reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
7 ME Rev Stat § 413 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-A: DIRECT MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES|7 §413. Distribution

 §413. Distribution The commissioner shall develop suitable means to distribute information compiled under section 412 to all Maine farmers. If the commissioner considers the cost of distributing any research or instructional publication prohibitive, the commissioner shall, by whatever means appropriate, notify farmers of the availability of the information. Distribution may be accomplished by means currently within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §63 (COR).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 731, §19 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §63 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 414 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-A: DIRECT MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES|7 §414. Assistance

 §414. Assistance The commissioner shall assist and advise individual farmers or groups of farmers in their efforts to market more effectively directly to consumers by:   [PL 2013, c. 65, §2 (AMD).]1.  Soliciting participation.  Informing farmers of, and soliciting their participation in, any proposed method of direct-marketing; and   [PL 2013, c. 65, §2 (AMD).] 2.  Technical assistance.   [PL 2013, c. 65, §2 (RP).] 3.  Referral.  Referring farmers to other appropriate sources of assistance.   [PL 2013, c. 65, §2 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 779, §34 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 65, §2 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 415 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-A: DIRECT MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES|7 §415. Farmers' market

 §415. Farmers' market 1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   A. "Farmers' market" means a building, structure or place used by 2 or more farmers for the direct sale of farm and food products to consumers, at which all sellers of farm and food products meet the requirements of subsection 2, paragraph B.   [PL 2009, c. 547, §1 (AMD).]B. "Farm and food products" means any agricultural, horticultural, forest or other product of the soil or water, including, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, fish and fish products, grain and grain products, honey, nuts, maple products, apple cider, fruit juice, malt liquor, wine, ornamental or vegetable plants, nursery products, fiber or fiber products, firewood and Christmas trees.   [PL 2011, c. 280, §1 (AMD).][PL 2011, c. 280, §1 (AMD).] 2.  Prohibitions.  The following acts are prohibited.   A. A person may not use the term "farmers' market" to describe a market or other sales location that does not meet the terms of the definition set forth in subsection 1.   [PL 1993, c. 138, §1 (NEW).]B. A person may not sell farm and food products at a market labeled "farmers' market" unless at least 75% of the products offered by that person were grown or processed by that person or under that person's direction. A product not grown or processed by that person or under that person's direction must have been grown or processed by and purchased directly from another farmer and the name and location of the farm must be identified on the product or on a sign in close proximity to the displayed product.   [PL 2009, c. 547, §2 (AMD).][PL 2009, c. 547, §2 (AMD).] 3.  Penalty.  A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $200 may be adjudged.   [PL 1993, c. 138, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Relationship to farmers' market rules.  This section does not prohibit a market from imposing more stringent requirements on its sellers than those imposed by subsection 2, paragraph B.   [PL 1993, c. 138, §1 (NEW).] 5.  Enforcement; prima facie evidence.  The commissioner or an agent of the commissioner may request proof of the origin of a product for the purpose of enforcing this section. Failure to provide written documentation or other reasonable proof upon request as to the origin of the products offered for sale at a farmers' market is prima facie evidence that a person is in violation of this section.   [PL 2005, c. 512, §6 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1993, c. 138, §1 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 512, §§5,6 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 547, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 280, §1 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 421 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §421. Title

 §421. Title This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Maine Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act."   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 422 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §422. Purposes

 §422. Purposes The purposes of this subchapter are:   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]1.  Correlated marketing.  To enable producers of agricultural commodities of this State, with the aid of the State, to more effectively correlate the marketing of their crops with market demands;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Uniform grading.  To provide for uniform grading and proper preparation of agricultural commodities for market;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Development of markets.  To provide methods and means for the development of new and larger markets for agricultural commodities grown within the State;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Orderly marketing.  To establish orderly marketing and pricing of agricultural commodities grown within this State; and   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 5.  Elimination of economic waste.  To eliminate or reduce economic waste in the marketing of agricultural commodities grown within the State.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 424 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §424. Administration

 §424. Administration The commissioner shall administer and enforce this subchapter.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]1.  Rules.  The commissioner may, in a manner consistent with the rulemaking provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, adopt such rules as may be necessary to carry out and interpret the provisions and purposes of this subchapter.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Considerations.  In carrying out the purposes of this subchapter the commissioner shall consider any and all facts available to the commissioner with respect to the following economic factors:   A. The quality of an agricultural commodity available for distribution as well as the quantity of the agricultural commodity that would normally be required by consumers;   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §65 (COR).]B. The cost of producing an agricultural commodity, the purchasing power of consumers, and the level of prices of commodities, services and articles that producers commonly buy;   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §65 (COR).]C. The level of prices of other commodities that compete with or are utilized as substitutes for an agricultural commodity; and   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §65 (COR).]D. Such other factors as the nature of the location, volume and marketing structure of production of the agricultural commodity.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).][RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §65 (COR).] 3.  Enforcement.  The commissioner may institute investigations, hold hearings, require reports, subpoena records and persons and take other actions that the commissioner finds necessary to implement this subchapter. The commissioner may institute such action as may appear necessary to enforce compliance with any provision of this subchapter or any rule, market agreement or order committed to the commissioner's administration under this subchapter. In addition to any other remedy under this subchapter or otherwise, the commissioner may apply for relief by injunction to protect the public interest without being compelled to allege or prove that an adequate remedy at law does not exist and without being compelled to post bond.   [PL 2005, c. 512, §7 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 512, §7 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §65 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 425 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §425. Market orders and agreements

 §425. Market orders and agreements 1.  Market orders.  To carry out the purposes of this subchapter, the commissioner may issue, administer and adopt orders regulating the marketing of any agricultural commodity or designated portion of that commodity. Before issuing a proposed market order or market agreement under this subsection, the commissioner shall, by rule, define the commodity, area and persons proposed to be affected and may, to the extent the commissioner considers necessary, establish by rule the procedures for adopting and implementing that proposal. Such market orders must be proposed and adopted after public hearing, in a manner consistent with the rulemaking provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. All testimony at the hearings must be received under oath.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §66 (COR).] 2.  Referendum approval.  No market order adopted under this subchapter may take effect unless and until the commissioner determines that the adoption of the order is favored by:   A. Not less than 66 2/3% of the persons participating in a referendum in the area affected and having marketed not less than 51% of the total quantity of the commodity which was marketed in the preceding marketing season by all persons that participated in the referendum; or   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]B. Not less than 51% of the persons participating in a referendum in the area affected and having marketed not less than 66 2/3% of the total quantity of the commodity which was marketed in the preceding marketing season by all persons that participated in the referendum.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).][PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Market agreements.  To carry out the declared purposes of this subchapter, the commissioner may enter into market agreements with producers, handlers or processors of agricultural commodities. These market agreements shall be binding only upon the signatories. The market agreements shall be proposed and adopted, after public hearing, in a manner consistent with the rulemaking provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. All testimony at the hearings shall be received under oath. The commissioner may, by rule, establish the minimum number of signatories necessary to effectuate a market agreement.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Coexistence of market orders and market agreements.  The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, hold concurrent hearings upon proposed market agreements and proposed market orders. The commissioner may issue a market order without executing a market agreement or may execute a market agreement without issuing a market order covering the same commodity. The execution of a market agreement in no manner affects the issuance, administration or enforcement of any market order for the same agricultural commodity.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §67 (COR).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §§66, 67 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 426 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §426. Contents of market order or market agreement

 §426. Contents of market order or market agreement Any market order or market agreement adopted by the commissioner may contain any or all of the following:   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]1.  Surplus.  Provisions for determining the existence and extent of the surplus of any agricultural commodity, or of any grade, size or quality thereof, and for regulating and disposing of the surplus;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Quantity.  Provisions for limiting the total quantity of any agricultural product, or of any grade or grades, size or sizes, or quality or portions of those agricultural products which may be marketed during any specified period or periods. The total limitations of any commodity so regulated shall not provide for the marketing of less than the quantity which the commissioner finds is reasonably necessary to supply the market demand of consumers for that commodity;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Time periods.  Provisions for regulating the period or periods, during which any agricultural commodity, or any grade or grades, size or sizes or quality or portions or combinations of a commodity, may be marketed;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Standards.  Provisions for establishing uniform standards of quality, grade, condition, size, maturity or pack of any agricultural commodity delivered by producers or other persons to handlers or processors or others engaged in the handling of agricultural commodities;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] 5.  Prohibition on sale; mandatory inspection.  Provisions prohibiting a producer of an agricultural commodity to which a market order or market agreement applies from selling, offering for sale or delivering a commodity not meeting and complying with standards established pursuant to subsection 4. A provision for mandatory inspection under a market order must be indicated in the market order and specifically included in the referendum proposal under section 425, subsection 2;   [PL 2005, c. 512, §8 (RPR).] 6.  Other sales.  Provisions for requiring that no handler or processor of any agricultural commodity for which standards are established pursuant to subsection 4 may, except as otherwise provided in the market agreement or order, have in the handler's or processor's possession, sell, offer for sale, process, distribute or otherwise handle any such commodity produced within or without the State, not meeting or complying with the established standards;   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §68 (COR).] 7.  Other provisions.  Such other provisions as may be necessary to carry out the declared purposes of this subchapter.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 512, §8 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §68 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 427 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §427. Commodity marketing committee (REPEALED)

 §427. Commodity marketing committee (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 812, §44 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 503, §B41 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 668, §67 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 428 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §428. Expenses and fees (REPEALED)

 §428. Expenses and fees (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 668, §68 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 429 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §429. Termination, amendment or suspension of market order or agreement (REPEALED)

 §429. Termination, amendment or suspension of market order or agreement (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 668, §68 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 430 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-B: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING ACT|7 §430. Penalties (REPEALED)

 §430. Penalties (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 668, §68 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 431 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-C: MARKET SERVICE|7 §431. Legislative findings and purpose (REPEALED)

 §431. Legislative findings and purpose (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §2 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 382, §A3 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 432 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-C: MARKET SERVICE|7 §432. Market information

 §432. Market information The commissioner shall collect relevant information from the market place, both directly and from appropriate secondary sources. This information may include product prices, both wholesale and retail, taking into account quantity, packaging, quality, specific market and time of year, purchasing habits of wholesale and retail buyers and preferences of consumers in terms of quantity, packaging, quality and season and availability of supplies of both directly competitive products and substitute products. In addition to these factors needed to make short-term marketing decisions, information may also be collected relevant to long-term marketing decisions, such as production costs, profitability and market structure.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §2 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §2 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 433 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-C: MARKET SERVICE|7 §433. Preparation and distribution of information

 §433. Preparation and distribution of information The commissioner shall analyze and interpret relevant market information and shall develop a suitable means to distribute that information to Maine agricultural producers in cooperation with other state and federal agencies of like purpose, including the Cooperative Extension Service.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §2 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §2 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 434 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-D: AGRICULTURAL MARKETING LOANS|7 §434. Definitions

 §434. Definitions As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 1995, c. 658, §1 (NEW).]1.  Agricultural enterprise.  "Agricultural enterprise" means a person or business located in this State and engaged in the commercial growing or harvesting of plants; raising of animals; growing or obtaining plant or animal by-products; aquaculture, as defined in Title 12, section 6001, subsection 1; or further processing, storing, packaging or marketing a raw product derived from plants, animals, plant or animal by-products or aquaculture, as defined in Title 12, section 6001, subsection 1, with the intent that the product be sold or otherwise disposed of to generate income. "Agricultural enterprise" includes a business or activity that attracts visitors to a farm for the purpose of supplementing income from the primary crop or livestock operation. "Agricultural enterprise" does not include a business engaged primarily in the growing, harvesting or further processing of forest species of trees for the purpose of producing pulp or other materials used in the paper manufacturing or wood manufacturing process.   [PL 2001, c. 152, §1 (AMD).] 2.  Direct marketing.   [PL 2007, c. 660, §9 (RP).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1995, c. 658, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 504, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 769, §4 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 152, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 660, §9 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 436 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-D: AGRICULTURAL MARKETING LOANS|7 §436. Grants for technical assistance and research

 §436. Grants for technical assistance and research The commissioner may use all or a portion of the accrued interest in the cash balance of the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund and all or a portion of loan repayments for grants for technical assistance and the agricultural development grant program in chapter 10. The commissioner may expend grant dollars designated to an applicant in one fiscal year during any of the 3 fiscal years following designation.   [PL 2007, c. 660, §15 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1995, c. 658, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 72, §8 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 563, §1 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 120, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 660, §15 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 436-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-D: AGRICULTURAL MARKETING LOANS|7 §436-A. Development of business plans (REPEALED)

 §436-A. Development of business plans (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1999, c. 769, §6 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 660, §16 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 437 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-D: AGRICULTURAL MARKETING LOANS|7 §437. Routine technical rules

 §437. Routine technical rules Rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.   [PL 1995, c. 658, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1995, c. 658, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 441 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 2: GRADES AND STANDARDS FOR FARM PRODUCTS|7 §441. Rules

 §441. Rules The commissioner may prescribe, in a manner consistent with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, rules for carrying out this subchapter, including the fixing of fees to be charged any individual, firm or organization requesting an inspection pursuant to section 446 or receiving an inspection pursuant to section 951. These fees must, as nearly as possible, cover the costs of the inspection services for the commodity inspected. All fees collected must be paid by the commissioner to the Treasurer of State and are appropriated for the purposes of this subchapter. Any unexpended balance from the funds thus appropriated may not lapse, but must be carried forward to the same fund for the next fiscal year.   [PL 1995, c. 298, §1 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1977, c. 694, §46 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 672, §A16 (RPR). PL 1995, c. 298, §1 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 441-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 2: GRADES AND STANDARDS FOR FARM PRODUCTS|7 §441-A. Legislative purpose

 §441-A. Legislative purpose The Legislature finds that Maine agricultural producers have, in many cases, tended to focus on production, with less attention to marketing, including the adoption of and adherence to quality standards. Consistent high quality of Maine agricultural products is essential to the maintenance and expansion of Maine markets and to the success of agriculture in the State. In order to assure that those quality standards are properly adopted, enforced and promoted, the Legislature finds it is necessary to provide state assistance in these aspects of marketing.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §3 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §3 (NEW).