Sec. 01.01.2006.06. Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture

A. Established. There is a Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture.

B. Membership.

(1) Voting Members. The Commission shall consist of up to nineteen voting members, including:

(a) Chairperson. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or a designee shall serve as Chair;

(b) Organizational Representatives. The following organizational representatives shall be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. An individual appointed under this subsection shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, concurrent with their term of office with the specified organization, or so long as they hold the specified organizational affiliation.

(i) A representative of the Maryland Agricultural Commission;

(ii) A representative of the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation;

(iii) A representative of the Maryland Association of Counties;

(iv) A representative of the Maryland Municipal League;

(v) A representative of the Maryland Association of County Health Officers;

(vi) A representative of the Maryland Association of County Planning Officers;

(vii) A representative of the Maryland Farm Bureau; and

(viii) A representative of the Rural Maryland Council.

(c) General Public. Up to ten members of the public with interest or expertise in agriculture appointed by the Governor on recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture. An individual appointed under this subsection shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(2) Non-Voting Members. The following may serve, or may be represented by a designee in an advisory, non-voting capacity:

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Planning;

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;

(c) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources;

(d) The Secretary of the Department of the Environment;

(e) The Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development; and

(f) The Dean of the University of Maryland School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

C. Staffing.

(1) The Department of Agriculture shall provide primary staff support and resources to the Commission, with additional assistance as needed being furnished by other State agencies named in this Executive Order.

(2) The Governor shall designate a person from his office to assist in the implementation of this Executive Order.

D. Procedures.

(1) The Commission shall meet at least twice annually.

(2) The Chair may establish procedures necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business, including the creation of subcommittees.

(3) Members of the Commission may not receive any compensation for their services. Public members of the Commission may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations, and as provided in the State budget.

E. Duties and Responsibilities.

(1) General. The Commission shall work to promote the economic profitability of agriculture in the State by ensuring that all appropriate State agencies work in a cooperative, coordinated manner with local government and industry groups in planning, implementing, overseeing and evaluating intergovernmental initiatives related to the agricultural affairs of the State.

(2) Specific. The Commission shall:

(a) Promote a clear and consistent "business-friendly" climate for agriculture in the State by serving as a liaison between the Governor and local governments and industry organizations;

(b) Develop an annual, coordinated intergovernmental plan for services and functions dealing with the agricultural affairs of the State;

(c) Develop procedures for identifying and assessing agricultural developments with a potential for impact on the State and on local governments;

(d) Develop and implement a consistent, systematic method for the coordination of the State's agricultural economic development activities;

(e) Develop and implement specific and measurable actions to improve the economic and regulatory climate for agriculture in the State;

(f) Make recommendations for programs and policies, if appropriate, in order to ensure that the needs and goals of the State's agricultural strategy are met and accomplished;

(g) Undertake the establishment of an "agricultural affairs information center" that serves as the first point of contact regarding agricultural issues impacting farmers in the State; and

(h) Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Governor.

F. Reporting. The Commission shall report to the Governor by October 1 of each year with recommendations to support a coordinated State agricultural strategy.

Effective date: June 29, 2006 (33:15 Md. R. 1267)