There is an Invasive Plants Advisory Committee in the Department.

The Committee consists of the following members: As ex officio members: The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee; and The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus, or the Dean’s designee; and Appointed by the Secretary: In consultation with the Secretary of Natural Resources: One individual from a landscaping industry that is regulated by the Department; One individual from a plant wholesale industry or a plant retail industry that is regulated by the Department; and One individual from a nongovernmental environmental advocacy organization; Two individuals with experience with invasive plants, agriculture, horticulture, gardening, conservation, or other relevant experience; and One consumer member. The term of an appointed member is 3 years and begins on January 1. An appointed member may not serve more than two consecutive terms. An appointed member shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.

From among its members the Committee shall elect annually a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary.

Until the Secretary adopts regulations in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title, the Committee shall meet at least quarterly. After the Secretary has adopted regulations in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title, the Committee shall meet as needed. A member of the Committee: May not receive compensation as a member of the Committee; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.

The Committee shall: Advise the Secretary regarding regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this title; Conduct an annual review of the assessment protocols adopted under § 9.5–301 of this title; and Report to the Secretary regarding any proposed changes to an assessment protocol or a replacement of a protocol; In consultation with the Secretary and the Secretary of Natural Resources, review the qualifications of the qualified independent assessor; and Report to the Secretary any proposed changes to the qualifications of the qualified independent assessor; 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 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 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.