In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Chief Counsel” means the Chief Counsel of Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes. “Unit” means the Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General.

There is an Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General. The function of the Unit is to: investigate and prosecute cases against persons that violate State criminal environmental and natural resources laws; and investigate and prosecute any other criminal offense discovered in the course of an investigation under this subtitle. In conducting an investigation and prosecuting cases under this subtitle, the Unit may act with the full powers, rights, privileges, and duties of a State’s Attorney, including the use of a grand jury in any county. The Unit shall include: a full–time Chief Counsel of Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes; and staff, including assistant attorneys general, investigators, and administrators, as provided in the State budget. Salaries of the Chief Counsel and staff, and expenses for rent, travel, equipment, supplies, and general operating expenses necessary for the work of the Unit shall be as provided in the State budget. In cooperation with the Secretary of Budget and Management, the Attorney General shall set minimum salaries, qualifications, and standards of training and experience for positions within the Unit. The Unit shall investigate and prosecute the State’s criminal environmental and natural resource laws. On or before October 1 each year, the Attorney General shall report to the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, the General Assembly on: all the activities of the Unit during the previous fiscal year; and any actions taken by the Department of the Environment or the Department of Natural Resources in response to findings and recommendations of the Unit.

For the limited purpose of furthering an ongoing criminal investigation under this subtitle, the Attorney General or a Deputy Attorney General or an assistant attorney general designated in writing by the Attorney General may issue in any court in the State a subpoena to a person to produce telephone, business, government, or corporate records or documents. A subpoena issued under this subsection may be served in the same manner as a subpoena issued by a circuit court. A person may have an attorney present during any contact made under subsection (a) of this section with the Attorney General or an agent of the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall advise a person of the right to counsel when the subpoena is served. If a person fails to obey a lawfully served subpoena under subsection (a) of this section, the Attorney General may report the failure to obey the subpoena to the circuit court with jurisdiction over the matter. The Attorney General shall provide a copy of the subpoena and proof of service to the circuit court. After conducting a hearing at which the person that allegedly failed to comply with a subpoena issued under subsection (a) of this section has had an opportunity to be heard and be represented by counsel, the court may grant appropriate relief. This section does not allow the contravention, denial, or abrogation of a privilege or right recognized by law.