reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.07 - Aquaculture Grant Program › Section 15.01.07.04 - Application Contents

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. An
				application shall contain the following, with each section beginning on a
				separate sheet of paper:
(1) Title page,
				which shall contain the following:
(a) The
				project title;
(b) The requested
				grant amount;
(c) A statement of
				the funding phase, that is, design and testing, or construction and
				use;
(d) The county where the
				aquaculture project is located; and
(e) The applicant's name and signature,
				address and phone number, or name and signature of the applicant's authorized
				representative, if any.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.07 - Aquaculture Grant Program › Section 15.01.07.05 - Application Review and Approval

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				The Department shall approve or disapprove an application as follows:
(1) The Department shall approve projects in
				the order in which applications are received, if funds are available, and if in
				the Department's judgment:
(a) The scientific
				and engineering objectives of the project are reasonable;
(b) The technological aspects of the project
				are appropriate and feasible;
(c)
				Project plans are adequate to fulfill one or more of the following grant
				program objectives:
(i) Water
				conservation;
(ii) Water
				recirculation;
(iii) Nutrient
				discharge reduction;
(iv) Solids
				reduction;
(v) Thermal pollution
				abatement;
(d) The
				applicant agrees to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of an aquaculture
				project.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.07 - Aquaculture Grant Program › Section 15.01.07.06 - Grant Agreement

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Upon approval of an application by the Department, the
				  applicant shall execute an agreement. The agreement, among other things, shall
				  obligate the applicant to:
A.
				Establish and operate an aquaculture project according to project
				specifications;
B. Provide any
				required funds for the project;
C.
				Bind any successor in title for the life of the project;
D. Maintain records as required;
E. Allow the Department to monitor the
				project to determine that the project is constructed and operated in accordance
				with any agreement.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.07 - Aquaculture Grant Program › Section 15.01.07.07 - Distribution of Grant

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The
				Department may disburse funds for a project up to 50 percent of eligible costs
				or $15,000, whichever is less.
B.
				Grant funds shall be distributed as follows:
(1) One third of the grant shall be awarded
				to the applicant following the execution of the cost-sharing
				agreement.
(2) One third of the
				grant shall be awarded to the applicant when the project begins operation. The
				Department shall verify the operation before payment.
(3) One third of the grant shall be awarded
				to the applicant following receipt of a project final report prepared by the
				applicant. The final report shall contain:
(a)
				An evaluation of the degree to which the project meets grant program objectives
				as provided in Regulation .05A(1)(c), of this chapter, including test
				results;
(b) An accounting of the
				disbursement of all funds with an itemized list of costs associated with the
				project;
(c) The date and the
				signature of the applicant certifying that the information presented is true
				and correct to the best of that person's knowledge.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.07 - Aquaculture Grant Program › Section 15.01.07.08 - Project Monitoring

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
After the Department has distributed funds, the Department
				  shall monitor projects to see if the projects are in accordance with the
				  agreement.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.07 - Aquaculture Grant Program › Section 15.01.07.09 - Failure to Establish or Operate a Project

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
If a person fails to establish or operate a project in
				  accordance with any agreement executed with the Department, that person shall
				  be liable for the full amount of State funds paid for any project that was not
				  implemented.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.01 - Scope

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The Department of Agriculture's State agriculture programs
				  benefit from the specialized knowledge of employees who own or operate a farm.
				  This chapter explains the Department's policy governing conflicts of interest
				  relating to financial interest and secondary employment for employees who work
				  for the Department and at the same time own or operate a farm that is subject
				  to the Department's regulatory authority.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.02 - Required Employee Disclosure

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
An individual who applies for employment, or who is employed
				  by the Department, shall disclose whether that individual or employee owns, has
				  an ownership interest in, or operates a farm.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.03 - Employment Participation Restrictions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A Department employee may not participate, as a part of that
				  employee's duties, in any of the following matters if that participation in any
				  way affects the employee's farm, or a farm that directly competes for business
				  with the employee's farm operation:
A.
				Any contract with the Department;
B. Any regulatory or enforcement
				action;
C. Any Department program
				that controls, or in any way regulates the employee's farm operation;
				or
D. Any matter that will have a
				direct and predictable effect on the employee's financial interest in the
				employee's farm operation, including such a matter involving:
(1) The employees' spouse, or immediate
				family;
(2) An outside employer or
				prospective employer of the employee;
(3) An organization in which the employee
				serves as an officer, director, or general partner; or
(4) Any person with whom the employee has or
				seeks a business, contractual, or other financial relationship.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.04 - Ethics Law Restrictions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Any
				Department employee who owns or operates a farm is subject to all applicable
				provisions of the Ethics Law.
B.
				For example, the Ethics Law, in part, prohibits employees from participating in
				matters in which the employee or a relative has a financial or other interest
				under State Government Article, §15-501, Annotated Code of
				Maryland.
C. The Ethics Law
				contains restrictions on:
(1) Post-employment,
				under State Government Article, §15-504, Annotated Code of
				Maryland;
(2) Gifts, under State
				Government Article, §15-505, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(3) Procurement, under State Government
				Article, §15-508, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.05 - Department Responsibilities

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The Department is responsible for:
A. Making each employee aware of the
				requirements of this chapter;
B.
				Ensuring that each employee who has an outside farm business acknowledges that
				the employee has read and agrees to be bound by the requirements of this
				chapter;
C. Ensuring that each
				employee subject to this chapter has executed a nonparticipation agreement with
				the Department that requires the employee to designate a representative to
				interact with the Department on matters involving the employee's farming
				business, and directs the employee to acknowledge that the employee may not
				participate in any way in any decision regarding any complaint or question
				regarding their farming business;
D. Keeping records for each employee who is
				subject to the requirements of this chapter; and
E. Monitoring and enforcing employee
				compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.06 - Noncompliance

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
An employee who violates this chapter is subject to
				  disciplinary action, including termination from State
				  service.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.07 - Reports to the Ethics Commission

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The Department shall provide copies of applicable
				  nonparticipating agreements, and provide annual reports to the State Ethics
				  Commission on the number of employees hired by the Department during any year
				  who own or operate a farm that is subject to the Department's regulatory
				  authority.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.08 - Conflicts of Interest Policy for Employees Who Own or Operate a Farm › Section 15.01.08.08 - Report to the General Assembly

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
On or before December 31, 2010, the Department of Agriculture
				  and the State Ethics Commission shall jointly prepare and submit a report to
				  the General Assembly, in accordance with State Government Article, §
									2-1246, Annotated
				  Code of Maryland that includes:
A. The
				number of employees hired by the Department, on or after October 1, 2007, who
				own or operate a farm;
B. The
				positions for which the employees identified in this regulation were hired;
				and
C. Information on how the
				Department addressed any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest
				in hiring the employees identified in this regulation.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.09 - Advertising Agricultural Products as Local or Locally Grown › Section 15.01.09.01 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The purpose of
				this chapter is to require a person who advertises a particular agricultural
				product as local or locally grown to disclose certain information about the
				particular product. It applies to any person who, in advertising a particular
				agricultural product for sale in this State, represents the particular product
				to be local or locally grown, including, but not limited to, wholesalers,
				retail stores, farmers markets, and restaurants.
B. The purpose of the disclosure is to allow
				a consumer to make his or her own determination as to whether an agricultural
				product advertised as local conforms to the consumer's own definition of local
				or locally grown.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.09 - Advertising Agricultural Products as Local or Locally Grown › Section 15.01.09.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Advertise" means to publish, circulate,
				disseminate, or place before the public in any way or through any
				medium.
(2) "Agricultural product"
				means raw meat, eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables, shellfish, and processed dairy
				products, intended for human consumption..
(3) "Person" includes an individual,
				association, partnership, corporation, or any other business entity, or an
				agent or employee of an individual or entity.
(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary of
				Agriculture or the Secretary's designee.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.09 - Advertising Agricultural Products as Local or Locally Grown › Section 15.01.09.03 - Prohibition and Disclosure Statement

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A person may not advertise a particular agricultural product
				  for sale as local or locally grown, or use any term that may lead a consumer to
				  believe that the product is local or locally grown, including the term
				  "regional", unless the advertisement includes a disclosure of the place of
				  origin, naming the state where the product was originally grown or raised, or
				  in the case of fish or shellfish, the state where the product was raised or
				  landed.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.09 - Advertising Agricultural Products as Local or Locally Grown › Section 15.01.09.04 - Posting of Disclosure Statement

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				A person who is subject to the requirements of this chapter shall post in a
				clear and conspicuous manner the disclosure statement required by Regulation
				.03 of this chapter so that it can be seen easily by the consumer before the
				consumer buys or consumes the product about which the disclosure is
				made.
B. A person subject to this
				chapter shall post the disclosure statement required by Regulation .03 of this
				chapter with or immediately adjacent to any advertisement representing that the
				product is local or locally grown.
C. If products sourced from different states
				of origin are intermingled for sale under a single advertisement, a person
				subject to this chapter shall post the disclosure statement required by
				Regulation .03 of this chapter for each state from which the intermingled
				products originated.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.09 - Advertising Agricultural Products as Local or Locally Grown › Section 15.01.09.05 - Documentation Requirement

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Upon request by the Secretary, a person subject to the
				  requirements of this chapter shall provide the Secretary with documentation
				  that shows the state of origin for any agricultural product advertised for sale
				  as local or locally grown.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.09 - Advertising Agricultural Products as Local or Locally Grown › Section 15.01.09.06 - Penalty

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A person who knowingly violates this chapter is guilty of a
				  misdemeanor and is subject to a penalty provided in Agriculture Article, Title
				  12, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.01 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
This chapter explains the requirements of the Spay/Neuter
				  Grant Program. The purpose of this program, administered by the Department of
				  Agriculture, is to reduce animal shelter overpopulation and cat and dog
				  euthanasia rates by financing grants to local governments and animal welfare
				  organizations for programs that most efficiently and effectively facilitate and
				  promote spay and neuter services for cats and dogs.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Animal welfare organization" means a
				not-for-profit organization established to promote animal welfare that has
				received tax exempt status under 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code
				and is registered to do business in Maryland.
(2) "Department" means the Maryland
				Department of Agriculture.
(3)
				"Fund" means the Spay/Neuter Fund.
(4) "Project" means an action plan that the
				applicant agrees to follow for spay and neuter services for cats and
				dogs.
(5) "Spay/Neuter Advisory
				Board" means the Spay/Neuter Advisory Board of the Department.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.03 - Who May Apply for Grants

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Only the following may apply for a grant under this
				  chapter:
A. A municipal or county
				government; or
B. An animal welfare
				organization.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.04 - Grant Application Contents

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A qualified applicant who applies for a grant shall apply on
				  a departmental form that includes, among other things, the following:
A. The project title;
B. The applicant's name and contact
				information;
C. The qualifications
				of the applicant and the personnel who will work on the project, including
				veterinary services, if applicable;
D. The amount of the grant requested;
				and
E. A project description, which
				shall include:
(1) The project's objectives
				and expected outcomes;
(2) A work
				plan and budget summary of the proposed project;
(3) How the project meets the purposes of the
				Fund and the requirements of the grant; and
(4) Any additional information required by
				the Department.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.05 - Application Review and Approval

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				The Department shall solicit one or more times annually, depending on available
				funding, competitive grant proposals to facilitate the delivery of spay and
				neuter services. It is the Department's intent to select the best proposals
				that most efficiently and effectively facilitate and promote the provision of
				those services and target low-income communities and populations to the maximum
				extent possible.
B. The Department
				shall provide guidelines and detailed instructions for submitting a proposal
				for the Department's consideration.
C. The Department shall rank applications
				based on the following:
(1) The Department
				shall rank eligible applications and select for funding those that most
				effectively and efficiently achieve the purpose of the Fund; and
(2) In determining which projects to fund,
				the Department will consider:
(a) How
				low-income communities and populations are targeted and how the goal of
				reaching those communities and populations will be accomplished;
(b) How well the project proposal identifies
				and assesses the need for additional spay and neuter services in the targeted
				community or population, and how effectively and efficiently the project will
				meet that need;
(c) Whether a
				proposal targeting feral cat populations violates local law;
(d) How the project proposal identifies and
				meets the need to promote spay/neuter services to the targeted population or
				community through education and outreach;
(e) The extent to which the project increases
				the number of spay/neuter procedures in Maryland and impacts animal shelter
				over-population and cat and dog euthanasia rates;
(f) The expected project results relative to
				the amount of funds requested;
(g)
				The qualifications and experience of the applicant and the individuals who will
				be responsible for implementing the project; and
(h) The recommendations of the Spay Neuter
				Advisory Board.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.06 - Grant Agreement

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Upon approval of a grant application by the Department, the
				  applicant on a Departmental form, shall execute a grant agreement that, among
				  other things, requires the applicant to:
A. Establish and operate the project
				according to the project description;
B. Maintain and provide records and reports
				as required to the Department; and
C. Use grant funds for only those activities
				provided in the approved project application.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.07 - Distribution of Grant

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The Department shall distribute grants, unless otherwise
				  provided in the grant agreement, as follows:
A. 50 percent of the grant will be disbursed
				after receipt of an executed grant agreement and after receipt of any required
				documentation; and
B. The remaining
				50 percent of the grant will be disbursed after receipt of the 2nd quarter
				report that is due 180 days after the grant cycle begins.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.08 - Project Monitoring and Reporting

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The recipient of a spay/neuter grant
				shall:
(1) Keep and maintain complete and
				accurate records of all activities connected with the grant;
(2) Report relevant information to the
				Department on how the grant was used to date, including data on the number and
				type of spay or neuter procedures performed, and such other information as
				requested by the Department;
(3)
				Submit a final report, to the Department, both narrative and financial, within
				30 days after the conclusion of the grant cycle, or upon completion of the
				project, whichever comes first. The final report shall be in a form as required
				by the Department, and shall include:
(a)
				Data on the number of spay and neuter procedures performed under the
				grant;
(b) A description of any
				public education and outreach efforts implemented;
(c) An evaluation of the degree to which the
				project's objectives and expected outcomes were met;
(d) A detailed accounting of the disbursement
				of all funds; and
(e) Any other
				information required by the Department; and
(4) Notify the Department in writing
				immediately of any significant change to the grant application or any funded
				grant activity.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.09 - Penalties

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
If the Department determines that the grant recipient has
				  violated the grant agreement or that grant funds have not been used for their
				  intended purpose as provided in the grant agreement, the Department may:
A. Discontinue any future grant
				payments;
B. Require the grant
				recipient to repay immediately to the Department the full amount of the grant,
				or a portion of the grant; and
C.
				Deny any future grant eligibility to the grant recipient.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.10 - Spay/Neuter Grant Program › Section 15.01.10.10 - Spay/Neuter Fund

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Any person
				who registers a commercial feed under Agriculture Article, §
									6-107, Annotated Code of
				Maryland, that is prepared and distributed for consumption by a cat or dog
				shall:
(1) Pay to the Department for use in
				the spay/neuter fund, the following fees for each registered brand or product:
(a) From October 1, 2013, through September
				30, 2014, inclusive - $50;
(b) From
				October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015, inclusive - $75; and
(c) After September 30, 2015 - $100;
				and
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.01 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth minimum standards
				  of care for the following animal shelters that keep dogs and cats:
A. A shelter that is owned by a county or
				municipality;
B. A shelter that a
				county or municipality contracts with for animal control services; or
C. A shelter that has received a grant from
				the Maryland Spay and Neuter Grants Program during the previous year.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) 'Animal" means a dog or a cat that is
				kept temporarily or permanently at an animal shelter.
(2) 'Animal enrichment" means providing an
				animal with social contact, mental stimulation, physical activity and other
				activities that allow the animal to demonstrate species typical behavior and
				enhanced well-being.
(3) "Animal
				shelter" or "shelter" means a physical structure that provides temporary or
				permanent housing for animals and is owned by a local government, or by an
				organization that counties or municipalities contract with for animal control
				services, or by an organization that shelters animals and received a grant from
				the Maryland Spay and Neuter Grants Program during the previous year.
(4) "Department" means Maryland Department of
				Agriculture.
(5) "Drop box" means
				an unattended receptacle where live animals can be placed by the public for
				later shelter intake.
(6) "Fully
				clean " means to disinfect an area or an item with chemical agents that kill
				harmful micro-organisms.
(7)
				"Primary animal enclosure" means any structure used consistently to restrict an
				animal to a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, crate, cage, kennel,
				or compartment.
(8) "Responsible
				individual" means the shelter's responsible individual as defined by COMAR
				15.14.04.06.
(9) "Run" or "dog
				run" means a dedicated area, either indoors or outdoors, that is enclosed by a
				fence or gate, where dogs may move about untethered and unleashed.
(10) "Spot clean" means to clean only a stain
				or spot and generally involves using mild cleaning agents, such as soaps and
				detergents.
(11) "Transport
				carrier" means a portable enclosure designed to temporarily contain an animal
				that is being transported from one location to another.
(12) "Veterinarian" means a veterinarian who
				is licensed, registered and in good standing with the Maryland State Board of
				Veterinary Medical Examiners.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.03 - Animal Shelter Buildings

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The responsible individual shall ensure that the shelter is a
				  safe, structurally sound, and sanitary building that meets the following
				  standards:
A. A shelter may not have
				any structural defects that could cause injury to animals or staff members
				handling animals;
B. Surfaces in
				animal areas, such as floors, junctions, walls, doors, shall be made of
				nonporous material that can easily be disinfected;
C. Ceilings shall be kept in good condition
				without leaks;
D. All areas where
				animals are present shall have adequate ventilation and be kept between 60-80
				degrees F;
E. By July 1, 2019, all
				rooms where animals are housed shall have afire alarm system that will alert
				authorities of fire or heavy smoke;
F. A shelter shall have written policies and
				protocols in place to maintain adequate capacity to prevent and eliminate
				overcrowding; and
G. Upon request,
				a shelter shall allow the Department to inspect the premises for compliance
				with this chapter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.04 - Primary Animal Enclosures

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				The responsible individual shall ensure that any primary animal enclosure is
				structurally sound and maintained in a safe, working condition at all times;
				and that it enables animals to remain dry, clean, and shielded from extreme
				temperatures and weather conditions.
B. A primary animal enclosure shall meet the
				following standards:
(1) A primary animal
				enclosure shall provide sufficient space to allow each animal, regardless of
				size, to:
(a) Hold their tails erect and
				their heads high when in a normal standing position;
(b) Turn freely and easily stand, sit,
				stretch, and move their head, without touching the top of the
				enclosure;
(c) Lie in a resting
				position with limbs extended; and
(d) Move about and assume a comfortable
				posture for feeding, drinking, urinating, or defecating;
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.05 - Sanitation Practices

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The responsible individual shall ensure that the shelter
				  building, primary animal enclosures, and all other areas where animals are kept
				  are sanitary and regularly cleaned to reduce disease transmission among
				  animals, protect public human health, increase animal comfort, and meet the
				  following standards:
A. All primary
				animal enclosures, food bowls, and water bowls shall be fully cleaned before a
				new animal is placed in enclosures;
B. All animal bedding shall be fully cleaned
				before being used by a new animal and subsequently fully cleaned, as often as
				necessary;
C. All cages, food
				bowls, and water bowls shall be spot-cleaned daily and fully cleaned as
				necessary;
D. All floors,
				junctions, walls, doors, and drains shall be immediately sanitized and fully
				cleaned after coming into contact with feces, urine, vomit, or an animal known
				or suspected of having an infectious disease;
E. Only cleaners that are safe for animals
				shall be used to clean primary enclosures, transport carriers, exercise areas,
				or any area of the shelter where animals are present or likely to be
				present;
F. All chemicals shall be
				removed from the enclosure prior to placing an animal in the
				enclosure;
G. No animal or animal's
				drinking water or water bowl shall be left in an enclosure while cleaning
				chemicals are being used;
H. The
				shelter building and runs shall be kept reasonably free of flies, fleas,
				mosquitoes, rats, mice, and other vectors or nuisance species;
I. All trash cans in areas of a shelter where
				animals are located shall have lids; and
J. Relevant shelter staff shall be trained in
				the shelters' sanitation protocols, and a written record of that training shall
				be kept on-site and available for inspection.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.06 - Medical Standards

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The responsible individual shall ensure that all animals are
				  monitored, assessed, examined, and treated for medical conditions in a timely
				  manner as follows:
A. A veterinarian
				shall supervise the medical care and medical treatment of all animals in an
				animal shelter;
B. Any surgeries
				shall be performed in accordance with the Maryland Veterinary Practice Act and
				in a facility currently licensed and registered by the State Board of
				Veterinary Medical Examiners;
C.
				Animal shelter staff shall observe animals daily for signs of illness or
				injury, and obtain treatment, as appropriate;
D. Clean water shall be provided to all
				animals at all times unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian;
E. All animals with parasites shall be
				treated immediately unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian;
F. Any animal appearing to be experiencing
				pain, suffering distress, rapidly deteriorating health, life-threatening
				problems, or suspected zoonotic disease shall be assessed by a veterinarian as
				soon as possible or euthanized to prevent further distress or suffering;
G Any animal with a suspected
				zoonotic disease that does not appear to be experiencing pain, distress, or
				deteriorating health, but that poses a threat to human health and safety, shall
				be isolated by the shelter to limit exposure to other animals and people, and
				shall be assessed by a veterinarian immediately or as soon as
				possible;
H. Any animal that is
				observed to be experiencing mental suffering, distress, or behavioral
				deterioration shall be assessed and appropriately treated by a veterinarian in
				a timely manner or humanely euthanized by the shelter;
I. Animals that can be handled safely shall
				be provided with animal enrichment activities, whenever possible; and
J. Animal food that is more than 6 months
				past the "sell by" date shall not be provided to an
				animal.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.07 - Equipment

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The responsible
				individual shall ensure that anyone working with animals, including a
				volunteer, has the equipment necessary to handle all situations in a safe and
				humane manner, including the following:
(1)
				Adequate ear protection, gloves, and other safety equipment to all staff
				members who handle animals or clean cages; and
(2) Equipment that allows staff to restrain animals as
				humanely as possible while ensuring the safety of both the animal and the
				handler.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.08 - Record Keeping

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The
				responsible individual shall ensure that records are kept for each animal
				entering the shelter. Information shall include:
(1) The animal's species and unique
				identification number;
(2) The
				estimated age of the animal;
(3)
				Date of entry into the shelter;
(4)
				Date and explanation of all treatments and medical procedures; and
(5) Final disposition (date and
				type).
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.11 - Animal Shelters - Minimum Standards of Care › Section 15.01.11.09 - Civil Penalty

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The
				Department may impose a civil penalty on a shelter that violates the
				requirements of this chapter or Agriculture Article, §
									2-1704, Annotated Code of
				Maryland, which requires shelters to adopt a written protocol for reclaiming
				animals, up to $500 for each violation.
B. Before imposing any civil penalty under
				this chapter, the Department shall consider the following:
(1) The nature and gravity of each
				violation;
(2) The willfulness of
				the violation and the extent to which the existence of the violation was known
				to the shelter but uncorrected by the shelter; and
(3) A history of prior violations, if
				any.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.12 - Food Donation Program › Section 15.01.12.01 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
In cooperation with the Comptroller, this chapter explains
				  the Secretary of Agriculture's Food Donation Program, which provides a tax
				  credit against the State income tax for eligible food donations made by a farm
				  located in Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.12 - Food Donation Program › Section 15.01.12.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Certified organic produce" means an
				eligible food donation that is certified under Title 10, Subtitle 14 of the
				Agriculture Article as an organically produced commodity.
(2) "Eligible food donation " means fresh
				farm products for human consumption.
(3) "Qualified farm" means a farm business
				that is located in Maryland.
(4)
				"Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary's
				designee.
(5) "Tax Credit
				Certificate Administrator" or "TCCA" means a person or an organization that is
				authorized under this chapter to receive eligible food donations.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.12 - Food Donation Program › Section 15.01.12.03 - Income Tax Credit Limitations

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Subject to
				the limitations of this chapter, a qualified farm may claim a credit against
				State income tax for an eligible food donation in the amount stated on any tax
				credit certificate issued to a qualified farm by a qualified tax credit
				certificate administrator (TCCA).
B. The amount of tax credit claimed by a
				qualified farm is controlled by Tax-General Article, §10-745, Annotated
				Code of Maryland.
C. Unless
				increased by the Secretary, the aggregate amount of credits for any taxable
				year for a qualified farm may not exceed $5,000.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.12 - Food Donation Program › Section 15.01.12.05 - Certification of Tax Credit Certificate Administrator

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
An applicant who applies to serve as a Tax Credit Certificate
				  Administrator shall apply to the Secretary on a departmental form and shall
				  have the following qualifications:
A.
				Be a 501 c3 nonprofit;
B. Have
				record-keeping capabilities (information systems) that include the date of the
				donation, farm name/farmer, type of fresh farm product, and volume in pounds of
				produce received;
C. Be certified
				in and comply with safe food handling practices and have been reviewed by an
				outside organization (i.e. health inspector, AIB certified);
D. Possess a scale certified by the Maryland
				Department of Agriculture that is calibrated on a quarterly basis;
E. Follow food safety regulations regarding
				storage and inventory; and
F. Have
				an established partner network for quick food distribution or distribute
				directly to clients.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.12 - Food Donation Program › Section 15.01.12.06 - Application Review and Approval

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				The Secretary shall review each application and certify the most qualified
				applicants who will best promote the objectives of the Food Donation Pilot
				Program as described in this chapter.
B. Upon approval of an application for
				certification, the certified applicant shall execute an agreement with the
				Secretary that describes the duties and responsibilities of a person or
				organization acting as a Tax Credit Certificate Administrator.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.12 - Food Donation Program › Section 15.01.12.07 - Penalty

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
Upon notice and an opportunity to be heard, for any violation
				  of this chapter, the Secretary may revoke or suspend the authority of any TCCA
				  to issue a tax credit certificate for any qualified farm.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.13 - Supervision and Review of Decisions and Actions of Units Within the Department › Section 15.01.13.01 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. This chapter is
				adopted in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in North Carolina
				Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission.
B. The purpose of this chapter is to provide
				for active supervision of certain units within the Department to:
(1) Prevent unreasonable anticompetitive
				actions; and
(2) Ensure that
				anticompetitive actions are consistent with affirmatively expressed and clearly
				articulated State policies to displace competition.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.13 - Supervision and Review of Decisions and Actions of Units Within the Department › Section 15.01.13.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. In this chapter,
				the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Department" means the Maryland
				Department of Agriculture.
(2)
				"Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) "Secretary's designee " means the
				Assistant Secretary who is responsible for actively supervising a unit's
				operation.
(4) "Unit" means a
				regulatory board or commission composed in whole or in part of individuals
				participating in the occupation or profession regulated by that board or
				commission.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.13 - Supervision and Review of Decisions and Actions of Units Within the Department › Section 15.01.13.03 - Secretary's Supervision Responsibilities

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The Secretary is responsible for
				supervising each unit within the Department that is composed in whole or in
				part of individuals participating in the occupation or profession regulated by
				the unit to:
(1) Prevent unreasonable
				anticompetitive actions by the unit; and
(2) Determine whether the decisions and
				actions of the unit with anticompetitive effect further an affirmatively
				expressed and clearly articulated State policy to displace competition in the
				unit's regulated market (as opposed to serving the private interests of the
				market participant regulators).
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.13 - Supervision and Review of Decisions and Actions of Units Within the Department › Section 15.01.13.04 - Secretary's Designee Responsibilities

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Each Assistant Secretary at the Department
				is designated as responsible for supervising each unit in the Assistant
				Secretary's section that is composed in whole or in part of individuals
				participating in the occupation or profession regulated by the unit to:
(1) Prevent unreasonable anticompetitive
				actions by the unit; and
(2)
				Determine whether an anticompetitive decision or action of the unit furthers a
				clearly articulated State policy to displace competition in the unit's
				regulated market.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.13 - Supervision and Review of Decisions and Actions of Units Within the Department › Section 15.01.13.05 - Unit's Responsibilities

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				Upon notice to the unit by the Secretary or the Secretary's designee as
				provided in Regulation .04C of this chapter, a unit may not make any decision
				or take any action on any proposal.
B. A decision or action of a unit may not
				constitute a final decision or action of the unit until after the Secretary or
				the Secretary's designee has conducted the review required under Regulation
				.04C of this chapter.
C. The final
				decision or action of a unit shall comply with the written decision of the
				Secretary or the Secretary's designee issued in accordance with Regulation .
				04C of this chapter.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.14 - Supervision and Review of Decisions and Actions of Units Within the Department › Section 15.01.14.01 - True Blue Marketing Program

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A.
				Definition.
(1) In this chapter, the
				following term has the meaning indicated.
(2) Term Defined. "True Blue" means a certification
				from the Department verifying that a food service establishment is selling blue
				crab product harvested or processed in Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 01 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY › Chapter 15.01.15 - Use of Antimicrobial Drugs › Section 15.01.15.01 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
The purpose of this chapter is to describe the restrictions
				  on the use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in the production of
				  cattle, swine and poultry.