reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 2 - Invasive Plants Advisory Committee|Section 9.5-201 - Invasive Plants Advisory Committee Established

    There is an Invasive Plants Advisory Committee in the Department.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 2 - Invasive Plants Advisory Committee|Section 9.5-202 - Membership

    (a)    The Committee consists of the following members:        (1)    As ex officio members:            (i)    The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;            (ii)    The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;            (iii)    The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;            (iv)    The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee; and            (v)    The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus, or the Dean’s designee; and        (2)    Appointed by the Secretary:            (i)    In consultation with the Secretary of Natural Resources:                1.    One individual from a landscaping industry that is regulated by the Department;                2.    One individual from a plant wholesale industry or a plant retail industry that is regulated by the Department; and                3.    One individual from a nongovernmental environmental advocacy organization;            (ii)    Two individuals with experience with invasive plants, agriculture, horticulture, gardening, conservation, or other relevant experience; and            (iii)    One consumer member.    (b)    (1)    The term of an appointed member is 3 years and begins on January 1.        (2)    An appointed member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.    (c)    An appointed member shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 2 - Invasive Plants Advisory Committee|Section 9.5-203 - Officers

    From among its members the Committee shall elect annually a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 2 - Invasive Plants Advisory Committee|Section 9.5-204 - Meetings; Compensation; Staff

    (a)    (1)    Until the Secretary adopts regulations in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title, the Committee shall meet at least quarterly.        (2)    After the Secretary has adopted regulations in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title, the Committee shall meet as needed.    (b)    A member of the Committee:        (1)    May not receive compensation as a member of the Committee; but        (2)    Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.    (c)    The Department shall provide staff for the Committee.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 2 - Invasive Plants Advisory Committee|Section 9.5-205 - Duties

    The Committee shall:        (1)    Advise the Secretary regarding regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this title; and        (2)    (i)    Conduct an annual review of the risk assessment protocol adopted under § 9.5–301 of this title; and            (ii)    Report to the Secretary regarding any proposed changes to the risk assessment protocol.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 3 - Regulation of Invasive Plants|Section 9.5-301 - Duties of Secretary

    The Secretary, with the advice of the Committee, shall:        (1)    On or before October 1, 2012, adopt regulations that:            (i)    Establish a science–based risk assessment protocol for invasive plants that:                1.    Will serve as a basis for creating a two–tiered regulatory approach for controlling invasive plants in the State; and                2.    Considers the harm, as determined by the Secretary, that invasive plants cause in the State, including:                A.    Economic harm;                B.    Ecological harm;                C.    Environmental harm; and                D.    Harm to human health;            (ii)    Govern administrative orders that the Secretary may issue to enforce this subtitle; and            (iii)    Establish a procedure for the approval required under § 9.5–302 of this subtitle for activities involving tier 1 invasive plants.        (2)    On or before October 1, 2013, adopt regulations that:            (i)    Establish a list of tier 1 plants and tier 2 plants in accordance with the risk assessment protocol adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection;            (ii)    Establish a procedure for classification or declassification of an invasive plant as a tier 1 invasive plant or a tier 2 invasive plant;            (iii)    Phase in the implementation of the requirements of this subtitle with consideration of the economic impact of these requirements on nurseries, landscapers, plant wholesalers, plant retailers, and any other industry;            (iv)    Establish a procedure for the disposal of tier 1 plants;            (v)    Designate the format, size, and content of the sign required under § 9.5–302(b)(1) of this subtitle; and            (vi)    Provide for the distribution of a list of tier 2 invasive plants to licensed nurseries, plant dealers, and plant brokers on an annual basis.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 3 - Regulation of Invasive Plants|Section 9.5-302 - Prohibited Acts

    (a)    (1)    This subsection does not apply to the transfer, lease, sale, or purchase of real property on which an invasive plant is located.        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Secretary, a person may not propagate, import, transfer, sell, purchase, transport, or introduce any living part of a tier 1 invasive plant in the State.        (3)    A person may conduct an activity prohibited under paragraph (2) of this subsection if:            (i)    The person receives approval from the Secretary before conducting the activity; and            (ii)    The activity is for the purpose of:                1.    Disposing of the invasive plant;                2.    Controlling the invasive plant;                3.    Using the invasive plant for research or educational purposes; or                4.    Exporting the invasive plant out of the State.    (b)    In accordance with regulations adopted by the Secretary, a person may not:        (1)    Sell or offer for sale at a retail outlet a tier 2 invasive plant unless the retail outlet posts in a conspicuous manner in proximity to all tier 2 plant displays, a sign identifying the plants as tier 2 plants; or        (2)    Provide landscaping services to plant or supply for planting a tier 2 invasive plant unless the person provides to its customer a list of tier 2 invasive plants.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 3 - Regulation of Invasive Plants|Section 9.5-303 - Tier 1 Plants -- Actions and Duties on Discovery

    (a)    On finding a tier 1 plant in violation of § 9.5–302(a)(2) of this subtitle, the Secretary may:        (1)    Issue a written condemnation seizure order;        (2)    Mark or tag the plant in a conspicuous manner; and        (3)    Provide written notice to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of the premises.    (b)    (1)    On notice from the Secretary, a person shall dispose of a tier 1 plant in accordance with regulations adopted by the Secretary.        (2)    If a tier 1 plant is not disposed of in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall:            (i)    Destroy the plant;            (ii)    Prepare a statement of facts and a statement of the expense of destruction; and            (iii)    Provide copies of the statements to the Attorney General.    (c)    (1)    The Attorney General shall institute the appropriate proceeding to collect the expenses due to the Secretary.        (2)    A copy of the statements prepared under subsection (b)(2) of this section is sufficient evidence to prove a claim under this subsection.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 3 - Regulation of Invasive Plants|Section 9.5-304 - Tier 2 Plants -- Finding of Failure to Meet Signage Requirements

    (a)    If the Secretary finds that a tier 2 plant does not meet the signage requirement under § 9.5–302(b)(1) of this subtitle, the Secretary shall:        (1)    Issue a stop sale order; and        (2)    Mark or tag the plant in a conspicuous manner.    (b)    The Secretary shall give written notice of a finding made under subsection (a) of this section to the owner, tenant, or person in charge of the premises.    (c)    A stop sale order issued under this section shall remain in effect until the required signage is posted.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 3 - Regulation of Invasive Plants|Section 9.5-305 - Injunctions

    (a)    The Secretary may bring an action for an injunction against a person to:        (1)    Enforce this subtitle;        (2)    Enforce an order of the Secretary under this subtitle; or        (3)    Prevent or restrain a violation of this subtitle.    (b)    In an action for an injunction brought under this section, the Secretary does not have to allege or prove that:        (1)    An adequate remedy at law does not exist; or        (2)    Substantial or irreparable damage would result from the continued violations.    (c)    An injunction instituted under this section shall be issued without bond.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  9.5-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 9.5 - Invasive Plants Prevention and Control|Subtitle 3 - Regulation of Invasive Plants|Section 9.5-306 - Penalties

    (a)    A person that violates this subtitle is subject to the penalties and fines set forth in Title 12 of this article.    (b)    (1)    Instead of or in addition to any other penalty authorized under this article, the Secretary may impose a civil penalty not exceeding $500 for each violation on a person that violates:            (i)    This subtitle; or            (ii)    Any order issued by the Secretary under this subtitle.        (2)    Penalties collected by the Secretary under this subsection shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-101 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Agricultural commodity” means livestock, poultry, field crops, including nursery stock, bulbs, and flowers; and other agricultural products having a domestic or foreign market.    (c)    “Certified agency” means any association, board, council, or other entity authorized by the Secretary to conduct a referendum under this section among the persons qualifying as voters.    (d)    “Voter”, with respect to a referendum on the question of an annual assessment on a particular agricultural commodity, means any person engaged in the production of the commodity, and includes the owner of the farm on which the commodity is produced, tenants, and sharecroppers.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-102 - Legislative Declarations; Effect of Passage of Federal Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946

    (a)    It is declared to be in the interest of the public welfare that the Maryland farmers who are producers of livestock, poultry, field crops, including nursery stock, bulbs, and flowers; and other agricultural products having a domestic or foreign market, shall be permitted and encouraged to act jointly and in cooperation with growers, handlers, dealers, and processors of these products in promoting and stimulating, by advertising and other methods, the increased production, and domestic and foreign use and sale of any agricultural commodities.    (b)    The passage by the Seventy-Ninth Congress of a law designated as Public Law 733, and, particularly Title II of that act, cited as “Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946”, makes it important for producers, handlers, processors, and others concerned with specific agricultural commodities to associate themselves in action programs, separately, and with public and private agencies, to obtain the greatest and most immediate benefits under the provisions of the federal law, in respect to research, studies, and problems of marketing, transportation, and distribution.    (c)    It is declared to be in the public interest and highly advantageous to the State’s agricultural economy that farmers, producers, and growers commercially producing agricultural commodities be permitted by referendum to be held among the respective groups and, subject to the provisions of this article, to levy upon themselves an assessment on the respective commodities or upon the acreage used in their production and provide for the collection of the assessment. The assessments are for the financing, or to contribute towards the financing, of a program of advertising and other methods designed to increase consumption and domestic and foreign markets for any agricultural commodity. The assessments also may be used for the financing, or to contribute towards the financing, of a program of production, use, and sale of any agricultural commodity.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-103 - Activities Not Deemed Illegal or in Restraint of Trade

    No association, meeting, or activity undertaken in pursuance of the provisions of this article and intended to benefit all of the producers, handlers, and processors of a particular agricultural commodity shall be deemed illegal or in restraint of trade.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-104 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-104 - Application for Certification and Approval as Agency to Conduct Referendum; Issuance of Certification

    (a)    Any association, council, board, or other agency fairly representative of persons qualifying as voters may apply to the Secretary for certification and approval to conduct a referendum among the persons qualifying as voters on the question of levying an assessment, and collecting and utilizing the proceeds for the purposes stated in the referendum.    (b)    Upon the filing of the application the Secretary shall consider the application within 90 days. If the Secretary finds that the applicant is fairly representative of and has been duly chosen and delegated as representative of the persons qualifying as voters, and otherwise finds and determines that the application conforms to the provisions of this article and its purposes, he shall certify the association, council, board, or other agency as the certified agency of the persons qualifying as voters.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-105 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-105 - Management of Referendum and Payment of Expenses; Determination and Announcement Before Referendum

    (a)    The certified agency shall arrange and manage any referendum conducted under the provisions of this article and shall bear all expenses in connection with the referendum.    (b)    Before calling and announcing a referendum, the certified agency shall determine and publicly announce through the public press at least 60 days before the date determined for the referendum:        (1)    The date, hours, polling places, and rules and regulations for voting;        (2)    The amount and basis of the assessment proposed to be collected;        (3)    The method by which the authorized assessment shall be collected; and        (4)    How the proceeds shall be administered and the general purposes to which they shall be applied.    (c)    The agency also shall give direct written notice to every farm organization in the State and to the county agent in each county in which the agricultural commodity is grown.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-106 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-106 - Referendum on Area or Statewide Basis; Participation; Question

    (a)    Any referendum may be held either on an area or statewide basis, as determined by the certified agency before the referendum is called.    (b)    Any persons qualifying as a voter may participate in the referendum.    (c)    The voters shall vote upon the question of whether an annual assessment shall be levied for a period of five years in the amount set forth in the call for the referendum on the agricultural commodity.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-107 - Distribution of Ballots; Poll Holders; Canvass of Result of Referendum

    The certified agency shall prepare and distribute in advance of the referendum all necessary ballots and, under rules and regulations adopted by the certified agency, arrange for the necessary poll holders for conducting the referendum. Within ten days after the referendum, the certified agency shall canvass and publicly declare the result of the referendum.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-108 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-108 - Effect of Affirmative Referendum Vote

    (a)    (1)    A proposed assessment on an agricultural commodity passes if a majority of those persons qualifying as voters and voting in the area in which the referendum is conducted vote in favor of the levying and collection of the proposed assessment on the agricultural commodity.        (2)    If a proposed assessment passes, the agency conducting the referendum shall announce the assessment.    (b)    The assessment shall be collected:        (1)    According to the method and rules and regulations adopted by the certified agency conducting the referendum; and        (2)    For the number of years set forth in the call for the referendum.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-109 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-109 - Subsequent Referenda

    (a)    If an assessment has passed and the assessments have been levied annually for the period set forth in the call for the referendum, then the agency that conducted the referendum may call and conduct another referendum during the last year of the assessment period, on the question of an annual assessment for the next 5 years.    (b)    If a proposed assessment does not pass, then the agency that conducted the referendum may call another referendum the next succeeding year, for the purposes set forth in this subtitle, on the question of an annual assessment for 5 years.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-110 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-110 - Use of Assessment

    The collected assessments shall be paid into the certified agency treasury to be used together with any other funds from other sources, including donations from any person and grants from the State or governmental agencies, to promote and stimulate, by advertising and other methods, the increased domestic and foreign use and sale of the agricultural commodity covered by the referendum. The assessments also may be used to finance research and education programs or to contribute toward the financing of a program on production, use, and sale of any agricultural commodity. The assessments may be used to support multistate, area, or national programs whose purposes are essentially the same as those of the State producers.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-111 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-111 - Deduction of Assessments by Purchasers of Agricultural Commodities

    (a)    As an alternate method for the collection of assessments under § 10–110 of this subtitle, and upon the request of a certified agency, the Secretary shall notify, by registered letter, any person engaged in the business of purchasing any agricultural commodity in the State that the assessments shall be deducted by the purchaser, or the purchaser’s agent or representative, from the purchase price of the agricultural commodity.    (b)    (1)    The deducted assessment shall be remitted by the purchaser to the certified agency as directed by the Secretary.        (2)    A certified agency may initiate judicial proceedings in the circuit court of the county where the agricultural commodity was purchased if a purchaser fails to remit the deducted assessment required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.    (c)    The books and records of a purchaser of any agricultural commodity shall be open for inspection by the Secretary or the certified agency that conducted the referendum for the agricultural commodity at any time during regular business hours.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  10-112 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 10 - Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products|Subtitle 1 - Promotion of Use and Sale of Agricultural Commodity|Section 10-112 - Collection of Assessments From Producers of Tree Fruits

    As an alternate method for the collection of assessments provided for in § 10–110 of this subtitle, the certified agency representing the producers of peaches, apples, or other tree fruits may establish the names and addresses of the persons qualifying as voters, and number of trees or acres of trees and certify them to the Secretary. The Secretary shall notify the persons qualifying as voters by registered letter that by the date specified by the certified agency, the persons qualifying as voters shall pay the assessments to the Secretary. The certified date of collection of the assessments may be established by the certified agency representing the producers of any agricultural commodity.