WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 435
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Chapter 435
(House Bill 389)
AN ACT concerning
Department of Agriculture – State Ombudsman Specialist for Value–Added
Agriculture
FOR the purpose of establishing the State Ombudsman Specialist for Value–Added
Agriculture as a position in the Department of Agriculture; and generally relating to
the State Ombudsman Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Agriculture
Section 2–106
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
BY adding to
Article – Agriculture
Section 2–2201 and 2–2202 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 22. State
Ombudsman Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture”
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Agriculture
2–106.
(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;
Ch. 435 2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(7) The Maryland Agricultural Commission;
(8) The Maryland Horse Industry Board;
(9) The Maryland Winery and Grape Growers’ Advisory Board; [and]
(10) The Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission; AND
(11) THE STATE OMBUDSMAN SPECIALIST FOR VALUE–ADDED
AGRICULTURE .
(b) The Secretary shall appoint the State Chemist, State Veterinarian, STATE
OMBUDSMAN SPECIALIST FOR VALUE–ADDED AGRICULTURE , and Chief of Weights
and Measures.
(c) The Department also includes any other position or unit which is declared
within the Department pursuant to law.
SUBTITLE 22. STATE OMBUDSMAN SPECIALIST FOR VALUE–ADDED
AGRICULTURE .
2–2201.
IN THIS SUBTITLE, “VALUE–ADDED AGRICULTURE ”:
(1) MEANS THE ALTERATION OR ENHANCEMENT OF A RAW
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT , INCLUDING LIVESTOCK , OR AN AGRICULTURAL S ERVICE
IN A WAY THAT INCREA SES THE PRODUCT’S PRODUCT OR SERVICE ’S WORTH TO A
CONSUMER AND BRINGS MORE REVENUE TO A FA RMER, PRODUCER, OR PROCESSOR ;
AND
(2) INCLUDES ALL ENTERPRI SES, INCLUDING THOSE PROVIDING
EQUINE ACTIVITIES , IN WHICH AN AGRICULT URAL BUSINESS OR THE
AGRICULTURAL BUSINES S’S PRODUCTS OR SERVICES ARE ALTERED , MARKETED,
PRODUCED, OR PROCESSED IN A WA Y THAT ADDS INCOME T O A FARMER, PRODUCER,
OR PROCESSOR .
2–2202.
(A) THE STATE OMBUDSMAN SPECIALIST FOR VALUE–ADDED
AGRICULTURE SHALL :
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 435
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(1) SERVE AS THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR INDIVIDUALS
ENGAGING IN, OR INTERESTED IN ENG AGING IN, VALUE–ADDED AGRICULTURE IN
THE STATE;
(2) PROVIDE INFORMATION R EGARDING STATE AND FEDERAL
REGULATIONS RELATING TO VALUE–ADDED AGRICULTURE ;
(3) ACT AS A LIAISON BETW EEN STATE AND FEDERAL PAR TNERS
INVOLVED IN VALUE –ADDED AGRICULTURE ; AND
(4) PERFORM ANY OTHER DUT Y OR FUNCTION THAT S UPPORTS
VALUE–ADDED AGRICULTURE IN THE STATE, AS REQUIRED BY THE SECRETARY.
(B) THE STATE OMBUDSMAN SPECIALIST FOR VALUE–ADDED
AGRICULTURE SHALL REC EIVE A SALARY AS PRO VIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET .
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That a Position Identification
Number (PIN) shall be created in the Department of Agriculture for the State Ombudsman
Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, during the first year after
the initial appointment of the State Ombudsman Specialist for Value–Added Agriculture,
the priority function of the Ombudsman Specialist is to focus on implementing the
recommendations of the Task Force to Study the Feasibility of Return to State Meat Process
Inspection.
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2023.
Approved by the Governor, May 8, 2023.