reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-601 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 6 - Drainage of Agricultural Land|Section 8-601 - Powers and Duties of Secretary

    The Secretary shall promote and encourage the drainage of agricultural lands in the State, correlate the activities of the local drainage organizations in the State, and cooperate with State and federal agencies in the interest of a permanent program of improved drainage. The Secretary has the powers necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subtitle.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-602 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 6 - Drainage of Agricultural Land|Section 8-602 - Cost Sharing in Maintenance of Drainage Outlet Systems

    (a)    To implement the purposes of this subtitle, the Secretary may provide up to 50 percent of the costs necessary to maintain drainage outlet systems constructed under the provisions of Title 25 or Title 26 of the Local Government Article.    (b)    Maintenance of drainage outlet systems is limited to the control of vegetation and the removal of channel obstructions and placement of debris. Maintenance does not include major channel reconstruction or realignment or the removal of trees exceeding four inches in diameter at breast height.    (c)    Plans for maintenance operations submitted to the Secretary for cost sharing shall include cost estimates and shall be approved by the appropriate soil conservation district.    (d)    The approval of the Secretary for cost sharing is conditioned on written commitment of matching funds by the association submitting application for assistance.    (e)    The Secretary shall establish priorities for approval of assistance, in consultation with the State Soil Conservation Committee.    (f)    The Governor annually shall include funds in the State budget to be used for the purposes of this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-701 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7 - Cost Sharing -- Water Pollution Control|Section 8-701 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Best management practice” means a conservation or pollution control practice that manages soil loss due to farming practices or manages nutrients, animal wastes, or agricultural chemicals so as to minimize movement into the surface waters of the State.    (c)    “Eligible cost” means a capital expenditure for installing, purchasing, or constructing a best management practice. It does not include the cost of land or interests in land, or the costs of operating or maintaining best management practices.    (d)    “Fixed natural filter practice” means one of the following practices:        (1)    The planting of riparian forest buffers;        (2)    The planting of riparian herbaceous cover;        (3)    Tree plantings that are:            (i)    On agricultural land; and            (ii)    Outside a riparian buffer;        (4)    Wetland restoration; or        (5)    Pasture management, including rotational grazing systems such as:            (i)    Livestock fencing; and            (ii)    Watering systems implemented as part of the conversion of cropland to pasture.    (e)    “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, or other business enterprise which as an owner, landlord, or tenant, participates in the operation of a farm.    (f)    “Pooling agreement” means a written agreement between persons, approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, to perform best management practices and which is intended to solve a mutual pollution problem on different farms.    (g)    “Project” means a project to prevent or control agriculturally related nonpoint source water pollution by establishing best management practices on a farm.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-702 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7 - Cost Sharing -- Water Pollution Control|Section 8-702 - Establishment of Program; Implementation With Other Programs

    (a)    The General Assembly finds and declares that agriculturally related nonpoint sources of water pollution may potentially contribute to the degradation of the water resources of this State and that prevention and control efforts have been hampered because of the cost and lack of income producing potential in many agricultural practices designed to protect water quality. To assist in the implementation of agricultural practices which minimize water pollution from erosion, animal wastes, nutrients, and agricultural chemicals, a cost sharing program between the State and eligible applicants is established for the public benefit.    (b)    The cost sharing program established under this subtitle shall be implemented in conjunction with the “Agricultural Water Quality Management Program for the Control of Sediment and Animal Wastes” of the State Soil Conservation Committee as well as other State and local programs to control water pollution.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-703 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7 - Cost Sharing -- Water Pollution Control|Section 8-703 - Rules and Regulations; Selection of Project; Financial and Technical Assistance

    (a)    The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Environment shall, by jointly promulgated rule or regulation:        (1)    Identify geographic areas in watersheds throughout the State which have a high potential for agriculturally related soil erosion or movement of sediments, animal wastes, or agricultural chemicals into the surface waters of the State;        (2)    Designate priority areas for cost sharing under this subtitle; and        (3)    Establish program requirements, including application procedures, eligibility criteria, provisions for monitoring and review, and measures to assure accountability for all cost sharing funds.    (b)    (1)    The selection of projects and the degree of State financial assistance shall be based on:            (i)    Water quality improvements to be achieved, with consideration given to the cumulative effect of other projects on the same body of water;            (ii)    The estimated economic benefit to the participating farmer from use of the best management practice; and            (iii)    Other relevant factors as determined by regulation.        (2)    State cost–sharing funds may not be used to:            (i)    Reestablish agricultural practices which have deteriorated due to the negligence or mismanagement of an applicant;            (ii)    Fund a conservation practice that does not:                1.    Address a natural resource concern identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; or                2.    Result in an improved conservation benefit.    (c)    The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Environment shall implement the cost sharing program for a project with the technical assistance of the appropriate soil conservation district. Technical representatives of the soil conservation district shall prepare or approve all design, construction, maintenance or other plans for best management practices and shall provide the necessary degree of layout and construction supervision.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-704.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7 - Cost Sharing -- Water Pollution Control|Section 8-704.1 - Manure Matching Service

    (a)    In this section, “Service” means the Manure Matching Service.    (b)    The Department shall create a Manure Matching Service.    (c)    The purpose of the Service is to develop transfer programs and marketing techniques to promote and facilitate the transfer of poultry and livestock manure.    (d)    The Service shall be implemented in conjunction with the Manure Transportation Project set forth in § 8-704.2 of this subtitle.    (e)    The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill sufficient funds to carry out this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-704.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7 - Cost Sharing -- Water Pollution Control|Section 8-704.2 - Manure Transportation Project

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Commercial poultry producer” means any entity that contracts with a farmer to raise poultry for the producer on property owned or leased by the farmer.        (3)    “Project” means the Manure Transportation Project.    (b)    It is the intent of the General Assembly that:        (1)    The State and the commercial poultry producers shall facilitate the prompt transportation of poultry litter from farms in all areas of the State that experience phosphorus overenrichment;        (2)    The State shall facilitate the transfer of livestock manure from farms in all parts of the State that experience phosphorus overenrichment;        (3)    The Project shall encourage voluntary participation to achieve the removal of poultry litter produced by at least 20% of the poultry in the four lower Eastern Shore counties in Maryland; and        (4)    The Project shall be implemented in conjunction with the Manure Matching Service set forth in § 8–704.1 of this subtitle.    (c)    The purpose of the Project is to establish a cost share matching program to assist in the transportation of poultry or livestock manure from farms:        (1)    To be used on land with soil having the capacity to hold additional phosphorus; or        (2)    To be used in environmentally acceptable ways other than land application.    (d)    The State shall provide:        (1)    Funding for the Project by matching, in an amount determined by the Department, the amount of funds contributed by the commercial poultry producer industry for eligible costs, as determined by the Department, associated with the transportation and handling of poultry litter; and        (2)    Up to 87.5% of the transportation and handling costs, as determined by the Department, per ton for livestock manure.    (e)    The Department of Agriculture shall adopt regulations authorizing the disbursement of cost–share matching funds consistent with the purposes of the Project.    (f)    The Department of Agriculture shall provide the assistance necessary to ensure that poultry or livestock manure is tested in accordance with departmental procedures before transportation of the manure occurs.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-705 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7 - Cost Sharing -- Water Pollution Control|Section 8-705 - Failure to Establish and Maintain Best Management Practice

    (a)    Failure by a person to establish, install, construct, or maintain a best management practice in accordance with the agreement required to be executed with the Department under § 8-704 of this subtitle shall render the person liable for an amount, to be determined by the Department, of State cost sharing funds paid for practices that are not implemented or maintained. However, a person may not be found liable for inadequate maintenance or destruction of a best management practice if it were caused by an act of nature that could not reasonably be anticipated by the person.    (b)    The Attorney General, at the request of the Secretary of Agriculture may institute appropriate legal action to enforce the terms and conditions of all cost sharing agreements executed under this subtitle.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-7A-01 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7A - Animal Waste Technology Fund|Section 8-7A-01 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Animal waste technology project” means the research, development, implementation, or market development of technology that is intended to:        (1)    Reduce the amount of nutrients in animal waste;        (2)    Alter the composition of animal waste;        (3)    Develop alternative waste management strategies; or        (4)    Use animal waste in a production process.    (c)    “Fund” means the Animal Waste Technology Fund.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-7A-03 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7A - Animal Waste Technology Fund|Section 8-7A-03 - Financial Assistance

    (a)    To be eligible for assistance from the Fund, an animal waste technology project shall have strong potential for:        (1)    Improving the public health and the environment;        (2)    Preserving the viability of the agricultural industry; and        (3)    Having a positive economic development impact in the State.    (b)    If the amount of financial assistance requested exceeds the amount of money available in the Fund, the Department shall give preference to the animal waste technology projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for:        (1)    Improving the public health and the environment;        (2)    Preserving the viability of the agricultural industry; and        (3)    Having a positive economic development impact in the State.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-7A-04 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7A - Animal Waste Technology Fund|Section 8-7A-04 - Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee

    (a)    The Department shall establish an Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee.    (b)    The Secretary of Agriculture shall be the Chair of the Advisory Committee and the Department will provide staff support.    (c)    Ex officio membership of the Advisory Committee shall include:        (1)    The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;        (2)    The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee;        (3)    The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;        (4)    The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, or the Director’s designee; and        (5)    The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, or the Dean’s designee.    (d)    The Secretary shall appoint committee representatives to include the poultry and livestock industries, agricultural community, environmental community, agricultural fertilizer industries, energy sector, and other areas of expertise as deemed appropriate.    (e)    In consultation with the Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee, the Department shall:        (1)    Develop program criteria;        (2)    Review proposals; and        (3)    Make project funding determinations.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-7A-05 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 7A - Animal Waste Technology Fund|Section 8-7A-05 - Protection of Interests of Department

    The Secretary may take all reasonable actions to protect the interests of the Department in its investments, collateral, loans, grants, and other property or interests relating to financing transactions, including forgiving a loan, expending funds from its general and special funds to acquire, dispose of, operate, protect, enhance, or maintain collateral or liens.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-801 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 8 - Nutrient Management|Section 8-801 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Certified nutrient management consultant” means an individual certified by the Department to prepare a nutrient management plan.    (c)    “Commercial farm” means a farm that performs activities related to the production and sale of agricultural commodities, including row crops, fruits, vegetables, horticulture, and silvaculture.    (d)    “Enhanced efficiency fertilizer” has the meaning stated in § 6–201 of this article.    (e)    “Impervious surface” means any structure, surface, or improvement that reduces or prevents absorption of stormwater into land, and includes porous paving, paver blocks, gravel, crushed stone, decks, patios, elevated structures, and other similar structures, surfaces, or improvements.    (f)    “Natural organic fertilizer” has the meaning stated in § 6–201 of this article.    (g)    “Nutrient management plan” means a plan prepared under this subtitle by a certified nutrient management consultant to manage the amount, placement, timing, and application of animal waste, commercial fertilizer, sludge, or other plant nutrients to prevent pollution by transport of bioavailable nutrients and to maintain productivity.    (h)    “Organic fertilizer” has the meaning stated in § 6–201 of this article.    (i)    (1)    “Professional fertilizer applicator” means any person who:            (i)    Is certified to apply fertilizer in accordance with § 8–803.4 of this subtitle; and            (ii)    Applies fertilizer for hire.        (2)    “Professional fertilizer applicator” includes the owner or manager of property, or an employee of a government entity who applies fertilizer within the scope of employment.    (j)    “Slow–release nitrogen” means nitrogen in a form that:        (1)    Delays its availability for plant uptake and use after application; or        (2)    Extends its availability to the plant significantly longer than a reference “rapidly available nutrient” such as ammonium nitrate or urea, ammonium phosphate, or potassium chloride.    (k)    “Soil test” means a technical analysis of soil conducted by a laboratory using standards recommended by the University of Maryland.    (l)    “Turf” means land, including residential property and publicly owned land that is planted in grass, except land that is used in the sale and production of sod, as defined in § 9–101 of this article.    (m)    “Water–soluble nitrogen” means nitrogen that is readily soluble in water.    (n)    “Waters of the State” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Environment Article.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-802 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 8 - Nutrient Management|Section 8-802 - Certification and License Requirement

    (a)    A person may not prepare a nutrient management plan, for purposes of meeting the requirements of this subtitle, unless the person is certified or licensed by the State.    (b)    An individual may apply to the Department for certification as a certified nutrient management consultant.    (c)    A person engaged in the business of providing a nutrient management plan provided under this subtitle shall hold an annual license from the Department.    (d)    The Department may impose a penalty not exceeding $250 for a violation of the provisions of this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-803.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 8 - Nutrient Management|Section 8-803.2 - Certified Nutrient Management Consultants

    (a)    A person who applies nutrients for hire to land used for agricultural purposes shall be a certified nutrient management consultant or work under a nutrient management consultant certified under § 8-803 of this subtitle.    (b)    A person who applies nutrients for hire to land used for agricultural purposes, who is not a certified nutrient management consultant, shall make available documentation, in the form of a work order, bill of lading, or similar document, to the landowner or land manager that the person is working under a certified nutrient management consultant.    (c)    The Secretary shall adopt regulations to implement this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-803.3 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 8 - Nutrient Management|Section 8-803.3 - Nutrient Application Educational Programs

    (a)    This section does not apply to:        (1)    A person who applies nutrients to 10 acres or less of land each year; or        (2)    A person who applies nutrients for hire.    (b)    A person who engages in the activity of applying nutrients to land which the person owns or manages and which is used for agricultural purposes shall complete an educational program in nutrient application every 3 years.    (c)    (1)    The Secretary, in consultation with the Nutrient Management Advisory Committee under § 8-804 of this subtitle, shall create or approve educational programs under this section.        (2)    The nutrient application educational programs are to be offered at sites distributed throughout the State.        (3)    The Department shall issue to a participant upon completion of an education program under this section, a voucher of completion.        (4)    The Department shall maintain a registry of persons who have received vouchers of completion in a nutrient application educational program under this section.
MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-803.6 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 8 - Nutrient Management|Section 8-803.6 - Certification Program for Professional Fertilizer Applicators

    (a)    (1)    The Department shall, in consultation with the University of Maryland, establish a program to certify professional fertilizer applicators.        (2)    The certification program shall provide professional fertilizer applicators with training and education in the following subject areas:            (i)    The proper use and calibration of fertilizer application equipment;            (ii)    The hazards involved in, and the environmental impact of, applying fertilizer, including nutrient pollution to:                1.    Surface water subject to the jurisdiction of the State;                2.    The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries;                3.    A pond within the State;                4.    A lake within the State;                5.    A river within the State;                6.    A stream within the State;                7.    A public ditch within the State;                8.    A tax ditch within the State; and                9.    A public drainage system within the State, other than those designed and used to collect, convey, or dispose of sanitary sewage;            (iii)    All applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations;            (iv)    The correct interpretation of fertilizer labeling information; and            (v)    The recommendations developed by the University of Maryland for nutrient management on turf, including the appropriate time to:                1.    Apply fertilizer when rain is forecast; and                2.    Apply fertilizer when soils are wet and the potential for fertilizer movement off–site exists.    (b)    In establishing the certification program, the Department may:        (1)    Charge reasonable fees, including an annual recertification fee, to cover costs associated with the certification program;        (2)    Require continuing education or training for professional fertilizer applicators;        (3)    Designate one or more entities to train, certify, and recertify professional fertilizer applicators, which may charge fees to cover the reasonable costs associated with the certification training and education; and        (4)    Recognize the training program of an entity employing professional fertilizer applicators if the program meets the certification and recertification training and education standards established by the Department under this section.    (c)    The Department shall publish and maintain a list of all certified professional fertilizer applicators and make the list available on the Department’s Internet Web site.    (d)    The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.