These regulations provide qualifications and guidelines for the allocation of Maryland Horse Industry Board funds for equine-related activities. The purpose of the Maryland Horse Industry Grant Program is to provide funding for equine-related activities. This program will: Help the Maryland horse industry support research related to equine health and related issues; Promote the development and use of horses in the State; Create public awareness of the value of equine activities as they relate to the preservation of green space and agricultural land; and Develop and disseminate information concerning the equine industry, including the history and tradition of breeding, and the role of horses in recreational activities. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Activity” means economic development, education, marketing, research, or promotion. “Board” means the Maryland Horse Industry Board. “Equine” means relating to the horse family, and includes horses, mules, donkeys, and ponies. The Board shall only provide financial assistance to an individual, group, association, organization, or institution for an equine-related activity that meets the program's objectives, as established in this chapter. Applicants shall demonstrate knowledge, experience, and the capacity of initiating and implementing all aspects of the proposed project. An application shall contain the following: The project title; The applicant's name, address, and telephone number; A brief biography and qualifications of the project leader; Brief biographies and qualifications of additional personnel who will work on the project, if applicable; The amount of the grant requested; A project description, which shall include: The project's objective; A general summary of the proposed project; The value of the project to Maryland's horse industry; The proposed start date of the project; and The schedule for completion of the project; and Any additional information the applicant wants the Board to consider during its review of the proposed project. Only an original application, signed by the project leader and postmarked 30 days before the Board's announced allocation meeting shall be accepted. An applicant shall submit the application to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Horse Industry Board, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. An application, or corrections to an application, submitted through electronic means may not be accepted. The Board shall decide whether to approve a qualified applicant's application for funding based upon the following criteria of the proposed activity: Value to the industry; Degree of industry promotion; Size and scope of activity; Financial need; and Quality of the written presentation. The Board shall disapprove an application for any of the following reasons: The application is incomplete or does not comply with these regulations; Funds are not available; or An applicant who is subject to stable licensing under COMAR 15.16.01 fails to possess a current license upon application submission. An application disapproved due to lack of funds may be held for consideration by the Board for the next fund cycle. The Board shall notify the applicant if an application is approved or disapproved within 30 days of the completion of the application review process. If the application is approved, the applicant shall be notified of the amount of the State grant for the project. Upon approval of an application by the Board, the applicant shall execute an agreement that, among other things, shall require the applicant to: Establish and operate the project according to the project description; Bind any successor in title for the life of the project; Maintain records as required by the Board; Allow the Board access to monitor the project to assure that the project is operated in accordance with this agreement; and Use the funds received from the Board for only those activities described in the project application. An applicant who is subject to stable licensing under COMAR 15.16.01 shall maintain a current stable license. Grant funds shall be distributed as follows: Upon execution of the agreement, the Board shall award the funds to the applicant; and Upon the project's completion, the applicant shall submit a final report which shall contain: An evaluation of the degree to which the project's objectives were met, as provided in Regulation .05A(6) of this chapter; An accounting of the disbursement of all funds, with an itemized list of costs associated with the project; and The date and the signature of the applicant certifying that the information presented is true and correct to the best of that individual's knowledge. The applicant's final report is subject to an audit by the Board. If a person fails to establish or operate a project in accordance with any agreement executed with the Board, that person shall be liable for the full amount of State funds paid for any project that was not implemented or properly executed. If a person violates any regulation contained in this chapter, the Board may deny any current or future fund allocations. Agriculture Article, §2-707, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: Regulations .01—.08 adopted as an emergency provision effective December 29, 2000 (28:2 Md. R. 97); adopted permanently effective April 2, 2001 (28:6 Md. R. 622) Regulation .06B amended effective March 29, 2004 (31:6 Md. R. 510) Regulation .07 amended effective March 29, 2004 (31:6 Md. R. 510)