(a) Generally. The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board is established under Subtitle 5 of Title 2 of the Agriculture Article.
(b) Composition.
(1) The County Executive must appoint, subject to confirmation by the County Council, 5 members to the APAB.
(2) 3 members must be owner-operators of commercial farm land and earn at least 50% of their income from farming.
(3) Each member must be a resident of the County.
(c) Terms of office.
(1) The term of each member is 5 years.
(2) A member must not serve more than 2 consecutive full terms. An appointee to fill a vacancy before a term expires serves the rest of the unexpired term.
(3) A member serves without compensation. However, a member may request reimbursement for mileage and dependent care costs at rates established by the County.
(d) Duties and responsibilities.
(1) As required by Subtitle 5 of Title 2 of the Agriculture Article, the APAB must:
(A) advise the County on the purchase of State and County agricultural easements;
(B) assist the County in reviewing the status of agricultural land, including farming productivity under State and County agricultural easements;
(C) advise the Foundation concerning County priorities for agricultural preservation; and
(D) promote preservation of agriculture in the County by offering information and assistance to landowners on the purchase of State and County agricultural easements.
(2) The APAB may:
(A) delineate areas of productive agricultural land in the County;
(B) recommend to the Executive procedures to mediate or arbitrate disputes on the value of agricultural easements which the County may buy;
(C) review and make recommendations on regulations regarding State and County agricultural easements;
(D) recommend County policies and programs to preserve agriculture;
(E) cooperate with the Planning Board, the Cooperative Extension Office, and the Soil Conservation District in carrying out its responsibilities; and
(F) perform other duties the County Executive assigns.
(e) Advocacy. The Board must not engage in any advocacy activity at the State or federal levels unless that activity is approved by the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. (2008 L.M.C., ch. 37, § 1; 2016 L.M.C., ch. 15, § 1.)