(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Board” means the Maryland Horse Industry Board. (c) “Boarding stable” means an establishment that solicits or offers to the public to stable horses. (d) “Equine activities” includes teaching equestrian skills, participating in equestrian competitions, exhibitions or other displays of equestrian skills, and caring for, breeding, boarding, renting, […]
Except as provided in § 2–702.1 of this subtitle, horse racing and standardbred stables or farms using horses for working or cultivating the soil or herding or cutting livestock are not subject to the provisions of this subtitle.
Equine activities shall be treated as agricultural activities for the purposes of this subtitle.
There is a Maryland Horse Industry Board.
(a) (1) The Board consists of 12 members, 11 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary. (2) Of the Board members: (i) One shall be a duly qualified and licensed veterinarian; (ii) One shall be an officer of a county humane society; (iii) One shall be an owner of a licensed stable; (iv) One shall […]
(a) From among its members, the Board shall elect a chairman. (b) The manner of election of officers and their terms of office shall be as the Board determines.
(a) The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings. (b) A member of the Board: (1) May not receive compensation; but (2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. (c) The Board may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget.
(a) The powers and duties vested in the Board by the provisions of this subtitle are subject to the power and authority of the Secretary. (b) In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, the Board may: (1) Adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, including: (i) Filing applications for licenses; […]
All funds collected by the Board shall be paid into the Maryland Horse Industry Fund under § 2–708.2 of this subtitle.
The Board shall: (1) Carry out the licensing, inspection, and enforcement provisions of this subtitle; (2) Advise the Department regarding matters affecting the horse industry in the State; (3) Support research related to equine health and related issues; (4) Promote the development and use of horses in the State; (5) Create public awareness of the value of equine activities as […]
(a) In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Horse Industry Fund. (b) There is a Maryland Horse Industry Fund in the Department. (c) (1) The Fund is a continuing, revolving special fund to be maintained by the State Treasurer. (2) The State Treasurer shall hold and the State Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (d) The Fund shall be invested and […]
(a) (1) The Board, with the approval of the Secretary, may appoint a qualified inspector to act as its agent and make inspections throughout the State. (2) The inspector is entitled to: (i) A salary in accordance with the State budget; and (ii) Reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. (b) (1) The Board […]
A person may not engage in the business of operating or maintaining any horse establishment unless the person has received a license issued by the Board.
To apply for a license, an applicant shall: (1) Submit an application to the Board on the form that it requires; and (2) Pay to the Board a license fee of $125.
(a) A license expires on the June 30 after its effective date, unless the license is renewed for a 1–year term as provided in this section. (b) Before his license expires, a licensee periodically may renew his license for additional 1–year terms, if the licensee: (1) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed; (2) Pays to the Board a renewal […]
(a) Each horse establishment licensed under this subtitle shall be inspected as determined by the Board. (b) Based on criteria it develops, the Board may create additional classes of licenses, all of which shall have the usual annual fee under this subtitle.
(a) A license issued under this subtitle is the property of the State and only is loaned to a licensee. (b) Each licensee shall display the license conspicuously on the premises where a horse establishment is operated by the licensee. (c) A license issued under this subtitle may not be assigned or transferred.
The Board may suspend or revoke the license issued to any licensee under this subtitle, if the licensee: (1) Fails to provide suitable food, water, and shelter for a horse under the control of the licensee; (2) Maintains an unsanitary or unfit horse establishment; (3) Fails to provide suitable saddles, bridles, harnesses, and other tack or equipment; (4) Allows […]
(a) If, in accordance with § 10-615 of the Criminal Law Article, the Board considers it necessary to take possession of a horse to protect it from neglect or cruelty, the Board immediately shall notify the owner or custodian of this action. (b) The owner or custodian of the horse may petition the Board for return of […]
The Board may apply for relief by injunction, without bond, to enforce any provision of this subtitle or to restrain a violation of any provision of this subtitle. In these proceedings the Board does not have to allege or prove that: (1) An adequate remedy at law does not exist; or (2) Substantial or irreparable damage would […]
