EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2025.18

Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture

(Rescinds Executive Order 01.01.2006.06)

A . Establishment . There is a Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture (“Commission”).

B . Membership.

(1) Voting Members . The Commission shall consist of up to nineteen (19) voting members, including:

(a) The Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary’s designee, who shall serve as Chair;

(b) A representative from each of the following organizations who shall be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture:

(i) The Maryland Agricultural Commission;

(ii) The Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation;

(iii) The Maryland Association of Counties;

(iv) The Maryland Municipal League;

(v) The Maryland Association of County Health Officers;

(vi) The Maryland Association of County Planning Officers;

(vii) The Maryland Farm Bureau; and

(viii) The Rural Maryland Council; and

(c) Up to ten (10) members of the general public with interest or expertise in agriculture who shall be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture.

(2) Non-Voting Members . The Commission may also include the following members or their designee, who shall serve in an advisory non-voting capacity:

(a) The Secretary of Planning;

(b) The Secretary of Health;

(c) The Secretary of Natural Resources;

(d) The Secretary of the Environment;

(e) The Secretary of Commerce;

(f) The Secretary of Emergency Management;

(g) The Secretary of Labor;

(h) The Secretary of Human Services;

(i) The Secretary of Aging;

(j) The Secretary of Education;

(k) The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration;

(l) The Dean of the University of Maryland School of Agriculture and Natural Resources;

(m) The Dean of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences; and

(n) The President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

C . Duties and Responsibilities. The Commission shall:

(1) Work to increase the economic profitability of agriculture in the State by ensuring that all appropriate agencies work in a cooperative, coordinated manner with local government and industry groups to plan, implement, oversee and evaluate intergovernmental initiatives related to the agricultural affairs of the State;

(2) 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;

(3) Develop annual intergovernmental goals for services and functions dealing with the agricultural affairs of the State;

(4) Develop and implement:

(a) Procedures to identify and assess agricultural developments that could potentially impact the State and local governments;

(b) A consistent, systematic method to coordinate the State’s agricultural economic development activities; and

(c) Specific and measurable actions to improve the economic and regulatory climate for agriculture in the State;

(5) Make recommendations for programs and policies to ensure that the needs and goals of the State’s agricultural strategy are met and accomplished; and

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

D . Administration.

(1) The Commission shall be staffed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The State agencies represented on the Commission shall provide additional assistance as needed.

(2) Members appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(3) Members representing an organization must maintain their specified organizational affiliation in order to maintain service on the Commission.

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

E . Procedures.

(1) The Commission Chair shall:

(a) Oversee and lead the implementation of this Executive Order and the work of the Commission;

(b) Determine the Commission's agenda; and

(c) Identify additional support as needed.

(2) The Commission Chair may adopt bylaws, rules, and other procedures necessary to ensure the orderly transaction of business.

(3) A majority of the voting members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the Commission.

F . Meetings of the Commission.

(1) The Commission shall meet as often as its duties require, but no less than twice annually.

(2) The Chair may convene meetings of the Commission and shall preside over the meetings.

(3) The Chair may establish subcommittees that meet in between the Commission’s official biannual meetings.

G . Reporting. The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor by October 1st each year, outlining its recommendations to support a coordinated agricultural strategy within the State.

H. General Provisions.

(1) This Executive Order shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with all applicable statutes and regulations. Nothing in this Executive Order shall operate to contravene any State or federal law or to affect the State's receipt of federal funding.

(2) If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions or applications of the Executive Order shall remain in effect to the extent possible without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are severable.

Effective Date: July 28, 2025.