MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                      1421

According to the Department, when the
present Code singularly refers to "state",
it has been interpreted to include any
territory, possession, or the District of
Columbia. The definition is entitled "any
state" to distinguish it from references to
"the State," meaning the State of Maryland.
The reference to Puerto Rico is added
because it is not a U. S. territory, but is
a commonwealth voluntarily associated with
the United States.

TITLE 2. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

SUBTITLE 1. ORGANIZATION, POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF
DEPARTMENT - IN GENERAL.

SEC. 2-101. DEPARTMENT CREATED AND CONTINUED.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS CREATED AND
CONTINUED AS A PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language
derived from the first sentence of Art. 41,
§430(a) of the Code. It is set forth as a
separate section for emphasis.

SEC. 2-102. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

(A)   HEAD OF DEPARTMENT; APPOINTMENT.

THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THE SECRETARY OF
AGRICULTURE, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR,
WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE.

(B)    SALARY OF SECRETARY; RESPONSIBILITY TO
GOVERNOR.

THE SECRETARY SHALL RECEIVE THE SALARY PROVIDED
IN THE STATE BUDGET. HE SERVES AT THE PLEASURE OF THE
GOVERNOR AND IS RESPONSIBLE DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE SECRETARY SHALL COUNSEL AND ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON
ALL MATTERS ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE GOVERNORS
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO THESE MATTERS. THE SECRETARY
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT AND SHALL ESTABLISH GUIDELINES AMD
PROCEDURES TO PROMOTE THE ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT
ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.