MHC Government Relations Committee Report, continued... Bills MHC Supports With Amendments
Rodent Harborage (HB 263): Tis bill would allow private citizens to sue their neighbors for damage caused by “rodent harborage,” defined as “a condition that provides sustenance or shelter for mice and rats, pro- motes their reproduction and continued existence on a property, [or] cre- ates or contributes to property damage . . . .” MHC submitted testimony requesting an amendment because al-
though the bill excepts properties “zoned for agricultural use,” it does not except barns, meadows, storage sheds, and the like on property that is not “zoned for agricultural use.” “Agricultural use” is not a term used in the zoning regimens in many counties; many counties allow “farming” in almost all zoning districts other than commercial office space, retail, and manufacturing and industrial zones. We suggested that the bill be amended to exempt properties “where agricultural activities or farming, including the keeping of livestock and poultry, is permissible under local law or regulation.”
Agricultural Assessments (SB 567/HB 1282): MHC submitted writ- ten testimony on this bill, which would, if passed, qualify improvements on land that used for agricultural purposes to be assessed as agricultural property, as long as they are used for (i) producing value-added agricul- tural products, including but not limited to dairy; (ii) producing alcoholic beverages; or (iii) agritourism. Te assessment would be retroactive, and the bill would authorize tax refunds under certain circumstances. We requested that the bill be amended to add “equine activities” as defined by state law to the list of uses that qualify for the assessment.
Cost of Care (SB 877/HB 1062): MHC submitted written testimony on this bill, which would establish procedures to allow an “authorized officer or agent of a humane society or a police officer, or other public official required to protect animals” to recover reasonable costs of care from the owner or custodian of a seized animal. MHC’s testimony was “favorable with amendments.” Although we support establishing a legal process where seizing agencies can require owners of the seized animals to cover the cost of their care, where warranted, we requested amendments to
ensure that owners of seized animals be given information on how to ask the court to get their animals back, as well as an amendment to ask the court to revisit the question of whether the seizing agency should have continued possession at a point when the actual cost of care - at some point down the road - is being revisited.
Bills MHC Opposes
Sunday Hunting bills: MHC has historically opposed bills to expand Sunday hunting on the grounds that there should be at least one day a week during the hunting seasons on which horse people can ride without the risk of injury or interference from hunters, on public land or on ad- jacent private land. We are doing the same this year. Unlike years past, the Sunday hunting bills this year are mostly not just about deer; all but two of them are all species, all seasons, which means 52 Sundays a year. MHC is also opposing a bill that would allow year-round Sunday hunting throughout the state, on both public and private land. Tis is the most sweeping Sunday hunting bill in years. MHC is also testify- ing in opposition to Sunday hunting bills in seven counties this session; Caroline, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and Talbot. All except PG and Talbot would allow hunting on all 52 Sundays of the year. PG, which currently has no Sunday hunting, would get Sunday deer hunting from Oct. to mid-Jan. Te Talbot bill would allow Sunday deer hunting Oct. to mid-January, plus during the spring turkey season. MHC is also opposing a bill to permit state-wide migra- tory bird hunting on Sundays.
* * * * * MHC’s Government Relations Committee meets every week dur-
ing the legislative session. We will summarize the session’s activities in each issue of Te Equiery, and we will also provide regular updates in our twice-monthly member newsletter. MHC’s legislative positions are driven by the concerns of our mem-
bers. If you would like to join the dialogue, please become a member by visiting
www.mdhorsecouncil.org/join.
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www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | MARCH 2022 | 43
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