Section 2-101 – Department Established

    There is a Department of Agriculture, established as a principal department of the State government.

Section 2-102 – Secretary of Agriculture; Deputy Secretary; Assistants, Consultants and Employees

    (a)    The head of the Department is the Secretary of Agriculture, who shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.     (b)    The Secretary shall receive the salary provided in the State budget. He serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible directly to the Governor. The Secretary shall counsel […]

Section 2-103 – General Powers and Duties of Secretary

    (a)    The Secretary is responsible for the budget of his office and for the budgets of positions and units within the Department.     (b)    The Secretary may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article. He is responsible for adopting and reviewing rules and regulations for the Department.     (c)    The Secretary may create any advisory […]

Section 2-103.1 – Farm Quarantine

    (a)    The Secretary may establish a farm quarantine and issue appropriate orders necessary to control or restrict the use of farmland, crops, livestock, poultry, or a farm product existing on a farm that:         (1)    Has been exposed to or contaminated by a radiological or chemical toxic material or agent; or         (2)    Is infected or infested with a disease, […]

Section 2-103.2 – Administrative Search Warrant

    (a)    The Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may apply to a judge of the District Court or a circuit court for an administrative search warrant to enter any farm to conduct any inspection required or authorized by law to determine compliance with the provisions relating to the control and restriction of farmland, crops, livestock, […]

Section 2-104 – Secretary to Enforce Article; Assistance of Law Enforcement Officers; Interference With Secretary Prohibited

    (a)    The Secretary shall carry out and enforce the provisions of this article.     (b)    The Secretary may call upon any sheriff, deputy sheriff, and any law enforcement officer of any county, for information and assistance to carry out and enforce the provisions of this article and the departmental rules and regulations. Every officer shall obey and observe […]

Section 2-105 – Counsel to Department

    The Attorney General is the legal advisor and counsel to the Department. He shall assign to the Department the number of assistant attorneys general authorized by law and necessary to render effective legal advice and counsel. The Attorney General shall designate an assistant attorney general as counsel to the Department. The counsel to the Department […]

Section 2-106 – Positions and Units Within Department

    (a)    The following positions and units are included within the Department:         (1)    The Maryland Agricultural Fair Board;         (2)    The Chief of Weights and Measures;         (3)    The State Chemist;         (4)    The State Veterinarian;         (5)    The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners;         (6)    The State Soil Conservation Committee;         (7)    The Maryland Agricultural Commission;         (8)    The Maryland Horse Industry Board;         (9)    The Maryland Winery and Grape Growers’ Advisory […]

Section 2-107 – Continuation and Change of Rules, Forms, Orders, etc., of Abolished Units; References to Abolished Units; Duties and Powers Transferred to Secretary

    Every rule, regulation, form, order, and directive adopted by or in effect for any position or unit assigned to the Department, or for any abolished position or unit whose functions have been transferred to the Department remains in effect until changed by the Secretary or any other official authorized to change them. Every reference in […]