# Agriculture (GAG) ## Title 5. Pesticide and Pest Control ### Subtitle 1. Maryland Pesticide Registration and Labeling Law #### Section 5-101 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Active ingredient" means: (1) In the case of a pesticide other than a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, an ingredient which prevents, destroys, repels, or mitigates insects, nematodes, fungi, rodents, weeds, bacteria, or other pests; (2) In the case of a plant regulator, an ingredient which, through physiological action, accelerates or retards the rate of growth or rate of maturation or otherwise alters the behavior of ornamental or crop plants or their produce; (3) In the case of a defoliant, an ingredient which causes the leaves or foliage to drop from a plant; and (4) In the case of a desiccant, an ingredient which artificially accelerates the drying of plant tissue. (c) A pesticide is "adulterated" if (1) its strength or purity falls below the professed standard or quality expressed on the labeling under which it is sold, (2) any substance has been substituted wholly or partially for the article, or (3) any valuable constituent of the article has been wholly or partially abstracted. (d) "Antidote" means the most practical immediate treatment in case of poisoning, including first aid treatment. (e) "Defoliant" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to cause leaves or foliage to drop from a plant, with or without causing abscission. (f) "Desiccant" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to accelerate artificially the drying of plant tissues. (g) "Distributor" means a person who imports, manufactures, produces, mixes, or consigns pesticides as part of a commercial enterprise. (h) "Fungi" means nonchlorophyll-bearing thallophytes, that is, all nonchlorophyll-bearing plants of an order lower than mosses and liverworts, such as, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, yeasts, and bacteria, except those on or in any living man or animal. (i) "Fungicide" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any fungus. (j) "Herbicide" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any weed. (k) "Inert ingredient" means an ingredient which is not an active ingredient. (l) "Ingredient statement" means: (1) A statement of the name and percentage of each active ingredient, together with the total percentage of inert ingredients in the pesticide; (2) A statement of the name of each active ingredient, together with the name of each and total percentage of any inert ingredient in the pesticide; or (3) In the case of a pesticide containing arsenic in any form, a statement of the percentages of total and water soluble arsenic, each calculated as elemental arsenic, in addition to the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. Paragraph (1) of this subsection applies to any preparation declared highly toxic to humans, pursuant to Sec. 5-104(b) of this subtitle. (m) "Insect" means any small invertebrate animal generally having a more or less obviously segmented body and, for the most part belonging to the class insecta, which is comprised of six-legged, usually winged forms, such as, beetles, bugs, bees, flies, and to other allied classes of arthropods whose members are wingless and usually have more than six legs, such as, spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes, and wood lice. (n) "Insecticide" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any insects which may be present in any environment. (o) "Label" means the written, printed, or graphic matter on or attached to a pesticide, or its immediate container, and the outside container or wrapper of any retail package of a pesticide. (p) "Labeling" means every label and other written, printed, or graphic matter (1) on any pesticide, its container, or wrapper; (2) accompanying the pesticide at any time; or (3) to which reference is made on the label or in literature accompanying the pesticide, except when an accurate, not misleading reference is made to any current official publication of any federal agency, State agency, or any agency of another state which is authorized by law to conduct pesticide research. (q) A pesticide is "misbranded" if: (1) Its labeling bears any statement, design, or graphic representation relative to the pesticide or its ingredients which is false or misleading in any particular; (2) It is an imitation of another pesticide or is offered for sale under the name of another pesticide; (3) Its labeling bears any reference to registration under this subtitle; (4) The labeling accompanying it does not contain instructions for use which are necessary and adequate if complied with, for the protection of the public and the environment; (5) The label does not contain a warning or caution statement which may be necessary and adequate if complied with, to prevent injury to living man and other vertebrate animals; (6) The label of the retail package does not bear an ingredient statement on the immediate container and on any outside container or retail package wrapper, through which the ingredient statement on the immediate container cannot be clearly read as presented or displayed under customary conditions of purchase; (7) Any word, statement, or other information required by this subtitle to appear on the labeling is not placed prominently and conspicuously, as compared with other words, statements, designs, or graphic matter in the labeling and in terms that render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use; (8) In the case of an insecticide, fungicide, or herbicide, when used as directed or in accordance with commonly recognized practice, the pesticide is injurious to living man including any person applying it, other vertebrate animals, or vegetation, except weeds; (9) In the case of a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant when used as directed, the pesticide is injurious to living man including any person applying it, other vertebrate animals, or vegetation to which it is applied, except that physical or physiological effects on any plant, or part of it, is not deemed to be injury, when this is the purpose for which the plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant is applied, in accordance with the label claims and recommendations. (r) "Nematicide" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate nematodes. (s) "Nematode" means any invertebrate animal of the phylum nemathelminthes and class nematoda, that is, an unsegmented round worm, commonly known as a nema or eelworm, with an elongated, fusiform or saclike body covered with cuticle, and which inhabits soil, water, plants, or plant parts. (t) "Pesticide" means (1) any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, or other forms of plant or animal life or viruses, except viruses on or in living humans or other animals, which the Secretary declares to be a pest; and (2) any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant. (u) "Plant regulator" means any substance or mixture of substances, intended to accelerate or retard, through physiological action, the rate of growth or maturation, or to otherwise alter the behavior of ornamental or crop plants or their produce, but does not include any substance to the extent that it is intended as a plant nutrient, trace element, nutritional chemical, plant inoculant, or soil amendment. (v) "Registrant" means any person who registers any pesticide pursuant to the provisions of this subtitle. (w) "Rodenticide" means any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate rodents or any other vertebrate animal which the Secretary declares to be a pest. (x) "Weed" means any plant or plant part which grows where it is not wanted. #### Section 5-102 (a) The State Chemist shall administer the provisions of this subtitle subject to the supervision of the Secretary. (b) The Secretary may cooperate with and enter into agreements with any other agency of the State, any other state, the United States, or with the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials, Inc. to carry out the provisions of this subtitle and to secure uniform rules and regulations. (c) The Secretary shall develop a comprehensive pesticide data program that includes: (1) The number and types of enforcement actions taken; and (2) Figures for the number, types, and uses of pesticides in Maryland. (d) The Secretary shall issue a report on the comprehensive pesticide data program to the General Assembly, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, by January 1, 1990 and by January 1 of each subsequent year. #### Section 5-104 (a) The Secretary, after public hearing, may adopt appropriate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, including rules and regulations providing for the collection and examination of samples of pesticides. (b) The Secretary may: (1) Declare any form of plant or animal life or virus which is injurious to plants, humans, domestic animals, articles, or substances to be a pest; (2) Determine whether any pesticide is highly toxic to humans; and (3) Subject pesticides to the requirements of Sec. 5-105 of this subtitle. (c) Uniform pesticide requirements between the several states and the federal government are desirable to avoid confusion that endangers the public health and that results from diverse requirements, particularly relating to the labeling and coloring of pesticides, and to avoid increased costs to the people of the State due to the necessity of complying with diverse requirements for manufacturing and selling pesticides. Consequently, the Secretary, after public hearing, may adopt the rules and regulations of the appropriate agency of the United States government relating to pesticides, if the rules and regulations are applicable to and conform with the primary standards established by this subtitle. #### Section 5-105 (a) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, a distributor shall register with the Secretary each brand or product name of a pesticide before distributing it in the State. The registration for each pesticide expires December 31 each year. (b) Each applicant shall file with the Secretary a statement listing: (1) The name and address of each applicant and the name and address of the person whose name will appear on the label, if other than the registrant; (2) The name of the pesticide; (3) A complete copy of the labeling accompanying the pesticide and a statement of every claim to be made for it, including directions for use; and (4) A full description of every test conducted and the results upon which any claim is based, if requested by the Secretary. (c) A separate application shall be filed for each person whose name appears on the label. Upon renewal, a person shall file a statement listing any required new information that does not appear on the statement filed when the pesticide was registered or was last reregistered. (d) (1) The applicant shall pay an annual fee of $110 to the Secretary for each product registered. (2) Unless the Secretary determines otherwise, each applicant also shall pay a terminal registration fee of $110 for each discontinued pesticide each year for two years. (e) In addition to the annual fee, any person filing a renewal application after January 31 for any product offered for sale shall pay a ten percent per month late registration fee for each pesticide, but not exceeding twice the annual registration fee per pesticide. Late fees apply retroactively to the January 1 filing date. Late fees are not applicable to new products which are registered before being distributed, sold, or offered for sale. (f) The Secretary may require the submission of toxicological, environmental, or health effects data that the Secretary considers appropriate, or the complete formula of any pesticide whenever he deems this action necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subtitle. The Secretary shall register the pesticide if he determines that the pesticide, its labeling, and other material required to be submitted comply with the requirements of this subtitle. (g) Provided the product label has not been altered or changed, a distributor shall not be required to register the brand or trade name of a pesticide which has been registered by another person under this subtitle. (h) Before a pesticide may be registered by the Secretary, the pesticide shall comply with the provisions of federal pesticide laws and regulations. #### Section 5-106 (a) A pesticide is subject to the requirements of this section if it is distributed, sold, offered for sale, delivered for transportation or transported in intrastate commerce or between points in the State through any point outside the State. (b) Any pesticide subject to this section shall be in the registrant's or manufacturer's unbroken, immediate container. (c) In addition to any other requirement of this section, any pesticide subject to this section shall have a label affixed to the unbroken, immediate container and to the outside container or wrapper of any retail package, if the label on the immediate container cannot be clearly read through the outside container or wrapper. The label shall bear the following information: (1) The name and address of the manufacturer, registrant, or person for whom the pesticide is manufactured; (2) The name, brand, or trademark under which the pesticide is sold; and (3) The net weight or measure of the content subject to any reasonable variations the Department permits. #### Section 5-107 (a) If the Secretary determines that any pesticide does not warrant any proposed claim for it or that the pesticide, its labeling, or other material required to be submitted do not comply with the provisions of this subtitle, he shall notify the applicant of the manner in which the pesticide, labeling, or other required material fails to comply with the subtitle, to afford the applicant an opportunity to make any necessary correction. If the applicant does not make the correction upon receiving notice, the Secretary may refuse to register the pesticide. (b) The Secretary may suspend or cancel the registration of any pesticide, if he determines the pesticide, its labeling, or other material required to be submitted does not comply with the provisions of this subtitle. (c) If the Secretary refuses an application for registration or proposes to suspend or cancel a registration, notice of the proposed action shall be given to the applicant or registrant who may request a hearing within 30 days from the date of receipt. The Secretary shall conduct the hearing and shall prepare and serve upon the applicant or registrant a written statement containing its findings of fact and an appropriate order. (d) Any person adversely affected by an order may obtain a review of the decision by a civil action commenced within 30 days after the date notice of the decision is mailed to him. The action shall be brought in the circuit court of the county in which the person resides or has his principal place of business. As part of its answer, the Secretary shall file a certified copy of the transcript of the record on which the findings and order in question are based. The court may enter, upon the pleadings and transcript of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the Secretary or may remand the case for a rehearing. Any finding of the board of review is conclusive as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence. (e) If good cause is shown, the court may order additional evidence to be taken before the Secretary at any time. After the case is remanded, and after hearing additional evidence, the Secretary may modify or affirm his findings of fact and his order, and shall file with the court any additional and modified findings of fact, and a transcript of the additional record upon which his action in modifying or affirming was based. Any additional or modified finding of fact and order is conclusive as to any fact if supported by substantial evidence. #### Section 5-107.1 (a) Instead of refusing or cancelling a registration, the Secretary may impose an administrative penalty on any person who violates any provision of this subtitle. (b) The penalty imposed under this section may not exceed $2,000. (c) All penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the State Chemist Fund under Sec. 6-501 of this article. (d) The Secretary shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section. #### Section 5-108 (a) The Secretary may issue and enforce a written stop-sale order to the registrant, owner, custodian, or distributor of any pesticide that the Secretary finds is in violation of any provision of this subtitle or regulation under this subtitle, or has been found by federal or State authorities to cause unreasonable adverse effects to humans, animals, or the environment, or is in violation of any provision of federal pesticide laws or regulations. (b) The order prohibits sale or distribution of the pesticide until the Secretary has evidence that the pesticide is in compliance with the law and until the Secretary provides a written release from the stop-sale order. #### Section 5-109 (a) A person may not distribute, sell, or offer for sale, deliver for transportation, or transport in intrastate commerce or between points within the State through any point outside the State any of the following pesticides: (1) Any unregistered pesticide; (2) Any adulterated or misbranded pesticide; or (3) Any pesticide, if any claim made for it or any direction for its use differs in substance from any representation made in its registration statement, or if its composition differs from the composition represented in the registration statement, unless the Department permits a change in the labeling, and the change may be made within a registration period without requiring reregistration. However, the Department may not permit a change in the product name or in the formulation of any product. (b) A person may not detach, alter, deface, or destroy, wholly or partially, any label or labeling provided for in this subtitle or in departmental rules and regulations adopted pursuant to it. (c) A person may not add any substance to, or take any substance from, a pesticide in a manner that may defeat the purpose of this subtitle. (d) A person may not use for his own advantage or reveal any information concerning formulas or products acquired by authority of Sec. 5-105 or Sec. 5-106 of this subtitle, other than to the Secretary, any proper official or employee of the State, to a court of the State in response to a subpoena, to a physician, or, in an emergency, to a pharmacist, or any other qualified person, for use in the preparation of antidotes. #### Section 5-110 (a) The following persons are not subject to any penalty for a violation of Sec. 5-106 or Sec. 5-109 of this subtitle: (1) Any carrier while lawfully engaged in transporting a pesticide within the State, if the carrier, upon request, permits the Secretary to copy any record showing the transactions in and movement of any pesticide; (2) Any public official of the State or the federal government engaged in the performance of his official duty; or (3) A manufacturer or shipper of a pesticide for experimental use only (i) by or under the supervision of an agency of the State or of the federal government authorized by law to conduct pesticide research, or (ii) by any other person if the pesticide is not sold and if its container shows the manufacturer's name and address and it is plainly and conspicuously marked "for experimental use only - not to be sold". However, if a written permit is obtained from the Secretary, the pesticide may be sold for experimental purposes subject to any restriction set forth in the permit. (b) A pesticide is not in violation of this subtitle, if it is intended solely for export to a foreign country, and if it is prepared or packed according to the specifications or directions of the purchaser. If the pesticide is not exported, all the provisions of this subtitle apply. #### Section 5-111 (a) Any pesticide distributed in the State may be proceeded against in the circuit court of any county, where it is found and seized for confiscation by libel of information, if the pesticide: (1) Is adulterated or misbranded; (2) Is not registered; or (3) Fails to bear on its label the information required by this subtitle. (b) After entry of the decree of condemnation, the pesticide shall be destroyed or sold, as the court directs. If the pesticide is sold, the proceeds, less legal costs, shall be paid to and deposited in the fund established in Sec. 6-501 of this article. The pesticide may not be sold contrary to the provision of this subtitle. Upon payment of costs and execution and delivery of a good and sufficient bond conditioned that the pesticide may not be disposed of unlawfully, the court may order the pesticide delivered to its owner for relabeling or reprocessing. (c) If a decree of condemnation is entered against the pesticide, court costs, fees, storage, and other proper expenses shall be awarded against any person, intervening as claimant of the pesticide. #### Section 5-112 (a) The Secretary shall examine pesticides to determine whether they comply with the requirements of this subtitle. If it appears from the examination that a pesticide fails to comply with the provisions of this subtitle, and the Secretary contemplates instituting criminal proceedings against any person, he shall give appropriate notice to the person. Any person receiving notice shall be given an opportunity to present his views, orally or in writing, with regard to the contemplated proceedings. (b) If the Secretary determines that the provisions of the subtitle have been violated by the person, he shall refer the facts to the State's Attorney for the county in which the violation has occurred with a copy of the results of the analysis or the examination of the pesticide. This subtitle does not require the Secretary to report for prosecution, or for the institution of libel proceedings, any minor violation of the subtitle whenever he believes that the public interest is best served by a suitable written warning notice. (c) The prosecuting attorney to whom any violation is reported shall institute appropriate proceedings in the proper court without delay. (d) The Secretary shall give notice by publication of any judgment entered in any action instituted under the authority of this subtitle. (e) The Secretary may enter, during regular business hours, any commercial premises, including any commercial transportation vehicle, where any pesticide is sold, offered for sale, stored or is being transported, to enforce the provisions of this subtitle. #### Section 5-113 In addition to any other penalty provided by this article, the registration of any pesticide with reference to which any violation has occurred shall terminate automatically if the registrant is convicted of any violation of this subtitle. If the registration of any pesticide terminates, the pesticide may not be registered again unless the Department determines that the pesticide, its labeling, and other material required to be submitted comply with the requirements of this subtitle. #### Section 5-114 This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Pesticide Registration and Labeling Law. ### Subtitle 2. Pesticide Applicator's Law #### Section 5-201 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Application" means the spreading of pesticides, by contract or otherwise, for any person owning or renting property. (c) "Certified applicator" means a person who is certified by the Secretary under this subtitle. (d) "Customer" means a person who has entered into a contract with a licensee for pest control. (e) "Device" means an instrument or mechanical contrivance intended to trap, locate, destroy, control, repel, or mitigate pests. (f) "Label" means the written, printed, or graphic matter on, or attached to, the pesticide or device, or any of its containers or wrappers. (g) "Labeling" means all written, printed, or graphic matter: (1) Accompanying the pesticide or device at any time; or (2) To which reference is made on the label or in literature accompanying the pesticide or device, except to current official publications of the: (i) Environmental Protection Agency; (ii) United States Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Health and Human Services; (iii) State experiment stations; (iv) State agricultural colleges; or (v) Other similar federal or State institutions or agencies authorized by law to conduct research in the field of pesticides. (h) "Pest" means an insect, snail, slug, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or any other form of terrestrial or aquatic plant or animal life or virus, bacteria, or other microorganism (except viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, on or in living man or any other living animal) which normally is considered to be a pest or which the Secretary declares to be a pest. (i) "Pest control" means engaging in, or offering to engage in, recommending, advertising, soliciting the use of, supervising the use of, or using, a pesticide or a device for the identification, control, eradication, mitigation, detection, inspection, or prevention of a pest in, on, or around any house, building, water, air, land, plant, structure, or animal. (j) (1) "Pest control applicator" means a person engaged in the business of pest control. (2) Except as provided by the Secretary, "pest control applicator" includes a person who applies pesticides on any premises where the public is commonly invited for the sale of goods or services. (k) "Pest control consultant" means a person who engages in the business of: (1) Offering or supplying technical advice or supervision; (2) Inspecting for or identifying pests; or (3) Recommending the use of a specific pesticide for the purpose of controlling a pest in or on water, air, land, plants, structures, or animals. (l) "Pesticide" means any substance or mixture of substances intended for: (1) Preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest; (2) Use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant; or (3) Use as a spray adjuvant such as a wetting agent or adhesive. (m) "Pesticide business license" means a license issued by the Secretary to any business in accordance with this subtitle. (n) "Place of business" means any location from which pest control is conducted. (o) "Private applicator" means a person who uses a restricted use pesticide for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by the applicator or applicator's employer. (p) "Public agency applicator" means a person employed by a unit of federal, State, county or local government or any training institution which is engaged in pest control. (q) "Registered employee" means an employee of a firm or public agency engaged in pest control. (r) "Restricted use pesticide" means a pesticide so classified by the provisions in this title or by the federal government or the Secretary of Agriculture, State of Maryland. (s) "Supervision" means, unless otherwise provided by federal or State labeling, the act or process whereby the application of a pesticide is made by a competent person acting under the instructions and control of a certified applicator who is: (1) Responsible for actions of that person; and (2) Available when needed, though the certified applicator may not be physically present at the time and place the pesticide is applied. #### Section 5-202 To carry out the provisions of this subtitle, the Secretary may receive gifts, contributions, or funds and may receive or issue grants or contracts. #### Section 5-203 All fees collected under the provisions of this subtitle shall be placed in a fund, known as the "Pesticide Fund", and used to defray partially the expenses of administering this subtitle. Any unexpended funds shall revert to the General Fund of the State at the end of the fiscal year. #### Section 5-204 The Secretary, by suitable administrative procedures including public hearings, if appropriate, shall: (1) Adopt rules and regulations governing the storage, sale, distribution, exchange, use, and disposal of any pesticide and its container; (2) Prescribe, when necessary, the time and conditions under which a pesticide may be sold, distributed, exchanged, or used in different areas of the State; (3) Provide, if necessary, that extremely hazardous pesticides may be sold, distributed, exchanged, or applied only when special permission first is obtained from the Secretary; (4) Define the formulations and establish the conditions and appropriate areas for application of any pesticide; (5) Establish guidelines and requirements for the application of pesticides and providing for submission of records to the Secretary; (6) Design and conduct an appropriate educational program on the use of pesticides and the necessity for care when applying them; (7) Encourage, conduct and support research which will contribute to optimal uses of pesticides for maximum public benefit and minimum public damage; (8) Require that records be kept by all licensees and permittees; (9) Employ inspectors and other employees necessary for the proper enforcement of the provisions of this subtitle and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to it; (10) Coordinate and support pesticide monitoring programs; (11) Establish appropriate categories and, if necessary, subcategories of applicators of pesticides; (12) Establish guidelines and requirements for all licensees, certificate holders, and permittees for the identification of pests and their methods of inspection of property to determine the presence of pests; (13) For purposes of uniformity and in order to enter into cooperative agreements, adopt use classifications and other pertinent pesticide regulation provisions that are established by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency; and (14) Cooperate with State or federal agencies as is reasonable and proper to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. #### Section 5-205 The Secretary may sample any pesticide and inspect any device, container, product, apparatus or equipment used or intended for use in pest control operations, any establishment from which pest control is conducted, and any pesticide application or treatment performed by a certified applicator or someone under his supervision. #### Section 5-206 (a) The Secretary shall establish, by rule or regulation, qualifications for licensing and certification in each category established by Sec. 5-207 of this subtitle to assure competence and responsibility in the application of pesticides. (b) The Secretary may issue licenses, permits, and certificates only to an applicant who meets the requirements established by the Department. (c) The Secretary may establish the conditions under which licenses, permits, and certificates may be revoked, suspended, reinstated, or renewed. (d) The Secretary may establish minimum requirements for financial responsibility for all damages which may be incurred in the commercial application of pesticides. #### Section 5-207 (a) (1) Except as provided in Sec.Sec. 10-14A-03 and 10-14B-03 of the State Government Article, each pest control consultant, pest control applicator, or public agency applicator shall obtain an annual certificate indicating competence in one or more established categories from the Secretary. (2) Except as provided in Sec.Sec. 10-14A-03 and 10-14B-03 of the State Government Article, each private applicator shall obtain a certificate which shall require periodic renewal as determined by the Secretary. (b) Each application for a certificate by a pest control consultant or pest control applicator shall be accompanied by a $75 certificate fee plus $25 for each category in excess of one. Each application for a private applicator certificate shall be accompanied by a fee of $7. (c) Each applicant for a pest control consultant certificate, pest control applicator certificate, or public agency applicator certificate shall demonstrate competence to consult on pest control or to apply pesticides safely in the State by passing a written examination prepared and administered by the Department. There shall be no charge for an initial examination, provided that each pest control applicator or each pest control consultant shall pay $10 for each examination retaken after the initial examination. Each applicant for a private applicator certificate shall pass an examination given by the Department. A private applicator certificate is valid for 3 years and may be renewed by the certificate holder by participation in training approved by the Department. (d) Each certificate shall be renewed upon payment of the certificate fee and demonstration of satisfactory knowledge of pesticide use. (e) Each place of business engaged in the business of conducting pest control shall obtain an annual license indicating the category of operation. (f) Each place of business engaged in the business of pest control or pest control consulting shall pay to the Department an annual license fee of $150 and shall provide evidence of financial responsibility as required by the Department. (g) Each license shall be renewed upon payment of the license fee and submission of proof of liability insurance. (h) (1) Except as provided in Sec.Sec. 10-14A-03 and 10-14B-03 of the State Government Article, a person who sells or distributes a restricted use pesticide shall hold a dealer permit from the Secretary. (2) Each application for a dealer permit shall be accompanied by a $25 permit fee. (3) Each dealer permit shall be renewed annually upon payment of the permit fee. (i) A public agency that applies a pesticide shall hold an annual public agency permit from the Secretary. (j) (1) Any person who operates a pest control business shall register annually with the Department each employee, other than a certified applicator, who offers or performs pest control at each business location. (2) The application fee to register an employee initially is $30. (3) The annual renewal fee to register an employee is $30. (k) If an application for renewal of a license, certificate, or registration is received by the Department more than 30 days after the expiration of the license, certificate, or registration, the applicant is subject to a $30 late fee. #### Section 5-207.1 (a) The Secretary shall require that each pest control consultant, pest control applicator, or public agency applicator receive additional training prepared and administered by the Department when significant technological developments have occurred requiring additional knowledge in the area of classification for which the consultant or applicator has applied. (b) When certification has been suspended or revoked, the Secretary shall require that each pest control consultant, pest control applicator, or public agency applicator take a special examination prepared and administered by the Department before certification may be reinstated or renewed. #### Section 5-208 (a) When a pesticide is applied, or at the time a customer enters into a contract with a licensee for pest control, a licensee shall provide a customer with the following written information: (1) Name of licensee; (2) Maryland pesticide business license number; (3) Telephone number of licensee; (4) Common name of pesticide or active ingredient applied; (5) Pertinent safety information, as determined by the Department, including health risks for humans and animals, about pesticide in the end-use dilution applied; (6) Maryland Poison Center telephone number; and (7) Any other information required by the Department. (b) Upon the customer's request, the licensee shall provide the customer with advance notice of a pesticide application. (c) (1) A licensee or public agency permittee applying a pesticide to a lawn or to exterior landscape plants shall post at the time of application a sign. (2) The sign shall remain 48 hours following the pesticide application, after which time the customer is responsible for the removal of the sign. (3) (i) A person may not remove, alter, or deface the sign or agree or conspire with another to remove, alter, or deface the sign within 48 hours of its posting. (ii) The customer or licensee may not be held liable for any penalty for sign removal under this subtitle if the sign is removed by another person or cause over which the customer or licensee has no control. (4) The sign shall: (i) Be clearly visible either from the principal place of access to the property; or (ii) Be clearly visible on the portion of the property where the pesticide is applied. (5) The sign shall contain a uniform statement approved by the Department. (d) Before applying an experimental use pesticide, the holder of the required experimental use permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shall provide the Department with the following information: (1) Name of cooperator; (2) Location of planned application or treatment; (3) Name of active ingredient of pesticide; (4) Purpose of application or use; (5) Total acreage being affected by application; (6) Toxicological profile of pesticide; and (7) Any other information required by the Department. #### Section 5-208.1 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Contact person" means an individual knowledgeable about integrated pest management and designated by a county board to act under subsection (e) of this section. (3) "County board" has the meaning stated in Sec. 1-101 of the Education Article. (4) "Crack and crevice treatment" means the application of small amounts of a pesticide in a building into openings such as those commonly found at expansion joints, between levels of construction, and between equipment and floors. (5) "Emergency" means a sudden need to mitigate or eliminate a pest which threatens the health or safety of a student or staff member. (6) "Integrated pest management" means a managed pest control program in which methods are integrated and used to keep pests from causing economic, health related, or aesthetic injury through the utilization of site or pest inspections, pest population monitoring, evaluating the need for control, and the use of one or more pest control methods including sanitation, structural repair, nonchemical methods, and, when nontoxic options are unreasonable or have been exhausted, pesticides in order to: (i) Minimize the use of pesticides; and (ii) Minimize the risk to human health and the environment associated with pesticide applications. (7) "Pesticide" does not include: (i) An antimicrobial agent, such as a disinfectant, sanitizer, or deodorizer, used for cleaning purposes; or (ii) Any bait station. (8) "School" means a public school in the public elementary and secondary system of the State. (9) (i) "Space spraying" means application of a pesticide by discharge into the air throughout an area. (ii) "Space spraying" does not include crack and crevice treatment. (10) (i) "Staff member" means an employee of a school system. (ii) "Staff member" includes administrators, teachers, and other support personnel. (iii) "Staff member" does not include: (1) A registered employee or applicator certified by the Department; or (2) A person assisting in the application of a pesticide. (11) "Universal notification" means written notice by a school to all parents, guardians, and staff members. (b) This section applies to pesticide application in a school building or on school grounds. (c) (1) The Department shall develop uniform standards and criteria for implementing integrated pest management systems in schools. (2) The Department shall develop uniform standards and criteria for implementing integrated pest management for school grounds by March 15, 2001. (d) (1) A county board shall develop and implement in its schools an integrated pest management system approved by the Secretary. (2) On or before the beginning of the 2001 school year, a county board shall develop and implement an integrated pest management system for school grounds approved by the Secretary. (e) (1) A county board shall designate a contact person. (2) The contact person shall: (i) Act as a contact for inquiries about the integrated pest management system; and (ii) Maintain material safety data sheets and labels for all pesticides which may be used in the school district of the county board. (f) (1) At the beginning of each school year, a school shall include notice of the school's integrated pest management system in the school calendar or other universal notification. (2) The notice shall include: (i) A statement that explains the school's integrated pest management system and lists any pesticide or bait station that may be used in a school building or on school grounds as part of the integrated pest management system; (ii) The name, address, and telephone number of the contact person; (iii) A statement that the contact person maintains the product label or material safety data sheet of each pesticide or bait station that may be used by the school in buildings and on school grounds, that the label or data sheet is available for review by a parent, guardian, staff member, or student attending the school, and that the contact person is available to parents, guardians, and staff members for information and comment; and (iv) Instructions for including a parent, guardian, or staff member on a pesticide notification list under subsection (g) of this section. (g) (1) At the start of each school year, a school shall develop a pesticide notification list containing each staff member, and parent or guardian of a student attending the school, who requests in writing prior notification of a pesticide application made in the school building or on school grounds during the school year. (2) The school shall keep the pesticide notification list current and shall add additional names on written request by a staff member, or by the parent or guardian of a student attending the school. (3) The school shall make the pesticide notification list available to the Department on request. (h) After the start of each school year, a school shall provide the written information required under subsection (f)(2) of this section to a newly employed staff member or the parent or guardian of a student newly enrolled during the school year. (i) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, at least 24 hours before a pesticide is applied in a school building or on school grounds, the school shall provide to each parent, guardian, and staff member on the pesticide notification list the: (i) Common name of the pesticide; (ii) Location of the application; (iii) Planned date and time of application; and (iv) United States Environmental Protection Agency warning that pregnant women should reduce or eliminate exposure to all pesticides. (2) The school may provide prior notification, required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, by: (i) Written notice sent home with the student or provided to the staff member; (ii) Telephone call; (iii) Direct contact; or (iv) Written notice mailed at least 3 days prior to the application. (3) In the case of a pesticide application at an elementary school, at least 24 hours before the pesticide is applied in a school building or on school grounds, the school shall provide to each parent or guardian, and staff member: (i) The common name of the pesticide; (ii) The location of the application; (iii) The planned date and time of application; (iv) The following language: "The office of pesticide programs of the United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated: 'Where possible, persons who potentially are more sensitive, such as pregnant women and infants (less than two years old), should avoid any unnecessary pesticide exposure.'"; and (v) A brief description of potential adverse effects based upon the material safety data sheet of the pesticides to be applied. (4) Each school system shall develop an appropriate means of in-school notification to students and staff members before a pesticide is applied in a school building or on school grounds of a middle school or high school. (5) (i) For application on school grounds, the notice of planned date and time of application required under this subsection may specify that weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances may cause the actual date of application to be postponed to a later date or dates. (ii) If the actual date of application is more than 14 days later than the planned date provided in the notice, notice of the application required under this subsection shall be reissued. (j) (1) Subject to subsection (k) of this section, a school that intends to use space spraying in a school building shall provide written notice at least 1 week beforehand by universal notification. (2) The notice shall be on a separate paper sheet at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches in size and shall contain: (i) A common name of the pesticide to be used; (ii) A location of the space spraying; (iii) A planned date and time of space spraying; (iv) The following language: "The office of pesticide programs of the United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated: 'Where possible, persons who potentially are more sensitive, such as pregnant women and infants (less than two years old), should avoid any unnecessary pesticide exposure.'"; (v) If the pesticide is not addressed in the notice sent at the beginning of the school year, a brief description of the pesticide to be applied; (vi) A brief description of potential adverse effects based upon the material safety data sheet of the pesticides to be applied; and (vii) The name and telephone number of the county designated contact person. (k) (1) A pesticide may be applied in a school building or on school grounds without prior notification only if an emergency pest situation exists. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, within 24 hours after an emergency pesticide application in a school building or on school grounds, or on the next school day, the school shall notify each parent, guardian, and staff member on the pesticide notification list that a pesticide was applied for emergency pest control. (3) The notification required under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall include the: (i) Common name of the pesticide applied; (ii) Approximate location of the application; (iii) Date of application; and (iv) Reason for the emergency application. (4) Notification under this subsection may be made by: (i) Telephone call; (ii) Direct contact; or (iii) Written notice sent home with the student or provided to the staff member. (5) In the case of an emergency pesticide application at an elementary school, within 24 hours after an emergency pesticide application in a school building or on school grounds, or on the next school day, the school shall provide to each parent, guardian, and staff member: (i) The common name of the pesticide; (ii) The location of the application; (iii) The date and time of application; (iv) The following language: "The office of pesticide programs of the United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated: 'Where possible, persons who potentially are more sensitive, such as pregnant women and infants (less than two years old), should avoid any unnecessary pesticide exposure.'"; and (v) A brief description of potential adverse effects based upon the material safety data sheet of the pesticides applied. (l) Each school system shall develop appropriate means of in-school notification before a bait station is used in a school building. The means may include a sign posted on the door of the room in which the bait station is placed. #### Section 5-209 (a) In this section, "general use pesticide" means a pesticide that is not a restricted use pesticide. (b) Each commercial application of a general use pesticide shall be done: (1) By: (i) A certified pest control applicator; or (ii) A certified public agency applicator; or (2) Under the supervision of: (i) A certified pest control applicator; or (ii) A certified public agency applicator. (c) Each commercial application of a restricted use pesticide shall be done by: (1) A certified pest control applicator; or (2) A certified public agency applicator. (d) (1) Each private application of a restricted use pesticide shall be done by: (i) A certified private applicator; or (ii) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual working under the direct supervision of a certified private applicator who is certified in the specific category of application being utilized by the individual. (2) A certified private applicator shall ensure that all of the requirements set forth in 40 C.F.R. Sec. 171.201(b)(3) are met before allowing a noncertified individual to use a restricted use pesticide under the certified applicator's direct supervision. (e) (1) Certified pesticide control applicators and public agency applicators are responsible and liable for the application of general use pesticides and restricted use pesticides. (2) Certified private applicators are responsible and liable for the application of restricted use pesticides. #### Section 5-209.1 (a) (1) A licensee or permittee shall register with the Department any employee who performs pest control. (2) Within 30 days after employment, and before registration, an employee, other than a certified applicator, shall successfully complete training approved by the Department. (3) An employee who has not successfully completed training in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection may only apply pesticides if a certified applicator or registered employee is physically present at the time and place the pesticide is applied by the employee. (b) The Department shall adopt regulations that establish criteria for approved training programs. #### Section 5-210 A person may not use, apply, or recommend use of a pesticide other than as specified by the label. The label includes material attached to the container, a brochure, information furnished with the pesticide, or any information contained in the approved State registration of the pesticide. A person may not use, apply, or recommend use of a pesticide in a manner other than as specified by this subtitle or rules and regulations adopted under it. #### Section 5-210.1 The Secretary may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to provide that nonresident applicators or pest control consultants may be exempt from examination requirements under this subtitle if certified under equivalent plans of other states approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency granting similar exemptions to residents of this State, upon payment of such fees as are required by Maryland applicators or pest control consultants and upon meeting any additional requirements that may be required in the agreement. #### Section 5-210.2 (a) (1) A person who violates any provision of this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for a first violation of this subtitle. (2) A person who violates any provision of this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each subsequent violation of this subtitle. (3) Each day a violation under this subsection occurs is a separate violation. (4) In addition to the denial, suspension, or revocation of the license, permit or certificate, the Secretary may impose a civil penalty on the holder of a license, permit, or certificate under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection for each violation of this subtitle. (5) The total penalties imposed on a person for violations under this subtitle that result from the same set of facts and circumstances may not exceed $25,000. (b) The penalty imposed on a person under this section shall be assessed with consideration given to: (1) The willfulness of the violation, the extent to which the existence of the violation was known to the violator but uncorrected by the violator, and the extent to which the violator exercised reasonable care; (2) Any actual harm to human health or to the environment including injury to or impairment of the use of the waters of this State or the natural resources of this State; (3) The cost of control; (4) The nature and degree of injury to or interference with general welfare, health, and property; (5) The extent to which the location of the violation, including location near areas of human population, creates the potential for harm to the environment or to human health or safety; and (6) The extent to which the current violation is part of a recurrent pattern of the same or similar type of violation committed by the violator. (c) Penalties collected by the Secretary under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State. (d) The Secretary shall establish such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. #### Section 5-210.3 An employer may not require a pest control applicator, as a condition of employment, to transport pesticides in a commercial transportation vehicle that does not contain a compartment for the pesticides that is separated from the passenger area or in a manner that does not provide adequate protection for the safety and health of the passengers from the pesticides. #### Section 5-210.4 (a) The Secretary may bring an action for an injunction against a person who violates any provision of this subtitle. (b) In an action for an injunction under this section, any finding of the Secretary after a hearing is prima facie evidence of each fact the Secretary determines. (c) On a showing that a person is violating any provision of this subtitle, a court shall grant an injunction without requiring a showing of a lack of an adequate remedy at law. (d) An action for an injunction under this section is in addition to, and not instead of, criminal prosecution taken under Sec. 5-211 of this subtitle or imposition of civil penalties under Sec. 5-210.2 of this subtitle. #### Section 5-211 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, or both, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court. (b) Instead of or in addition to any other penalty provided for in this section, the court may award indemnification to any person who has contracted with the defendant and who has suffered financial injury or damages as a result of the violation of any provision of this subtitle. (c) The amount of any indemnification awarded under subsection (b) of this section shall be limited to the actual amount paid for the services by the injured party. (d) Nothing in subsection (b) of this section shall abrogate the right of any person to bring an action for civil damages for violations of this subtitle. ### Subtitle 2A. Neonicotinoid Pesticides #### Section 5-2A-01 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Certified applicator" has the meaning stated in Sec. 5-201 of this title. (c) "Neonicotinoid pesticide" means any pesticide containing a chemical belonging to the neonicotinoid class of chemicals, including: (1) Imidacloprid; (2) Nithiazine; (3) Acetamiprid; (4) Clothianidin; (5) Dinotefuran; (6) Thiacloprid; (7) Thiamethoxam; and (8) Any other chemical designated by the Department as belonging to the neonicotinoid class of chemicals. (d) "Restricted use pesticide" has the meaning stated in Sec. 5-201 of this title. #### Section 5-2A-02 (a) This section does not apply to: (1) Pet care products used to mitigate fleas, mites, ticks, heartworms, or other animals that are harmful to the health of a domesticated animal; (2) Personal care products used to mitigate lice and bedbugs; and (3) Indoor pest control products used to mitigate insects indoors, including ant bait. (b) (1) On or after January 1, 2018, a person may not sell at retail in the State a neonicotinoid pesticide unless the person also sells a restricted use pesticide. (2) A person that sells a neonicotinoid pesticide under paragraph (1) of this subsection: (i) May sell a neonicotinoid pesticide only to a certified applicator or a farmer; and (ii) Shall store each neonicotinoid pesticide in a manner that is inaccessible to a customer without the assistance from the person or an employee of the person. (c) On or after January 1, 2018, a person may not use a neonicotinoid pesticide unless the person is: (1) A certified applicator or a person working under the supervision of a certified applicator; (2) A farmer, or a person under the supervision of a farmer, who uses the pesticide for agricultural purposes, including crop production, livestock, poultry, equine, and noncrop agricultural fields; or (3) A veterinarian. #### Section 5-2A-03 The Department shall incorporate pollinator habitat expansion and enhancement practices into the State's Managed Pollinator Protection Plan developed in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. #### Section 5-2A-04 (a) On completion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's pollinator risk assessment of the neonicotinoid pesticides imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran, the Department shall review the State's pesticide laws and regulations and make recommendations for any changes necessary to ensure State laws and regulations are protective of pollinators, taking into account the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. (b) Within 6 months of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's completed pollinator risk assessment of neonicotinoid pesticides, the Department shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. #### Section 5-2A-05 A person who violates this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty of $250. ### Subtitle 3. Plant Disease Control #### Section 5-301 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Broker" means any person who solicits, takes orders, sells or distributes nursery stock in the State other than a nurseryman or dealer. (c) (1) "Dealer" means any person, except a nurseryman or broker, who advertises nursery stock for sale or installation or who buys, collects, or otherwise acquires wild plants or nursery stock for the purpose of selling, planting or distributing them. (2) "Dealer" does not include a person who acquires plants for personal use. (d) "Nursery" means any place where nursery stock is produced for sale or distribution. (e) "Nursery stock" means (1) any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub, or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant; (2) any nonhardy plant or plant part to be distributed in another state that requires plant inspection and certification before entering that state; and (3) any other plant included by the Secretary, if regulating its movement is necessary to control any dangerously injurious plant pest. (f) "Nurseryman" means any person engaged in the production of nursery stock for sale or distribution. (g) "Plant pest" means any insect, snail, nematode, fungus, virus, bacteria, weed, or any other form of terrestrial or aquatic plant or microorganisms (except viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms on or in living man or another living animal) which is normally considered to be a plant pest or which the Secretary declares to be a pest. #### Section 5-302 (a) The Secretary at least once a year shall determine by inspection the health and general condition of the horticultural and agricultural interests in each county of the State. (b) The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations governing the certification of nurseries and the licensing of dealers and brokers, develop a system for establishing plant standards, including pest free stock, develop a program for preventing the sale or distribution of plants that may be infested or infected with dangerously injurious pests, and establish reasonable fees, not to exceed $25, for services provided under this subtitle. (c) All fees collected under the provisions of this subtitle shall be placed in a fund known as the "Plant Protection Fund" and used to partially defray the expense of administering this subtitle. Any unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year shall revert to the general funds of the State. #### Section 5-304 In order to control, retard, or eradicate dangerously injurious plant pests, the Secretary may: (1) Establish or rescind quarantines against the introduction into the State of any plant material known to be infested or infected or which reasonably may be believed to be infested or infected; (2) Quarantine any area of the State known or reasonably believed to be infested or infected with dangerously injurious plant pests; (3) Regulate the movement of infested or infected plant material or nonplant material likely to transfer the infestation or infection from a quarantined area to a noninfested or noninfected area; (4) Remove any quarantine when the purpose for which it was established is achieved; (5) Regulate or prohibit the planting of any crop in a quarantined area which the Secretary determines would prevent or limit the control, retardation, or eradication of any dangerously injurious plant pest for which the quarantine is established; and (6) Issue directives for any quarantined area as an integral part of the quarantine order relating to treatment of infested or infected crops and to treatment of soil, implements, storage facilities, or any other equipment or materials in the area that are likely to be a factor in transmitting any dangerously injurious plant pest to nonquarantined areas in the State. #### Section 5-305 (a) The Secretary shall determine whether any plant infestation, plant infection or animal or human disease with a known or suspected arthropod vector exists which may be controlled or its spread retarded by aircraft dissemination of pesticides. (b) If the Secretary determines that an infestation, infection, or disease exists, he may control or retard its spread by aircraft dissemination of pesticides, notwithstanding any other provision of law. (c) To carry out the provisions of this section, the Secretary may expend funds appropriated in the State budget or otherwise for use in controlling incipient, emergency, or persistent insect, fungus, or disease outbreaks which the Secretary determines require immediate elimination as a menace to the economic welfare and health of the people of the State. (d) The Secretary may receive and expend funds from any person for the purposes of this section. He may employ personnel and execute work undertaken pursuant to this section by contract or open account as he deems to be in the best interest of the State. (e) The Secretary may cooperate with any other state or any other state or federal agency in determining the necessity for and conducting aircraft dissemination of pesticides. In the case of human diseases, the Secretary shall cooperate with the Maryland Department of Health. #### Section 5-306 (a) To accomplish the purpose of this subtitle, the Secretary may enter any public or private land or property, vehicle, vessel or aircraft in the State to inspect, destroy, treat, or experiment with dangerously injurious plant pests. It is unlawful to deny access to, offer any resistance to, hinder, misrepresent or conceal facts from the Secretary or his agent in the performance of their duties. (b) If the Secretary determines that any dangerously injurious plant pest can be controlled without destroying the plant, then he shall order it treated. If the person notified fails to comply with the order, the Secretary shall apply the appropriate control measures and the owner shall pay the cost. If the owner refuses to pay the cost, it shall be collected as provided in Sec. 5-307. The Secretary may treat any suspicious plant found in dangerous proximity to those infested or infected in order to prevent dissemination. #### Section 5-307 (a) If the Secretary or his designee finds any plant infested or infected with any dangerously injurious plant pest, he shall issue a stop sale notice and mark or tag the plant in a conspicuous manner. He shall give written notice to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of the premises. (b) If the person notified does not destroy or treat the infested or infected plant pursuant to the departmental rules and regulations, the Secretary shall destroy or treat the plant. The Secretary shall prepare a statement of the expenses of destruction or treatment and shall transmit a copy of the statement and account to the State's Attorney of the county where the owner of the premises resides. The State's Attorney shall collect the expenses and account to the Secretary. The copy of the statement and account is sufficient evidence to prove the claim. #### Section 5-308 The Secretary may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to provide that shipments of Maryland nursery stock shall be received on the same basis as the nursery stock of other states is received in Maryland under the provisions of this subtitle. #### Section 5-309 (a) (1) At least once each year the Secretary shall inspect each nursery in the State to determine if the nursery stock is infested or infected with dangerously injurious plant pests. (2) Each nursery shall pay the Secretary an inspection fee based on the number of acres in production as follows: (i) 1 acre or less, $20; (ii) More than 1 acre to 5 acres, $30; (iii) More than 5 acres to 10 acres, $40; and (iv) More than 10 acres, $5 for each acre, or part of any acre, up to a maximum of $1,500. (3) All fees collected under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be deposited into the Plant Protection Fund and used to defray partially the cost of inspecting the nurseries. (b) (1) Each nursery shall be certified annually by the Secretary if it meets standards established by the Department regarding freedom from plant pests and on payment of a fee of $150. (2) All fees collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be deposited into the Plant Protection Fund and used to defray partially the cost of inspecting and certifying the nurseries. (c) (1) Each broker or dealer shall comply with the regulations established by the Department and shall pay an annual license fee of $150. (2) The Secretary may inspect annually the nursery stock in a sales or holding yard of a broker or dealer. (3) Each broker or dealer shall pay the Secretary an inspection fee as provided in subsection (a) of this section. (4) All fees collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be deposited into the Plant Protection Fund and used to defray partially the cost of inspecting and licensing the brokers and dealers. (d) (1) The Secretary may certify plants: (i) To be apparently free of injurious viruses or other diseases; or (ii) That conform to established standards of strain purity. (2) Each plant producer shall pay the Secretary a certification fee for each acre, or part of an acre, in plant production as follows: (i) Strawberry plants, "Cape" American beachgrass, "Avalon" Saltmeadow cordgrass, $50; and (ii) Grape vines, fruit trees, and bramble plants, $70. (3) All fees collected under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be deposited into the Plant Protection Fund and used to defray partially the cost of virus indexing, inspection, and analysis of plants certified or tagged. (e) (1) If dangerously injurious plant pests are found in any nursery, orchard, or any premises where nursery stock is grown or held for sale, the Secretary shall order it treated or destroyed by the nursery or dealer. (2) The Secretary shall release all other nursery stock grown on the premises, and issue a certificate of inspection to the owner. (3) If the nursery or dealer fails to comply with the order, the Secretary shall seize, destroy, or treat the infested or infected nursery stock and the owner shall pay the costs. (4) If an owner refuses to pay the costs required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the costs shall be collected in accordance with Sec. 5-307 of this subtitle. (f) A federal, State, or local public agency is exempt from the license and inspection fees required by this section. #### Section 5-310 (a) If any nursery stock is shipped into the State from any other state to any nurseryman, broker, dealer, or other person in the State, every carload, bale, box or package shall be plainly labeled on the outside with (1) the name of the consignor, (2) the name of the consignee, and (3) a certificate showing that the contents have been inspected by a qualified State or government officer, and that the nursery stock is apparently free from any dangerously injurious plant pests. (b) If any nursery stock is shipped into the State from any other state without a certificate plainly fixed on the outside of each carload, box, bale, or package, the agent of the person receiving it may not deliver the nursery stock to the consignee or agent representing the consignor. The agent of the recipient shall notify the Secretary. (c) The Secretary immediately shall request any District Court to issue a summons ordering the consignee, consignor, or their agents to appear before it on a certain day named in the summons to show why the nursery stock should not be seized for violating the provisions of this subtitle. If the Court is satisfied that the provisions of this subtitle have been violated, it shall order the consignee or his agent to return the carload, box, bale, or package of nursery stock immediately to the consignor, unless the consignee or agent of the consignor at his expense has the nursery stock examined and certified by the Secretary. If the agent or consignee fails to have the nursery stock examined and certified by the Secretary or fails to return the carload, box, bale or package, then the Court shall order the constable, sheriff, or any law enforcement officer to burn and destroy any nursery stock shipped into the State in violation of this subtitle. #### Section 5-311 (a) No nurseryman, broker, dealer, or other person may sell, ship, send, donate by mail, express, freight, or otherwise distribute nursery stock from any nursery or orchard, unless it is accompanied by a copy of the Department certificate printed on a tag or label that is not easily destroyed. (b) The tag or label shall be firmly attached in a conspicuous position on each carload, box, bale, or package sent or delivered. #### Section 5-312 If any nurseryman, dealer, or agent of a carrier sells, ships, or delivers in the State any nursery stock infested or infected with dangerously injurious plant pests which upon examination by the Secretary is condemned, the nursery stock shall be destroyed, and the nurseryman, dealer, or agent shall forfeit the value of the stock and may not collect its value from the purchaser or consignee. #### Section 5-313 Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is subject to the penalties and fines set forth in Title 12 of this article. #### Section 5-314 (a) Instead of any other penalty authorized under this article, the Secretary may impose, on any person who violates any provision of this subtitle or any order which the Secretary has issued under this subtitle, a civil penalty not exceeding $500 for each violation. (b) Penalties collected by the Secretary under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State. (c) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. ### Subtitle 4. Mosquito Control #### Section 5-401 The Secretary, in the name of the State, may acquire for its use property rights of any kind by gift, purchase, or condemnation from the owner, as it deems desirable or necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subtitle. #### Section 5-402 The Secretary may accept, use, or expend, on terms satisfactory to him, any aid, gift, or loan made available, by the government of the United States or any agency of it, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subtitle. #### Section 5-403 The Secretary may execute work undertaken pursuant to this subtitle by contract or open account, as he deems to be in the State's best interest. #### Section 5-404 (a) The Secretary may receive from any county, municipality, or special taxing district in the State funds for the purpose authorized by this section. (b) The Secretary may contract with any county, municipality, or special taxing district with respect to the construction or maintenance of the facilities and other work authorized by this subtitle to control or eliminate mosquitoes in or adjacent to the county, municipality or special taxing district. (c) The county, municipality, or special taxing district shall carry out the provisions of any contract entered into with the Secretary with respect to the work authorized by this subtitle. (d) To meet its financial commitments under the contract, each county, municipality, or special taxing district shall appropriate and, if necessary, levy taxes for these funds and pay them over, as the contract requires. (e) All expenses for mosquito control on State-owned land shall be paid from the general funds of the State. #### Section 5-405 (a) The Secretary may make inspections, investigations, studies, and determinations as he deems advisable in order to ascertain the effect of mosquitoes and methods for their control or elimination in any part of the State. (b) If funds are available, the Secretary may construct and maintain ditches, dikes, dams, and other facilities and may place or spread insecticides or other substances he determines desirable or necessary to control or eliminate mosquitoes in any part of the State. #### Section 5-405.1 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, at least 24 hours before the State, a county, or a bicounty agency sprays a pesticide to control mosquitos within a municipality, the State, county, or bicounty agency shall provide to the municipality notification of: (1) The location of the spraying; and (2) The planned date and time of the spraying. (b) If the State, a county, or a bicounty agency determines that spraying a pesticide is necessary to control the outbreak of a virus, contagion, or similar public health threat, the State, county, or bicounty agency shall provide the notification required under subsection (a) of this section to the municipality as soon as practicable. #### Section 5-406 (a) If the Secretary, in cooperation with the local health authority, finds that a person is causing or allowing mosquitoes to breed or develop on any property in a manner that may pose a threat to public health, the Secretary may order that the person abate the mosquito habitat in a manner and at a time specified in the order. (b) After all reasonable attempts of abatement have failed, an order issued in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be served: (1) On the person who is causing or allowing mosquitoes to breed or develop; or (2) If the person who is causing or allowing the mosquitoes to breed or develop cannot be found, on the owner or occupant of the property where the mosquitoes exist. #### Section 5-407 (a) The Secretary may bring an action for an injunction against any person violating any order issued by the Secretary under Sec. 5-406 of this subtitle. (b) In any action for an injunction brought under this section, any finding of the Secretary after a hearing shall be prima facie evidence of each fact found. (c) On a showing by the Secretary that any person is violating or is about to violate any order issued by the Secretary, an injunction shall be granted without the necessity of showing a lack of adequate remedy at law. (d) An injunction instituted under this section shall be issued without bond. #### Section 5-408 A person who fails to comply with the requirements of an order served under Sec. 5-406 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to: (1) For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000; and (2) For a second or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $5,000. ### Subtitle 5. Honey Bees #### Section 5-501 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Abandoned apiary" means an apiary where a beekeeper fails to maintain a colony. (c) "Apiary" means a place where one or more bee colonies may be maintained. (d) "Appliance" means any device used in handling bees, hives, honey, or wax. (e) "Bee" means the common honey bee, apis mellifera, at any stage of development. (f) "Bee equipment" means any part of a hive, including any frame, hive body, or super. (g) "Colony" means a hive that contains bees, comb, and honey. (h) "Disease" means an abnormal condition resulting from action by a parasite, predator, or infectious agent. (i) "Hive" means a container for housing bees. (j) "Honey house" means a structure where honey is extracted and processed for sale. (k) "Packaged bee" means any bee shipped in a combless package. #### Section 5-502 The Secretary shall: (1) Inspect apiaries and honey houses; (2) Conduct investigations; (3) Disseminate information to promote the beekeeping industry; and (4) Keep records of any work performed in carrying out the provisions of this subtitle. #### Section 5-503 (a) (1) A beekeeper shall register annually with the Department each colony that it maintains, as provided in this subsection. (2) On or before January 1 of each year, the beekeeper shall complete and submit to the Department a registration form on which the beekeeper shall state the number of colonies he maintains and the location of each colony. (3) The Department shall adopt a form which shall be used to comply with the registration requirements of this subsection. (b) Any person who is not registered as a beekeeper under this section and who acquires a colony shall register it with the Department within 30 days after the acquisition. #### Section 5-504 (a) Except as provided in this section, a person may not keep a colony or possess bee equipment that is infected with an infectious bee disease. (b) Each beekeeper with an infected colony shall notify the Department. (c) A beekeeper may not sell, barter, or give to any person any infected colony, bee equipment, or appliance unless it is treated in a manner that the Department approves. (d) (1) The Department may do any of the following: (i) After sending to the beekeeper a written notice of quarantine, quarantine any apiary containing an infected colony or bee equipment; (ii) Order treatment of an infected colony or bee equipment; and (iii) Order destruction of an infected colony or bee equipment. (2) A quarantine shall remain in effect until the Department issues a written release of the quarantine. (3) The Department shall instruct the beekeeper on any treatment or destruction that is ordered under this section. #### Section 5-505 (a) A person may not ship or transport into this State any colony or used bee equipment that is not accompanied by a valid inspection certificate that: (1) Has been issued by an authorized apiary inspector of the state of origin; and (2) States that the colony or equipment is disease free based on an inspection by that inspector within a time period as determined by the Department. (b) Before a person may ship or transport into this State any colony or used bee equipment, the person shall submit the following information to the Department: (1) An inspection certificate from the state of origin; (2) The name, address, and state of residence of the shipper; (3) The person to whom and destination to which the colony or bee equipment is to be shipped; (4) The number of hives that contain bees; (5) The type and quantity of bee equipment contained in the shipment; (6) The date of the last official inspection of the apiary and bee equipment; (7) The total number of colonies in the apiary inspected; (8) The number of infected colonies, if any, that were found in the apiary on that last inspection; and (9) The number of these infected colonies that were destroyed. (c) Without the prior written permission of the Department, a person may not transport into this State from outside of the United States a bee that belongs to the genus Apis, used bee equipment, or a used appliance. (d) A person may not ship or transport into this State any queen bee or packaged bee unless it is accompanied by a valid certificate that: (1) Was issued by an authorized apiary inspector of the state of origin; and (2) States that the bee is from a disease free colony. (e) A person, who receives a delivery of a colony or bee that was transported into this State without the document required under this subtitle, immediately shall give to the Department notice of the delivery. (f) (1) Any colony or bee that is transported into this State in a manner that does not meet the requirements of this subtitle shall be restricted to an area that the Department designates and may not be moved. (2) The Department shall give the owner notice that unless the colony or bee is removed from the State within 24 hours, it may be destroyed by the Department at the expense of the owner. (3) The Department may destroy at the expense of the owner any bee or colony that is not removed from this State within 24 hours after notice is given under this subsection. (g) A transportation company or common carrier shall have the immunity from liability described under Sec. 5-415 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. #### Section 5-506 In each colony that it maintains, a beekeeper shall provide movable frames, each of which may be removed from the colony without causing damage to the combs in the colony. #### Section 5-507 (a) A beekeeper whose apiary is located on the property of any other person shall post in a conspicuous place in the apiary its identification number, as assigned by the Department, or other identification approved by the Department. (b) (1) The Department shall give to the owner of an abandoned apiary or to the owner of the property on which the abandoned apiary is located notice that, if the apiary remains abandoned for more than 30 days from the date of the notice, the Department may condemn the apiary and remove any colony. (2) If an apiary remains abandoned for more than 30 days from the date that notice is given under this subsection, the Department may condemn and remove the apiary. ### Subtitle 6. San Juan Rabbits #### Section 5-601 A person may not possess or import into the State any live rabbit, of the type now commonly known as the "San Juan rabbit", for any purpose. Each rabbit imported or possessed in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. In addition to any other penalty provided by this article, any person who violates this section shall forfeit any live San Juan rabbits he possesses. ### Subtitle 8. Nuisance Bird Law #### Section 5-801 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Cooperator" means any person or federal, State or local government agency. (c) "Nuisance birds" means red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), and exotic species as determined by the Secretary when causing or about to cause economic losses to agriculture in the State. #### Section 5-802 (a) The Secretary may conduct research to determine population trends or economic losses to agriculture caused by nuisance birds, and may develop and implement a plan of action for their control. (b) The Secretary may demonstrate procedures or render technical assistance for the management of any nuisance birds. (c) Any actions taken by the Secretary will be performed so as to protect human life, domestic animals, and other wildlife. (d) The Secretary shall adopt means and methods of control of nuisance birds. #### Section 5-803 The Secretary, upon receipt of a complaint of a nuisance bird problem, may make an investigation to determine the degree and type of assistance required. If necessary after the investigation, the Secretary shall recommend approved means and methods of population management. #### Section 5-804 (a) The Secretary shall cooperate with federal agencies, other State agencies, other states, and other persons in carrying out the duties imposed upon him by this subtitle. (b) Any money received from any cooperator or person shall be deposited in a special nuisance bird fund and be used to defray partially the expense of administering this subtitle. ### Subtitle 10. Nuisance Insects #### Section 5-1001 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Fund" means the Nuisance Insects Fund. (c) (1) "Nuisance insect" means an insect that is determined by the Secretary to pester or annoy only humans. (2) "Nuisance insect" does not include: (i) An insect that is a threat to the health of humans, animals, or plants; or (ii) A pollinator. #### Section 5-1002 The General Assembly finds that the proliferation of certain species of insects, including the group Simulium jenningsi, commonly known as black flies, while not posing a direct threat to the health of humans, animals, or plants, may constitute a public and common nuisance on land and waters used for recreation, employment, and tourism. #### Section 5-1003 (a) (1) In accordance with the State budget and subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall implement a program to use Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis to control or eliminate nuisance insects in the State. (2) The program shall be implemented on: (i) State-owned property; (ii) Property owned by a local government with the consent of the local government; and (iii) Private property with the consent of the property owner. (3) To carry out the program, the Secretary may: (i) Treat property with an aerial spraying or backpack spraying of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis; (ii) Conduct field studies to determine the need for, location, and time of spraying; (iii) Schedule spraying when the conditions are optimal for ingestion by nuisance insects; (iv) Notify appropriate persons of the date and location of an upcoming spraying; and (v) Review the effectiveness of spraying. (b) Notice provided under subsection (a)(3)(iv) of this section shall, at a minimum, be: (1) Provided to: (i) Local press outlets; (ii) County and local governments that are in the area that will be affected by the spraying; (iii) Emergency responders and associated agencies that service the area that will be affected by the spraying; and (iv) The local riverkeeper for the area that will be affected by the spraying; and (2) Posted on appropriate social media sites. (c) (1) The Secretary shall carry out a project to use Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis to control or eliminate nuisance insects under this section if the county or municipality in which the nuisance insects are located agrees to pay 50% of the costs associated with the project. (2) The Secretary shall remit any payment from a county or municipality received under this subsection to the Comptroller for deposit to the Nuisance Insects Fund, established under Sec. 5-1004 of this subtitle. #### Section 5-1004 (a) There is a Nuisance Insects Fund. (b) The purpose of the Fund is to facilitate the control or elimination of nuisance insects in the State. (c) The Secretary or the Secretary's designee shall administer the Fund. (d) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to Sec. 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (e) The Fund consists of: (1) Any money distributed to the Fund under Sec. 5-1003(b) of this subtitle; (2) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and (3) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (f) The Fund may be used only to cover the actual, documented direct and indirect costs associated with controlling or eliminating nuisance insects in accordance with a program implemented under Sec. 5-1003 of this subtitle. #### Section 5-1005 The Secretary may adopt regulations to implement this subtitle. --- Md. Code Ann., Agric. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)