February 11, 2019
Update #2
February 11, 2019

Dear MNLGA members:

Please note that updates since the last distribution of this bulletin are highlighted below.

The 2019 General Assembly is now in session. From this point through the end of the session, April 8th, the MNLGA will send our regular updates and requests for input/comments regarding proposed legislation. MNLGA is part of MaGIC (Maryland Green Industry Council). MaGIC was formed in 2002 to serve as the legislative and regulatory voice for Maryland’s Green Industry. MaGIC members include the MNLGA, MD Arborist Assoc, FALCAN, MAGI, and LCA. MaGIC contracts with Thompson Ag Associates to provide executive management and Semmes, Bowen, and Semmes for the services of a professional lobbyist.  

For the duration of the General Assembly, which runs from January 9th through April 8th, I will keep you abreast of bills that MaGIC and the MNLGA are following. I will often ask for your feedback and request quick turnaround on your comments and opinion. I will also keep you abreast of legislative action on the bills we follow. MaGIC’s focus is on bills that are Green Industry-specific. Hence, we do not follow all business-related bills. The MNLGA may get involved with business related bills via the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, of which we are a member.


Up front, thank you for your time and feedback, in helping craft MNLGA/MaGIC response to 2019 legislation. If you ever have questions or comments, please contact me at 410-823-8684.  

Thank you,

Vanessa A. Finney
MNLGA, Executive Director
410-823-868
New Postings Since the Last Distribution of this Bulletin
SB 407 / HB0255 Public Schools – Agricultural Education Programs
Another repeat bill that failed to make it through the General Assembly in 2018, this bill defines Ag Education in Maryland public schools and encourages county school programs to adopt and use this definition in their existing Ag Education Programs or when they are creating new Ag Education Programs. Each county board of education is encouraged to implement an Agricultural Education Program that prepares students for: 
Hearing date: House 2/14; Senate 2/13
Proposed MaGIC position: Supportive

SB546 / HB 904 – Agriculture – Nutrient Management – Monitoring and Enforcement
Requiring a person who holds a certain certificate or license to comply with certain reporting requirements and deadlines related to implementation of the Phosphorus Management Tool and the submission of certain soil test phosphorus levels; requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish a voluntary certification program for certain commercial manure haulers and brokers…effective October 1, 2019.
Hearing date: Senate 2/27; House not yet scheduled

HB 808 – Weed Control – Noxious Weeds – Regulations and Penalties
Repealing a certain list of plants considered to be noxious weeds in the State; requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to adopt regulations to establish a list of plants considered to be noxious weeds in the State; altering a certain condition under which the Secretary may designate as a noxious weed certain plant species; specifying that certain criminal penalties apply to certain violations; requiring certain administrative penalties to be distributed to a special fund used only for the control and eradication of a noxious weed; etc.
Hearing date: not yet scheduled
MDA supports this bill

HB 511 – Maryland Commercial Fertilizer Law – Definition of Soil Conditioner – Alteration
This bills seeks to expand the definition of soil condition to include the capitalized words, as follows: “Soil conditioner” includes but is not limited to materials such as compost, peat, vermiculite, [or] perlite, OR DIGESTATE PRODUCED BY ANAEROBIC DIGESTION that are incorporated into the soil.
Hearing date: House 2/27
Proposed MaGIC position: Pending - not yet established

Bills Already Reported On - Updates Will Be Highlighted
HB 275 and SB 270 (identical bills) pick up after last year’s failed attempt to ban the use of chlorpyrifos (perhaps better known in the industry under the name Dursban), including insecticides containing chlorpyrifos and seeds treated with chlorpyrifos effective January 1, 2020. Please let me know if your business has reliance on this chlorpyrifos and your thoughts on the use of chlorpyrifos. Please provide back-up to your response; we have to have examples of how passage of the bill would be detrimental to your business in order to draft purposeful response to the bill.

Hearing dates: House 2/13; Senate 2/27
Proposed MaGIC Position: Opposed, on the basis that although not heavily used by the industry, when needed, it is a very effective pesticide and industry would like to have access to its use. Members will be present to testify on hearing dates.
Bills Not Followed by MaGIC That May Still Be of Interest
Minimum Wage – SB280 and HB 166 These bills seek to raise the minimum wage from $10.10 an hour to $11.00 an hour effective July 1, 2019, with an annual increase of $1.00 each July 1, through 2023.  
  • Based on member surveys conducted when this legislation was introduced in the past, the MNLGA, as an organization does not have consensus on either favoring or opposing this legislation. Because the membership does not have a consensus, MNLGA is not able to take a position. Members who wish to weigh in on this legislation are encouraged to contact their legislators. You may look up your elected officials via this link.
MNLGA  | PO Box 726 Brooklandville, MD 21022
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