EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0162*
HOUSE BILL 162
M4 5lr1107
HB 9/20 – ENT (PRE–FILED) CF 5lr1744
By: Delegate Ziegler
Requested: October 3, 2024
Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Horse Industry Board – Breeding Stables and Horse Establishments – 2
Definitions 3
FOR the purpose of defining the term “breeding stable” as it relates to licensure, inspection, 4
and regulation by the Maryland Horse Industry Board; altering the definition of 5
“horse establishment” to include a breeding stable; and generally relating to the 6
licensure, inspection, and regulation of horse establishments by the Maryland Horse 7
Industry Board. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Agriculture 10
Section 2–701 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 14
Article – Agriculture 15
Section 2–710, 2–713(a), 2–714(b), and 2–715 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 18
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 20
Article – Agriculture 21
2–701. 22
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 23
2 HOUSE BILL 162
(b) “Board” means the Maryland Horse Industry Board. 1
(c) “Boarding stable” means an establishment that solicits or offers to the public 2
to stable horses. 3
(D) “BREEDING STABLE ” MEANS AN ESTABLISHME NT IN CONNECTION WITH 4
WHICH ONE OR MORE HORSES ARE OFFERED FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC FOR 5
BREEDING OR AS THE P RODUCT OF BREEDING . 6
[(d)] (E) “Equine activities” includes teaching equestrian skills, participating in 7
equestrian competitions, exhibitions or other displays of equestrian skills, and caring for, 8
breeding, boarding, renting, riding, or training horses. 9
[(e)] (F) “Horse” includes horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies. 10
[(f)] (G) “Horse establishment” means an establishment that solicits or offers to 11
the public any of the following services: 12
(1) A boarding stable; 13
(2) A BREEDING STABLE ; 14
[(2)] (3) A lesson or rental stable; or 15
[(3)] (4) A rescue or sanctuary stable. 16
[(g)] (H) “Lesson or rental stable” means an establishment in connection with 17
which one or more horses are offered to the public to be let for hire, to be ridden or driven, 18
either with or without the furnishing of riding or driving instructions. 19
[(h)] (I) “Rescue or sanctuary stable” means an establishment that offers to the 20
public to shelter or keep one or more horses for humane purposes with or without 21
compensation and with or without tax–exempt status. 22
[(i)] (J) “Stable” means a place where one or more horses are under the care, 23
custody, and control of an operator. 24
2–710. 25
A person may not engage in the business of operating or maintaining any horse 26
establishment unless the person has received a license issued by the Board. 27
2–713. 28
(a) Each horse establishment licensed under this subtitle shall be inspected as 29
determined by the Board. 30 HOUSE BILL 162 3
2–714. 1
(b) Each licensee shall display the license conspicuously on the premises where a 2
horse establishment is operated by the licensee. 3
2–715. 4
The Board may suspend or revoke the license issued to any licensee under this 5
subtitle, if the licensee: 6
(1) Fails to provide suitable food, water, and shelter for a horse under the 7
control of the licensee; 8
(2) Maintains an unsanitary or unfit horse establishment; 9
(3) Fails to provide suitable saddles, bridles, harnesses, and other tack or 10
equipment; 11
(4) Allows unfit horses to be used for riding or driving purposes; 12
(5) Refuses to allow a member of the Board to enter and inspect the 13
licensed premises; 14
(6) Obstructs any member of the Board in the performance of his duties; 15
(7) Commits an act of cruelty as defined in § 10–601 of the Criminal Law 16
Article, or allows the commission of an act of cruelty by any other person with relation to 17
any horse under the control of the licensee; 18
(8) Does any other action that, in the opinion of the Board, taking into 19
consideration the welfare of the horses under the control of the licensee, shows that the 20
licensee is unfit to operate a horse establishment; or 21
(9) Fails to comply with the rules and regulations of the Board after 22
receiving a license. 23
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 24
October 1, 2025. 25