2016 Legislation

During the Legislative Session, the Maryland Department of Agriculture follows many bills that may impact the agency and the customers it serves. We will regularly post a synopsis of the bills MDA is tracking and a hearing schedule​ that is updated from the Department of Legislative Services' website.

If MDA provides written testimony for any bill, that testimony will be posted below after the hearing, if not sooner. To read individual bills, fiscal notes and to obtain complete information about hearings and voting sessions, visit the Maryland General Assembly Website.​

Agricultural Briefings
Departmental Bills

Bill Testimony 
Any testimony that the department submits for or against a bill this legislative session will be posted below on or shortly after the day of the hearing on that bill.

HB 594​ - Humane doption of Companion Animals Used in Research Act of 2016. Committee: Senate Education, Health and Enviornmental Affairs, March 30, 2016. Position: Letter of Information

HB 829 - Agriculture - Cattle, wine and Poultry - Use of Antimicrobial Drugs. Committee: Environment and Transportation, March 2, 2016. Position: Oppose​

HB 815 -  Horse Racing Fair Hill - Arabian Breed Racing Authorization. Committee: House Ways and Means, March 8, 2016. Position: Support​

HB 1163 - Agriculture - Veterinary Feed Directives - Information Collection. Committee: Environment and Transportation, March 2, 2016. Postion: Letter of Concern​.

SB 767 - Education - Beginning of School Year - After Labor Day. Committee: Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, March 2, 2016. Position: Support

HB 1496 - Farmers' Rights Act. Committee: House Environment and Transportation, March 2, 2016. Position: Oppose

SB 607 - Agriculture - Cattle, Swine and Poultry - Use of Antimicobial Drugs. Committee: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, March 1, 2016. Position: Oppose.

SB 526 - Agriculture - Donation of Commercial Feed. Committee: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, March 1, 2016. Position: Oppose​

HB 980 - State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Disciplinary Action Report - Publication on Website. Committee: Environment and Transportation, Feb. 24, 2016. Position: Letter of Information.​

HB 599 - Poultry Litter Management Act. Committee: Environment and Transportation, Feb. 24, 2016. Position: Oppose​

SB 496 - Poultry Litter Management Act. Committee: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, Feb. 23, 2016. Position: Oppose. The PMT Implementation Update: February 2016 was included with the testimony.

SB 614 - Veterinarians, Pharmacies, and Pharmacists - Dispensing Compounded Preparations for Use by Companion Animals. Commitee: Education, Health and Environemtnal Affairs, Feb. 17, 2016. Position: Letter of Concern​.

SB 198 - Agricultural - Neonicotinoid Pesticides - Labeling Signage, and Restrictions on Sales and Use (Pollinator Protection Act of 2016). Committee: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, Feb. 16, 2016. Position: Oppose.

HB 211 - Agricultural - Neonicotinoid Pesticides - Labeling Signage, and Restrictions on Sales and Use (Pollinator Protection Act of 2016). Committee: Environment and Transporation, Feb. 10, 2016. Position: Oppose​

HB 443 - Agriculture - Industrial Hemp - Agricultural or Academic Research. Committee: Environment and Transportation, Feb. 10, 2016. Position: Letter of Information ​
 
HB 79 - Health - Milk Products - Raw Milk - Consumer-Owned Livestock. Committee: Health and Government Operations, Feb. 2, 2016
Letter of Concern

SB 113 - Entry Permit Repeal on Bees, Bee Colonies and Equipment. Committee: Education, Health and Environmental Affairs, Jan. 26, 2016 - 

SB 112 - Pest Control Compact - Repeal. Committee: Education, Health and Envrionemntal Affairs, Jan. 26, 2016 

SB110 - Agriculture - Young Farmers Advisory Board Membership. Committee: Education, Health and Enviornemental Affairs, Jan. 26, 2016.

Contact Information 

Matthew P. Teffeau
Director of Government Relations
50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-5886 
matthew.teffeau@maryland.gov

Andrew Griffin
Legislative Aide
410-841-5887
andrewm.griffin@maryland.gov



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