Bill > SB162

This bill proposes to repeal Sections 10-901 through 10-909, along with the entire "Subtitle 9. Cantaloupes" from the Agriculture Article of Maryland's Annotated Code, effectively removing the Department of Agriculture's current regulatory authority over cantaloupes. By eliminating these sections of law, the bill would cancel existing state regulations related to the identification, inspection, and sale of cantaloupes, which previously gave the state's agricultural department oversight responsibilities for this specific type of produce. The legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, which provides ample time for stakeholders to prepare for the changes in regulatory approach. While the bill's text does not elaborate on the specific reasons for removing these regulations, it suggests a potential simplification of agricultural oversight or a determination that existing cantaloupe-specific rules are no longer necessary or beneficial.

Education, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0162?ys=2025RS