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<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="4-11A-03.2" title_number="4" title_name="Fish and Fisheries" subtitle_number="11A" subtitle_name="Aquaculture">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is an Aquaculture Coordinating Council.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Coordinating Council shall consist of the following members:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>1 member of the Maryland Senate designated by the President of the Senate;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>1 member of the Maryland House of Delegates designated by the Speaker of the House;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>1 representative of the Department of Agriculture designated by the Secretary of Agriculture;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>1 representative of the Department of Natural Resources Police designated by the Secretary of Natural Resources;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>1 representative of the Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, designated by the Secretary of Natural Resources;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>2 representatives of the University of Maryland designated by the President of the University of Maryland, College Park Campus:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>1 with expertise in aquaculture research; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>1 representing the Maryland Cooperative Extension;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>1 representative of the Department of Commerce designated by the Secretary of Commerce;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>1 representative of the Department of the Environment designated by the Secretary of the Environment;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>1 representative of the Maryland Department of Health designated by the Secretary of Health;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>3 representatives of the aquaculture industry designated by the Governor;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="11">
      <text>3 tidal fisheries licensed harvesters, including at least one who is a member of the Maryland Watermen’s Association designated by the Governor;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="12">
      <text>1 representative designated by the President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="13">
      <text>1 representative of the Oyster Recovery Partnership designated by the Oyster Recovery Partnership; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="14">
      <text>1 representative of the Maryland Farm Bureau designated by the Maryland Farm Bureau.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Coordinating Council shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Formulate and make proposals to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Environment and Transportation Committee on or before September 1 each year for advancing Maryland aquaculture, including recommendations for a fee structure on aquaculture operations in order to reduce State expenditures on aquaculture programs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Establish and monitor a grant program for the implementation of appropriate projects that support the economic health of the State aquaculture industry;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Conduct applied studies of projects and products that will expand the aquaculture industry in the State;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Conduct market tests to determine acceptability and potential demand for new aquaculture products;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>As appropriate, implement pilot projects and small commercial demonstrations to resolve any outstanding quality or production issues and to educate industry representatives, regulators, and other partners;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Support the aquaculture industry in its efforts to implement innovative procedures and to comply with associated regulations;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>Enhance the awareness of innovative aquaculture products and programs among commercial buyers and the general public;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>On or before December 31, 2006, develop best management practices that:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Provide guidance for freshwater and marine aquaculture permitting and compliance; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Serve as the basis for the adoption of State regulations regarding tidal and nontidal aquaculture;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ix">
        <text>Investigate and, to the extent feasible, enhance the area of State waters that is available to private lease for purposes related to the aquaculture and seafood industries;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="x">
        <text>Provide for the establishment of Aquaculture Enterprise Zones in the Chesapeake and coastal bays, so as to:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Streamline the permitting process in these zones;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Provide incentives for private investment in leasing operations; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>Encourage individuals with historical records in the commercial fishery to adapt their expertise to the raising and harvesting of seafood by aquaculture; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="xi">
        <text>On a regular basis, review State regulations impacting aquaculture and make recommendations to the Aquaculture Review Board regarding any necessary or advisable regulatory changes.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Coordinating Council may establish subcommittees to provide technical assistance to the Council, with subcommittee topics and membership as the Council determines to be appropriate.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The term of a member appointed by the Governor is 3 years.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The terms of the members appointed by the Governor serving on July 1, 2006, expire as follows:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>2 members in 2007;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>2 members in 2008; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>2 members in 2009.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>A member who is appointed after a term begins serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>An appointed member may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>The Coordinating Council may elect from among its members a chairman, vice–chairman, secretary and other officers it deems appropriate.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>The Coordinating Council shall determine the time and place of its meetings.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>The members of the Coordinating Council may not receive a salary, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings and other Council business, as provided under the Standard State Travel Regulations.</text>
  </level>
</section>
