<section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-101" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Classify as a prohibited invasive plant” means the Secretary is including an invasive plant on the Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species in accordance with §§ 9.5–301 and 9.5–301.1 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Committee” means the Invasive Plants Advisory Committee.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species” means a list of plant species classified as prohibited invasive plants in accordance with §§ 9.5–301 and 9.5–301.1 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) plant species” means a nonnative plant species that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is not yet widespread in the State but is at risk of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Becoming established as an invasive species; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Causing significant damage; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Has been found in at least one native species habitat in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Has not yet been found in the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Expert assessor” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An individual or a team within the Department or the Department of Natural Resources; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A qualified independent assessor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>“Invasive plant” means any living part of a plant species or its subspecies that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Did not evolve in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If introduced within the State, will cause or is likely to cause, as determined by the Secretary:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Economic harm;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ecological harm;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Environmental harm; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Harm to human health.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Invasive plant” includes a commercial or noncommercial plant that is terrestrial or aquatic and meets the definition under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Invasive plant species status assessment protocol” means a protocol based on the NatureServe’s 2004 protocol (“An Invasive Species Assessment Protocol: Evaluating Non–Native Plants for Their Impact on Biodiversity. Version 1.”).</text> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>“Invasiveness rank” means a rank assigned to a nonnative species to signify its level of invasiveness based on the results of an invasive assessment protocol.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Invasiveness rank” includes an invasiveness significance ranking of high, medium, low, or insignificant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Landscaping services” includes services for ornamental horticultural design, maintenance, and installation of living plants.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Prohibited invasive plant” includes invasive plant species that cause or are likely to cause severe harm within the State.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Qualified independent assessor” means an individual or a team that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Possesses at least 2 years of field experience in invasive plant species in Maryland or in nearby jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has assessed invasive plant species without supervision from the Department, the Department of Natural Resources, or the Committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Watch List” means a list of plant species that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Have been assessed by an expert assessor in accordance with § 9.5–301 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Were not determined by the assessment to be eligible for classification as a prohibited invasive plant; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>May be reassessed in the future.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-201" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Invasive Plants Advisory Committee"> <text>There is an Invasive Plants Advisory Committee in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-202" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Invasive Plants Advisory Committee"> <level label="a"> <text>The Committee consists of the following members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>As ex officio members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus, or the Dean’s designee; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Appointed by the Secretary:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In consultation with the Secretary of Natural Resources:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One individual from a landscaping industry that is regulated by the Department;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One individual from a plant wholesale industry or a plant retail industry that is regulated by the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>One individual from a nongovernmental environmental advocacy organization;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Two individuals with experience with invasive plants, agriculture, horticulture, gardening, conservation, or other relevant experience; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One consumer member.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of an appointed member is 3 years and begins on January 1.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An appointed member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An appointed member shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-203" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Invasive Plants Advisory Committee"> <text>From among its members the Committee shall elect annually a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary.</text> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-204" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Invasive Plants Advisory Committee"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Until the Secretary adopts regulations in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title, the Committee shall meet at least quarterly.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After the Secretary has adopted regulations in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title, the Committee shall meet as needed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A member of the Committee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Committee; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-205" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Invasive Plants Advisory Committee"> <text>The Committee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Advise the Secretary regarding regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Conduct an annual review of the assessment protocols adopted under § 9.5–301 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Report to the Secretary regarding any proposed changes to an assessment protocol or a replacement of a protocol;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>In consultation with the Secretary and the Secretary of Natural Resources, review the qualifications of the qualified independent assessor; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Report to the Secretary any proposed changes to the qualifications of the qualified independent assessor;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Review invasive plant species assessments conducted in accordance with § 9.5–301 of this title to advise the Secretary on which plants to classify as prohibited invasive plants for inclusion on the Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>Review any data submitted to the Committee that indicates a cultivar, selection, or infra–specific hybrid of a prohibited invasive plant is not invasive; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the data submitted under item (i) of this item is deemed accurate and sufficient, advise the Secretary to declassify or preemptively not classify the cultivar, selection, or infra–specific hybrid as a prohibited invasive plant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-301" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary, with the advice of the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Committee, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>On or before October 1, 2024, adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Establish professionally recognized assessment protocols for invasive plants that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Will serve as a basis for the regulatory approach for controlling invasive plants in the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Consider the harm, as determined by the Secretary, that invasive plants cause in the State, including:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Ecological harm; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Environmental harm; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>May consider additional harm, as determined by the expert assessor, that invasive plants cause in the State, including:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Economic harm; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Harm to human health;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Govern administrative orders that the Secretary may issue to enforce this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Establish a procedure for the approval required under § 9.5–302 of this subtitle for activities involving prohibited invasive plants.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to § 9.5–301.1 of this subtitle, on or before October 1, 2024, adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Establish a list of prohibited invasive plants in accordance with an assessment protocol adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Establish a procedure for classification or declassification of an invasive plant as a prohibited invasive plant;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Phase in the implementation of the requirements of this subtitle with consideration of the economic impact of these requirements on nurseries, landscapers, plant wholesalers, plant retailers, and any other industry; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Establish a procedure for the disposal of prohibited invasive plants.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary shall classify as a prohibited invasive plant each plant identified as invasive in the National Park Service’s and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Plant Invaders of Mid–Atlantic Natural Areas if the plant is assessed as an invasive plant species in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority to classify as a prohibited invasive plant an invasive plant not identified as invasive in the National Park Service’s and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Plant Invaders of Mid–Atlantic Natural Areas.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, an expert assessor shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Assess a nonnative plant species established in natural areas within the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Determine the invasiveness rank of the nonnative plant species; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>Notify the Committee that the nonnative plant species is assessed as an invasive plant if the invasiveness rank is high or medium; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notify the Committee that the nonnative plant species may be placed on the Watch List if the invasiveness rank is low or insignificant.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In carrying out the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, an expert assessor shall follow the invasive plant species status assessment protocol that includes consideration of ecological factors and environmental factors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, an expert assessor shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Assess an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) plant species;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Determine the invasiveness rank of the EDRR plant species; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>Notify the Committee that the EDRR plant species is assessed as an invasive plant if the invasiveness rank is high or medium; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notify the Committee that the EDRR plant species may be placed on the Watch List if the invasiveness rank is low or insignificant.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In carrying out the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, an expert assessor shall follow:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The invasive plant species status assessment protocol if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The EDRR plant species is present in at least one native species habitat in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The ecological and environmental impact of the species in the State may be effectively assessed under the protocol; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An invasive plant risk assessment protocol if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The EDRR plant species is not present anywhere in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>The EDRR plant species is present in the State; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>The ecological and environmental impact of the species in the State cannot be effectively assessed under the invasive plant species status assessment protocol.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with § 9.5–205 of this title and paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Committee shall review the invasive plant species assessment conducted by an expert assessor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the assessment is accurate and sufficient and the invasiveness rank is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>High or medium, the Committee shall advise the Secretary to classify the plant as a prohibited invasive plant; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Low or insignificant, the Committee shall place the plant on the Watch List.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary shall determine whether to classify a plant species as a prohibited invasive plant on reviewing the advice of the Committee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-301.1" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <text>The regulations adopted under § 9.5–301 of this subtitle shall classify as prohibited invasive plants all terrestrial plants classified by regulation before January 1, 2024, as a tier 1 invasive plant.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each terrestrial plant classified by regulation before January 1, 2024, as a tier 2 invasive plant shall be assessed in accordance with § 9.5–301 of this subtitle by December 31, 2025, and shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>If the results of the assessment determine the plant is an invasive plant, classified as a prohibited invasive plant under the regulations adopted under § 9.5–301 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the results of the assessment determine the plant is not an invasive plant, placed on the Watch List.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In addition to the prohibited invasive plants set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may classify, by regulation, a plant species as a prohibited invasive plant in accordance with § 9.5–301 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall include on the Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species an invasive plant classified as a prohibited invasive plant in accordance with § 9.5–301 of this subtitle and this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-301.2" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department and the Department of Natural Resources each shall post on its website the Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species and the Watch List.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The University of Maryland Extension shall post a link to the Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species and the Watch List on its website.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On an annual basis, the Department shall distribute the Consolidated List of Maryland Invasive Plant Species and the Watch List to licensed nurseries, plant dealers, and plant brokers.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-302" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to the transfer, lease, sale, or purchase of real property on which a prohibited invasive plant is located.</text> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a person may not propagate, import, transfer, sell, purchase, transport, or introduce any living part of a prohibited invasive plant in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department, conduct an activity prohibited under paragraph (1) of this subsection if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The person receives approval from the Secretary before conducting the activity; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The activity is for the purpose of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Disposing of the prohibited invasive plant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Controlling the prohibited invasive plant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Using the prohibited invasive plant for research or educational purposes; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Exporting the prohibited invasive plant out of the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection and subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the State Highway Administration may conduct an activity prohibited under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the purpose of controlling or disposing of a prohibited invasive plant along State highways without prior approval of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State Highway Administration shall control or dispose of prohibited invasive plants along State highways under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph in a manner consistent with regulations adopted by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Department shall notify the State Highway Administration of any changes to regulations adopted by the Department that impact the control or disposal of prohibited invasive plants.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-303" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <text>On finding a prohibited invasive plant in violation of § 9.5–302(b)(1) of this subtitle, the Secretary may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Issue a written condemnation seizure order;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Mark or tag the plant in a conspicuous manner; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Provide written notice to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of the premises.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On notice from the Secretary, a person shall dispose of a prohibited invasive plant in accordance with regulations adopted by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a prohibited invasive plant is not disposed of in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Destroy the plant;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prepare a statement of facts and a statement of the expense of destruction; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Provide copies of the statements to the Attorney General.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Attorney General shall institute the appropriate proceeding to collect the expenses due to the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A copy of the statements prepared under subsection (b)(2) of this section is sufficient evidence to prove a claim under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-305" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may bring an action for an injunction against a person to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Enforce this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Enforce an order of the Secretary under this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Prevent or restrain a violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In an action for an injunction brought under this section, the Secretary does not have to allege or prove that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An adequate remedy at law does not exist; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Substantial or irreparable damage would result from the continued violations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An injunction instituted under this section shall be issued without bond.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gag" article_name="Agriculture" number="9.5-306" title_number="9.5" title_name="Invasive Plants Prevention and Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Regulation of Invasive Plants"> <level label="a"> <text>A person that violates this subtitle is subject to the penalties and fines set forth in Title 12 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Instead of or in addition to any other penalty authorized under this article, the Secretary may impose a civil penalty not exceeding $500 for each violation on a person that violates:</text> <level label="i"> <text>This subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any order issued by the Secretary under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Penalties collected by the Secretary under this subsection shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> </level> </section>