reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-504 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-504 - General Powers of Foundation

    The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation has the following general powers:        (1)    To sue and be sued in contractual matters in its own name;        (2)    To enter into contracts generally and to execute all instruments necessary or appropriate to carry out its purposes;        (3)    To acquire, by gift, purchase, devise, bequest or grant, easements in gross or other rights to restrict the use of agricultural land and woodland as may be designated to maintain the character of the land as agricultural land or woodland;        (4)    To acquire and hold, by gift, purchase, devise, bequest or grant, real and personal property, or any interest therein, to carry out the legislative intent of preserving prime agricultural land and woodland and conserving, improving, administering, investing, or disposing of any property to further the purposes of the Critical Farms Program under this subtitle;        (5)    To adopt, with the approval of the Secretary, regulations and procedures necessary to implement the provisions of this subtitle; and        (6)    To promote the dissemination of information to farmers throughout the State concerning the activities of the Foundation.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-504.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-504.1 - Agricultural Preservation Advisory Boards

    (a)    In each county containing productive agricultural land, the county governing body shall appoint an agricultural preservation advisory board.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall be owner–operators of commercial farms who earn 50 percent or more of their income from farming.        (2)    In Worcester County, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of seven members, at least four of whom shall be owner–operators of commercial farms who earn 50 percent or more of their income from farming.        (3)    In St. Mary’s County, the agricultural preservation advisory board shall consist of five members, at least three of whom shall be actively pursuing the production of agricultural products for profit.    (c)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, each member of an agricultural preservation advisory board shall be appointed for a term of office of five years.        (2)    In Charles County and in Worcester County, a member shall serve a term of office of 4 years.        (3)    No member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms.        (4)    Appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.    (d)    Duties of each agricultural preservation advisory board shall be:        (1)    To advise the county governing body with respect to the approval of purchases of easements by the Foundation within the county;        (2)    To assist the county governing body in reviewing the status of land under easement;        (3)    To advise the Foundation concerning county priorities for agricultural preservation;        (4)    To approve or disapprove an application by the county for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;        (5)    To promote preservation of agriculture within the county by offering information and assistance to farmers with respect to the purchase of easements;        (6)    To meet at least annually with forest conservation district boards in order to work cooperatively to encourage the promotion and retention of farmland and woodland in their respective jurisdictions; and        (7)    To perform any other duties as assigned by the county governing body.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-506 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-506 - Annual Report to Governor and General Assembly

    The Foundation on or before January 15 of each year, shall transmit to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly a report of the Foundation’s proceedings and activity for the preceding fiscal year, including an inventory of all easements or other interests in agricultural land and woodland acquired during that time, and including a report on the condition of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-507 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-507 - Executive Director and Staff

    The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall employ an executive director and staff sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subtitle. The executive director shall be appointed by the Secretary upon recommendation of the board of trustees at-large. The salaries of the executive director and staff shall be as provided in the State budget.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-508.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-508.1 - Disbursements to County Agricultural Land Preservation Programs

    (a)    If a county is certified by the Department of Planning under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article as having established an effective county agricultural land preservation program, and if there is money remaining in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund at the end of the fiscal year, the county may apply to the Foundation for an amount equal to the difference between:        (1)    The aggregate amount allotted on behalf of the county under general allotted purchases of easements as provided in § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which easement purchases are made; and        (2)    The amount committed by the Foundation on behalf of the county under general allotted purchases of easements as provided in § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which easement purchases are made.    (b)    The distribution under this section shall be made within 60 days of the end of each fiscal year.    (c)    If the money remaining in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund at the end of the fiscal year is insufficient to distribute the total amount applied for under subsection (a) of this section, the maximum amount that may be distributed to any certified county is:        (1)    The total sum available divided by the number of counties applying for additional funds under this section; less        (2)    The amount committed by the Foundation on behalf of the county under general allotted purchases of easements as provided in § 2–508(b) of this subtitle for the fiscal year in which easement purchases are made.    (d)    A county may use the additional funds distributed under this section only for an approved agricultural land preservation program for the purposes stated under § 2–512 of this subtitle, including use for bond annuity funds, collateralizing loans, or matching funds.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-509.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-509.1 - Elimination of Districts as a Requirement for Easement Application Process

    (a)    Effective July 1, 2007, districts may not be a requirement for the easement application process to the Foundation.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, as of June 30, 2012, all districts held by the Foundation shall be terminated and a landowner may not be bound to the terms of any Foundation district agreement.        (2)    The following agricultural land preservation districts shall remain in force and may not be terminated:            (i)    Any district in which an easement has been transferred to the Foundation; and            (ii)    Any district established to provide a property tax credit to a landowner.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-510.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-510.1 - Grant to Purchase Easement Under Certain Conditions

    (a)    The Foundation may make a grant to purchase an easement on a property selected by the Foundation to a county with a program, approved by the Foundation, to purchase easements using installment purchase agreements.    (b)    The Foundation may only approve a county’s installment purchase program if the program is used to purchase easements using installment purchase agreements that:        (1)    Require the county to make annual equal payments to the landowner of interest on the outstanding balance of the purchase price;        (2)    Require that the county pay the landowner the remainder of the purchase price at the end of the term;        (3)    State the total amount of money the county will pay the landowner, the interest rate, and the terms of the agreement; and        (4)    Require that the easement be recorded within 30 days of settlement.    (c)    An easement purchased using a grant provided under this section shall be jointly held by the county and the Foundation.    (d)    An easement purchased using a grant provided under this section may not terminate.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-513.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-513.1 - Authority of County to Deny Applications Under Local Land Use Regulations

    (a)    This section applies only to applications affecting land encumbered by a deed of easement created under this subtitle.    (b)    If the Foundation has not authorized approval of the application, a county may deny an application for:        (1)    A subdivision plat or plan;        (2)    A building permit, except for:            (i)    Improvements or accessories to an existing residence; or            (ii)    A farm building or structure;        (3)    A nonagricultural conditional use or special exception; or        (4)    Any other nonagricultural use or activity.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-514.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-514.1 - Easement Approved on or After October 1, 2004 to Be Held in Perpetuity

    An easement whose purchase is approved by the Board of Public Works on or after October 1, 2004, shall be held by the Foundation in perpetuity.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-516 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-516 - Approval of Certification or Recertification of County Agricultural Land Preservation Program Applications

    The Foundation shall provide its approval or disapproval of an application by a county for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-517.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-517.1 - Farmland Preservation Partnership Program

    (a)    (1)    The Foundation may establish a Farmland Preservation Partnership Program that is governed by the requirements of this section.        (2)    The Farmland Preservation Partnership Program may include the acquisition of easements under the Critical Farms Program as provided under § 2–517 of this subtitle.        (3)    The objective of the Partnership Program is to preserve productive agricultural and forested lands.        (4)    (i)    The Foundation may form partnerships for the purpose of purchasing easements on qualifying properties.            (ii)    Except for the Critical Farms Program where State funds may be made available as determined by the Foundation, the Foundation’s partners shall cover the full purchase price, which may include the administrative costs of any easement for which the Foundation will be the grantee or the co–grantee.            (iii)    The properties that qualify for the Partnership Program shall meet the criteria developed by the Foundation in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.    (b)    (1)    The Foundation shall develop criteria that determine when a farm qualifies for the Partnership Program.        (2)    At a minimum, any qualifying farm shall:            (i)    Meet the Foundation’s size criteria;            (ii)    As determined by the Foundation, contain significant productive agricultural soil or forest soil; and            (iii)    Be approved for participation in the Partnership Program by the governing body of the local jurisdiction in which the property is located.    (c)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, an easement acquired by the Foundation in accordance with this section is not subject to the ranking, valuation, or development restrictions of this subtitle, except as determined by the Foundation’s board of trustees.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-518 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-518 - Priority Preservation Areas

    (a)    In this section, “area” means a priority preservation area.    (b)    (1)    A county may include a priority preservation area element in the county’s comprehensive plan.        (2)    A county that applies for certification or recertification under § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article shall include a priority preservation area element in the county’s comprehensive plan.    (c)    An area shall:        (1)    (i)    Contain productive agricultural or forest soils; or            (ii)    Be capable of supporting profitable agricultural and forestry enterprises where productive soils are lacking;        (2)    Be governed by local policies, ordinances, regulations, and procedures that:            (i)    Stabilize the agricultural and forest land base so that development does not convert or compromise agricultural or forest resources; and            (ii)    Support the ability of working farms in the priority preservation area to engage in normal agricultural activities; and        (3)    Be large enough to support normal agricultural and forestry activities in conjunction with the amount of development permitted by the county in the priority preservation area, as represented in its adopted comprehensive plan.    (d)    An area may:        (1)    Consist of a single parcel of land, multiple connected parcels of land, or multiple unconnected parcels of land; and        (2)    Include rural legacy areas.    (e)    A county’s acreage goal for land to be preserved through easements and zoning within an area shall be equal to at least 80% of the remaining undeveloped land in the area, as calculated at the time of application for State certification of an area.    (f)    Each time a county’s comprehensive plan is updated, the update shall include an evaluation of:        (1)    The county’s progress toward meeting the goals of the Foundation;        (2)    Any shortcomings in the county’s ability to achieve the goals of the Foundation; and        (3)    Past, current, and planned actions to correct any identified shortcomings.    (g)    In accordance with § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and any regulations adopted under the authority of that section, the Department of Planning and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall jointly certify an area.    (h)    In accordance with § 5–408 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the Department of Planning and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation shall review any update to a county’s comprehensive plan or any other change that may affect an area.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-519 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 5 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation|Section 2-519 - Imposition of Civil Penalties

    (a)    (1)    In addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity and after an opportunity for a hearing, the board of trustees of the Foundation may impose a penalty on an owner of property that is subject to an easement granted under this subtitle for a violation of any provision of this subtitle, any regulation adopted in accordance with § 2–504 of this subtitle, or an easement acquired by the Foundation.        (2)    Each day a violation occurs is a separate violation for purposes of this section.    (b)    Before taking any action under this section, the Foundation shall provide the alleged violator with written notice of the proposed action, an opportunity for an informal meeting, and a reasonable time to correct the alleged violation.    (c)    The penalty imposed on a person under this section shall be:        (1)    Up to $2,500 for each violation;        (2)    Not more than $50,000 total for any single administrative hearing; and        (3)    Assessed with consideration given to the willfulness of the violation and the extent to which the existence of the violation was known to the violator but uncorrected by the violator.    (d)    Penalties collected by the Foundation under this section shall be paid into the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund established under § 2–505 of this subtitle.    (e)    The Foundation shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-601 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 6 - Farmer Disaster Loan Program|Section 2-601 - Created in Department of Agriculture; Purpose; Management and Supervision

    The Farmer Disaster Loan Program is created within the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of making loans at a preferred rate of interest to allow farmers to rebuild, repair, or recover their farmlands, buildings, crops, or livestock damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster. The Department shall manage and supervise the Program.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-602 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 6 - Farmer Disaster Loan Program|Section 2-602 - Power to Make Loans

    (a)    The Department may make loans under the Farmer Disaster Loan Program from funds provided in the budget.    (b)    Money derived from payment of principal and interest on the loans shall be used by the Department, as needed, to make additional loans under the Farmer Disaster Loan Program. If any money derived from the payment of principal and interest as provided in this subsection exceeds $200,000, then that excess amount shall revert to the General Fund of this State.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-603 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 6 - Farmer Disaster Loan Program|Section 2-603 - Interest Rate; Application Fee; Security; Eligibility; Reimbursement of Department

    (a)    (1)    The Department may make direct loans not exceeding $15,000 to qualifying farmers at an interest rate which will make the program self-supporting. In establishing the interest rate from time to time, the Department shall take into account all of the expenses of the program including administrative expenses of the program, and possible losses. The interest rate may not exceed 1 percent above the cost of the loans to the State.        (2)    The Department may collect a uniform application fee, and retain from it any amounts not expended for credit reports, appraisals, and other expenses of processing loan applications.        (3)    Loans made under this subtitle shall be secured by a mortgage or lien on the property purchased and any improvements and fixtures, crops, and livestock on it, or whatever the Secretary of Agriculture may require.    (b)    (1)    To be eligible for a loan, an applicant shall meet all of the following conditions of eligibility:            (i)    The Governor shall have declared a state of emergency because of a natural disaster making the applicant’s farm eligible for aid;            (ii)    The applicant must have been the one to have suffered the actual loss as a result of the natural disaster;            (iii)    The applicant shall have applied for a farm loan from any agency of the federal government; and            (iv)    The applicant must make application for a farmer disaster loan within six months of the time of the natural disaster.        (2)    The conditions of eligibility listed in this section apply jointly and severally in the case of spouses who are living together, except that the domicile requirement may be satisfied by either spouse.        (3)    If a person receives a farm disaster loan from any agency of the federal government, that person shall reimburse the Department of Agriculture of Maryland for any loan made according to this subtitle, including any expense and interest as provided in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-604 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 6 - Farmer Disaster Loan Program|Section 2-604 - Department Authority in Making Loans

    The Department may:         (1)    Make farmer disaster loans and extend or modify the terms of an existing loan, set the principal amounts and maturities (not exceeding five years) thereof, enforce them according to their terms, and execute all necessary and convenient documents in connection therewith; foreclose mortgages; and obtain and enforce deficiency judgments. Approval or execution by the Board of Public Works is not needed to assign for value, to release loans when paid, or to accomplish foreclosures.        (2)    Require and obtain appraisals, credit information, and other information necessary or desirable to make sound loans, and to adopt reasonably minimum requirements of creditworthiness and security.        (3)    Contract for services relating to any aspect of the operations of the program in accordance with procedures required by law for State contracts.        (4)    Adopt, and amend from time to time, in accordance with statutory requirements, rules and regulations governing all aspects of the operation of the program, including definitions of terms.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  2-605 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 2 - Department of Agriculture|Subtitle 6 - Farmer Disaster Loan Program|Section 2-605 - Penalty

    Whoever knowingly makes or causes to be made any false statement or report for the purpose of influencing the action of the Department upon any application for a loan or any action of the Department affecting a loan already made, shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of three times the amount of the loan with interest of 6 percent from the date of the loan. The Department may enforce this penalty in the appropriate court.