reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-422 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part III - Tree Experts|Section 5-422 - Reciprocity

    The Department may issue and grant a license to or otherwise authorize the practice as a tree expert in Maryland by any person who is a lawful holder of a tree expert license under the laws of another state which extends similar privileges to licensed tree experts of this State. The requirements for the license in the state which has granted it must be, in the opinion of the Department, at least equivalent to those provided for in Maryland.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-423 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part III - Tree Experts|Section 5-423 - Prohibited Conduct

    (a)    A person may not: (1) solicit, advertise, or represent the person to the public as a tree expert, or assume to practice as a tree expert without having received a license; or (2) after having received the license and subsequently losing it by revocation or suspension continue to practice as a tree expert; or (3) use the title or abbreviation “L.T.E.” or any other words, letters, or abbreviations tending to indicate that the person is a licensed tree expert or a tree expert without having received a license, or when the license has been revoked or suspended.    (b)    If the owner of a tree employs any person to engage in the practice of a “licensed tree expert” as provided in § 5–415 of this subtitle, the owner is not subject to this penalty.    (c)    A person may not advertise that the person can provide tree services, including treatment, care, or removal of trees, unless the advertisement includes:        (1)    The license number of the licensed tree expert advertising tree services in one of the following forms: “Licensed Tree Expert No.___” or “L.T.E. No.___”; or        (2)    A statement that all tree services are limited to trees 20 feet tall or less.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-424 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part IV - Urban and Community Forestry|Section 5-424 - "Urban and Community Forestry" Defined

    “Urban and community forestry” means the management of forests and trees in urban and community areas to improve their health, vigor, and composition.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-425 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part IV - Urban and Community Forestry|Section 5-425 - Declaration of Public Policy

    The General Assembly finds and declares that forests and trees are an important and necessary part of the urban and community environment and that the retention, enhancement, and management of these forests and trees by local governments is in the best interest of the citizens of this State.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-426 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part IV - Urban and Community Forestry|Section 5-426 - Department to Establish and Administer Program

    (a)    (1)    The Department shall establish and administer an urban and community forestry program to provide State or federal financial assistance, on a matching basis, to:            (i)    A county or municipal corporation that implements a local urban and community forestry program within its jurisdiction; or            (ii)    A nonprofit corporation that participates in the implementation of a local urban and community forestry program.        (2)    The county or municipal corporation may hire an individual to direct its program with the cooperation of the Department.    (b)    The Department’s urban and community forestry program shall provide technical assistance to counties, municipal corporations, nonprofit corporations, and individuals for the retention and management of forests and trees. This technical assistance may include:        (1)    Street tree inventories;        (2)    Technical evaluation of site development plans;        (3)    Management recommendations for the retention, protection, and utilization of forests and trees in developments;        (4)    Assistance to planning and zoning departments;        (5)    Advice on insect and disease control;        (6)    Advice to counties and municipal corporations in implementing and conducting their own urban and community forestry program; and        (7)    Advice to nonprofit corporations participating in the implementation of an urban and community forestry program.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-427 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part IV - Urban and Community Forestry|Section 5-427 - Local Programs

    (a)    The governing body of a county or municipal corporation, by appropriate resolution or ordinance, may implement a local urban and community forestry program within its jurisdiction or enter into a cooperative agreement with the Department.    (b)    The Department may accept federal funds and provide funds, on a matching basis, to:        (1)    Cooperating counties and municipal corporations for the purpose of administering an urban and community forestry program; and        (2)    Nonprofit corporations that participate in the implementation and administration of an urban and community forestry program.    (c)    Any urban and community forestry program within the Department shall be:        (1)    Funded as provided in the budget; and        (2)    Consistent with § 5–307 of this title.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-428 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part V - Green Shores Program|Section 5-428 - Legislative Findings and Declarations

    The General Assembly finds and declares that:         (1)    Forests and trees play an important role in the restoration and enhancement of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; and        (2)    The establishment and supplementation of forests and trees along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is in the best interests of the residents of the State.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-429 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part V - Green Shores Program|Section 5-429 - Establishment; Goals and Purposes

    (a)    The Department shall establish a Green Shores Program to promote and cause the planting and maintenance of forested buffers around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.    (b)    The Green Shores Program may include:        (1)    Providing grants in the form of trees, money, materials, or expertise to local governments, nonprofit corporations, and State agencies to be used for planting or enhancing forested buffers around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries;        (2)    Educating the public about the benefits of trees and forested buffers, including:            (i)    Establishing demonstration forest buffers on public lands;            (ii)    Providing educational and promotional materials to schools;            (iii)    Providing grants to schools for their own educational programs;            (iv)    Developing and disseminating educational and promotional materials to the public; and            (v)    Coordinating volunteer efforts; and        (3)    Promoting forested buffers on private land by providing:            (i)    Technical assistance, such as preparing site plans and coordinating planting arrangements; and            (ii)    Economic incentives, including cost-sharing programs.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-430 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part V - Green Shores Program|Section 5-430 - Powers and Duties of Department

    (a)    In order to implement the Green Shores Program, the Department may:        (1)    Enter into contractual agreements with other State agencies, local governments, nonprofit corporations, and private citizens who receive payments or grants;        (2)    Set priorities by watersheds for the dissemination of grants and payments; and        (3)    Adopt regulations.    (b)    Any contractual agreement that the Department enters into under the Green Shores Program shall specify the terms of the grant or payment.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-433 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part VI - Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program|Section 5-433 - "Program" Defined

    In this part, “Program” means the Pamela J. Kelly Tree–Mendous Maryland Program.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-434 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part VI - Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program|Section 5-434 - Legislative Findings

    The General Assembly declares that it is in the public interest to have a program that encourages the involvement of residents of the State in active stewardship of the State’s natural resources by planting native trees.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-435 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part VI - Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program|Section 5-435 - Program Established

    (a)    There is a Pamela J. Kelly Tree–Mendous Maryland Program in the Department.    (b)    The Program is established for the purpose of planting native trees and shrubs on public lands, community open spaces, school grounds, and rights–of–way.    (c)    The Department shall administer the Program.    (d)    The Department may adopt regulations to carry out this part.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-436 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 4 - Trees and Forest Nurseries|Part VI - Pamela J. Kelly Tree-Mendous Maryland Program|Section 5-436 - Funding

    (a)    The Program shall be funded by donations and grants received by the Department to be used for the Program.    (b)    The Department may seek, accept, and expend donations and grants for the implementation and administration of the Program.    (c)    All money received for the Program under this section shall be used only for funding the implementation and administration of the Program.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-701 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part I - In General|Section 5-701 - Duties of Forest and Park Wardens Generally; Duties of Wardens as to Extinguishing Fires

    (a)    A forest or park warden shall enforce every forest and park law, rule, and regulation of the State and protect State forest reserves, State parks, scenic preserves, parkways, historic monuments, and recreational areas.    (b)    The forest or park warden shall report any violation of law to the Secretary as soon as possible, assist in apprehending and convicting offenders, and make an annual report to the Secretary on forest conditions in the forest or park warden’s immediate neighborhood.    (c)    If any forest or park warden sees a forest fire, or is requested by a fire company to assist with a fire plow or provide incident command expertise at the scene, the forest or park warden shall:        (1)    Go immediately to the fire and employ those persons and means as the forest or park warden deems necessary to extinguish the fire;        (2)    Keep an itemized account of all expenses thus incurred and send the account immediately to the Secretary;        (3)    Control and direct any person and apparatus engaged in extinguishing forest fires;        (4)    Summon inhabitants of the county over the age of 18 years, if able, to assist in extinguishing fires, and also require use of personal property needed for this purpose; and        (5)    Use the members of the Junior Forest Fire Fighters Service between the ages of 14 and 18 years inclusive, either paid or unpaid, provided they have the written consent of their parents or guardians.    (d)    Any person summoned who is physically able, but who refuses or neglects to assist, or allow the use of man power, equipment, or other material required, is liable to a penalty of $10.    (e)    An action for trespass may not lie against a forest or park warden or anyone working under the forest or park warden’s direction, for entering on any person’s land to extinguish a fire, plow furrows, tear down fences, or start a back fire to check a fire that may be approaching.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-702 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part I - In General|Section 5-702 - Expenses of Extinguishing Fires

    Expenses incurred in fighting or extinguishing any fire under the direction of the Secretary or a forest warden are equally borne by the county in which the fire occurred and by the State. The county shall pay them in full upon receipt of an itemized account, with vouchers approved by the Secretary. The State’s share shall be refunded by the Department out of any money standing to the credit of the State Forest and Park Fund, upon presentation of the accounts, together with evidence that the county has paid the sum in full. Nothing in this subtitle relieves the owner or lessee of lands upon which fires may burn, or be started, from the duty of extinguishing the fires so far as may lie within his power. An owner or lessee, or his employee may not receive any compensation from the State or county for fighting fires upon his or his employer’s lands.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-703 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part I - In General|Section 5-703 - Notices as to Forest Fires and Trespass Laws

    The Secretary shall furnish notices, printed in large letters, calling attention to the dangers of forest fires, and to forest fire and trespass laws, and their penalties. The Secretary shall distribute the notices to forest wardens who shall post them in conspicuous places on State forest reserves and along highways in forest-covered country. It is unlawful for any person to tear down or deface any forest fire warning notice.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-704 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part I - In General|Section 5-704 - Maliciously or Negligently Setting Fires; Duty to Report Fire

    (a)    Any individual or corporation that willfully, maliciously, or with intent, sets on fire, or causes to be set on fire, any woods, brush, grass, grain, or stubble is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not less than $250 nor exceeding $2,000, or imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor exceeding five years, or both with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.    (b)    An individual or corporation may not carelessly or negligently set on fire, or cause to be set on fire any woods, brush, grass, grain, or stubble. Setting a fire contrary to the provisions of this subsection is prima facie proof of carelessness or neglect within the meaning of this subsection. The landowner from whose land the fire originated also is liable in a civil action for damages for injury resulting from the fire, and for the cost of fighting and extinguishing the fire, unless the landowner can prove to the satisfaction of the court before which the case is tried that the injury complained of was suffered without any negligence on the part of the owner or the owner’s agents.    (c)    Any person who discovers a forest or brush fire not under the control of some person shall extinguish it or report it to the local fire warden.    (d)    The provisions of this section do not contravene other provisions of law relating to the liability for fires of railroad companies.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-705 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part I - In General|Section 5-705 - Civil Liability for Causing Fires

    Any person who causes any fire by violating § 5-704(a) or (b) or § 5-712 of this subtitle is liable to the State and county where the fire occurs in an action for debt to the full amount of all expenses incurred by the State or county in fighting and extinguishing the fire.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-706 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part I - In General|Section 5-706 - State's Attorneys to Enforce Provisions of Part I of Subtitle

    The State’s Attorneys of the several counties shall prosecute any violator of Part I of this subtitle.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-708 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-708 - Right of Entry

    The Department and its authorized agents may enter at their risk, and without liability for trespass, any railroad or other land in order to ascertain conditions relative to enforcement of any provision of Part II of this subtitle.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-709 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-709 - Duty of Landowners to Clear Safety Strip

    Every landowner shall clear the safety strips in accordance with the terms of Part II of this subtitle.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-710 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-710 - Duties of Persons Owning Property Abutting Railroad Tracks

    Any person owning property within 100 feet of the tracks of any railroad operating within the State when the distance is measured horizontally from the outer rail, who cuts or permits cutting trees or other crops on its property shall dispose of every tree top, brush, and other flammable material caused by the cutting so that the flammable material does not remain within 100 feet of the tracks for more than 30 days after cutting.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-711 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-711 - Engine or Boiler to Be Provided With Appliances to Prevent Fire

    Every engine or boiler, operated in, through, or near forest or brush which does not burn oil as fuel, shall be provided with any appliance approved by the Department to prevent escape of fire and sparks. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction is subject to a fine of at least $10 and not exceeding $100.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-712 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-712 - Compliance Not Bar to Recovery of Damage

    Compliance with the provisions of Part II of this subtitle is not a bar to recovery of any damage for which any complying person would or might otherwise be liable.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-713 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-713 - Inconsistent Laws Repealed

    Any act or part of an act inconsistent with the provisions of this subtitle is repealed to the extent of the inconsistency.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-714 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part II - Duties of Railroads|Section 5-714 - Penalty

    Any person who violates any provision of § 5-707, § 5-709, or § 5-710 of this subtitle upon conviction is subject to a fine at the rate of $100 per mile, or any fraction, measured along the tracks for each day the flammable material remains on the ground.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  5-720 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 5 - Forests and Parks|Subtitle 7 - Fire Hazards; Prevention and Abatement|Part III - Forest Fire Prevention|Section 5-720 - Open Air Burning; Limitations

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Burning ban” means a complete ban on all open air burning that is declared by the Secretary or the Governor as a result of prolonged or unusual conditions conducive to the easy starting and spread of fire.        (3)    “Open air burning” means a fire where any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney.        (4)    “Public officer” means:            (i)    The authorized agents of the Department; or            (ii)    Any police officer who is authorized to enforce the laws of the State or of a political subdivision of the State.    (b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not start or allow open air burning in an area in which a burning ban imposed by the Secretary or the Governor is in effect.        (2)    This subsection does not apply to:            (i)    The supervised burning of buildings or solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels conducted under the direct control and supervision of qualified instructors at a training center operated by a fire department; or            (ii)    Any other supervised burning conducted under the direct control and supervision of:                1.    Qualified fire instructors; or                2.    In Wicomico County, Worcester County, or Somerset County, a fire chief, captain, or fire line officer of a fire department that has jurisdiction over the area where the supervised burning occurs.    (c)    On reasonable suspicion of open air burning on privately owned property in an area in which a burning ban is in effect, a public officer may enter on the privately owned property of any person to extinguish the fire or to enforce the provisions of this section.