PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 418

Preamble

WHEREAS, There have been instances beginning in 1987 through 1995 where
black bears were proven to have damaged crops or livestock in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources has existing programs for other
wildlife species that damage crops under which a farmer can obtain a permit at no cost for
removing the animal if the farmer can justify to the Department that animals have
damaged the farmer's crops; and

WHEREAS, It is the purpose of this Act to set up a system to reimburse farmers for
damage to their crops or livestock caused by black bears; and

WHEREAS, It is also the intent of this Act that, when the Department of Natural
Resources determines that the black bear carrying capacity has been reached, the
Department shall implement all the recommendations of the Black Bear Task Force
presented in September 1995; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

10-423.1.

(A)    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO
PROVIDE FUNDING TO REIMBURSE A PERSON WHO HAS SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AS A RESULT OF BLACK BEAR.

(B)     (1) THERE IS A BLACK BEAR DAMAGE REIMBURSEMENT FUND IN THE
DEPARTMENT.

(2)     THE FUND CONSISTS OF:

(I)      PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF A CONSERVATION BEAR STAMP
OR DECAL WHICH MAY BE PURCHASED AT A COST OF $10 $5 FOR EACH STAMP OR
DECAL; AND

(II)     GIFTS, GRANTS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE THAT
ARE DESIGNATED FOR INCLUSION IN THE FUND.

(3)     THE FUND IS A CONTINUING, NONLAPSING SPECIAL FUND, AND IS
NOT SUBJECT TO § 7-302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

(4)     THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD AND THE STATE
COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE FUND.

(C)     THE DEPARTMENT MAY REIMBURSE A PERSON FROM THE BLACK BEAR
DAMAGE REIMBURSEMENT FUND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTIONS (D) AND (E)
OF THIS SECTION FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THE PERSON'S:

(1) BEEHIVES, FRUIT, OR OTHER CROPS; OR

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