<section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-101" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A commercial feed is “adulterated” if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The feed contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render the feed injurious to human or animal health, except when the substance is not added to the feed and the quantity of the substance does not ordinarily render it injurious to human or animal health;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A valuable constituent is omitted or abstracted wholly or partially from it or any less valuable substance is substituted for it;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Its composition or quality falls below or differs from that which it is purported or is represented to possess by its labeling;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The feed contains any added poisonous, added deleterious, or added nonnutritive substance which is unsafe;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The feed consists, in whole or part, of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or is otherwise unfit for feed; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The feed has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions where the feed may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to human or animal health.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Brand” means the term, design, trademark, or other specific designation under which individual commercial feed is distributed in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Commercial feed” means a material or combination of materials distributed, or intended for distribution, for use as feed, or for mixing in feed for any animal other than man including feed prepared and distributed for consumption by dogs and cats, or any domesticated animal normally maintained in a cage or tank, including gerbils, hamsters, canaries, psittacine birds, mynahs, finches, tropical fish, goldfish, snakes, and turtles, except:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Unmixed whole seeds and physically altered entire unmixed seeds that are not chemically altered or adulterated;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Commodities such as hay, straw, stover, silage, cobs, husks, hulls, and individual chemical compounds or substances when the commodities, compounds, or substances are not intermixed with other materials or adulterated; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A material or combination of materials that is exempt from this definition in regulations adopted by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Contract feed” means a commercial feed which is formulated according to an agreement between a distributor and a contract feeder.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Contract feeder” means an independent contractor who feeds commercial feed to animals pursuant to a contract whereby commercial feed is supplied, furnished, or otherwise provided to him and his remuneration is determined wholly or partially by feed consumption, mortality, profits, amount, or quality of the product.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Customer–formula feed” means a mixture of commercial feed, each batch of which is mixed according to the specific instructions of any distributee.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Distribute” means to exchange, offer for sale, sell, or barter, supply, furnish, or provide commercial feed, customer–formula feed, or contract feed to a contract feeder, or otherwise to supply, furnish, or provide commercial feeds as part of a commercial enterprise.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Feed ingredient” means each of the constituent materials making up a commercial feed.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Label” means a display of written, printed, or graphic matter upon or affixed to the container in which a commercial feed is distributed, or on the invoice or delivery slip with which a commercial feed, customer–formula feed, or contract feed is distributed.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Manufacture” means to grind, mix, or blend or further process a commercial feed.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <text>A commercial feed is “misbranded” if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Its labeling is false or misleading in any particular;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>It is distributed under the name of another feed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>It is not labeled as required in §§ 6–109, 6–110, and 6–111 of this subtitle and in the departmental rules and regulations;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>It purports to be or is represented as a feed ingredient, or if it purports to contain or is represented as containing a feed ingredient, unless the feed ingredient conforms to any definition of identity, prescribed by departmental rules and regulations, which shall give due regard to commonly accepted definitions, such as those issued by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Inc.; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any word, statement, or other information, required to appear on the label or labeling, is not placed on it prominently and conspicuously, as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices in the labeling, and it is not in terms that render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Official sample” means any sample of feed taken and designated as “official” by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <text>“Percent” or “percentage” means percentage by weight.</text> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“Ton” means a net weight of two thousand pounds avoirdupois.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-102" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>The State Chemist shall administer the provisions of this subtitle subject to the supervision of the Secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-104" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>The Secretary may adopt reasonable rules and regulations necessary to secure the efficient administration of this subtitle. No rule or regulation may be adopted, amended, or repealed unless a public hearing is held on the proposal, and notice of the hearing is given in at least two trade papers of general circulation at least 20 days in advance.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-105" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>The Secretary shall publish at least annually, in any form he deems proper: (1) information concerning the distribution of commercial feeds; (2) data on the production and use of commercial feeds as he considers advisable; and (3) a report of the results of the analyses of official samples of commercial feeds distributed in the State as compared with the analyses guaranteed in the registration and on the label. The published information concerning production and use of commercial feeds may not disclose the operations of any person.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-106" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall sample, inspect, test and make analyses of commercial feed distributed in the State at any time and place and to the extent the Secretary considers necessary to ensure compliance with this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt the methods of sampling and analysis from sources, such as the journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, or methods that insure representative sampling and accurate examination.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In determining for administrative purposes whether a commercial feed is deficient in any component, the Secretary shall be guided solely by the official sample obtained and analyzed as provided by this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>When inspection and analysis of an official sample indicates a commercial feed is adulterated, misbranded, or does not contain an enzyme or other additive in accordance with § 6-107.1 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall forward the results of the analysis to the person who registers the product and the person from whom the sample is taken. The Secretary shall furnish the distributor with a portion of the sample concerned within 30 days if he requests it.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Secretary may enter on any public or private premises, including any transportation vehicle, during regular business hours to obtain access to commercial feeds or to records relating to their distribution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-106.1" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Inspect for wholesomeness any commercial feed donated to a nonprofit corporation, organization, or association; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establish procedures for handling commercial feed donated to any nonprofit corporation, organization, or association.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person shall have the immunity from liability under § 5–634.1 of the Courts Article for any act or omission that affects the nature, age, condition, or packaging of the donated commercial feed.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-107" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a distributor shall register each brand name or product name of commercial feed before distributing it in the State. Customer–formula feeds and contract feeds are exempt from registration if the registration fee is paid on the commercial feeds which they contain.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The registration application for commercial feeds shall be submitted on forms furnished by the Secretary, and shall also be accompanied by a label or other printed matter describing the product if requested by the Secretary. The application shall include the information required by §§ 6–109, 6–110, and 6–111 of this subtitle. When the Secretary has approved the registration, he shall furnish a copy to the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The annual registration fee for each commercial feed distributed in the State is $50. Customer–formula feeds and contract feeds are exempt if the registration fee is paid on the commercial feeds which they contain.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each registration expires April 30 each year.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Provided the product label has not been altered or changed, a distributor may not be required to register any brand of commercial feed which has been registered under this subtitle by another person.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-107.1" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>By December 31, 2000, all contract feed that is fed to chickens must include phytase or other enzyme or additive that reduces phosphorus in poultry waste to the maximum extent that is commercially and biologically feasible.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall adopt regulations to monitor compliance with subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Secretary determines that the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section have a significant detrimental effect on poultry production or the poultry market, the Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Suspend the program for a reasonable period of time; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Recommend to the General Assembly that the requirement be modified or terminated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In developing regulations under subsection (b) of this section and in making a determination under subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Delmarva poultry industry, the Maryland Farm Bureau, and the University of Maryland Department of Animal and Avian Science.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-107.2" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may establish an assessment of up to $6 per ton on commercial equine feed that is sold in Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The assessment shall be paid by the person registering the feed according to the collection and reporting guidelines established by the Secretary by regulation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any assessments collected shall be paid into the Maryland Horse Industry Fund as provided in § 2–708.2 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Allow a person who purchases commercial equine feed in the State to request reimbursement of any assessment that was paid on the feed; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Require that a purchaser of feed be notified, at the point of sale, of the possibility of reimbursement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, any funds collected under this section may be used only for education, research, and promotional materials and activities intended to benefit the Maryland equine industry.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-107.3" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not use, sell, or distribute for use or sale within the State any commercial feed intended for use as poultry feed that contains:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Roxarsone; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other additive that contains arsenic.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may use, sell, or distribute for use or sale within the State any commercial feed intended for use as poultry feed that contains histostat.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-108" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may refuse to register any commercial feed not in compliance with the provisions of this subtitle. He may cancel the registration of any commercial feed subsequently found not to be in compliance with any provision of this subtitle. However, no registration may be refused or canceled until the applicant or registrant has been given opportunity to be heard before the Secretary and to amend his application or the Secretary may allow the feed to be processed so that it complies with the requirements of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may permit a change in the guarantee of either chemical or ingredient composition of a registered commercial feed, if there is satisfactory evidence that the change would not result in a lowering of the feeding value of the product for the purpose for which it is designed.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-109" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Any commercial feed, except customer-formula feed or contract feed, distributed in the State shall be accompanied by a legible label bearing the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The net weight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The name or brand under which the commercial feed is distributed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The common or usual name of each ingredient used in manufacturing the commercial feed, unless the Secretary by rule or regulation, permits the use of a collective term for a group of ingredients which perform the same function;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The name and address of the person responsible for distributing the commercial feed; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The guaranteed analysis of the commercial feed, listing the minimum percentage of crude protein, minimum percentage of crude fat, and maximum percentage of crude fiber, for mineral feeds the list shall include the following if added: minimum and maximum percentage of calcium (Ca), minimum percentage of phosphorous (P), minimum percentage of iodine (I), and minimum and maximum percentage of salt (NaCl). Other substances or elements, determinable by laboratory methods, may be guaranteed if permission of the Secretary is obtained. If any feed nutrient is guaranteed, it shall be subject to inspection and analysis in accordance with the methods and rules and regulations adopted by the Secretary. Products distributed solely as mineral or vitamin supplements and guaranteed as specified in this section need not show guarantees for protein, fat, or fiber.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When distributed in the State in bags or other containers, commercial feed shall bear the label placed on or affixed to the container. When distributed in bulk, the label shall accompany delivery and be furnished to the distributee at the time of delivery.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-110" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>Each customer-formula feed or contract feed shall be labeled by invoice. The invoice, delivery ticket, or both shall accompany delivery, be supplied to the distributee at the time of delivery, and bear the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Name and address of the mixer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Name and address of the distributee;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Date of distribution; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Number of pounds and name of each registered commercial feed used in the mixture and number of pounds and name of every other feed ingredient added.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-111" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>If a commercial feed, customer-formula feed, or contract feed contains a poisonous, deleterious, or nonnutritive substance which is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, or prevention of a disease, or which is intended to affect the structure or any function of the animal body, the Secretary may require the label to show any or all of the following: the amount of the substance present, directions for use, or warnings against misuse of the feed.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-112" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>No person may distribute adulterated or misbranded feed.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-112.1" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adulterate or misbrand a commercial feed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Distribute a commercial feed that is not registered with the Department;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Remove or dispose of a commercial feed in violation of a “stop sale” order issued under § 6–113 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Detach, alter, deface, or destroy, wholly or partially, any label or labeling required under this subtitle or Department regulations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-113" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may issue and enforce a written stop-sale order to the owner, custodian, or distributor of any commercial feed 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.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The order prohibits sale or distribution of the commercial feed until the Secretary has evidence that the feed is in compliance with the law and until the Secretary provides a written release from the stop-sale order.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary may file a petition for condemnation in the circuit court of the county in which the commercial feed is located. If the court finds the commercial feed to be in violation of the provisions of this subtitle and orders the condemnation, the commercial feed shall be disposed of in any manner consistent with the quality of the commercial feed and the laws of the State. The court may not dispose of the commercial feed without first giving the claimant an opportunity to apply to the court for release of it or for permission to process or relabel the commercial feed so that it complies with the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-114" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>In any prosecution under this subtitle relating to the composition of commercial feed, a certified copy of the official analysis signed by the Secretary or the State Chemist is prima facie evidence of the composition.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-115" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The State’s Attorney to whom any violation is reported shall institute appropriate judicial proceedings without delay. Before the Secretary reports a violation for prosecution, the person against whom the proceeding is contemplated shall be given reasonable notice of the alleged violation and an opportunity to present his view, orally or in writing.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not require the Secretary to report for prosecution, or for institution of condemnation proceedings, any minor violation of the subtitle if he believes the public interests will be served best by a suitable written warning notice.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-116" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>The Secretary may petition the court to grant a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating or continuing to violate any provision of this subtitle or any rule or regulation adopted under it, notwithstanding the existence of any other remedy at law. The injunction shall be issued without bond.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-117" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Feed Law"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the “Maryland Commercial Feed Law”.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-201" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A commercial fertilizer is “adulterated” if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any poisonous, deleterious, or nonnutritive ingredient is added in sufficient amount to render it injurious to the health of plants, humans, or animal life or injurious to the environment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A valuable constituent is omitted or abstracted wholly or partially from it or any less valuable substance is substituted for it; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Its composition or quality falls below or differs from that which it is purported or is represented to contain by its labeling.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Brand” means the term, design, trademark, or other specific designation under which a commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner is distributed in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Bulk fertilizer” means any commercial fertilizer distributed in a nonpackaged form.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Buyer’s mixture” means commercial fertilizer mixed on specific request of a purchaser according to a formula furnished by him.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Commercial fertilizer” means any substance containing a recognized plant nutrient used for its plant nutrient content and designed for use or claimed to have value in promoting plant growth, except unmanipulated animal and vegetable manure, marl, lime, wood ashes, and gypsum.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Custom–mix” means commercial fertilizer mixed on specific request of a purchaser according to a formula furnished by him.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Distribute” means to import, manufacture, produce, compound, mix, blend, barter, sell, offer for sale, consign, furnish, provide, or otherwise supply commercial fertilizer or soil conditioners as part of a commercial enterprise.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Enhanced efficiency fertilizer” means a fertilizer product that increases plant uptake and decreases the potential of nutrient loss to the environment, including gaseous loss, leaching, or runoff, when compared to an appropriate reference fertilizer product.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Fertilizer material” means a commercial fertilizer containing a recognized plant nutrient, which is used primarily for its plant nutrient content.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Grade” means the percentage of total nitrogen (N), available phosphate (P2O5), and soluble potash (K2O) stated in whole numbers in the same terms, order, and percentages as in the “guaranteed analysis”. In the case of any “specialty fertilizer” or “mixed–to–order fertilizer” guarantees may be stated in decimal fractions of whole numbers.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Guaranteed analysis” means the nominal percentage of plant nutrient claimed as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Total nitrogen (N), available phosphate (P2O5), soluble potash (K2O);</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For unacidulated mineral phosphatic materials and basic slag, both total and available phosphate and the degree of fineness;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For bone, tankage, and other organic phosphatic materials, total phosphate;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Additional plant nutrients, when claimed, shall be expressed in elemental form; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Potential basicity or acidity may be expressed in terms of calcium carbonate equivalent in multiples of 100 pounds per ton.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Gypsum” means any product that consists chiefly of calcium sulfate intended for use for agricultural purposes.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <text>“Label” means the display of all written, printed, or graphic matter on the immediate container or a statement accompanying a commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner.</text> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“Labeling” means all written, printed, or graphic matter on or accompanying any commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner, or the contents of any advertisement, brochure, poster or television or radio announcement used in promoting the sale of a commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner.</text> </level> <level label="p"> <text>“Lot” means a definite quantity of commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner, identified by name, grade, or code designation as certified by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="q"> <text>“Low phosphorous fertilizer” means fertilizer:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Containing not more than 5% of available phosphate (P2O5); and</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-202" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>This subtitle shall be administered by the State Chemist subject to the supervision of the Secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-203" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>The Secretary shall enforce this subtitle. After notice and public hearing he may adopt reasonable rules and regulations necessary to secure the efficient administration of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-205" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>The Secretary shall publish at least annually, in any form he deems proper, (1) information concerning the distribution of commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners; (2) data on their production and use as he considers advisable; and (3) a report of the results of the analysis of official samples of these products distributed in the State as compared with the analyses guaranteed in the registration and the label. The published information concerning production and use of commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners may not disclose the operation of any person.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-206" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall sample, inspect, test, and make analyses of any commercial fertilizer and soil conditioner distributed in the State at any time and place and to an extent the Secretary considers necessary to assure compliance with the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt the methods of sampling and analysis from sources, such as the journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, or methods that insure representative sampling and accurate examination.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In determining for administrative purposes whether a commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner is deficient in any component, the Secretary shall be guided solely by the official sample obtained and analyzed as provided by this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary may enter any public or private premises, including any transportation vehicle, during regular business hours, to obtain access to commercial fertilizer or soil conditioners or to records relating to their distribution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-207" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a distributor shall register each brand and grade of commercial fertilizer and each product name of soil conditioner before distributing it in the State and shall pay the registration fee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The registration application shall be accompanied by a label or other printed matter describing the product, if requested by the Secretary. The application shall be submitted on forms furnished by the Secretary. Upon the Secretary’s approval, a copy of the registration shall be furnished to the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each registration expires January 31 each year.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Provided the product label has not been altered or changed, a distributor shall not be required to register any brand and grade of commercial fertilizer or product name of soil conditioner which has been registered under this subtitle by another person.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A distributor shall not be required to register a commercial fertilizer mixed or blended according to a formula furnished by a consumer, but he shall label the fertilizer in the order and form provided in § 6–210(c) of this subtitle. However, any fertilizer mixed in advance of receipt of the customer’s specific order shall be registered.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-208" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>For each brand and grade of commercial fertilizer and for each soil conditioner distributed in the State, the annual registration fee is $15 and the annual inspection fee is 25 cents per ton except:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For each brand and grade of commercial fertilizer and each soil conditioner distributed in packages of 10 pounds or less, the annual registration fee is $30, notwithstanding any other registration or inspection fee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each brand and grade of commercial fertilizer and each soil conditioner distributed in packages of 10 pounds or less and in packages over 10 pounds, the annual $30 registration fee applies, and only the portion distributed in packages over 10 pounds is subject to the inspection fee of 25 cents per ton.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Mixed-to-order, buyer’s mixture, or custom-mix fertilizer is exempted from the registration fee, but the inspection fee shall be paid.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Distribution of fertilizer materials to manufacturers or exchange between them is exempted.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-209" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Each person who registers any commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner in the State shall furnish the Secretary with a semiannual written statement of the tonnage of each grade of commercial fertilizer or each soil conditioner distributed in the State. This statement shall include every sale for the periods of January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31 of each year.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the tonnage report is not filed and the inspection fee is not paid within 31 days after the end of the semiannual period, a collection fee amounting to 10 percent of the amount, or a minimum of $10, shall be assessed against the registrant. The amount of fees due constitute a debt and may become the basis of a judgment against the registrant.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any person who distributes any commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner shall keep records necessary or required by the Secretary to indicate accurately the tonnage of commercial fertilizer and soil conditioner distributed in the State. The Secretary has the right to examine the records to verify any statement of tonnage.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each registrant distributing or selling commercial fertilizer to a nonregistrant shall mail to the Secretary within ten days, excluding legal holidays and Sundays, after the last day of each month a statement showing the following information for that month: (1) the total tons of commercial fertilizer distributed by grades and analyses, (2) the counties to which it was distributed, and (3) the form in which the commercial fertilizer was shipped, such as, bags, bulk, or liquid. If more than one person is involved in the distribution of commercial fertilizer, the last registrant who distributes to a nonregistrant, whether a dealer or consumer, is responsible for reporting tonnage, unless a prior distributor has reported.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>This section does not require the disclosure of the name of the consignee or the sale price of the commercial fertilizer or any aspect of the operations of any person other than as specifically required. No information furnished pursuant to this section shall be disclosed in a way so as to divulge the operation of any person.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-209.1" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>A distributor shall maintain, for at least 2 years, a record of all sales or distributions of ammonium nitrate fertilizer including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date of sale or delivery of the fertilizer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The name, address, and copy of the driver’s license or picture identification card of the buyer or recipient;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The quantity of fertilizer sold or delivered; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other information required by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Records maintained pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be made available to the Secretary upon request.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary shall maintain all records or reports requested under subsection (b) of this section in a manner that protects the identity and location of the distributor and buyer or recipient.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Secretary determines that the disclosure is necessary to protect the public, the Secretary may disclose the identity and location of the distributor and buyer or recipient to a federal, State, or local government or unit of government that requests the information in the course of performing its duties related to public safety.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In consultation with the Office of Homeland Security, the Secretary shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-210" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Each brand and grade of commercial fertilizer distributed in the State shall be accompanied by a legible label bearing the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The net weight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The brand and grade under which the commercial fertilizer is distributed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The guaranteed analysis giving the nominal percentage of every plant nutrient claimed to be contained in the fertilizer; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Name and address of manufacturer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If distributed in bulk, a written or printed statement of the information required by subsection (a) of this section shall accompany delivery and be supplied to the purchaser at the time of delivery.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any fertilizer mixed or blended according to a formula furnished by a purchaser shall be marked plainly or tagged with the words “buyer’s mixture”, or “mixed–to–order”, or “custom–mix” together with a statement containing the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Net weight;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The guaranteed analysis giving the nominal percentage of every plant nutrient claimed to be contained in the fertilizer; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Name and address of the manufacturer. In addition, the amounts or kinds of materials used in the formulation may be shown.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a specialty fertilizer shall be labeled to contain all information required by subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A specialty fertilizer used on turf shall be labeled to contain:</text> <level label="i"> <text>All of the information required by subsection (a) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The percentage of total nitrogen, including the percentage of other water soluble nitrogen and water insoluble nitrogen;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The percentage of available phosphate;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The percentage of soluble potash; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <level label="1"> <text>The following statement: “Do not apply near water, storm drains or drainage ditches. Do not apply if heavy rain is expected. Apply this product only to your lawn, and sweep any product that lands on the driveway, sidewalk, or street back onto your lawn.”; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The environmental hazard statement recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for that product.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be printed in a legible and conspicuous manner on at least one side of the container, or if it does not appear on the face or display side of the container, it shall appear on the upper third of the side used.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, on or after April 1, 2011, a lawn fertilizer with an available phosphate (P2O5) content greater than 5%:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not be labeled for use on established lawns or grass;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May not be labeled with spreader settings; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Shall be marked with the words “NOT FOR USE ON ESTABLISHED LAWNS OR GRASS” in at least a three–quarter inch font and in a legible and conspicuous manner on the front side of the container.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection does not apply to seed starter fertilizer for use on newly established lawns or turf.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Each brand of soil conditioner distributed in the State shall be accompanied by a legible label bearing the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Net weight or other measure prescribed as satisfactory by the Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The brand under which the soil conditioner is distributed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An accurate statement of composition and purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Name and address of the registrant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-210.1" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Any retail outlet distributing commercial fertilizer in bags weighing 50 pounds or more shall display prominently a sign advising customers that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Overuse of commercial fertilizer damages State waters, including the Chesapeake Bay; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Customers concerned with protecting and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and other State waters should, before using a commercial fertilizer, receive a chemical analysis of the soil to be fertilized from a soil-testing laboratory.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall develop and make available at no cost to an affected retailer a sign that meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-211" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>A person may not distribute an adulterated or misbranded fertilizer or a misbranded soil conditioner.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-212" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>If the Secretary finds that a consumer possesses any commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner short in weight, the registrant of the product shall pay the consumer a penalty equal to two times the value of the actual shortage within 30 days after official notice of the Secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-213" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>The plant nutrient content of each commercial fertilizer shall remain uniform for the period of registration. No percentage of any guaranteed plant nutrient element may be changed in a manner that lowers the crop-producing quality of the commercial fertilizer, even if the fertilizer is registered subsequently.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-214" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may issue and enforce a written stop-sale order to the registrant, owner, custodian, or distributor of any fertilizer or soil conditioner 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, plants, or the environment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The order prohibits sale or distribution of the fertilizer or soil conditioner until the Secretary:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has evidence that the product is in compliance with the law; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provides a written release from the stop-sale order.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary may petition the circuit court of the county in which the commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner is located, if the fertilizer is located there, to seize any lot of commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner not in compliance with this subtitle. If the court finds the material to be in violation of the provisions of this subtitle and orders condemnation of the commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner, the material shall be disposed of in any manner consistent with the quality of the commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner and the laws of the State. The court may not dispose of the material without first giving the claimant an opportunity to apply to the court for release of it or for permission to process or relabel it so that it complies with the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-215" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>In any prosecution under this subtitle relating to the composition of a lot of commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner, a certified copy of the official analysis signed by the Secretary or the State Chemist is prima facie evidence of the composition.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-216" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The State’s Attorney to whom any violation is reported shall institute appropriate judicial proceedings without delay. Before the Secretary reports a violation for prosecution, the person against whom the proceeding is contemplated shall be given reasonable notice of the alleged violation and an opportunity to present his view, orally or in writing, with regard to the contemplated proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not require the Secretary to report for prosecution or for institution of condemnation proceedings any minor violation of the subtitle when he believes the public interests will be served best by a suitable written warning notice.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-217" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>The Secretary may petition the court to grant a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating or continuing to violate any provision of this subtitle or any rule or regulation adopted under it, notwithstanding the existence of any other remedy at law. The injunction shall be issued without bond.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-218" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>The Secretary may refuse to register or cancel the registration of any brand of commercial fertilizer or soil conditioner upon satisfactory evidence that the registrant has used fraudulent or deceptive practices in evasions or attempted evasions of the provisions of this subtitle or any rules and regulations adopted under it. However, no registration may be refused or revoked until the registrant has been given the opportunity to appear for a hearing by the Secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-219" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>To determine the commercial value to be applied in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall determine and publish annually the values per pound of nitrogen, available phosphate, soluble potash and other plant nutrients in commercial fertilizers in the State as determined by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If an official analysis of a lot shows that a commercial fertilizer is deficient in a guaranteed primary plant nutrient, that is nitrogen, available phosphate, and soluble potash, beyond the investigational allowance as established by rule or regulation, the Secretary shall assess against the registrant a penalty of three times the commercial value of the deficiency in the lot analyzed if the deficiency is confirmed in a hearing before him.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary shall evaluate other deficiencies or excesses beyond the investigational allowance established by rule or regulation in any other constituent covered under § 6–201(l) of this subtitle which the registrant is required to or may guarantee, and he shall prescribe the penalty for any deficiency or excess.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-220" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the “Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law”.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-221" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations in consultation with the State Department of the Environment to establish product standards for compost intended for commercial use and distribution.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The regulations adopted under subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Certification requirements for operators of composting facilities; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A classification scheme for compost.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To the greatest extent practicable, the regulations adopted under subsection (a) of this section shall be consistent with applicable national standards and with relevant standards which may have been developed in neighboring states.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-222" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, on or after April 1, 2011, a person may not sell or distribute for use or sale any fertilizer intended for use on established lawns or grass unless it is low phosphorous fertilizer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection does not apply to organic or natural organic fertilizer that is sold to a professional fertilizer applicator.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before April 1, 2011, a manufacturer of lawn fertilizer whose products are sold in the State shall reduce by 50% from 2006 levels the amount of available phosphate (P2O5) resulting from the application of its lawn care products within the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of available phosphate (P2O5) resulting from the application within the State of lawn care products sold or distributed by a manufacturer may not exceed an average of 1.5% available phosphate (P2O5) if, prior to April 1, 2010, the manufacturer did not sell or distribute fertilizer in the State intended for use on established lawns or grass.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Beginning in 2011, a manufacturer of fertilizer whose products are sold in the State shall report the pounds of phosphorus in its lawn care products sold at retail locations in the State to the Department at the end of each calendar year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-223" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Except for enforcement provided under § 8–803.5(g) of this article, the Department has the exclusive authority to establish standards regulating fertilizer and its application to turf.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A local government entity may not adopt laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, or standards regulating fertilizer and its application to turf.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not exempt a person from complying with any provision of, or any regulation adopted in accordance with, the Environment Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-224" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any specialty fertilizer labeled for use on turf, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container, may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Result in an application of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>More than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water–soluble nitrogen; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>More than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow–release nitrogen;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Contain phosphorus, except:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For organic and natural organic fertilizer sold to a professional fertilizer applicator; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>When specifically labeled for the following purposes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Providing nutrients to specific soils and target vegetation as determined to be necessary in accordance with a soil test that was:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Conducted by a laboratory identified under § 8–803.7 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Performed no more than 3 years before the application;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establishing vegetation for the first time, such as after land disturbance, provided the application is conducted in accordance with the recommended application rates established by the State; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Reestablishing or repairing a turf area; and</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Be labeled for use as a de–icer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An enhanced–efficiency fertilizer labeled for use on turf, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container, may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Result in an annual application of more than 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Result in an application of more than 80% of the annual recommended rate for total nitrogen established by the University of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Have a release rate of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen per month.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, a person may not offer to sell specialty fertilizer for use on turf that, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Results in an application of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>More than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water–soluble nitrogen; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>More than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow–release nitrogen; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Contains phosphorus and is intended for use on turf unless the intended use of the fertilizer is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For application to specific soils and turf as determined to be necessary pursuant to a soil test conducted by a laboratory identified in § 8–803.7 of this article and performed no more than 3 years before the application, provided the application complies with recommended application rates established by the University of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the establishment of turf for the first time, such as after land disturbance, provided the application complies with recommended application rates established by the University of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For the reestablishment or repair of a turf area.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person may offer to sell an organic or natural organic fertilizer containing phosphorus to a professional fertilizer applicator.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person may not offer to sell enhanced–efficiency fertilizer for use on turf that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Results in an annual application of more than 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Results in an application of more than 80% of the annual recommended rate for total nitrogen established by the University of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has a release rate of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen per month.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person may not offer to sell a commercial or specialty fertilizer product for use as a de–icer.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-301" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Agricultural liming materials” means any substance that contains calcium and magnesium in condition and quantity suitable for use in neutralizing soil acidity, or that is used as an ingredient or reagent in the preparation of any fungicide or insecticide.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Distributor” means a person who imports, manufactures, produces, mixes, exchanges, sells, offers for sale, consigns, furnishes, provides, or supplies agricultural liming material or gypsum as part of a commercial enterprise.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Gypsum” means any product that consists chiefly of calcium sulfate and is intended for use for agricultural purposes.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Registrant” means any person who registers any agricultural liming material or gypsum pursuant to the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-302" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <text>The Secretary may adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations relating to the sale of agricultural liming materials or gypsum necessary to carry into effect the full intent and meaning of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-304" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may collect samples of agricultural liming materials and gypsum to have them analyzed.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary has full access, ingress, and egress to and from any place of business, any quarry, kiln, factory, barn, building, land, or vessel used for manufacturing, storing, transporting, or selling agricultural liming materials or gypsum. The Secretary may open any container or package containing or supposed to contain agricultural liming material or gypsum and take any sample for analysis.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-305" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a distributor shall register with the Secretary by February 1 of each year each brand or trade name of agricultural liming material or gypsum before distributing the liming material or gypsum in the State. The application for registration shall be accompanied by a copy of the statement of the composition of the brands of the materials as required by § 6–307 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each applicant for registration shall pay an annual $110 registration fee for agricultural liming materials and gypsum sold or distributed in the State. In addition, each registrant shall pay an inspection fee at the rate of 10 cents per ton sold in the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Provided the product label has not been altered or changed, a distributor may not be required to register the brand or trade name of an agricultural liming material or gypsum which has been registered by another person under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-306" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <level label="a"> <text>Each registrant who distributes agricultural liming materials or gypsum in the State shall file by January 31 and July 31 of each year, a semiannual statement setting forth the number of net tons of agricultural liming material or gypsum distributed in the State during the six month period ending the last day of the previous month.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Upon filing the statement each registrant shall pay an inspection fee at the rate provided in § 6–305 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Failure to make an accurate statement of tonnage, pay the inspection fee, or to comply with the provisions of this section is sufficient cause to cancel all registrations of the registrant.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-307" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <level label="a"> <text>Any agricultural liming material or gypsum distributed in the State shall have attached to it or be accompanied by an invoice as provided in § 6–308 of this subtitle bearing a plainly printed statement giving the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Name of the manufacturer or importer, and the address of the manufacturer’s or importer’s principal office;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Name of the place where manufactured;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Brand or trade name of the material;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Name of the form of the material;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Net weight, if the material is sold in a package;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If in a ground or powdered form, fineness of the material showing the percentage passing the 20 mesh sieve, the 60 mesh sieve, and the 100 mesh sieve;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Minimum percent of calcium or magnesium expressed in either the elemental form or as calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO), and, in the case of gypsum, the minimum percent of calcium sulfate (CaSO4);</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>With respect to all burned forms of liming materials, including mixtures of burned and unburned liming materials, a statement of the total percent of calcium and magnesium expressed in either the elemental form or as calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO).</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The information given in the statement is the manufacturer’s or importer’s guarantee that the product to which it refers is of the kind and quantity or composition and fineness indicated in the statement.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-308" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <text>When materials are sold in a package, the information statement shall be plainly printed on the package, or on a tag or label of a quality and fastened in a manner that it cannot be detached in handling. When materials are sold in bulk, the statement shall be delivered to the purchaser either with the invoice or with the materials.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-309" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <text>In addition to any penalty provided by this article, the Secretary may revoke the registration if the registrant gives false information in its statements concerning the kind, quality composition, or fineness of materials distributed under the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-310" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <text>If any fine is imposed by the circuit court of any county under the provisions of this subtitle, the fine, less the costs of collection, shall be paid immediately into the fund established by § 6–501 of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-311" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Agricultural Liming Materials and Gypsum"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may issue and enforce a written stop-sale order to the owner, custodian, or distributor of any lot of agricultural liming material or gypsum that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary finds is in violation of any provision of this subtitle or regulation under this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has been found by federal or State authorities to cause unreasonable adverse effects to humans, animals, plants, or the environment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The order prohibits sale or distribution of the lot of agricultural liming material or gypsum until the Secretary has evidence that the lot is in compliance with the law and until the Secretary provides a written release from the stop-sale order.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-401" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Administrative Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>Instead of refusing or cancelling a registration, the Secretary may impose an administrative penalty on any person who violates any provision of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The penalty imposed under this section may not exceed $2,000.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>All penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the State Chemist Fund under § 6–501 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="6-501" title_number="6" title_name="Commercial Feed and Fertilizer and Agricultural Liming Materials" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State Chemist Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the State Chemist Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Fund is created as a special, nonlapsing fund in the Department for the purpose specified in this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Fund shall consist of any registration, inspection, or late fees or any penalties collected under this title or under Title 5, Subtitle 1 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Fund may be used only to defray partially the cost of inspection, sampling, analysis, and other expenses necessary for administering this title or Title 5, Subtitle 1 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of each annual registration fee and each terminal registration fee collected under § 5–105 of this article, at least $10 shall be used only for activities of the Department relating to the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on pesticide use in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>At the end of a fiscal year, any unexpended or unencumbered money in the Fund, up to a maximum of $375,000, may not revert to the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Money expended from the Fund for activities of the Department relating to the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on pesticide use in the State is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for such activities.</text> </level> </section>