warrant has been demonstrated by the applicant by specific evidence of any farmland, crops, livestock, poultry, or farm product exposed to or contaminated by any radiological or chemical agent or infected or infested with any disease or pest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>An administrative search warrant issued under this section shall specify the place, structure, premises, vehicle, or records to be inspected.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The inspection conducted may not exceed the limits specified in the warrant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An administrative search warrant issued under this section authorizes the Secretary or designee of the Secretary to enter the specified property to perform the inspection, sampling, and other functions authorized by law to determine whether the farmland, crops, livestock, poultry, or farm product is contaminated by a radiological or chemical agent or infected or infested with a disease or pest.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An administrative search warrant issued under this section shall be executed and returned to the judge by whom it was issued within:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The time specified in the warrant, not to exceed 30 days; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If no time period is specified in the warrant, 15 days from the date of issuance of the warrant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-104" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall carry out and enforce the provisions of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may call upon any sheriff, deputy sheriff, and any law enforcement officer of any county, for information and assistance to carry out and enforce the provisions of this article and the departmental rules and regulations. Every officer shall obey and observe every order and instruction he receives from the Secretary concerning the enforcement of any provision of this article and the departmental rules and regulations within his respective jurisdiction. Each officer shall be paid as for the performance of similar duties under existing laws.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>No person may unlawfully assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, interfere, otherwise unlawfully prevent, or attempt to prevent the Secretary in the performance of his duties under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-105" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <text>The Attorney General is the legal advisor and counsel to the Department. He shall assign to the Department the number of assistant attorneys general authorized by law and necessary to render effective legal advice and counsel. The Attorney General shall designate an assistant attorney general as counsel to the Department. The counsel to the Department shall have no duty other than to render legal advice and counsel as required by the Secretary and other officials of the Department, and to supervise other assistant attorneys general assigned to the Department. The counsel shall perform these duties subject to the control and supervision of the Attorney General. When the Attorney General has designated the counsel to the Department, he may not reassign him without consulting the Secretary. The counsel and other assistant attorneys general shall receive the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-106" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <text>The following positions and units are included within the Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Fair Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Chief of Weights and Measures;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Chemist;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The State Veterinarian;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The State Soil Conservation Committee;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Commission;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The Maryland Horse Industry Board;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>The Maryland Winery and Grape Growers’ Advisory Board;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>The Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>The State Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary shall appoint the State Chemist, State Veterinarian, State Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture, and Chief of Weights and Measures.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department also includes any other position or unit which is declared within the Department pursuant to law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-107" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <text>Every rule, regulation, form, order, and directive adopted by or in effect for any position or unit assigned to the Department, or for any abolished position or unit whose functions have been transferred to the Department remains in effect until changed by the Secretary or any other official authorized to change them. Every reference in this Code, any other State law, ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, order, directive, legal action, contract, or any other document of or to any unit which is abolished and whose function has been transferred to the Department, means the Department. The duties, powers, and responsibilities of the position or unit become the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the Secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-108" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization, Powers and Authority of Department -- in General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Grant Program” means the On–Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Urban agricultural producer” has the meaning stated in § 2–2001 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Urban farmer” has the meaning stated in § 2–401 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Beginning July 1, 2028, there is an On–Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Grant Program is to award grants annually for developing and implementing on–farm organics recycling and compost use, wasted food prevention, and food rescue.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Administer the Grant Program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Identify and apply for funding for the Grant Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The following persons are eligible for a grant under the Grant Program:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A farmer, an urban farmer, or an urban agricultural producer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A soil conservation district;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An institution of higher education as defined in § 10–101 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A nonprofit organization;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A business in the State that is in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Partnership with a farmer, an urban farmer, or an urban agricultural producer; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A consortium of any entities under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A project is eligible for a grant under the Grant Program if the project develops, maintains, or expands infrastructure, collection programs, education, or technical assistance in the State that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Reduces the amount of wasted food generated;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Rescues edible food for purposes of redistribution;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Recovers wasted food as animal feed if the feed is registered and treated in accordance with regulations implemented by the Department;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Composts or recycles food residuals that are separated from packaging prior to collection, including at–home, community, and on–farm composting;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Provides labor and wages in support of wasted food prevention, food rescue, and on–farm organics recycling and compost use;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Provides best management practice training in relevant fields by a reputable training program;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Studies the impacts of compost application on on–farm nutrient and water quality management; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Assists in the payment of applicable permit application costs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>In awarding grants under the Grant Program, the Department, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, shall prioritize projects:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For which the applicant clearly describes how the project will:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Provide direct, meaningful, and assured benefits to the community; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Address important community needs;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>That prevent, rescue, and divert wasted food within a local community;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>That plan to produce compost that meets the classification of “General Use” under COMAR 15.18.04.05;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>That plan to produce minimally contaminated compost through:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Processing organic materials that are separated from packaging prior to collection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Not using depackagers; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Meeting the U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>That serve an overburdened or underserved community as defined in § 1–701 of the Environment Article;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>That minimize negative impacts to the local community; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>That maximize benefits to the local community, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The creation of jobs;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Increasing job training; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Increasing hiring and leadership development practices that are inclusive and provide a living wage.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>For fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $250,000 to the Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>On or before December 31, 2028, and each December 31 thereafter, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number and types of grants awarded;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The impact of the grants on the creation of jobs and other benefits to the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The impact on food waste prevented, rescued, and diverted from disposal; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The impact on farmers, urban farmers, and urban agricultural producers in the State.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-201" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle, “Commission” means the Maryland Agricultural Commission established under § 2–202 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly in the enactment of this subtitle to provide for a broadened representation in policy determinations with regard to agricultural matters in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-202" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Maryland Agricultural Commission in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall formulate and make proposals for the advancement of Maryland agriculture by serving as an advisory body to the Secretary on matters pertaining to agriculture.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-203" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One member who is ex officio and is the principal administrative official for agricultural affairs at the University System of Maryland as designated by the Chancellor of the University; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The following members appointed by the Governor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One representative of the dairy industry;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One representative of the poultry industry;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One representative of the livestock industry;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>One representative of the nursery, landscape, and greenhouse industry;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>One representative of the fruit industry;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>One representative of the field crops industry;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>One representative of the vegetable industry;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>One representative of the veterinary profession;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>One representative of the Maryland State Grange;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>One representative of the Maryland Farm Bureau;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>One representative of services related to agriculture;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>One representative of the turf industry;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>One representative of the equine industry;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>One representative of the food processing industry;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>One representative of the general public to be the consumer member;</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>One representative of the organic farming industry;</text> </level> <level label="xvii"> <text>One representative of direct farm marketing;</text> </level> <level label="xviii"> <text>One representative of viticulture;</text> </level> <level label="xix"> <text>One representative of agriculture education in primary or secondary schools;</text> </level> <level label="xx"> <text>One representative of agri–business;</text> </level> <level label="xxi"> <text>One representative of the forestry industry;</text> </level> <level label="xxii"> <text>One representative of the aquaculture industry;</text> </level> <level label="xxiii"> <text>One representative of value–added agriculture and agritourism;</text> </level> <level label="xxiv"> <text>One representative of the biofuel industry;</text> </level> <level label="xxv"> <text>One representative of the hemp industry;</text> </level> <level label="xxvi"> <text>One representative of the controlled environmental agriculture industry;</text> </level> <level label="xxvii"> <text>One representative of socially disadvantaged farmers;</text> </level> <level label="xxviii"> <text>One representative of veteran farmers;</text> </level> <level label="xxix"> <text>One representative of the Committee on Young Farmers;</text> </level> <level label="xxx"> <text>One representative of urban and small farmers; and</text> </level> <level label="xxxi"> <text>One representative of new and beginning farmers.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The consumer member of the Commission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Shall be a member of the general public;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May not be involved in any way with the activities on which the Commission advises the Secretary; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>May not, within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person who is involved in any way with the activities on which the Commission advises the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>While a member of the Commission, the consumer member may not have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person who is involved in any way with the activities on which the Commission advises the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of membership is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not serve more than two consecutive terms.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-204" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may elect from among its appointed members a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and other officers it deems appropriate. The officers have the duties and responsibilities usually incumbent upon these officers.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall meet every month, unless by majority vote it decides otherwise. The Commission also shall meet when called by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall employ a full-time executive secretary whose minimum duties shall be to carry out the work of the Commission, and to assist the Secretary in the promotion of the agricultural industry. He shall maintain an office in the City of Annapolis. The Commission, with the approval of the Secretary, shall determine the salary of the executive secretary.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>All salaries and expenses for rent, stenographic and clerical help, stationery, postage, and miscellaneous office materials necessary for the work of the Commission and executive secretary shall be provided in the State budget. The members of the Commission may not receive a salary, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings and other business of the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-205" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Commission"> <text>The Commission shall submit its recommendations in writing, to the Secretary who shall notify the Commission of the action he takes on the recommendations.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-206" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Committee” means the Committee on Young Farmers.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Committee on Young Farmers.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Committee consists of 10 members designated by the Secretary in consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Maryland Agricultural Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall designate the members of the Committee on an annual basis.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A member of the Committee that is appointed as a member of the Maryland Agricultural Commission may continue to serve on the Committee until the expiration of their term on the Maryland Agricultural Commission.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Each member of the Committee shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be interested in the preservation and development of Maryland agriculture;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Derive at least 50% of the member’s personal income from farming or agricultural activities in the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Be a resident of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Be under the age of 45 years at the beginning of the member’s term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To the extent practicable, the members of the Committee shall represent regional diversity and a variety of industries.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Committee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Communicate to the general public, State government, and the Maryland Agricultural Commission the importance of young and beginning farmers to agriculture in the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Identify and address issues relating to young and beginning farmers in the State and make recommendations to the Maryland Agricultural Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Hold meetings at least once during each calendar quarter of the year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Committee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-301" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board” means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.</text> </level> <level label="b–1"> <text>“Compounded nonsterile preparations” has the meaning stated in § 12–101 of the Health Occupations Article.</text> </level> <level label="b–2"> <text>“Compounded sterile preparations” has the meaning stated in § 12–101 of the Health Occupations Article.</text> </level> <level label="b–3"> <text>“Convicted” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A finding of guilt by a court or a jury; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The acceptance by a court of a defendant’s plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or Alford plea.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b–4"> <level label="1"> <text>“Declawing procedure” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a phalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit of an animal in order to remove a claw;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A tendonectomy or any other procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of an animal in order to prohibit the extension of a claw; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any procedure that prevents the normal functioning of one or more claws of an animal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Declawing procedure” does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement of temporary nail caps on one or more claws of an animal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Direct supervision” means that the supervising veterinarian who is licensed and registered in the State:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is on the premises of the animal treatment facility;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is available on an immediate basis; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has given written or oral instructions for treatment of the animal patients involved.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c–1"> <text>“Immediate supervision” means the supervising veterinarian who is licensed and registered in the State is in the immediate area and within audible and visual range of the animal patient and the person treating the patient.</text> </level> <level label="c–2"> <text>“Indirect supervision” means the supervising veterinarian who is licensed and registered in the State:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is not required to be in the same facility or in close proximity to the individual being supervised; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Has given written or oral instructions for treatment of the animal patient involved;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is available to provide supervision by electronic or telephonic means; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Has arranged for telephonic consultation with a licensed veterinarian, if necessary.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“License” means a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Member” means a member of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Practice of veterinary medicine” includes the practice by any person who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Diagnoses, advises, prescribes, or administers a drug, medicine, biological product, appliance, application, or treatment of any nature, for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease of an animal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Performs a surgical operation, including cosmetic surgery, upon any animal;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Performs dentistry on any animal;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Performs any manual procedure upon an animal for the diagnosis or treatment of sterility or infertility of the animal;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Represents himself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Offers, undertakes, or holds himself out as being able to diagnose, treat, operate, vaccinate, or prescribe for any animal disease, pain, injury, deformity, or physical condition; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Uses any words, letters, or titles in connection or under circumstances as to induce the belief that the person using them is engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine. This use is prima facie evidence of the intention to represent himself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Practice of veterinary medicine” does not include or apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any person practicing veterinary medicine in the performance of civil or military official duties in the service of the United States or of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Experimentation and scientific research of biological chemists or technicians engaged in the study and development of methods and techniques, directly or indirectly related or applicable to the problems of the practice of veterinary medicine;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person who advises with respect to or performs acts which the Board, by rule or regulation, has prescribed as accepted management practices in connection with livestock production;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A physician licensed to practice medicine in the State or to his assistant while engaged in educational research;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A person administering to the ills and injuries of his own animals if they otherwise comply with all laws, rules and regulations relative to the use of medicines and biologics;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A farrier or a person actively engaged in the art or profession of horseshoeing as long as his actions are limited to the art of horseshoeing or trimming and maintaining horse hooves;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Any nurse, attendant, technician, intern, or other employee of a licensed and registered veterinarian when administering medication or rendering auxiliary or supporting assistance under the responsible direct supervision of a licensed and registered veterinarian;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>A person who floats (files) equine teeth or removes caps;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>A person who scales or cleans animal teeth;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>A registered veterinary technician when performing a procedure in accordance with § 2–309.1 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>A person practicing acupuncture in accordance with the principles of oriental medical theories if the person:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is licensed under Title 1A of the Health Occupations Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is certified as an animal acupuncturist by the Board of Acupuncture;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Practices only acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Cooperates and consults with a veterinary practitioner by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Beginning acupuncture treatment on an animal only if the animal has been seen by a veterinary practitioner within the previous 14 days;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Adhering to the terms and conditions of treatment decided by the veterinary practitioner, including the degree of communication and collaboration between the veterinary practitioner and the person practicing acupuncture;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Reporting to the veterinary practitioner at the end of treatment or at monthly intervals, at the discretion of the veterinary practitioner; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Not working on an animal for which the person has not been appropriately trained, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board of Acupuncture; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Has successfully completed a specialty training program in animal acupuncture that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is approved by the Board of Acupuncture;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is offered by a school holding nationally recognized accreditation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Consists of at least 135 hours; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Enables the person to:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Design effective treatments of animals based on traditional acupuncture theories and principles, including appropriate knowledge of functional animal anatomy and physiology;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Handle and restrain animals to the extent appropriate in the practice of acupuncture;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of animal diseases and zoonoses that would require the immediate attention of a veterinary practitioner; and</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>Communicate effectively with a veterinary practitioner;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="12"> <text>A veterinarian licensed in another jurisdiction while consulting with a veterinary practitioner in this State; or</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>A student of veterinary medicine practicing veterinary medicine who has successfully completed 3 years of veterinary education at an institution approved by the Board and who works under the responsible direct supervision, as defined by the Board, of a veterinary practitioner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g–1"> <level label="1"> <text>“Therapeutic purpose” means to address a physical or medical condition that compromises the health or well–being of an animal.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Therapeutic purpose” does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in the keeping or handling of the animal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Veterinarian” means any person who is a graduate of a college of veterinary medicine.</text> </level> <level label="h–1"> <text>“Veterinary assistant” means a person who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Aids a veterinarian or veterinary technician in patient care; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is not registered with the Board as a veterinary technician.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Veterinary practitioner” means a licensed and registered veterinarian engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>“Veterinary technician” means a person who is registered with the Board as a veterinary technician.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Veterinary technician” includes a veterinary nurse.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-302" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board has seven members, five of whom:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are licensed and registered veterinarians of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Are residents of the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Have engaged in active practice for five years at some time;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Are in good standing; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Are appointed and qualified.</text> <text>Of these five veterinarian members, at least two must have their practices predominantly for large animals. Two members of the Board shall not be veterinarians.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Governor shall appoint the members of the Board with the advice and consent of the Senate. Each appointment shall be made from a list of at least three names for each vacancy submitted to the Governor, or to the Governor-elect, by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each member serves a term of five years or until his successor is elected and qualified. A member is not eligible to serve for more than two full successive terms except as otherwise provided in this section. If any member ceases legally and physically to reside in the State, his office is vacant.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Governor shall remove any of the members for misconduct in office, incompetence, immorality, willful neglect of duty, or any cause which is a ground for revocation of a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State. The member may be removed only after reasonable notice and an opportunity for hearing is provided.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-302.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “veterinary review committee” means a committee or board that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is within one of the categories described in subsection (b) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Performs any of the functions listed in subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For purposes of this section, a veterinary review committee is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A regulatory board or agency that is established by State or federal law to license, certify, or discipline any veterinary practitioner;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A committee of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association or any of its component societies; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any person who contracts with a veterinary practitioner to perform any of those functions listed in subsection (c) of this section that are limited to the review of services provided by the veterinary practitioner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For purposes of this section, a veterinary review committee has the following powers and duties:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To evaluate and seek to improve the quality of veterinary care that is provided by veterinary practitioners;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To evaluate the need for and the level of performance of veterinary care that is provided by veterinary practitioners; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To evaluate and provide assistance to any veterinary practitioner who is in need of treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholism, drug abuse, chemical dependency, or other physical, emotional, or mental condition.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in the section, the proceedings, records, and files of a veterinary review committee are not discoverable and are not admissible in evidence in any civil action arising out of matters that are being reviewed and evaluated by the veterinary review committee.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Subsection (d) of this section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A civil action brought by a party who claims to be aggrieved by a decision of the veterinary review committee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any record or document that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is considered by a veterinary review committee; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Otherwise would be subject to discovery and introduction into evidence in a civil trial.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person who acts in good faith and within the scope of jurisdiction of a veterinary review committee is not civilly liable for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any action as a member of the veterinary review committee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Giving information to, participating in, or contributing to the function of the veterinary review committee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-303" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall set reasonable fees necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fees charged shall be set so as to produce funds to approximate the cost of maintaining the Board as provided in subsection (e) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall publish in its rules and regulations the fees that it sets.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall pay all fees collected under the provisions of this title to the Comptroller of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Comptroller shall distribute the fees received from the Board to the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund shall be used exclusively to cover the actual documented direct and indirect costs of fulfilling the statutory and regulatory duties of the Board as provided by the provisions of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund, not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any unspent portions of the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund may not be transferred or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund to be used for the purposes specified in this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The chairman of the Board or the designee of the chairman shall administer the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money in the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund may be expended only for any lawful purpose authorized by the provisions of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Legislative Auditor shall audit the accounts and transactions of the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners Fund as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-304" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adopt rules and regulations to effectuate this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Engage additional employees for professional, clerical, and special work as necessary and as provided in the State budget;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subpoena any witness to take his testimony;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Require production of books, papers, records, and other documentary evidence, and examine them in relation to any matter which the Board may investigate or hear; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Establish reasonable standards for the practice of veterinary medicine, including conduct and ethics.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Members or their designated inspectors may enter veterinary facilities at any reasonable hour to enforce the Board rules and regulations.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall maintain an office within the State and a telephone number listed for use by the general public.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall inspect every veterinary hospital facility in the State at least once every 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>On or before December 31 each year, the Board shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the Board’s disciplinary activities for the previous fiscal year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-304.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>As used in this subtitle, “veterinary hospital” means any building or portion of a building which is regularly used for the treatment of animals by a veterinary practitioner.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Every veterinary hospital shall be licensed by the Board. The Board shall set the annual license fee in accordance with § 2-303(b) of this subtitle. The license shall be applied for and issued to the owner of the hospital.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may reject an application, or suspend or revoke the license for failure to maintain the facility properly. The rejection, suspension, or revocation shall be in accordance with the procedures set out in § 2-311 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-305" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “animal control facility” means a humane society, as defined in § 10–601 of the Criminal Law Article, or a county or municipal designated animal shelter.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Board, may issue a license to an animal control facility to allow the animal control facility to administer:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Drugs needed to sedate, euthanize, or sedate and euthanize animals; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Rabies vaccines in accordance with § 18–313 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The owner of an animal control facility shall apply for the license.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board shall issue a license in the name of the owner of an animal control facility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The application shall designate one individual at the facility responsible for the drugs and rabies vaccines.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The annual license fee is $100.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In accordance with procedures set out in § 2–311 of this subtitle, the Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Reject an application for a license; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Suspend or revoke a license for failure to comply with the Board’s regulations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An animal control facility licensed under this section shall comply with the Board’s requirements relating to employee training.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Board, or the Board’s designated inspector, may enter an animal control facility licensed under this section at any reasonable hour to enforce the Board’s regulations.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>In consultation with the Maryland Department of Health, the Board shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-305.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may authorize the practice of a health occupation on an animal by a health care practitioner licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under the Health Occupations Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Board authorizes the practice of a health occupation on an animal under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Impose requirements for education, training, and supervision by a veterinary practitioner; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Require the registration of each health care practitioner authorized to practice a health occupation on an animal in accordance with this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall establish an expedited process to authorize a veterinary practitioner who holds a current, valid license to practice veterinary medicine in another state or jurisdiction to become licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-306" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board has the exclusive power to establish and alter the standards of preliminary and professional education and training requirements of applicants for the examination for a license.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may establish an annual continuing education requirement of at least 12 hours as a condition to any license renewal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may investigate and determine the acceptability of and approve or disapprove any college or institution for the education and training of students desiring to practice veterinary medicine. It may cancel or revoke approval if the college or institution no longer is deemed satisfactory. However, the approval of the American Veterinary Medical Association of a college or institution is sufficient to qualify the college or institution. Any veterinarian desiring to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine shall have completed the course of study prescribed by an approved college or institution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-307" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall prescribe the subject, character, manner, time, and place for every written examination, and the procedure for filing applications for the examination. It shall conduct the written examination so that the identity of the applicant is not known to the Board until the examination is graded. The Board shall make a written report of every examination and preserve it in the Board office for three years.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An applicant for the examination shall pay a fee set by the Board to the Board secretary at the time he files his application.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall issue a license to, and annually register, any person who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Passes the examination;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is of good moral character; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has a diploma from an approved college or institution conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-307.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>In reviewing an application for licensure of a veterinarian or in investigating any matter brought against a veterinary practitioner, the Board may direct the applicant, veterinarian, or veterinary practitioner to submit to a mental or physical examination when the Board has reasonable evidence indicating the inability of that individual to practice veterinary medicine competently.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In return for the privilege given by the State in issuing a license or registration, the applicant, veterinarian, or veterinary practitioner is deemed to have:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Consented to submit to an examination under this section if directed by the Board in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Waived any claim of privilege as to the examination report or testimony regarding the report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The report or testimony of an examining physician or other person designated by the Board is confidential except as to contested case proceedings as defined by the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The unreasonable failure or refusal of an applicant, a veterinarian, or a veterinary practitioner to submit to an examination is prima facie evidence of the applicant’s, veterinarian’s, or veterinary practitioner’s inability to practice veterinary medicine competently unless the Board finds that the failure or refusal was beyond the control of the applicant, veterinarian, or veterinary practitioner.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board shall pay the reasonable cost of any examination made under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-308" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>In order to enforce this subtitle and aid in the prosecution of any violation, every licensee who practices veterinary medicine in the State shall register annually with the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Every licensee annually shall pay the Board a registration fee set by the Board for the privilege of continuing his license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-309" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may register with the Board as a veterinary technician.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Veterinary Technician Committee under the Board’s jurisdiction. The Committee consists of 7 members who are appointed by the Board, subject to the approval of the Secretary. The Board shall determine the qualifications and term of each member.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each member of the Committee may not receive compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Committee, subject to the Board’s approval shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Evaluate, examine, and determine the qualifications for applicants for registration as a veterinary technician;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Recommend to the Board the subject, scope, form, date, time, and location for each examination;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Establish continuing education requirements for veterinary technicians;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Define the duties and responsibilities of registered veterinary technicians;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Recommend to the Board reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Generally assist the Board in registering and regulating veterinary technicians.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To apply for registration, an applicant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submit an application to the Board on the form the Board requires; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pay to the Board an application fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board shall register any applicant who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Meets the requirements of this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meets the Board’s educational requirements;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Passes a Board approved examination;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is of good moral character; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Is at least 18 years old.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A registration is issued for a term of 3 years and expires on June 30 of the third year after the date issued unless the registration is renewed as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Board shall renew the registration of any applicant for an additional 3-year term if the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submits a renewal application on the form that the Board requires;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Complies with the Board’s continuing education requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Otherwise is entitled to be registered.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>In accordance with the hearing provisions of § 2-311 of this subtitle, the Board may refuse to register an applicant, suspend or revoke the registration, or reprimand and censure, or place on probation any veterinary technician, if the veterinary technician:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Practices veterinary medicine except as permitted under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains a registration;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Is convicted of a violation of any federal or State law relating to narcotic drugs;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Is grossly negligent or deliberately cruel to an animal;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Violates any provisions of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Is determined by the Board to be incompetent as a veterinary technician.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-309.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>A veterinary assistant may perform the following tasks under the direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner or veterinary technician under the direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Obtaining and monitoring vitals on a nonanesthetized patient;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Radiographs;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Dental prophylaxis;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Nail trims;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Educating on basic topics;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Administering medications;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Husbandry;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Collecting blood, urine, and fecal samples;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Aseptic techniques;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Setup for surgery and other procedures;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Low–stress handling and restraint;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Microchip insertion; and</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Any other skill that is noninvasive, as defined by the Board, and within the veterinary assistant’s skills as determined by the supervising veterinary practitioner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A veterinary assistant may perform the following tasks under the immediate supervision of a veterinary practitioner or veterinary technician:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Set up of anesthesia; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Anesthesia monitoring.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to subsection (e) of this section, a veterinary technician may perform the following procedures under the direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Inducing anesthesia by intramuscular injection, inhalation, or intravenous injection;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Simple dental extractions of loose teeth that do not involve flaps or tooth sectioning;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Basic suturing skills, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Suturing of existing surgical skin or gingival incisions; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Suture and staple removal;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Accessing a small working stock of Schedule II drugs under separate lock and filling prescriptions;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Cytology;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Administering vaccines, excluding rabies vaccines unless otherwise authorized by law;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Phlebotomy, blood typing, and monitoring blood product transfusion;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Urinary and intravenous catheter care;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Cystocentesis;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Gastric and tracheal intubation;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Medication and fluid therapy calculations;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Basic life support in cardiopulmonary resuscitation;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Ophthalmological testing;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>Fine needle aspirates; and</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>Any other procedure authorized by regulations adopted by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A veterinary technician may perform a procedure listed under subsection (a)(1) through (13) of this section under the indirect supervision of a veterinary practitioner if the veterinary practitioner determines the veterinary technician is qualified to perform the procedure.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A veterinary technician may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Make any diagnosis or prognosis;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Prescribe any treatments, drugs, medications, or appliances; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Perform surgery.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Under emergency conditions only, a veterinary technician may perform the following procedures before a veterinary practitioner’s initial examination of an animal:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Life support care, including basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other procedure authorized by regulations adopted by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>At the discretion of the veterinary practitioner, a veterinary technician employed at an animal emergency hospital, as defined in regulations adopted by the Board, may perform euthanasia on an animal if the animal is unable to be saved by supportive care, first aid, or life support measures.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A veterinary technician who works in or for an animal shelter, as defined in § 2–1701 of this title, may perform euthanasia on an animal at the animal shelter.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-310" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Board may refuse, suspend, or revoke any application or license, and censure or place on probation any licensee after a hearing, if the veterinarian or veterinary practitioner:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is unable to practice veterinary medicine competently due to a physical or mental disability;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is convicted of a violation of any federal or State law relating to prescription drugs, a controlled dangerous substance under Title 5, Subtitle 4 of the Criminal Law Article, or a controlled substance as defined by 21 U.S.C. § 812;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Is convicted of a felony, or of a crime involving moral turpitude;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is convicted of violating any provision of this subtitle, any unlawful or fraudulent practice, or any fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive representation or advertising concerning his professional qualifications or the quality of materials or drugs used by him in his professional work or in the treatment of animals;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Has a final judgment entered against him in a civil malpractice case involving gross personal negligence;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Obtains the license by fraud or misrepresentation, either in the application, or in passing the examination;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Is guilty of employing or permitting to practice veterinary medicine any person who does not hold a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Fails to comply with Board rules or regulations after receiving a license;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Is grossly negligent or deliberately cruel to an animal;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Is determined by four members to be professionally incompetent as a veterinary practitioner;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Is disciplined by a licensing authority of another state, including the suspension or revocation of a license to practice veterinary medicine, for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this section;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Fails to comply with animal cruelty or animal fighting reporting requirements under § 2–313.1 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Willfully violates the cat declawing prohibition under § 2–313.3 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not suspend or revoke a license, reprimand or censure a licensee, or place a licensee on probation solely on the basis of the licensee discussing or recommending the use of cannabis, as defined in § 1–101 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, or a product that contains cannabidiol on an animal for potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-310.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>In lieu of or in addition to suspension of the license, the Board may impose a penalty of not more than $5,000 for a first offense.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to revocation of the license, the Board may impose a penalty of not more than $5,000 for a first offense.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In addition to suspension or revocation of the license, the Board may impose a penalty of not more than $10,000 for a second or subsequent offense.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Penalties collected by the Board under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board shall establish such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-311" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>Before any license is suspended or revoked, the Board shall give the licensee at least ten days written notice of the time and place of the hearing. Notice shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, addressed to the post–office address shown on the annual registration or in other information the Board possesses.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A copy of the charges shall be furnished the licensee and he shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard personally and to be represented by counsel before the Board. The licensee shall have the opportunity to confront witnesses against him.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Every witness at the hearing shall testify under oath. The chairman or any member may administer the oath. The Board may compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoena.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall report its action in writing, stating the reasons for the action. A copy shall be delivered or mailed to the person against whom the complaint is made.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The licensee may appeal to the circuit court of the county where the licensee has an office. The court shall hear and determine all matters connected with the action of the Board from which appeal is taken in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The licensee and the Board may appeal from the decision of the circuit court to the Appellate Court of Maryland, subject to the time and manner provided for the taking of an appeal to this Court.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-312" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <text>At any time within two years from the date of revocation of any license, the Board, by the affirmative vote of four members, may issue without examination a new license to any person whose license was revoked. After the expiration of two years, the person may obtain a license only by compliance with the same requirements which are imposed by this subtitle on other license applicants.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-313" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to an act or omission in giving emergency veterinary aid, care, or assistance for which a person may not be held civilly liable under § 5–614 of the Courts Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Practice veterinary medicine unless the person is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Licensed, registered, and authorized to engage in the practice under the provisions of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Authorized to practice veterinary medicine in the State under §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Practice veterinary medicine under a name other than the one on the person’s license and registration, or induce any person to so practice in violation of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Practice veterinary medicine unless the person’s license and registration are displayed in the person’s regularly established office and place of practice;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Own, maintain, conduct, operate, or manage a veterinary office, veterinary dental office, veterinary hospital, or a dog, cat, or animal hospital, unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The person is a licensed veterinarian; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The office or hospital is under the direct supervision and control of a licensed and registered veterinarian and a licensed or registered veterinarian is employed in the office or hospital;</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Advertise any veterinary office, veterinary dental office, veterinary hospital, or a dog, cat, or animal hospital except in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, practice veterinary medicine and sell or dispense any medication, which is not in the original manufacturer’s container;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Advertise as a Board registered veterinary technician unless registered with the Board as required by this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Practice as a veterinary technician unless employed by a veterinary practitioner.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may practice veterinary medicine and sell or dispense medication that is not in the original manufacturer’s container if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The medication is for use by a nonfarm animal as defined in regulations adopted by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The person affixes to the container in which the medication is sold or dispensed, a label clearly showing the brand, generic or chemical name and strength, if indicated, of the medication, the type of nonfarm animal for which the medication is designated, and the owner’s last name.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A licensed veterinarian may dispense compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations are to be used for a nonfarm animal as defined by regulations adopted by the Board that are consistent with State and federal law;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The nonfarm animal is a patient of the licensed veterinarian;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The quantity of the compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations dispensed does not exceed a 7–day supply;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The licensed veterinarian determines that timely access to a compounding pharmacy is not available and that the compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations are not otherwise commercially available;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations are provided to the licensed veterinarian by a pharmacist in accordance with § 12–510 of the Health Occupations Article; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations are dispensed in a container with a label clearly showing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The brand, generic or chemical name and strength, if indicated, of the compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations, the type of nonfarm animal for which the compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations are designated, and the owner’s last name; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The dispensing date and the expiration date of the compounded nonsterile preparations or compounded sterile preparations.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-313.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>A veterinary practitioner who has reason to believe that an animal that has been treated by the veterinary practitioner has been subjected to cruelty or fighting in violation of § 10–604, § 10–606, § 10–607, or § 10–608 of the Criminal Law Article shall report the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting to the appropriate law enforcement agency or county animal control agency in a timely manner.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A veterinary practitioner who makes a report under subsection (a) of this section shall include in the report:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The name, age, and location of the animal;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The name and home address of the owner or custodian of the animal;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The nature and extent of the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting, including any evidence or information available to the veterinary practitioner concerning possible previous instances of animal cruelty or animal fighting; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other information that would help determine:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The cause of the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The identity of any individual responsible for the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A veterinary practitioner who reports in good faith suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting or participates in an investigation of suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting is immune from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Civil liability that results from the report or participation in the investigation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Criminal prosecution for the report or participation in the investigation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall adopt regulations establishing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Confidentiality procedures for protecting the identity of the veterinary practitioner making a report under this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Confidentiality procedures for protecting the substance of a report made under this section and any records associated with the report; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Conditions under which the substance of a report may be disclosed.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-313.2" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section and on review and approval of the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee, the Board may issue a cease and desist order against a person who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Practices, attempts to practice, or offers to practice veterinary medicine in violation of § 2–313(a) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Takes an action:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For which the Board determines there is a preponderance of evidence of grounds for discipline under § 2–310 or § 2–313 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That poses a serious risk to the health, safety, and welfare of an animal patient.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In lieu of a cease and desist order under subsection (a) of this section, the Board may impose a civil penalty not exceeding:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$5,000 for a first offense; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$10,000 for a second or subsequent offense.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In setting the amount of a civil penalty, the Board shall consider:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The seriousness of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The harm caused by the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The good faith of the violator;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any history of previous violations by the violator; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Any other relevant factors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Before a civil penalty is imposed under this subsection, the Board shall provide to the person on whom the civil penalty will be imposed notice of the alleged violation and an opportunity for a hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person against whom a cease and desist order is issued or a civil penalty is imposed under this section may seek review of the order or penalty under the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An action for a cease and desist order or a civil penalty imposed under this section is in addition to, and not instead of, disciplinary actions authorized under § 2–310 of this subtitle or an action for injunctive relief under § 2–315 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section, including hearing procedures and sanctions for violations of a cease and desist order.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The sanctions established by regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may include a civil penalty consistent with subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this section into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-313.3" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a veterinary practitioner may not perform a declawing procedure on a cat.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A veterinary practitioner may perform a declawing procedure on a cat if the procedure is necessary for a therapeutic purpose.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-314" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <text>A person licensed by the State of Maryland to provide veterinary care, a student of veterinary medicine who works under the responsible direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner as defined by § 2–301(c) of this subtitle, or a veterinary technician registered by the State under § 2–309 of this subtitle shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5–614 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-315" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may bring an action for an injunction against a person who violates any provision of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An action for an injunction under this section is in addition to, and not instead of, disciplinary actions taken under § 2-310 of this subtitle or the imposition of civil penalties under § 2-310.1 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-316" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners"> <text>The provisions of this subtitle creating the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and relating to the regulation of veterinarians and any regulations promulgated under this subtitle are of no effect and may not be enforced after July 1, 2031.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-401" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Urban Farmer Assistance"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Urban area” means an area delineated as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Urban farmer” means an individual who farms in an urban area.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The University of Maryland Extension shall hire an extension agent dedicated to urban farm production methods and crop management.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The agent hired under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Perform applied research on urban farm production methods and crop management; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Spend a majority of the agent’s time providing education to urban farmers on urban farm production methods and crop management.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The education provided under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection may include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Planning and scheduling crop planting and harvesting in urban areas, including outdoors, indoors, in greenhouses, and in high tunnel production systems;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Production management practices for controlled environment agriculture systems;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Growing trials and production methods for crops grown in urban areas, including specialty crops such as heritage vegetables, ethnic vegetables, herbs, microgreens, and cut flowers;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Propagation and transplant production;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Training on and certifications for good agricultural practices;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Training on organic certifications; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Any other topic regarding urban farm production methods and crop management that the agent, in consultation with urban farmers and farm service providers located in urban areas, determines is necessary.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The University of Maryland Extension shall hire an extension agent dedicated to urban farm and agribusiness management.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The agent hired under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Perform applied research on urban farm and agribusiness management; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Spend a majority of the agent’s time providing and coordinating education for urban farmers on urban farm and agribusiness management.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The education provided under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection may include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Accounting and financial management;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Identifying potential customers and business development;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Marketing;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Human resource management;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Different business types and structures;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Land acquisition;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Insurance;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Licensing and permitting; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Any other topic regarding urban farm and agribusiness management that the agent, in consultation with urban farmers and farm service providers located in urban areas, determines is necessary.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $300,000 to the University of Maryland Extension for the extension agents hired under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-501" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>In this subtitle, “child”:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Means a biological child, an adopted child, or a stepchild; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Does not include a foster child, a grandchild, or a descendant more remote than a grandchild.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-501.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>It is the intent of the Maryland General Assembly to preserve agricultural land and woodland in order to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide sources of agricultural products within the State for the citizens of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Control the urban expansion which is consuming the agricultural land and woodland of the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Curb the spread of urban blight and deterioration; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Protect agricultural land and woodland as open–space land.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>With respect to woodland preservation under this subtitle, the General Assembly encourages that fair consideration be given to the retention of forest lands that are working landscapes as defined under § 5–101 of the Natural Resources Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-502" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>There is a Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation in the Department. The Foundation has the powers and duties provided in this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-503" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall be governed and administered by a board of trustees composed of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Comptroller, the Secretary of Planning, and the Secretary, all of whom shall serve as ex officio members;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Nine members from the State at–large to be appointed by the Governor, at least six of whom shall be farmer representatives who are engaged in or retired from active farming from different areas of the State, and four of whom shall be appointed as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One from a list of three nominees submitted by the Maryland Agricultural Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One from a list of three nominees submitted by the Maryland Farm Bureau;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>One from a list of three nominees submitted by the Maryland State Grange; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>One from a list of three nominees submitted by the Committee on Young Farmers; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any designee appointed by an ex officio member under paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Nominees under paragraph (1)(ii)4 of this subsection shall meet the requirements of § 2–1002(d) of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each ex officio member of the board of trustees may appoint a designee to serve in the member’s place on the board.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Governor shall appoint the chairman of the board, from among the nine at–large trustees.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A majority of the members of the board serving at any one time constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 5–502 through 5–504 of the General Provisions Article, a person may be appointed to and serve on the board as an at–large member even if prior to the appointment the person sold an easement in the person’s agricultural land to the Foundation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of any trustee at–large serving on the board shall expire on July 1, 1977. The Governor then shall appoint trustees at–large for the following terms:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Three for a term of four years;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Three for a term of three years; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Three for a term of two years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In appointing members at–large to replace members whose terms expire on July 1, 1977, the Governor may appoint members serving as of July 1, 1977. Thereafter, successors to trustees at–large whose terms expire shall be appointed for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. A trustee at–large may not serve more than two successive terms. Appointment to fill a vacancy may not be considered as one of two terms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Trustees at–large shall take the oath of office as prescribed by law.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Compensation may not be paid to any trustee. Each trustee shall be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties on behalf of the Foundation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-504" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation has the following general powers:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To sue and be sued in contractual matters in its own name;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To enter into contracts generally and to execute all instruments necessary or appropriate to carry out its purposes;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To acquire, by gift, purchase, devise, bequest or grant, easements in gross or other rights to restrict the use of agricultural land and woodland as may be designated to maintain the character of the land as agricultural land or woodland;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>To acquire and hold, by gift, purchase, devise, bequest or grant, real and personal property, or any interest therein, to carry out the legislative intent of preserving prime agricultural land and woodland and conserving, improving, administering, investing, or disposing of any property to further the purposes of the Critical Farms Program under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>To adopt, with the approval of the Secretary, regulations and procedures necessary to implement the provisions of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>To promote the dissemination of information to farmers throughout the State concerning the activities of the Foundation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-504.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>In each county containing productive agricultural land, the county governing body shall appoint an agricultural preservation advisory board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall be owner–operators of commercial farms who earn 50 percent or more of their income from farming.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Worcester County, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of seven members, at least four of whom shall be owner–operators of commercial farms who earn 50 percent or more of their income from farming.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In St. Mary’s County, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall be actively pursuing the production of agricultural products for profit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, each member of an agricultural preservation advisory board shall be appointed for a term of office of 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Charles County and in Worcester County, a member shall serve a term of office of 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In Howard County, a member shall serve a term of office of 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>No member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Duties of each agricultural preservation advisory board shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To advise the county governing body with respect to the approval of purchases of easements by the Foundation within the county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To assist the county governing body in reviewing the status of land under easement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To advise the Foundation concerning county priorities for agricultural preservation;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>To approve or disapprove an application by the county for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>To promote preservation of agriculture within the county by offering information and assistance to farmers with respect to the purchase of easements;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>To meet at least annually with forest conservation district boards in order to work cooperatively to encourage the promotion and retention of farmland and woodland in their respective jurisdictions; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>To perform any other duties as assigned by the county governing body.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-505" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund is created and continued for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The purposes specified in this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Accelerating the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Bays and their watersheds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund shall comprise:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any money made available to the Fund by general or special fund appropriations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any money made available to the Fund by grants or transfers from governmental or private sources; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any money received under § 2–513(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Comptroller of the Treasury may not disburse any money from the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund other than:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For costs associated with the staffing and administration of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For reasonable expenses incurred by the members of the board of trustees of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation in the performance of official duties;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For consideration in the purchase of agricultural land preservation easements beginning with fiscal year 1979 and each fiscal year thereafter, including targeted acquisitions of easements obtained in conjunction with actions and projects under Title 8, Subtitle 2B of the Natural Resources Article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For costs associated with acquisition of agricultural land preservation easements approved by the Foundation through the Critical Farms Program, as provided in § 2–517 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For the reimbursement of money paid by a landowner for a preliminary release of a lot under § 2–513(b)(2) of this subtitle in accordance with paragraph (5) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>In a manner consistent with the purposes specified in items (i) through (v) of this paragraph, to provide funding for the Whole Watershed Fund established under § 8–2B–03 of the Natural Resources Article, including for projects that occur on land subject to an agricultural land preservation easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation may provide grants to the Maryland Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation, subject to conditions jointly agreed upon by the Foundation and the Corporation, to facilitate:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An installment purchase agreement program; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The funding of the Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation may provide grants to counties to facilitate:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Critical Farms Program, as provided in § 2–517 of this subtitle, subject to conditions jointly agreed upon by the Foundation and the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The purchase of easements under a county installment purchase agreement program approved by the Foundation, as provided in § 2–510.1 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The payment of the principal of and interest on bonds issued by a county for the sole purpose of purchasing agricultural land preservation easements that meet the requirements of this subtitle, subject to conditions jointly agreed upon by the Foundation and the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Grants provided by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation may not be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Used to fund county land preservation programs; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Pledged to secure county–issued bonds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to the prior approval of the board of trustees of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation may reimburse money paid into the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund by a landowner for a lot that had been preliminarily released under § 2–513(b)(2) of this subtitle for the purpose of constructing a dwelling house for a landowner or the child of the landowner.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In the sole discretion of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, the person for whom the lot was preliminarily released, the person who originally paid for the preliminary release, or another appropriate person may be reimbursed the amount paid to the Fund under § 2–513(b)(2)(iii) of this subtitle if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A dwelling has not been constructed on the lot;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A request for reimbursement is made before the preliminary release becomes void under § 2–513(b)(2) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Before reimbursement and at the expense of the owner of the land under the easement:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>The lot is conveyed to the owner free and clear of liens;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Any recorded plat creating the lot is voided;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>The lot is added to the tax account assigned to the land encumbered by the easement; and</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>The preliminary release is voided by an agreement recorded in the land records; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At least one of the following circumstances exists:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>The Foundation has received notice that title to the lot has been transferred under a bona fide foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust or a deed in lieu of foreclosure;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>The Foundation has received notice that the landowner or child of the landowner for whom the lot was preliminarily released has died; or</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Any other circumstance in which the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation determines that it would be impossible for the landowner or child of the landowner for whom the lot was preliminarily released to fulfill the requirements of the preliminary release.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Any money remaining in the Fund at the end of a fiscal year may not revert to the general funds of the State, but shall remain in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund to be used for the purposes specified in this subtitle. It is the intent of the General Assembly that, to the extent feasible, the Foundation utilize the full amount of money available for the purchase of easements in any fiscal year so as to minimize the amount of money remaining in the Fund at the end of any fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a portion of a local subdivision’s allocation of Program Open Space funds is transferred to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund pursuant to the provisions of § 5–903 of the Natural Resources Article, the Foundation may utilize such transferred funds only for purchases of easements on land located within the boundaries of the subdivision which requested the transfer of funds. Such transferred open space funds shall be available in addition to any funds which would otherwise be allotted under this subtitle for purchases of easements in the county which requested the transfer of funds; and at the discretion of the local governing body, such transferred open space funds may be used for general purchases, or applied as the local contribution in matching purchases as required in §§ 2–508(a)(5) and 2–512(b)(1) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Money in the Fund from the sale of tax–exempt general obligation bonds may not be used:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To purchase easements under:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An installment purchase agreement, as provided in § 2–510(k)(3) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A schedule of installments financed with certificates of deposit, as provided in § 2–510(k)(2) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Critical Farms Program, as provided in § 2–517 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the payment of the principal of and interest on bonds issued by a county in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The estimated budget of the Foundation for the next fiscal year shall be included with the budget of the Department.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Fund is subject to audit by the Legislative Auditor as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $16,564,469 to the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-506" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>The Foundation on or before January 15 of each year, shall transmit to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly a report of the Foundation’s proceedings and activity for the preceding fiscal year, including an inventory of all easements or other interests in agricultural land and woodland acquired during that time, and including a report on the condition of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-507" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall employ an executive director and staff sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subtitle. The executive director shall be appointed by the Secretary upon recommendation of the board of trustees at-large. The salaries of the executive director and staff shall be as provided in the State budget.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-508" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>For purposes of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Allotted purchases” means general or matching purchases made pursuant to offers to buy tendered by the Foundation on or before January 31 of any fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“County” means any county containing productive agricultural land which is being actively farmed and which meets the criteria for land for which easements may be purchased.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Eligible county” means a county as defined in paragraph (3) of this subsection which has secured approval from the Foundation for a local agricultural land preservation program.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“General purchases of easements” means purchases of agricultural land preservation easements under this subtitle in which the governing body of the county in which the land is located is not required to make a contribution to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Matching purchases of easements” means purchases of agricultural land preservation easements under this subtitle in which the governing body of the county in which the land is located is required to make a contribution to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund of an amount equal to at least 40 percent of the value of the easement for each such purchase.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Total amount to be allotted” means the amount, as certified by the Comptroller, which remains in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund at the beginning of the fiscal year after payment of all expenses of the Foundation and the board of trustees during the previous fiscal year as specified in § 2–505(c)(1) and (2) of this subtitle, and after subtraction of funds committed for payment as consideration for easements purchased during previous fiscal years, and after subtraction of any money remaining in the Fund as a result of a transfer of local Program Open Space funds made pursuant to § 5–903 of the Natural Resources Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Beginning with fiscal year 1979, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Foundation shall determine the maximum amount which may be expended for allotted purchases of easements on land located within each county. The maximum amount which may be expended for allotted purchases of easements in any county in any fiscal year shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An amount, to be used for general allotted purchases, equal to one twenty–third of one half of the total amount to be allotted; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An amount, to be used for matching allotted purchases, which shall be computed for each eligible county by dividing one half of the total amount to be allotted equally among those counties having an approved program. The maximum amount available from the Foundation for the Foundation’s share in matching allotted purchases may not exceed $2,000,000 in any county in any fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Foundation receives acceptances of offers to buy in insufficient numbers to expend the total amount to be allotted for allotted purchases, the Foundation, to the extent feasible, shall tender additional offers to buy in sufficient numbers to expend the total amount to be allotted. Any such additional offers to buy shall be tendered:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To landowners who have applied to sell easements on land which was otherwise acceptable, but who had not received an offer to buy solely because of limitations on the amount of money to be spent for allotted purchases;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To applicants on a statewide basis as provided by the priority ranking system established under § 2–510(f) of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Only after the expiration of the period allowed for acceptance of offers to buy under allotted general and matching purchases.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In prioritizing an application to sell an easement, a local governing body shall consider whether the land drains into a reservoir in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-508.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>If a county is certified by the Department of Planning under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article as having established an effective county agricultural land preservation program, and if there is money remaining in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund at the end of the fiscal year, the county may apply to the Foundation for an amount equal to the difference between:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The aggregate amount allotted on behalf of the county under general allotted purchases of easements as provided in § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which easement purchases are made; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount committed by the Foundation on behalf of the county under general allotted purchases of easements as provided in § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which easement purchases are made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The distribution under this section shall be made within 60 days of the end of each fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the money remaining in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund at the end of the fiscal year is insufficient to distribute the total amount applied for under subsection (a) of this section, the maximum amount that may be distributed to any certified county is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The total sum available divided by the number of counties applying for additional funds under this section; less</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount committed by the Foundation on behalf of the county under general allotted purchases of easements as provided in § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which easement purchases are made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A county may use the additional funds distributed under this section only for an approved agricultural land preservation program for the purposes stated under § 2–512 of this subtitle, including use for bond annuity funds, collateralizing loans, or matching funds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-509" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Foundation shall follow the provisions under this section for the easement application process.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt regulations and procedures for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Evaluation of land for which application is made to sell an easement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Purchase of easements, including the purchase of easements under an installment purchase agreement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Regulations and procedures adopted by the Foundation for the purchase of easements shall provide that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One or more owners of land actively devoted to agricultural use may file an application with the county governing body requesting the purchase of an easement by the Foundation on the land owned by the applicants. The application shall include maps and descriptions of the current use of land for the proposed easement, and any other information required by the Foundation to evaluate the land for purchase of an easement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Upon receipt of an application to purchase an easement the local governing body shall refer the application and accompanying materials both to the agricultural preservation advisory board and to the county planning and zoning body.</text> <level label="i"> <text>After the referral of an application, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall advise the county governing body as to whether or not the land for the proposed easement meets the qualifications established by the Foundation under subsection (d) of this section, and whether or not the advisory board recommends the purchase of the easement.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In making its recommendation, the county agricultural preservation advisory board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Take into consideration criteria and standards established by the Foundation under this subtitle, current local regulations, local patterns of land development, the kinds of development pressures currently existing on the land for the proposed easement, State smart growth goals, and any locally established priorities for the preservation of agricultural land; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Recommend for ranking any application that qualifies and meets the priorities established by the county governing body for the preservation of agricultural land.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>After the referral of an application, the county planning and zoning body shall advise the local governing body as to whether or not the purchase of the easement is compatible with existing and approved county plans and overall county policy, and whether or not the planning and zoning body recommends the purchase of the easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If either the agricultural preservation advisory board or the planning and zoning body recommends approval, the county governing body shall hold a public hearing on the application for the proposed easement. Adequate notice of the hearing shall be given to all owners whose land would be encumbered by the proposed easement and all owners whose land is contiguous to the land for the proposed easement.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In deciding whether to approve the application, the county governing body shall receive the recommendation of the county agricultural preservation advisory board established under § 2–504.1 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>After the receipt of the application and the recommendations of the agricultural preservation advisory board and the county planning and zoning body, the county governing body shall render a decision as to whether or not the application shall be recommended to the Foundation for approval.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the county governing body decides to recommend approval of the application, it shall notify the Foundation and forward to the Foundation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The application and all accompanying materials, including the recommendations of the advisory board and county planning and zoning body;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A ranking of all applications based on:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>The county governing body’s locally established priorities as approved by the Foundation, which for purposes of enhancing competitive bidding may include a system that ranks properties in ascending order with respect to the proportion obtained by dividing the asking price by the value of the easement; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Guidelines adopted by the Foundation under subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A statement of the total current development rights on the land for the proposed easement, which shall include the total number of development rights that have been subdivided or transferred.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the county governing body recommends denial of the application, it shall inform the Foundation and the applicants.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Regulations and procedures adopted by the Foundation for the purchase and monitoring of easements may not require, in Garrett County or Allegany County, a natural gas rights owner or lessee to subordinate its interest to the Foundation’s interest if the Foundation determines that exercise of the natural gas rights will not interfere with an agricultural operation conducted on land subject to an easement.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Regulations and criteria developed by the Foundation relating to land which may be considered for purchase of an easement shall provide that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to item (2) of this subsection, land shall meet productivity, acreage, and locational criteria determined by the Foundation to be necessary for the continuation of farming;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As long as all other criteria are met, land that is at least 50 acres in size or is contiguous to other permanently preserved land shall qualify for purchase of an easement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Foundation shall attempt to preserve the minimum number of acres which may reasonably be expected to promote the continued availability of agricultural suppliers and markets for agricultural goods;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Land within the boundaries of a 10–year water and sewer service district may be considered for purchase of an easement only if that land is outstanding in productivity and is of significant size;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Land may be considered for purchase of an easement only if the county regulations governing the land permit the activities listed under § 2–513(a) of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Land be evaluated for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Location in a priority preservation area of the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Soil and other land characteristics associated with agricultural and silvicultural productivity;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Agricultural and silvicultural production and contribution to the agricultural and silvicultural economy; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any other unique county considerations that support the goals of the program.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-509.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>Effective July 1, 2007, districts may not be a requirement for the easement application process to the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, as of June 30, 2012, all districts held by the Foundation shall be terminated and a landowner may not be bound to the terms of any Foundation district agreement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The following agricultural land preservation districts shall remain in force and may not be terminated:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any district in which an easement has been transferred to the Foundation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any district established to provide a property tax credit to a landowner.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-510" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>An owner of agricultural land whose application to sell an easement has been approved by the county under this subtitle may sell an easement to the Foundation on the contiguous acreage of the agricultural land, subject to the requirements of this subtitle and regulations of the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In order to be considered by the Foundation, an application to sell shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be received by the board at a time the board determines for the fiscal year in which the application is to be considered;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Include an asking price at which the owner is willing to sell an easement; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Include a complete description of the land for the proposed easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The board shall determine the maximum number of applications that it will accept from each county in each offer cycle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 30 days after the receipt of an application from the county governing body, the Foundation shall notify the landowner and the county governing body of the receipt and sufficiency of the application.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the original application is insufficient, the Foundation shall specify the reason for insufficiency, and the Foundation shall grant an additional 30 days for the landowner to remedy the insufficiency.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the application is made sufficient within 30 days of the notification by the Foundation, the application shall be considered as if it had originally been submitted in a timely and sufficient manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If the application is submitted to the Foundation prior to county approval, then within 60 days of the notification of sufficiency of the application, the county governing body shall advise the Foundation as to the county’s approval or disapproval of the application.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Foundation shall grant a 30–day extension of this approval period if the county governing body applies to the Foundation for an extension and states its reasons for seeking an extension.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>In determining which applications it shall approve for the purchase of the easements offered for sale in each fiscal year under this section, the Foundation:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May approve only those applications in which the subject land meets the criteria and standards established under §§ 2–509 and 2–513 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, review the applications and submit offers to buy at the beginning of each offer cycle based on the approved priorities established by each eligible county for the preservation of agricultural land; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For applications competing on a statewide basis following the initial round of offers, shall rank the applications and submit offers to buy in order of priority, as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt by regulation a standard priority ranking system for additional offers to buy by which it shall rank each application. The system shall be based on the following criteria as to the easements offered in any one county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The applications shall be assigned a rank in ascending order with respect to the proportion obtained by dividing the asking price by the State easement value. The resulting rank shall be the sole criterion for establishing the priority for discounted applications that include proportions of 1.0 or lower.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>All additional applications which include proportions greater than 1.0 shall be assigned a numerical value that, in regard to the land for which the easement is offered, reflects:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The relative productive capacity of the land;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The extent to which the easement acquisition will contribute to the continued availability of agricultural suppliers and markets for agricultural goods; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The priority recommendations of the local governing bodies.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Foundation may approve general allotted purchases of easements in a county not to exceed in aggregate value the amount allotted for that county under § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which such purchases are made, plus any amount of transferred local open space funds designated by the local governing body for general purchases.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Foundation may approve matching allotted purchases of easements in an eligible county such that the Foundation’s share will not exceed in aggregate value the amount allotted for that county under § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for that fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>On approval of a majority of the board members at–large, and on the recommendation of the Secretary, an application to sell shall be approved, and an offer to buy containing the specific terms of the purchase shall be tendered to the landowner.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An offer to buy may specify terms, contingencies, and conditions not contained in the original application.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>With respect to additional offers to buy tendered under § 2–508(c) of this subtitle, the Foundation may not tender such offers earlier than 30 days after the completion of allotted offers to buy in each offer cycle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A landowner has 30 days from the date of any offer to buy in which to accept or reject the offer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>At the time of settlement of the purchase of an easement, the landowner and the Foundation may agree on and establish a schedule of payment such that the landowner may receive consideration for the easement in a lump sum, in installments over a period of up to 10 years from the date of settlement, or as provided in an installment purchase agreement under paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>At the time of settlement, the Foundation shall notify in writing each landowner who sells an agricultural easement to the Foundation of the schedule of anticipated ranges of interest rates to be paid on any unpaid balance after the date of settlement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If a schedule of installments is agreed on, the Comptroller shall retain in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund an amount of money sufficient to pay the landowner according to the schedule.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>The landowner shall receive interest on any unpaid balance remaining after the date of settlement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the unpaid balance remaining after the date of settlement in a certificate or certificates of deposit at the maximum interest rate offered by a bank servicing the State or at such other institutions which pay the maximum interest rates payable on time and savings deposits at federally insured commercial banks selected by the Treasurer, to mature in accordance with an agreed on schedule of installments as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any interest earned on the invested unpaid balance shall be paid with the installment when due, less 1/4 of 1 percent.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Foundation may pay the landowner according to a schedule, up to a maximum term of 15 years, established in an installment purchase agreement.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The installment purchase agreement shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Require that the Foundation make annual equal payments to the landowner of interest on the outstanding balance of the purchase price;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Require that the Foundation pay the landowner the remainder of the purchase price at the end of the term;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>State the total amount of money the Foundation will pay the landowner, the interest rate, and the terms of the agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Require that the easement be recorded within 30 days of settlement.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>After the Foundation has expended allotted funds for a fiscal year in offers to purchase, the Foundation shall notify all landowners whose applications had been rejected during that fiscal year. The Foundation shall specify the reasons for that rejection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A landowner who rejects an offer from the Foundation to purchase an easement on the same land during two consecutive years, for a reason other than insufficient Foundation funds, may not reapply to sell an easement on the same land for the following two consecutive years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for each offer cycle as provided in this section, records relating to a landowner’s ranking, asking price, or Foundation offer shall be confidential and not subject to public inspection until after the end of the cycle, as determined by the Foundation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-510.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>The Foundation may make a grant to purchase an easement on a property selected by the Foundation to a county with a program, approved by the Foundation, to purchase easements using installment purchase agreements.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Foundation may only approve a county’s installment purchase program if the program is used to purchase easements using installment purchase agreements that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Require the county to make annual equal payments to the landowner of interest on the outstanding balance of the purchase price;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Require that the county pay the landowner the remainder of the purchase price at the end of the term;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>State the total amount of money the county will pay the landowner, the interest rate, and the terms of the agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Require that the easement be recorded within 30 days of settlement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An easement purchased using a grant provided under this section shall be jointly held by the county and the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An easement purchased using a grant provided under this section may not terminate.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-511" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the maximum value of any easement to be purchased shall be the asking price or the difference between the fair market value of the land and the agricultural value of the land, whichever is lower.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The fair market value of the land is the price as of the valuation date for the highest and best use of the property which a vendor, willing but not obligated to sell, would accept for the property, and which a purchaser, willing but not obligated to buy, would pay for the property if the property was not subject to any restriction imposed under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The agricultural value of land is the price as of the valuation date which a vendor, willing but not obligated to sell, would accept for the property, and which a purchaser, willing but not obligated to buy, would pay for the property as a farm unit, to be used for agricultural purposes.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the value of the easement is determined at the time the Foundation is requested in writing to purchase the easement.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Foundation may use a fair market value determined in accordance with this section for up to 2 years after the date on which the Foundation was first requested in writing to purchase the easement.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The fair market value shall be determined by the Department of General Services based on one or more appraisals by the State appraisers, and appraisals, if any, of the landowner.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The entire contiguous acreage shall be included in the determination of the value of the easement, less 1 acre per single dwelling; however, except as provided in § 2–513(b)(2) of this subtitle, the entire contiguous acreage, including the 1 acre per single dwelling, is subject to the easement restrictions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the agricultural value of land shall be determined by a formula approved by the Department that measures the farm productivity of the land on which the applicant has applied to sell an easement by taking into consideration weighted factors that may include rents, location, soil types, development pressure, interest rates, and potential agricultural use.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The agricultural value determined under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is subject to the approval of the Department.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, and except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Foundation may not purchase an easement for more than 75% or less than 25% of the fair market value of the land.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Foundation may purchase an easement for less than 25% of the fair market value of the land if the owner’s asking price is less than 25% of the fair market value of the land.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>If the landowner and the Foundation do not agree on the value of the easement as determined by the State, either the landowner or the Foundation may request, no later than September 30 of the year following the determination of the value, that the matter be referred to the property tax assessment appeal board as provided under § 3–107 of the Tax – Property Article, for arbitration as to the value of the easement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The value determined by that arbitration shall be binding upon the owner and the Foundation in a purchase of the easement made subsequent to the arbitration for a period of 2 years, unless the landowner and the Foundation agree upon a lesser value or the landowner or the Foundation appeals the results of the arbitration to the Maryland Tax Court, and either party may further appeal from the Tax Court as provided in § 13–532 of the Tax – General Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-512" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>The Foundation may not approve matching allotted purchases of easements for land located in any county which has not secured approval from the Foundation for a local program of agricultural land preservation.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Foundation may approve a local program of agricultural land preservation on request of a county, provided that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The county shall agree to make payments up to a specified aggregate amount to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund to equal at least 40 percent of the value of any easement acquired by the Foundation as a result of a matching allotted purchase, made during the ensuing fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county shall show evidence that any county program for the acquisition of agricultural land for preservation, or easements for purposes of preservation of agricultural land, will not result in preservation of land which does not meet the minimum standards set by the Foundation under § 2–509 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The request for approval of a local program must be submitted to the Foundation, together with any necessary agreements not later than 90 days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for which approval is being sought.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Approval of a local program by the Foundation is valid only during the next fiscal year following the fiscal year of the request for approval by the county.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Local programs shall be approved on the affirmative vote of a majority of the Foundation members at–large, and on approval of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “development rights” means the potential for improvement of a parcel of real property that is measured in dwelling units or units of commercial or industrial space and that exist because of the zoning classification of the parcel.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county shall use that county’s unencumbered and uncommitted matching funds and any additional funds under § 2–508.1 of this subtitle available to a county certified by the Department of Planning and the Foundation under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article to purchase development rights and guarantee loans that are collateralized by development rights for agricultural land that meets the minimum standards set by the Foundation under § 2–509(d) of this subtitle, except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a county certified by the Department of Planning and the Foundation under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, in lieu of any acreage requirement set by the Foundation under § 2–509(d) of this subtitle, development rights purchased by or collateralizing loans guaranteed by a county under this subsection shall be for agricultural land of significant size to promote an agricultural operation.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>This subsection may not be construed to prohibit any county from accepting funds from private sources and using those private funds to purchase development rights or guarantee loans that are collateralized by development rights.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-513" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>Agricultural land preservation easements may be purchased under this subtitle for any land in agricultural use which meets the minimum criteria established under § 2–509 of this subtitle if the easement and county regulations governing the use of the land include the following provisions:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any farm use of land is permitted.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Operation at any time of any machinery used in farm production or the primary processing of agricultural products is permitted.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>All normal agricultural operations performed in accordance with good husbandry practices which do not cause bodily injury or directly endanger human health are permitted including, but not limited to, sale of farm products produced on the farm where such sales are made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A landowner whose land is subject to an easement may not use the land for any commercial, industrial, or residential purpose except:</text> <level label="i"> <text>As determined by the Foundation, for farm– and forest–related uses and home occupations; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>As otherwise provided under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (7) of this subsection, on written application, the Foundation shall release free of easement restrictions only for the landowner who originally sold an easement, 1 acre or less for the purpose of constructing a dwelling house for the use only of that landowner or child of the landowner, up to a maximum of three lots, subject to the following conditions:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of lots allowed to be released under this section, except as provided in paragraph (7) of this subsection, may not exceed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>1 lot if the size of the easement property is 20 acres or more but fewer than 70 acres;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>2 lots if the size of the easement property is 70 acres or more but fewer than 120 acres; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>3 lots if the size of the easement property is 120 acres or more.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The resulting density on the property may not exceed the density allowed under zoning of the property before the Foundation purchased the easement.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The landowner shall pay the State for any acre or portion released at the price per acre that the State paid the owner for the easement.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>If the release is to be issued for a child of the landowner, the child must be at least 18 years of age at the date that the preliminary release is issued.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Before any conveyance or release, the landowner and the child, if there is a conveyance to a child, shall agree not to subdivide further for residential purposes any acreage allowed to be released. The agreement shall be recorded among the land records where the land is located and shall bind all future owners.</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>After certifying that the landowner or child of the landowner has met the conditions provided in subparagraphs (i) through (v) of this paragraph, the Foundation shall issue a preliminary release which shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Become final when the Foundation receives and certifies a nontransferable building permit in the name of the landowner or child of the landowner for construction of a dwelling house;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Become void upon the death of the person for whose benefit the release was intended if the Foundation has not yet received a building permit as provided in this subparagraph; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Unless extended by a majority vote of the Foundation Board of Trustees, become void if a nontransferable building permit in the name of the landowner or child of the landowner is not received by the Foundation within 3 years of the date of recordation of the preliminary release.</text> </level> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Any release or preliminary release issued under this paragraph shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A statement of the conditions under which it was issued, a certification by the Foundation that all necessary conditions for release or preliminary release have been met, and copies of any pertinent documents;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A statement by the landowner or child of the landowner that acknowledges that:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Adjacent farmland that is subject to an agricultural land preservation easement may be used for any agricultural purpose and may interfere with the use and enjoyment of the property through noise, odor, vibration, fumes, dust, glare, or other interference;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>There is no recourse against the effects of any normal agricultural operation performed in accordance with good husbandry practices;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>The landowner’s or child’s lot may not be transferred for 5 years from the date of the final release, except on:</text> </level> <level label="I"> <text>Approval by the Foundation; or</text> <text>II. Notwithstanding any conditions on transfers imposed under item 1 of this subparagraph, a lender providing notice to the Foundation of a transfer pursuant to a bona fide foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust or to a deed in lieu of foreclosure;</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>If the lot is not used for the person or purpose for which it was released for the 5–year period, the Foundation may require the lot owner to reconvey the lot to the owner of the land encumbered by the easement from which it was released and subject the lot to the restrictions of the easement; and</text> </level> <level label="E"> <text>Acknowledgments made under items A, B, C, and D of this item are binding to any successor or assign of the landowner or child.</text> </level> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Any release, preliminary release, building permit, or other document issued or submitted in accordance with this paragraph shall be recorded among the land records where the land is located and shall bind all future owners.</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The Foundation may not restrict the ability of a landowner who originally sold an easement to acquire a release under this paragraph beyond the requirements provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>The Foundation may require evidence it deems sufficient to ensure that the persons for whom the lots are released occupy the dwellings located on the lots for the 5–year period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A landowner may reserve the right to exclude 1 unrestricted lot from an easement in lieu of all owner’s and children’s lots to which the landowner would otherwise be entitled under paragraph (2) of this subsection, subject to the following conditions:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The resulting density on the property shall be less than the density allowed under zoning of the property before the Foundation purchased the easement;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An unrestricted lot may be subdivided by the landowner from the easement and sold to anyone to construct one residential dwelling;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The size of an unrestricted lot shall be 1 acre or less, except as provided in paragraph (7) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The landowner shall agree not to subdivide further for residential purposes any acreage allowed to be released, and the agreement shall be recorded among the land records where the land is located and shall bind all future owners;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The right to the lot is taken into consideration in the appraisal of fair market value and determination of easement value;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The lot can be subdivided at any time and the location of the lot to be subdivided is subject to the approval of the local agricultural advisory board and the Foundation; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>If the property is transferred before the right to exclude the lot has been exercised, the right may be transferred with the property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to the approval of the Foundation, and based on a showing of a current compelling need, a landowner may construct housing for tenants fully engaged in operation of the farm.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Construction may not exceed 1 tenant house per 100 acres, unless the Foundation grants an exception based on a showing of compelling need.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The land on which a tenant house is constructed may not be subdivided or conveyed to any person. In addition, the tenant house may not be conveyed separately from the original parcel.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt regulations to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Establish criteria for a landowner to show the basis of a current compelling need to construct a tenant house; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establish the size and location of tenant houses.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>After obtaining approval for the construction of a tenant house under paragraph (4) of this subsection, a landowner may, instead of constructing a new tenant house, convert an existing dwelling house into a tenant house and construct one replacement dwelling house restricted to the landowner’s own use, subject to the conditions provided under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Before a replacement dwelling house may be constructed under this subsection, the landowner shall:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Obtain the Foundation’s approval; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Execute an agreement with the Foundation to prohibit the replacement dwelling house from being separately conveyed from the original parcel.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The agreement required under subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph shall be recorded among the land records in the county where the land upon which the replacement dwelling house is to be located and shall bind future owners of the land.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The size and location of a replacement dwelling house constructed in accordance with this paragraph shall be subject to the Foundation’s approval.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A replacement dwelling house constructed in accordance with this paragraph shall be treated as a relocated existing dwelling house as described in paragraph (8) of this subsection, but is exempt from the requirements under paragraph (8)(ii) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt regulations to establish the size and location of replacement dwelling houses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (7) of this subsection, on request to the Foundation, an owner may exclude from the easement restrictions 1 acre per each single dwelling, which existed at the time of the sale of the easement, as an owner’s, children’s, or unrestricted lot to which the owner is entitled under paragraph (2) of this subsection, by a land survey and recordation provided at the expense of the owner. However, before any exclusion is granted, an owner shall agree with the Foundation not to subdivide further for residential purposes any acreage allowed to be released. This agreement shall be recorded among the land records where the land is located and shall bind all future owners.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <level label="i"> <text>The restrictions of paragraphs (2) and (6) of this subsection concerning maximum lot sizes are altered so that the maximum lot size is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>As determined by the Department of the Environment in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department of the Environment in areas where there is less than 4 feet of unsaturated and unconsolidated soil material below the bottom of an on–site sewage disposal system or in areas located within 2,500 feet of the normal water level of an existing or proposed water supply reservoir; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Up to a maximum of 2 acres when regulations adopted by the jurisdiction in which the land is situated require that a lot for a dwelling house be larger than 1 acre.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For exclusions provided under paragraph (6) of this subsection, the landowner shall pay the State for any acre or portion released in excess of the 1 acre per single dwelling that existed at the time of easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The Foundation may approve a landowner’s request to relocate the site of an existing dwelling to another location on a farm subject to an easement, provided:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The new location does not interfere with any agricultural use; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to the Foundation’s approval, the landowner agrees either to demolish the existing dwelling at the current location or permanently convert the existing dwelling at the current location to a use that is nonresidential and integral to the farm operation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <level label="i"> <text>The Foundation may enter into corrective easements with landowners in order to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adjust boundary lines;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Resolve easement violations; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Accommodate a plan that the Foundation has determined will benefit the agricultural operations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Corrective easements under this paragraph may be accomplished by the exchange and release of farmland subject to easement restrictions with other farmland that meets the requirements of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Corrective easements approved by the Foundation are not subject to the requirements of §§ 4–416 and 10–305 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt regulations to carry out this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <text>The restrictions of paragraphs (2) and (6) of this subsection concerning maximum lot sizes may be waived by the Foundation so that the maximum lot size is 2 acres if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Foundation receives a recommendation to allow a maximum lot size of more than 1 acre from the county agricultural preservation advisory board and the planning and zoning authority of the jurisdiction where the land is situated; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Foundation makes a determination that a lot size greater than 1 acre will not interfere significantly with the agricultural use of the land under easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <level label="i"> <text>A landowner may, without the approval of the Foundation, erect and display on land subject to an easement under this subtitle a sign or any other outdoor advertising display measuring not more than 4 feet by 4 feet for the purpose of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Stating the name or address of the property or its occupant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Advertising any farm– or forest–related uses of the property or any home occupations that occur on the property with the approval of the Foundation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Advertising the sale of agricultural products, consistent with the policies of the Foundation;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Advertising that the property is available for sale or rent;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Forbidding trespassing, hunting, or the destruction of property;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Marking the boundaries of the property;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Identifying the protected status of the property; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Supporting a political candidate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Foundation may authorize a landowner to erect and display on land subject to an easement under this subtitle a sign or any other outdoor advertising display measuring not more than 4 feet by 4 feet for the purpose of providing any other information consistent with the purposes of the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>This paragraph:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Supersedes any inconsistent provisions of a deed or any other agreement granting an easement under this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Does not supersede any local law or ordinance governing signs or outdoor advertising displays.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Authorized renewable energy source” means the following energy sources:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Solar;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Wind;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Anaerobic digestion of poultry litter if placed on fallow land; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Anaerobic digestion of livestock manure if placed on fallow land.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Reference point” means a point on the Patuxent Naval Air Station centered at 38.29667N and 76.37668W.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, any easement approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works after June 30, 2014, shall authorize the landowner to request approval, with a favorable recommendation of the local agricultural advisory board and if not prohibited by federal, State, and local laws and regulations, to use the land subject to the easement for the generation of electricity by a facility utilizing an authorized renewable energy source provided that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The facility occupies no more than 5% or 5 acres, whichever is less, of the land subject to the easement:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Including permanent roads or structures that are necessary for access for operation and maintenance purposes; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not including any temporary impacts necessary for construction of the facility;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Foundation determines that authorizing the landowner to use the land subject to the easement for the generation of electricity by a facility utilizing an authorized renewable energy source will not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Interfere significantly with the agricultural use of the land subject to the easement; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Interfere with State, local, or federal restrictions placed on funds used by the Foundation to purchase the easement; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For generation of electricity from wind, the generating station’s wind turbines:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are not located in an area where the wind turbines could create Doppler radar interference for missions at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Do not exceed the maximum height above ground level within the area specified in paragraph (5) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a written request of a landowner, with a favorable recommendation of the local agricultural advisory board and if not prohibited by federal, State, and local laws, may be approved by the Foundation to amend an existing easement to authorize the landowner to use the land subject to the easement for the generation of electricity by a facility utilizing an authorized renewable energy source provided that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The facility occupies no more than 5% or 5 acres, whichever is less, of the land subject to the easement:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Including permanent roads or structures that are necessary for access for operation and maintenance purposes; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not including any temporary impacts necessary for construction of the facility;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Foundation determines that authorizing the landowner to use the land subject to the easement for the generation of electricity by a facility utilizing an authorized renewable energy source will not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Interfere significantly with the agricultural use of the land subject to the easement; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Interfere with State, local, or federal restrictions placed on funds used by the Foundation to purchase the easement; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For generation of electricity from wind, the generating station’s wind turbines:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are not located in an area where the wind turbines could create Doppler radar interference for missions at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Do not exceed the maximum height above ground level within the area specified in paragraph (5) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Foundation may not approve the use of land subject to an easement for the generation of electricity by a facility utilizing an authorized renewable energy source after June 30, 2019.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit the use of land subject to an easement for the generation of electricity in accordance with this subsection that was approved by the Foundation before July 1, 2019.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A wind turbine located on land subject to an easement may not exceed the specified height above ground level in the area described as follows:</text> <level label="i"> <text>East of a line passing through the reference point and 39.0986N and 76.5284W and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Not more than 24 miles from the reference point, 0 feet;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>More than 24 miles and not more than 30 miles from the reference point, 100 feet;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>More than 30 miles and not more than 35 miles from the reference point, 200 feet;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>More than 35 miles and not more than 39 miles from the reference point, 300 feet;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>More than 39 miles and not more than 43 miles from the reference point, 400 feet;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>More than 43 miles and not more than 46 miles from the reference point, 500 feet;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>More than 46 miles and not more than 49 miles from the reference point, 600 feet; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>More than 49 miles and not more than 56 miles from the reference point, 700 feet; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>West of a line passing through the reference point and 39.0986N and 76.5284W and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>South of 38.4428N, 0 feet;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>North of 38.4428N and no farther north than 38.5711N, 100 feet;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>North of 38.5711N and no farther north than 38.5943N, 200 feet;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>North of 38.5943N and no farther north than 38.6366N, 300 feet;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>North of 38.6366N and no farther north than 38.6596N, 400 feet;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>North of 38.6596N and no farther north than 38.6873N, 500 feet;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>North of 38.6873N and no farther north than 38.7075N, 600 feet; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>North of 38.7075N and not more than 56 miles from the reference point, 700 feet.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A facility owner who uses land subject to an easement for the generation of electricity in accordance with this subsection shall, on operation of the facility, remit an annual payment of 5% of any lease payment paid to the landowner to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund under § 2–505 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>A lease executed by a facility owner and a landowner for the generation of electricity in accordance with this subsection shall include provisions to require a facility owner to remove the facility if the facility is no longer intended to be used to generate electricity.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>A landowner who is in violation of federal, State, or local laws regarding the operation of the facility is in violation of the easement and is subject to a civil penalty under § 2–519 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>The Foundation may charge reasonable costs to cover any expenses relating to the Foundation’s responsibility to amend any easement, as required under this subsection, and to monitor the enforcement and compliance of the easement.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “special occasion event” means a wedding, lifetime milestone event, or other cultural or social event.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to the Foundation’s approval and any applicable regulations, and subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a landowner may use a portion of the land subject to an easement to hold special occasion events for commercial purposes if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>More than 10 years have elapsed since the easement was recorded in the land records;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The local agricultural advisory board provides a written favorable recommendation for the proposed special occasion event area;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The proposed special occasion events are not prohibited by any federal, State, or local law or regulation;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The proposed special occasion events will not interfere with any federal, State, or local restriction placed on funds used by the Foundation to purchase the easement;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The proposed special occasion event area, including parking for the special occasion events, does not exceed 2 acres, as shown on a map prepared and certified by a professional land surveyor licensed under Title 15 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The Foundation approves in writing the location of the proposed special occasion event area;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The Foundation determines in writing that the proposed special occasion events will not interfere with the agricultural use of the land subject to the easement;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>The proposed special occasion events will take place in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A temporary structure, including an enclosed or open canopy or tent, or other portable structure erected for a reasonable amount of time to accommodate the special occasion event;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An existing building on the land subject to the easement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A farm or open air pavilion; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other existing structure located on the land subject to the easement; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Unless required by law, the special occasion event area does not add any new impervious surfaces to the land subject to the easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An approval granted by the Foundation under this subsection to a landowner to use a portion of the land subject to an easement to hold special occasion events for commercial purposes automatically terminates on the sale or transfer of the land subject to the easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Purchase of an easement by the Foundation does not grant the public any right of access or right of use of the subject property.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An agricultural land preservation easement purchased under this subtitle shall be included as part of a partnership under the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program established under 10 U.S.C. § 2684a if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The land that is subject to an easement is in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, the Atlantic Test Range;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The landowner whose land is subject to an easement agrees to any restrictions imposed on the easement under the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program established under 10 U.S.C. § 2684a; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Funding is available to the Foundation to enter into an agreement under the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program established under 10 U.S.C. § 2684a.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-513.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to applications affecting land encumbered by a deed of easement created under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Foundation has not authorized approval of the application, a county may deny an application for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A subdivision plat or plan;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A building permit, except for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Improvements or accessories to an existing residence; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A farm building or structure;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A nonagricultural conditional use or special exception; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other nonagricultural use or activity.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-514" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This section applies only to easements approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works on or before September 30, 2004.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>All easements approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works on or after October 1, 2004, are perpetual and not eligible for termination.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An easement approved by the Board of Public Works on or before September 30, 2004, and held by the Foundation may be terminated only under extraordinary circumstances and in the manner specified in this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, after 25 years from the date of purchase of an easement, a landowner may request that the easement be reviewed for possible termination, subject to the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A landowner is not eligible to terminate any easement:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Purchased using an installment purchase agreement, as provided in § 2–510(k) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works on or after October 1, 2004.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If an eligible landowner requests that the Foundation review an easement for termination, the Foundation shall first request that the county governing body of the county containing the land under easement review the easement for termination.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to all other requirements of this section, an easement may be terminated only if the county governing body of the county containing the land under easement:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Conducts a public hearing on the termination request after adequate public notice; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>After the public hearing, approves the termination request.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The decision of the county governing body shall be in writing and may be based on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The county agricultural preservation advisory board’s recommendation to approve or deny the termination request;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Local comprehensive planning and zoning;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Local priorities to preserve agricultural land;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Local patterns of development; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Any other land use matters.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If the county governing body denies the request for termination, the termination review process ends and the Foundation is not required to continue to consider the request for termination.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the county governing body approves the request for termination, the county governing body shall notify the Foundation of its decision in writing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>On receiving the county governing body’s written notice to approve a request for termination, as provided in subsection (e)(2) of this section, the Foundation board of trustees members at large shall determine whether it is feasible to farm the land under easement in a profitable manner.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Profitable farming is feasible on the land if an agricultural commodity or product may be produced on the land and sold for profit.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Foundation board of trustees members at large shall presume that it is feasible to farm the subject land in a profitable manner and the landowner has the burden to rebut this presumption.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The determination of the board of trustees members at large shall be in writing and may be based on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An expert opinion as to whether profitable farming on the land is feasible;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The effect of any nonagricultural development adjacent to the land;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Whether markets exist for any agricultural products that can be produced on the land;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The profitability of nearby farms, if this information is readily available to the board of trustees members at large;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Any information the landowner asks the board of trustees members at large to consider; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Any additional information the board of trustees members at large deem relevant to determine whether it is feasible to farm the land in a profitable manner.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>If the board of trustees members at large deny the request for termination because they determine that it is feasible to farm the land in a profitable manner, the termination review process ends and the Foundation is not required to continue to consider the request for termination.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the board of trustees members at large approve the request for termination, the Secretary shall review the request.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>If both the county governing body and the board of trustees members at large approve a request for termination, an easement shall be terminated only if the Secretary approves the request for termination.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary may approve or deny the request for termination.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>If the request for termination is approved, two fair market value appraisals of the subject land shall be ordered by the Department of General Services at the direction of the Foundation at the expense of the landowner requesting termination of the easement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The subject land shall be appraised as of the date of the approval of the request for termination.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department of General Services shall review the two appraisals and shall determine, subject to approval of the Board of Public Works, the fair market value of the subject land and shall issue a written statement as to the approved fair market value to the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>On receipt of the written statement from the Department of General Services, the Foundation shall issue a notification to the landowner of the approved fair market value.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The landowner shall have not more than 30 days from the date of the notification to elect to repurchase the easement for the fair market value as determined by the Department of General Services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>No more than 180 days following the notification required under paragraph (4) of this subsection, the landowner may repurchase the easement by paying to the Foundation the difference between the approved fair market value and the agricultural value of the subject land.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of this paragraph, the fair market value is the same as set forth under § 2–511(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For purposes of this paragraph, the agricultural value of the land is determined by the appraisal method that was in effect at the time the easement was acquired by the Foundation, either by the agricultural appraisal formula under § 2–511(d) of this subtitle or by an appraisal that determines the price as of the valuation date which a vendor, willing but not obligated to sell, would accept, and which a purchaser, willing but not obligated to buy, would pay for a farm unit with land comparable in quality and composition to the property being appraised.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>In the case of the termination of an easement that was originally purchased under a matching allotted purchase, the Foundation shall distribute to the contributing county a portion of the repurchase payment received under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph that is equal to the percentage of the original easement purchase price contributed by the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>From the funds distributed to a county under this subparagraph, the county shall deposit in the county’s special account for its agricultural land preservation program an amount that is at least equal to the percentage of the original easement purchase price that was paid out of the special account.</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>If any of the funds deposited in the county’s special account have not been expended or committed within the period of time prescribed in § 13–306(c)(2) and (d) of the Tax – Property Article, the county collector shall remit those funds to the Comptroller for deposit in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund as provided in § 13–306(d) of the Tax – Property Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The county shall deposit the balance of the funds distributed to it under this subparagraph in the county’s general fund.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If an easement is terminated, the Foundation shall deposit its portion of the repurchase payment in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund as provided under § 2–505 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>If the request for termination is denied, or if the landowner fails to elect to repurchase the easement within 30 days of the notification required under subsection (i)(4) of this section, or fails to repurchase the easement within 180 days of the notification, the landowner may not again request termination of the easement until five years after his last request for termination.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to easements that the Foundation acquires on or before September 30, 2004.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before deciding on a request for termination of an easement, the Foundation shall provide a landowner with the opportunity for a hearing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The landowner may appeal any Foundation denial directly to the circuit court of the county where the land is located.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The circuit court shall hear and determine the appeal on the record made in accordance with § 10–222 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-514.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>An easement whose purchase is approved by the Board of Public Works on or after October 1, 2004, shall be held by the Foundation in perpetuity.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-515" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, this subtitle does not prohibit an agency of the State or of a county or other governmental authority from acquiring by condemnation land which is under an agricultural preservation easement held by the Foundation or a county agricultural land preservation program if such acquisition is for a public purpose.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>In this paragraph, “economic or residential development” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Roads or bridges;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Water lines or pipelines;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Sewer lines or pipelines;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Power transmission lines or natural gas pipelines; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Stormwater or drainage facilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the purpose of the condemnation of land under a Foundation easement is either for economic or residential development or parkland, the acquisition of the land shall be subject to approval by the Board of Public Works after review and recommendation of the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The condemning authority shall demonstrate that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A greater public purpose exists than that served by the Foundation easement; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>There is no reasonable alternative site.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to an agricultural land preservation easement:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Acquired by a county land preservation program on or before June 30, 2018; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works on or before June 30, 2018, and held by the Foundation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the event of condemnation of land under an agricultural preservation easement held by the Foundation, the condemning authority, whether State, county, or other authority, shall pay:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To the landowner the full amount to which the landowner would be entitled if the land was not under easement, less any amount paid to the Foundation, a county agricultural land preservation program, or other entity under item (ii) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>To the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, a county agricultural land preservation program, or any other entity contributing payment for the original easement purchase, an amount equal to any amount paid by the Foundation, a county agricultural land preservation program, or other entity for the easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a part or all of the property is acquired by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, the fair market value of the property is not affected by its having been qualified for a tax credit under § 9–206 of the Tax – Property Article except that there shall be deducted from fair market value the lesser of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The value of the easement granted; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The excess of the aggregate amount of the property taxes that would have been due on the property if the easement had not been granted above the aggregate amount of property taxes actually paid on the property since the easement was granted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the Foundation or a county agricultural land preservation program purchases the easement for a monetary consideration, other than or in addition to, the tax credit, the condemnation award shall be further reduced by an amount equal to the additional consideration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to an agricultural land preservation easement:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Acquired by the Foundation by donation on or after July 1, 2018; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Approved for purchase by the Board of Public Works on or after July 1, 2018, and held by the Foundation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the event of condemnation of land under an agricultural preservation easement, the condemning authority, whether State, county, or other authority, shall pay:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To the landowner the full amount to which the landowner would be entitled if the land was not under easement, less any amount paid to the Foundation under item (ii) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>To the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund an amount equal to the fair market value of the easement, which shall be determined by a qualified appraisal that establishes the ratio of the value of the easement interest to the value of the fee simple interest in the land as of the date of condemnation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If an easement was originally purchased with funds contributed by entities other than the Foundation, the Foundation shall distribute to the contributing entity a portion of the fair market value compensation in proportion to the percentage of the original easement purchase price contributed by the entity.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-516" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <text>The Foundation shall provide its approval or disapproval of an application by a county for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-517" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall establish a Critical Farms Program that is separate and independent from the requirements of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program established under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide interim or emergency financing for the acquisition of agricultural preservation easements on critical farms that would otherwise be sold for nonagricultural uses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Foundation, with county approval, shall determine if a property qualifies for the Critical Farms Program in accordance with the criteria developed under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Foundation, in consultation with the Department of Planning, shall develop criteria for counties to consider when determining whether a property qualifies for the Program.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The criteria shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The qualifying strategic characteristics of the property, including location and productivity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The circumstances creating the risk of the property being sold for nonagricultural purposes;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>When applicable, the characteristics of the purchaser of strategic farmland seeking assistance from the Program;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The consistency of the proposed acquisition with county goals and priorities and, if applicable, the county’s priority preservation area; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Evaluation of the property as a priority easement acquisition.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall develop, in consultation with the Department of General Services:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A method for valuating an option to purchase an easement on property under the Critical Farms Program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A procedure for purchasing an easement option from the owner or purchaser of a critical farm under the Critical Farms Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of setting an easement acquisition value for a State easement program, a property participating in the Program by sale of easement option shall be valued:</text> <level label="i"> <text>As if it was not subject to any restriction imposed under this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In accordance with the valuation requirements of the specific State easement program to which the Critical Farms Program participant may apply to sell an easement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>After a final easement sale, the Foundation shall be reimbursed by the Critical Farms Program participant for the amount that was paid by the Foundation for the easement option.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Foundation shall deposit the reimbursement in the Critical Farms Fund.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Foundation may be reimbursed for expenses associated with the acquisition of an easement option from the proceeds of the final easement sale and shall deposit the reimbursed expenses in the Critical Farms Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>When acquiring a fee simple interest in property under the Critical Farms Program, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation may submit to the Board of Public Works for approval at the same time as acquisition a plan for subsequent disposition of all or any portion of the property.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Disposition of property under the Program may include the sale, lease, exchange, or transfer of the property.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any proceeds from the disposition of property under the Program shall be deposited in the Critical Farms Fund.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>When disposing of property under this subsection, the Foundation shall impose a perpetual agricultural land preservation easement on the property to restrict the use of the property to agricultural purposes.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Foundation may require reimbursement for expenses associated with the acquisition and disposition of property under this subsection from the purchaser of the property and shall deposit the reimbursed expenses in the Critical Farms Fund.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Property conveyed under this subsection is not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Excess personal property under § 4–501 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to the requirements of § 5–310 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “Fund” means the Critical Farms Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>There is a Critical Farms Fund in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to finance the acquisition of agricultural land preservation easements on critical farms by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The purchase of easement options under this section and under § 2–517.1 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The purchase of a fee simple interest in land and resale with an agricultural land preservation easement in place.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing revolving fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Governor may include each year in the budget an appropriation to the Fund consistent with Section 5 of the Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If the Governor’s appropriation increases the Fund to more than $16 million, the Foundation shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, that adequately documents the additional need.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation may adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-517.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Foundation may establish a Farmland Preservation Partnership Program that is governed by the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Farmland Preservation Partnership Program may include the acquisition of easements under the Critical Farms Program as provided under § 2–517 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The objective of the Partnership Program is to preserve productive agricultural and forested lands.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Foundation may form partnerships for the purpose of purchasing easements on qualifying properties.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except for the Critical Farms Program where State funds may be made available as determined by the Foundation, the Foundation’s partners shall cover the full purchase price, which may include the administrative costs of any easement for which the Foundation will be the grantee or the co–grantee.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The properties that qualify for the Partnership Program shall meet the criteria developed by the Foundation in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Foundation shall develop criteria that determine when a farm qualifies for the Partnership Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At a minimum, any qualifying farm shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Meet the Foundation’s size criteria;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>As determined by the Foundation, contain significant productive agricultural soil or forest soil; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Be approved for participation in the Partnership Program by the governing body of the local jurisdiction in which the property is located.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, an easement acquired by the Foundation in accordance with this section is not subject to the ranking, valuation, or development restrictions of this subtitle, except as determined by the Foundation’s board of trustees.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-518" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “area” means a priority preservation area.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A county may include a priority preservation area element in the county’s comprehensive plan.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county that applies for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article shall include a priority preservation area element in the county’s comprehensive plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An area shall:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Contain productive agricultural or forest soils; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Be capable of supporting profitable agricultural and forestry enterprises where productive soils are lacking;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Be governed by local policies, ordinances, regulations, and procedures that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Stabilize the agricultural and forest land base so that development does not convert or compromise agricultural or forest resources; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Support the ability of working farms in the priority preservation area to engage in normal agricultural activities; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Be large enough to support normal agricultural and forestry activities in conjunction with the amount of development permitted by the county in the priority preservation area, as represented in its adopted comprehensive plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An area may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Consist of a single parcel of land, multiple connected parcels of land, or multiple unconnected parcels of land; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Include rural legacy areas.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A county’s acreage goal for land to be preserved through easements and zoning within an area shall be equal to at least 80% of the remaining undeveloped land in the area, as calculated at the time of application for State certification of an area.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Each time a county’s comprehensive plan is updated, the update shall include an evaluation of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The county’s progress toward meeting the goals of the Foundation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any shortcomings in the county’s ability to achieve the goals of the Foundation; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Past, current, and planned actions to correct any identified shortcomings.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>In accordance with § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and any regulations adopted under the authority of that section, the Department of Planning and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall jointly certify an area.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>In accordance with § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the Department of Planning and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall review any update to a county’s comprehensive plan or any other change that may affect an area.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-519" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity and after an opportunity for a hearing, the board of trustees of the Foundation may impose a penalty on an owner of property that is subject to an easement granted under this subtitle for a violation of any provision of this subtitle, any regulation adopted in accordance with § 2–504 of this subtitle, or an easement acquired by the Foundation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each day a violation occurs is a separate violation for purposes of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before taking any action under this section, the Foundation shall provide the alleged violator with written notice of the proposed action, an opportunity for an informal meeting, and a reasonable time to correct the alleged violation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The penalty imposed on a person under this section shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Up to $2,500 for each violation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not more than $50,000 total for any single administrative hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Assessed with consideration given to the willfulness of the violation and the extent to which the existence of the violation was known to the violator but uncorrected by the violator.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Penalties collected by the Foundation under this section shall be paid into the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund established under § 2–505 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Foundation shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-601" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Farmer Disaster Loan Program"> <text>The Farmer Disaster Loan Program is created within the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of making loans at a preferred rate of interest to allow farmers to rebuild, repair, or recover their farmlands, buildings, crops, or livestock damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster. The Department shall manage and supervise the Program.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-602" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Farmer Disaster Loan Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may make loans under the Farmer Disaster Loan Program from funds provided in the budget.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Money derived from payment of principal and interest on the loans shall be used by the Department, as needed, to make additional loans under the Farmer Disaster Loan Program. If any money derived from the payment of principal and interest as provided in this subsection exceeds $200,000, then that excess amount shall revert to the General Fund of this State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-603" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Farmer Disaster Loan Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may make direct loans not exceeding $15,000 to qualifying farmers at an interest rate which will make the program self-supporting. In establishing the interest rate from time to time, the Department shall take into account all of the expenses of the program including administrative expenses of the program, and possible losses. The interest rate may not exceed 1 percent above the cost of the loans to the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department may collect a uniform application fee, and retain from it any amounts not expended for credit reports, appraisals, and other expenses of processing loan applications.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Loans made under this subtitle shall be secured by a mortgage or lien on the property purchased and any improvements and fixtures, crops, and livestock on it, or whatever the Secretary of Agriculture may require.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>To be eligible for a loan, an applicant shall meet all of the following conditions of eligibility:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Governor shall have declared a state of emergency because of a natural disaster making the applicant’s farm eligible for aid;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The applicant must have been the one to have suffered the actual loss as a result of the natural disaster;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The applicant shall have applied for a farm loan from any agency of the federal government; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The applicant must make application for a farmer disaster loan within six months of the time of the natural disaster.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The conditions of eligibility listed in this section apply jointly and severally in the case of spouses who are living together, except that the domicile requirement may be satisfied by either spouse.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a person receives a farm disaster loan from any agency of the federal government, that person shall reimburse the Department of Agriculture of Maryland for any loan made according to this subtitle, including any expense and interest as provided in subsection (a)(1) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-604" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Farmer Disaster Loan Program"> <text>The Department may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Make farmer disaster loans and extend or modify the terms of an existing loan, set the principal amounts and maturities (not exceeding five years) thereof, enforce them according to their terms, and execute all necessary and convenient documents in connection therewith; foreclose mortgages; and obtain and enforce deficiency judgments. Approval or execution by the Board of Public Works is not needed to assign for value, to release loans when paid, or to accomplish foreclosures.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Require and obtain appraisals, credit information, and other information necessary or desirable to make sound loans, and to adopt reasonably minimum requirements of creditworthiness and security.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Contract for services relating to any aspect of the operations of the program in accordance with procedures required by law for State contracts.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Adopt, and amend from time to time, in accordance with statutory requirements, rules and regulations governing all aspects of the operation of the program, including definitions of terms.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-605" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Farmer Disaster Loan Program"> <text>Whoever knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement or report for the purpose of influencing the action of the Department upon any application for a loan or any action of the Department affecting a loan already made, shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of three times the amount of the loan with interest of 6 percent from the date of the loan. The Department may enforce this penalty in the appropriate court.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-701" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board” means the Maryland Horse Industry Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Boarding stable” means an establishment that solicits or offers to the public to stable horses.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Equine activities” includes teaching equestrian skills, participating in equestrian competitions, exhibitions or other displays of equestrian skills, and caring for, breeding, boarding, renting, riding, or training horses.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Horse” includes horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Horse establishment” means an establishment that solicits or offers to the public any of the following services:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A boarding stable;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A lesson or rental stable; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A rescue or sanctuary stable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Lesson or rental stable” means an establishment in connection with which one or more horses are offered to the public to be let for hire, to be ridden or driven, either with or without the furnishing of riding or driving instructions.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Rescue or sanctuary stable” means an establishment that offers to the public to shelter or keep one or more horses for humane purposes with or without compensation and with or without tax–exempt status.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Stable” means a place where one or more horses are under the care, custody, and control of an operator.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-702" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>Except as provided in § 2–702.1 of this subtitle, horse racing and standardbred stables or farms using horses for working or cultivating the soil or herding or cutting livestock are not subject to the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-702.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>Equine activities shall be treated as agricultural activities for the purposes of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-703" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>There is a Maryland Horse Industry Board.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-704" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board consists of 12 members, 11 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the Board members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One shall be a duly qualified and licensed veterinarian;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One shall be an officer of a county humane society;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One shall be an owner of a licensed stable;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>One shall be a public member;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>One shall be a representative of the Maryland Horse Council, Inc.;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>One shall be a representative of the trails and recreational riding community;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>One shall represent the organized competitions and shows industry;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>One shall represent the Maryland thoroughbred industry;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>One shall represent the Maryland standardbred industry;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>One shall represent the academic equine community; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>One shall represent the equine trade and support industries.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall serve as an ex officio member of the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member is 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on July 1, 1980.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Governor may remove a member for incompetency or misconduct.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-705" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>From among its members, the Board shall elect a chairman.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The manner of election of officers and their terms of office shall be as the Board determines.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-706" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A member of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-707" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The powers and duties vested in the Board by the provisions of this subtitle are subject to the power and authority of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, the Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Filing applications for licenses; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The qualifications of applicants; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Set standards to create classes of licenses under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-708" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>All funds collected by the Board shall be paid into the Maryland Horse Industry Fund under § 2–708.2 of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-708.1" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Carry out the licensing, inspection, and enforcement provisions of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Advise the Department regarding matters affecting the horse industry in the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Support research related to equine health and related issues;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Promote the development and use of horses in the State;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Create public awareness of the value of equine activities as they relate to the preservation of green space and agricultural land; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Develop and disseminate information concerning the equine industry, including the history and tradition of breeding and the role of horses in recreational activities.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-708.2" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Horse Industry Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Maryland Horse Industry Fund in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a continuing, revolving special fund to be maintained by the State Treasurer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold and the State Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Fund shall be invested and reinvested. Any interest or other investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited and paid into the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>At the end of a fiscal year, any unspent or unencumbered balance in the Fund may not revert to the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money made available from an assessment on equine feed as required under § 6–107.2 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money made available to the Fund by general, federal, or special fund appropriations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Money made available to the Fund by gifts, grants or transfers from any government or unit or instrumentality of a government or from any private sector sources; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Money made available from licensing and inspection of horse stables as required under §§ 2–711, 2–712, and 2–713 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Board shall use the money in the Fund in accordance with the provisions of § 2–708 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Except for the purposes in § 2–708.1 of this subtitle, the Board may not use any money in the Fund for any other purpose of the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-709" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board, with the approval of the Secretary, may appoint a qualified inspector to act as its agent and make inspections throughout the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The inspector is entitled to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A salary in accordance with the State budget; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may designate officers of county humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or licensed veterinarians to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Act as its agent; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Make routine inspections.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An inspector designated under paragraph (1) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not receive compensation; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-710" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>A person may not engage in the business of operating or maintaining any horse establishment unless the person has received a license issued by the Board.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-711" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>To apply for a license, an applicant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submit an application to the Board on the form that it requires; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pay to the Board a license fee of $125.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-712" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>A license expires on June 30 after its effective date, unless the license is renewed for a 1–year term as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At least 1 month before a license expires, the Board shall send each licensee, by electronic means or first–class mail to the last known electronic or mailing address of the licensee, a renewal form and a renewal notice that states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date on which the current license expires;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>That the renewal application and fee must be received by the Board on or before the license expiration date; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The amount of the renewal fee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before a person’s license expires, a licensee periodically may renew the license for additional 1–year terms, if the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Otherwise is entitled to be licensed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pays to the Board a renewal fee of $125; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that it requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who is licensed to operate a horse establishment has a grace period of 60 days after the person’s license expires to renew the license retroactively, if the person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Otherwise is entitled to renew the license;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form required by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays to the Board the renewal fee and any late fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board may reinstate the license of a former licensee if the former licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Applies for the reinstatement more than 60 days after the license renewal deadline;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Otherwise is entitled to renew the license;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Submits to the Board an application for reinstatement on the form required by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Pays to the Board a reinstatement fee and the renewal fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-713" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Each horse establishment licensed under this subtitle shall be inspected as determined by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Based on criteria it develops, the Board may create additional classes of licenses, all of which shall have the usual annual fee under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-714" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>A license issued under this subtitle is the property of the State and only is loaned to a licensee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each licensee shall display the license conspicuously on the premises where a horse establishment is operated by the licensee.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A license issued under this subtitle may not be assigned or transferred.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-715" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>The Board may suspend or revoke the license issued to any licensee under this subtitle, if the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Fails to provide suitable food, water, and shelter for a horse under the control of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Maintains an unsanitary or unfit horse establishment;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Fails to provide suitable saddles, bridles, harnesses, and other tack or equipment;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Allows unfit horses to be used for riding or driving purposes;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Refuses to allow a member of the Board to enter and inspect the licensed premises;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Obstructs any member of the Board in the performance of his duties;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Commits an act of cruelty as defined in § 10–601 of the Criminal Law Article, or allows the commission of an act of cruelty by any other person with relation to any horse under the control of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Does any other action that, in the opinion of the Board, taking into consideration the welfare of the horses under the control of the licensee, shows that the licensee is unfit to operate a horse establishment; or</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Fails to comply with the rules and regulations of the Board after receiving a license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-716" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>If, in accordance with § 10-615 of the Criminal Law Article, the Board considers it necessary to take possession of a horse to protect it from neglect or cruelty, the Board immediately shall notify the owner or custodian of this action.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The owner or custodian of the horse may petition the Board for return of the horse within 5 days after possession was taken. If a timely petition is not filed with the Board, the horse shall be treated as an estray.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the owner or custodian files a timely petition, the Board shall return the horse if the owner or custodian:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Consents to providing proper attention to the horse, as specified by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Pays all costs and expenses incurred in taking possession of and stabling the horse during possession.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the owner or custodian does not consent or pay all costs and expenses, the horse shall be treated as an estray.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-717" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>The Board may apply for relief by injunction, without bond, to enforce any provision of this subtitle or to restrain a violation of any provision of this subtitle. In these proceedings the Board does not have to allege or prove that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An adequate remedy at law does not exist; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Substantial or irreparable damage would result from the continued violations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-718" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 11 months or both.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Instead of pursuing criminal penalties under subsection (a) of this section, the Board may impose an administrative penalty on any person who violates any provision of § 2–710 or § 2–715 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The penalty imposed under this subsection may not exceed $2,000 for each violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>All penalties collected under this subsection shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Board shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in the Administrative Procedure Act, before the Board takes any action under § 2–710 or § 2–715 of this subtitle, it shall give the person against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The person may be represented at the hearing by counsel.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board may issue subpoenas in connection with any investigation of charges under § 2–710 of this subtitle or proceedings under this section.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>If, after due notice, the person against whom the action is contemplated fails or refuses to appear, the Board may hear and determine the matter.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-719" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Horse Industry Board"> <text>Subject to the evaluation and reestablishment provisions of the Program Evaluation Act, the provisions of this subtitle and of any rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle shall terminate and be of no effect after July 1, 2036.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-901" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Maryland Crop Insurance Premium Cost Share Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Maryland Crop Insurance Premium Cost Share Program which is established for the purpose of increasing participation by farmers in the State in the Federal Crop Insurance Program and reducing a farmer’s economic losses that result from natural disasters and market volatility.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Secretary may provide a cost share payment for a qualifying federal crop insurance product purchased by a farmer in the State.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A cost share payment made under this section may not exceed 8% of the net book premium, as established by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation within the Risk Management Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department may distribute money under the Maryland Crop Insurance Premium Cost Share Program from funds provided in the budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary may adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before January 1, 2008, the Secretary shall adopt regulations that establish the qualifications for a farmer’s eligibility to receive a cost share payment for crop insurance.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1201" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Maryland Agricultural Land Link Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle, “Program” means the Maryland Agricultural Land Link Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Maryland Agricultural Land Link Program in the Department, which is established for the purpose of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Assisting older or retiring farmers in the State in the lease or sale of their agricultural land to younger or beginning farmers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Keeping agricultural land in the State in active agricultural use; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Reducing the amount of agricultural land in the State that is lost each year to development.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Under the Program, if sufficient funds are provided in the annual budget, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Maintain an on–line database to serve as an electronic bulletin board for the voluntary posting of information on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Agricultural land available for lease;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Agricultural land available for sale;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any other land available for agricultural use, lease, or sale; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Internship, apprenticeship, employment, and business opportunities for farmers; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Promote the lease or sale of agricultural land from retiring farmers to beginning farmers.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1401" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Maryland Dairy Farmer Emergency Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Dairy Farmer Emergency Trust Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Maryland Dairy Farmer Emergency Trust Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to dairy farmers during periods of economic hardship due to depressed milk prices.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each fiscal year, any unspent or unencumbered balance in the Fund that exceeds $15,000,000 shall revert to the General Fund in accordance with § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Governor may include an appropriation in the State budget each fiscal year for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Fund may be used only to provide financial assistance to dairy farmers during periods of economic hardship due to depressed milk prices.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Secretary shall establish procedures for dairy farmers to apply for financial assistance from the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1501" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Emerald Ash Borer Grant Fund"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Authorized equipment” means any equipment necessary for the management of forest land.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Authorized equipment” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Equipment necessary for the:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Construction and staging of marshaling areas;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Planting of trees; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Removal of trees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Vehicles capable of transporting harvested trees;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Wood chippers;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Materials required to administer approved products to ash trees planted in quarantined areas; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other appropriate equipment, as determined by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Fund” means the Emerald Ash Borer Grant Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is an Emerald Ash Borer Grant Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to local governments, businesses, and organizations to finance purchases of authorized equipment to remove, dispose of, and replace trees infested by the emerald ash borer:</text> <level label="1"> <text>That are located within emerald ash borer quarantine areas; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In accordance with any applicable State or federal law, regulation, or quarantine.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each fiscal year, any unspent or unencumbered balance in the Fund shall revert to the General Fund in accordance with § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund may be used only to provide grants in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A grant provided in accordance with this section may not exceed the amount that the local government, business, or organization has appropriated to finance purchases of equipment to remove, dispose of, and replace infested trees located in areas designated under subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Secretary shall establish procedures for a person to apply for a grant from the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1601" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2032 PER CHAPTERS 92 AND 472 OF 2022" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Spay/neuter Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Advisory Board” means the Spay/Neuter Fund Advisory Board established under § 2–1604 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Fund” means the Spay/Neuter Fund established under § 2–1602 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1602" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2032 PER CHAPTER 92 OF 2022" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Spay/neuter Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Spay/Neuter Fund in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to reduce animal shelter overpopulation and cat and dog euthanasia rates by financing grants to local governments and animal welfare organizations for programs that most efficiently and effectively facilitate and promote the provision of spay and neuter services for cats and dogs in the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Revenue distributed to the Fund from the fee established under § 2–1603 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund may be used only as described in this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Fund may be used to finance selected competitive grant proposals submitted by a local government or an animal welfare organization to facilitate and promote the provision of spay and neuter services for cats and dogs.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department shall solicit and evaluate competitive grant proposals.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A competitive grant proposal:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Shall target low–income communities and populations to the maximum extent possible and detail how that goal is to be accomplished;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May target feral cat populations if the Department determines that this targeting does not violate local law;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Shall efficiently and effectively facilitate and promote the provision of spay and neuter services for cats and dogs; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>May include public education and outreach components.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Department shall evaluate a competitive grant proposal based on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The standards established under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any additional standards the Department adopts by regulation consistent with this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations requiring a grant recipient to report relevant information on how the grant was used, including data on the number and type of spay or neuter surgeries performed and a description of any public education and outreach implemented.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department may use money in the Fund:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To finance public education and outreach efforts for the competitive grant program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the reasonable costs of administering the Fund.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Beginning January 1, 2014, each county and municipal animal control shelter and each organization that contracts with a county or municipality for animal control shall report quarterly to the Department on a form prescribed by the Department describing for the previous 3 months:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number of cats and dogs taken in;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The number of cats and dogs disposed of, broken down by method of disposal, including euthanasia; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any other relevant data the Department requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>By August 31, 2014, and each year thereafter, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly that describes the activities financed by the Fund in the previous fiscal year, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A description of all grant proposals selected for funding and grant programs implemented;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A statement of the number of spay and neuter surgeries performed under each grant proposal selected;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A description of and accounting for any public education and outreach efforts made for the benefit of Fund programs; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A summary of the information reported to the Department by local animal control shelters and organizations that contract with local governments for animal control under subsection (h) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1603" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2032 PER CHAPTER 92 OF 2022" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Spay/neuter Fund"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a fee on each brand name or product name of commercial feed that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Prepared and distributed for consumption by a dog or cat; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Registered in the State under § 6–107 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fee established under this subsection is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>From October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014, inclusive, $50;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>From October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015, inclusive, $75; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>After September 30, 2015, $100.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The fee established under subsection (a) of this section shall be paid by the person registering the commercial feed in accordance with the collection and reporting guidelines established by the Department by regulation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any fee collected under this section shall be paid into the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1604" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2032 PER CHAPTER 92 OF 2022" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Spay/neuter Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Spay/Neuter Advisory Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Advisory Board consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The following members, appointed by the Secretary:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One representative of a private animal shelter;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One veterinarian;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One representative of a local animal control agency;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>One representative of the pet food industry; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Two representatives of animal welfare advocacy organizations.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Advisory Board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall provide staff support for the Advisory Board.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A member of the Advisory Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Advisory Board; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Advisory Board shall advise the Department with respect to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The administration of the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The solicitation and evaluation of competitive grant proposals;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Appropriate additional standards for grant proposals;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Additional relevant data that the Department should require from local animal shelters and appropriate animal control organizations;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The adoption of regulations that implement this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Any other appropriate matter with respect to the implementation of the Fund in the discretion of the Department.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1605" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2032 PER CHAPTER 92 OF 2022" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Spay/neuter Fund"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations to implement this subtitle. </text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1701" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <text>In this subtitle, “animal shelter” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A county or municipal animal control facility;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An organization that contracts with a county or municipality for animal control; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An organization that shelters animals and has received a grant from the Spay/Neuter Fund under Subtitle 16 of this title during the previous year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1702" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <level label="a"> <text>The General Assembly finds that animal shelters perform an integral community service.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly to enhance animal shelter services by promoting humane animal sheltering policies and strengthening community safety.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1703" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before January 1, 2017, an animal shelter shall establish a written veterinary care protocol for dogs and cats that is consistent with guidelines set forth in the most recent Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters with respect to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Basic care;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Sanitation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Population management;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Disease control and prevention;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Behavioral health and mental well–being; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Euthanasia.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The written veterinary care protocol shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Standards that are necessary to protect sheltered dogs’ and cats’ health, safety, and well–being; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A plan for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Quality of life enrichment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Veterinary care;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Prevention and control of contagious and other diseases; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any other health and environmental factors that materially affect sheltered dogs’ and cats’ health, safety, and well–being.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An animal shelter may disregard its written veterinary care protocol for a dog or cat that is deemed to be too vicious or dangerous to permit safe handling.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An animal shelter shall update its written veterinary care protocol as necessary to reasonably accommodate any subsequent updates to the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>On request, an animal shelter shall make its written veterinary care protocol available to the public and the Department.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1704" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before January 1, 2017, an animal shelter shall establish and make available to the public on the animal shelter’s Web site or in a conspicuous location within the animal shelter’s facility:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A written protocol for reclaiming animals from the animal shelter that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The minimum holding period for stray animals;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The hours of operation during which an animal may be reclaimed by the animal’s owner or caregiver;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The fees associated with reclaiming an animal; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any identification or documentation that must be provided to the animal shelter before an animal may be reclaimed; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An annual summary of intake and disposition data reported to the Department in accordance with § 2–1602 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An animal shelter shall follow its written protocol for reclaiming animals.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1705" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before January 1, 2018, the Department shall adopt minimum standards of care for dogs and cats in animal shelters that are consistent with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The most recent Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The most recent guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters prepared by the Professional Animal Workers of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An animal shelter shall follow the minimum standards of care adopted by the Department.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1706" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <text>On or before January 1, 2018, the Department shall adopt regulations to enforce this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1707" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Animal Shelters"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who violates this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $500.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The criminal penalties under Title 12, Subtitle 1 of this article do not apply to this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1801" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="18" subtitle_name="Pollinator Habitat Plans"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “neonicotinoid pesticide” has the meaning stated in § 5–2A–01 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2017, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Environmental Service, and the State Highway Administration, in consultation with the Department, each shall establish a pollinator habitat plan.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A pollinator habitat plan required under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Shall include best management practices for the designation, maintenance, creation, enhancement, and restoration of pollinator habitat areas;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall be as protective of pollinators as the Department’s managed pollinator protection plan;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>May not require an action on land that is inconsistent with any federal, State, or local law, regulation, rule, or guidance that applies to the land;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>May not require the creation of pollinator habitat on productive farmland; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, may not allow the use of the following pesticides, seeds, or plants in an area designated or created as a pollinator habitat area in accordance with a pollinator habitat plan:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Neonicotinoid pesticides;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pesticides labeled as toxic to bees or other pollinators; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Seeds or plants treated with a neonicotinoid pesticide.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Pesticides labeled as toxic to bees or other pollinators that are not neonicotinoid pesticides may be used in an area designated or created as a pollinator habitat area under a pollinator habitat plan if the Secretary of Health determines that the use is necessary to respond to a specific instance of threat to public health.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A pollinator habitat plan required under this subsection may not restrict a farmer, or a person working under the supervision of a farmer, from using the pesticides, seeds, or plants specified under paragraph (2)(v) of this subsection for agricultural purposes, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Crop production;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Livestock;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Poultry;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Equine; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Noncrop agricultural fields.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In addition to the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, the State Highway Administration’s pollinator habitat plan shall include policies and procedures:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To encourage the use of pollinator–friendly native plants along State highways;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To develop and maintain pollinator habitat areas along State highways, to the extent reasonable and feasible and in accordance with relevant safety standards for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For educating and communicating with the public about pollinator habitat areas along State highways.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In developing the policies and procedures required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the State Highway Administration shall consider the Federal Highway Administration’s publication on Roadside Best Management Practices that Benefit Pollinators.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The policies and procedures for educating and communicating with the public under item (i)3 of this paragraph may include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Placing and maintaining, in accordance with any applicable provisions in Title 8, Subtitle 7 of the Transportation Article, of informational signs along State highways;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Publishing information on the website of the State Highway Administration and associated social media platforms; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Outreach to community associations and elected officials.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Highway Administration shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Track and evaluate federal programs that provide funding for pollinator habitats, native plants, and invasive species control, including funding under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Apply for any funding that the Administration determines appropriate and beneficial to pollinator habitats in the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Environmental Service, and the State Highway Administration each shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>On or before September 1, 2017, make available to the public on its website the pollinator habitat plan established in accordance with subsection (b) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On or before July 1, 2018, implement the pollinator habitat plan established in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before October 1, 2024, and each October 1 thereafter, the State Highway Administration shall update the pollinator habitat plan published on its website to include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Current policies and procedures adopted in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A list of the location and approximate size of current pollinator habitat areas maintained by the Administration.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-1901" future_version_removed="true" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="19" subtitle_name="Maryland Healthy Soils Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Healthy soils” means the continuing capacity of soil to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Function as a biological system;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Increase soil organic matter;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Improve soil structure and water and nutrient holding capacity; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Healthy soils” may include regenerative practices and traditions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Program” means the Maryland Healthy Soils Program.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“Regenerative practices and traditions” means a form of land management and stewardship approaches and practices that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Draws on traditions and innovations from African, Indigenous, and original land stewards;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Promotes culturally important food and climate justice programs and initiatives; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Enhances the land and ecosystem through adaptive land management practices that improve soil health and water quality, restore biodiversity, mitigate climate change impacts, and provide the greatest community benefits.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Regenerative practices and traditions” includes practices such as producing food in the State for distribution within the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Maryland Healthy Soils Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Improve the health, yield, and profitability of the soils of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Increase biological activity and carbon sequestration in the soils of the State by promoting practices based on emerging soil science, including planting mixed cover crops, adopting no–till or low–till farming practices, and rotation grazing; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Promote widespread use of healthy soils practices among farmers in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To carry out the purposes of the Program, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide incentives, including research, education, technical assistance, and, subject to available funding, financial assistance, to farmers to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Determine whether the Program may be implemented in a manner to enhance other State and federal programs that provide financial assistance to farmers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $500,000 for the Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $400,000 for the Program.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2001" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="20" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Farm product” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, or fruit product of the soil, whether raw, canned, frozen, dried, pickled, or otherwise processed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, or dairy products;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Wool, hides, feathers, nuts, or honey; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Every product of farm, forest, orchard, garden, or water.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Fund” means the Urban Agriculture Grant Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Program” means the Urban Agriculture Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Qualified applicant” means an agricultural producer, a nonprofit organization, or an institution of higher education that meets the qualifications established in § 2–2004 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Urban agricultural producer” means any person that annually sells, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of farm products in an urban area.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Urban area” means an area of the State that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Delineated as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within the boundaries of a municipal corporation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2002" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="20" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Urban Agriculture Grant Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to increase the viability of urban farming and improve access to urban–grown foods.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2003" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="20" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Urban Agriculture Grant Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to qualified applicants to implement the Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money appropriated to the Fund under subsection (g) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In accordance with this subsection, the Fund shall be used to provide grants to qualified applicants.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $100,000 to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>There is an Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee to recommend guidelines, policies, and practices for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Committee consists of the following members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Five members, appointed by the Secretary, with expertise in urban agriculture or working with socially disadvantaged farmers who reside in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Two members, appointed by the Secretary, with expertise in providing education and training to urban farmers through a nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One member appointed by the Maryland Agricultural and Resource–Based Industry Development Corporation;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>One member appointed by the Maryland State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>One member appointed by the Department of Planning for the City of Baltimore.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Committee.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member of the Committee:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Committee; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Committee shall make recommendations that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Establish a competitive grant application process that prioritizes applications that benefit socially disadvantaged urban farmers to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Secure real property:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>That has established the necessary infrastructure to grow food;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>For which the grantee is the steward of the real property; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>For which not more than 20% of the grant money will be used to secure property;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Maintain safe, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible practices; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Make capital improvements to support viable urban agriculture enterprises;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Require that grant applications demonstrate a measurable community benefit, which may include improving local food access; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Prohibit grant recipients from using more than 15% of the amount of the grant for operating expenses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>On or before December 30, 2023, and each December 30 thereafter, the Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2004" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="20" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>A nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education is qualified to receive a grant in accordance with this subtitle if the Department determines:</text> <level label="1"> <text>With respect to a nonprofit organization, that the nonprofit organization is incorporated or maintains its principal place of business in an urban area;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>That the entity works to increase the viability of urban farming and improve access to urban–grown foods; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>That the entity will provide direct training and ongoing technical assistance, in accordance with a program that is certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Department, to urban agricultural producers that receive a grant under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An urban agricultural producer is qualified to receive a grant in accordance with this subtitle if the Department determines that the urban agricultural producer will complete a new farming training or continuing education program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 90 days after the end of a grant cycle, a qualified nonprofit organization that received a grant in accordance with this subtitle shall submit a report to the Department that includes the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The names and locations of urban agricultural producers that received funds under the Program;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The dollar amount of funds awarded to each urban agricultural producer; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The impact of the Program on increasing the viability of urban farming and improving access to urban–grown foods.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2005" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="20" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Grant Program"> <text>Except as provided in § 2–2003(h) of this subtitle, the Department may adopt regulations to implement this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2101" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="21" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Farm product” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, or fruit product of the soil, whether raw or canned, frozen, dried, pickled, or otherwise processed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, or dairy products;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Wool, hides, feathers, nuts, or honey; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any product of farm, forest, orchard, garden, or water.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Fund” means the Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Program” means the Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Qualified nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit organization that operates a farm or community garden in an area of the State delineated as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Urban agricultural producer” means any person that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Annually produces farm products in an area of the State that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Delineated as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Within the boundaries of a municipal corporation; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Sells, plans to sell, or normally would have sold at least $1,000 annually of farm products produced from a farming operation in the State.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2102" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="21" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to increase the viability of urban farming and community gardens and improve access to urban–grown foods.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2103" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="21" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to urban agricultural producers and qualified nonprofit organizations for the purchase and installation of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Agriculture equipment associated with water supply and irrigation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Electric power access.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money appropriated to the Fund under § 13–209 of the Tax – Property Article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund may be used only for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Providing up to 87.5% of matching funds to urban agricultural producers and qualified nonprofit organizations for the purchase and installation of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Water meters;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Water pipes;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Irrigation hoses;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Electric meters;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Electrical lines; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Any other equipment associated with water supply and irrigation or electric power access the Department determines is appropriate; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Administrative costs for the Department to administer the Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>On or before October 15 each year, beginning in 2024, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee on the effectiveness of the funding provided under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2104" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="21" subtitle_name="Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2201" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="22" subtitle_name="State Specialist for Value-Added Agriculture"> <text>In this subtitle, “value–added agriculture”:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Means the alteration or enhancement of a raw agricultural product, including livestock, or an agricultural service in a way that increases the product or service’s worth to a consumer and brings more revenue to a farmer, producer, or processor; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Includes all enterprises, including those providing equine activities, in which an agricultural business or the agricultural business’s products or services are altered, marketed, produced, or processed in a way that adds income to a farmer, producer, or processor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2202" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="22" subtitle_name="State Specialist for Value-Added Agriculture"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Serve as the primary point of contact for individuals engaging in, or interested in engaging in, value–added agriculture in the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide information regarding State and federal regulations relating to value–added agriculture;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Act as a liaison between State and federal partners involved in value–added agriculture; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Perform any other duty or function that supports value–added agriculture in the State, as required by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture shall receive a salary as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2301" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="23" subtitle_name="Anaerobic Digestion Technology"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall coordinate with the Maryland Energy Administration, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Commerce, the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, electric companies, farmers, and industry to ensure anaerobic digestion technology projects are appropriately coordinated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department, in coordination with the Maryland Energy Administration, the Department of the Environment, and the Department of Commerce, shall establish guidance for farmers regarding the development and implementation of anaerobic digestion technology.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The guidance established under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include information on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Obtaining required permits and electric interconnection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Available tax incentives and energy rebates; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Relevant regulations for waste systems, including for systems that incorporate animal waste and other resources, such as food waste.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2401" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 430 OF 2025" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="24" subtitle_name="Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (Leef) Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Community best practice” means a farm’s or farmer’s demonstrated engagement with Maryland communities as it relates to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The production, sale, or distribution of Maryland farm products; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Providing service to an organization whose focus is advancing Maryland’s agricultural industry, environmental outcomes, conservation practices, or agricultural research and education.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Conservation practice” means an agricultural practice that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Prevents or treats problems with soil, water, air, plant, or animal sources of pollution; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has a standard method of construction or application that is developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and listed in the Service’s Maryland Field Office Technical Guide.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“Fixed natural buffer” means a strip of maintained, native vegetation alongside a body of water.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Fixed natural buffer” includes the following fixed natural filter practices:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The planting of riparian forest buffers;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The planting of riparian herbaceous cover;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Tree plantings that are on agricultural land; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Wetland restoration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Fixed natural buffer” does not include pasture management, as described under § 8–701(d)(5) of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“100–foot tidal buffer” means any land within 100 feet of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The mean high water line of tidal waters;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The edge of each bank of a tributary tidal stream; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The landward boundary of a tidal wetland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Program” means the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program established under § 2–2402 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2402" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 430 OF 2025" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="24" subtitle_name="Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (Leef) Program"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purposes of the Program are to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Invigorate strategies to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Reduce nutrients in support of Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Mitigate farm emissions and increase carbon sequestration in accordance with Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Align environmental goals and initiatives of the Department and the State while enhancing farm profitability;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide producers with greater incentives to voluntarily participate in the adoption of multiple conservation practices and community best practices within individual agricultural operations or across multiple operations that are in close proximity to one another;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Establish tiers of recognition for producers to be evaluated for Program certification; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Provide State funds to incentivize the coordinated adoption of conservation practices and community best practices to achieve environmental, social, and climate resiliency benefits and nutrient and sediment reduction.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2403" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 430 OF 2025" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="24" subtitle_name="Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (Leef) Program"> <text>To carry out the purposes of the Program the Department shall, subject to the discretion of the Secretary:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Assign a Program administrator and provide for adequate administrative support;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In consultation with members of the agricultural, conservation, environmental, and higher education communities, develop and promote a suite of conservation practices and community best practices eligible for the Program, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Conservation tillage;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Nutrient input reduction;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Cover crop plantings;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Use of natural filters;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Conserving and increasing wildlife and pollinator habitats;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Healthy soils practices;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Facilitating work experience focused on agriculture in underserved communities;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Partnering with operators to improve conservation practices on leased land;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Liaising between the Department and underserved communities to facilitate outreach and identify barriers to Department programs reaching broader audiences;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Participating in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Partnering with food banks or nonprofit organizations to address food insecurity;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>Participating in the Certified Local Farm and Fish Program;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>Using on–farm renewable energy;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>Mentoring new and beginning farmers;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>Partnering with an institution of higher education or qualified technical service provider to conduct field–based research; or</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>Installation of a fixed natural buffer, including within a 100–foot tidal buffer;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In consultation with members of the agricultural, conservation, environmental, and higher education communities, develop criteria and appropriate evaluation measures to establish the tiers of recognition for Program certification that includes consideration of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Proximity of a conservation practice or community best practice to waters of the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The extent to which a conservation practice or community best practice protects or restores the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area or other area designated for regulation or special protection under a federal or State law; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The extent to which a conservation practice or community best practice engages with and benefits overburdened and underserved communities;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Evaluate applications on a continuing basis and confirm participant compliance with Program criteria; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of the Environment, and the Maryland Energy Administration, as appropriate, to establish incentives for participation in the Program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2404" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 430 OF 2025" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="24" subtitle_name="Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (Leef) Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program Fund in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $900,000 to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund may be used only to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Support actions associated with fulfilling the Program’s purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, cover the Department’s administrative costs to administer the Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In each fiscal year, not more than 20% of the Fund may be used for administrative costs of the Department.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2405" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 430 OF 2025" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="24" subtitle_name="Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (Leef) Program"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2501" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="25"> <text>In this subtitle, “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Form 7023” means the form required to be submitted to the federal Department of Agriculture under 7 U.S.C. § 2143 and 9 C.F.R. § 2.36.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2502" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="25"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before January 15 each year, beginning in 2024, each research facility that is located in the State and is required to submit an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Form 7023 shall pay to the Department a contribution in the amount of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$5,000 for up to 100 animals;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$10,000 for more than 100 but not more than 500 animals;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>$55,000 for more than 500 but not more than 5,000 animals; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>$75,000 for more than 5,000 animals.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The amount of the contribution to be paid under subsection (a) of this section shall be based on the total number of animals reported in Column F on the most recently submitted Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Form 7023.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary shall distribute the funds paid under subsection (a) of this section to the Human–Relevant Research Fund established under § 10–4D–02 of the Economic Development Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="2-2503" title_number="2" title_name="Department of Agriculture" subtitle_number="25"> <text>A research facility that fails to pay the contribution required under § 2–2502(a) of this subtitle may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per day.</text> </section>