(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 or pets 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 $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;
(2) Livestock and poultry as defined in § 1–101 of the Agriculture Article; or
(3) Pets as defined in § 4–501 of the Family Law Article.
(d) (1) A person is eligible to be reimbursed from the Fund if:
(i) The person has followed all black bear damage preventive measures recommended by the Department;
(ii) The damage amount is determined by an extension agent of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service; and
(iii) The Department has verified that the damage was caused by black bear.
(2) Subject to available funding, a person may be reimbursed from the Fund in an amount not less than $200 or more than $3,000 per year.
(e) If the money in the Fund is not sufficient to satisfy all the claims in accordance with the conditions described in subsection (d) of this section, an equal percent of each claim shall be paid.
(f) The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General
Section 10-401 - Hunting, Possessing, and Selling Certain Wild Birds
Section 10-402 - Hunting and Taking Nests and Eggs of Wild and Migratory Birds
Section 10-404 - Hunting, Possessing, Importing, and Selling Game Venison, Birds or Game Mammals
Section 10-406 - Open Season for Hunting and Trapping Fur-Bearing Mammals
Section 10-408 - Department to Regulate Use of Weapons and Ammunition
Section 10-408.1 - Certain Traps Near Residences
Section 10-410 - Restrictions on Hunting Wildlife Generally
Section 10-411 - Hunting on Private Lands
Section 10-412 - Hunting Wetland or Upland Game Birds
Section 10-413 - Restrictions Pertaining to Dogs and Cats
Section 10-414 - Hunting Restrictions Relating to Raccoon and Opossum
Section 10-415 - Deer Hunting -- in General
Section 10-416 - Deer Hunting -- Prohibited Methods
Section 10-417 - Export and Shipment of Game or Nongame Birds or Mammals
Section 10-418 - Clothing Worn by Hunters or Assistants
Section 10-419 - Commercial Use of Dead Seals Prohibited
Section 10-420 - Muzzle Loading Hunting Season for Deer
Section 10-420.1 - Hunting Deer With Certain Handguns
Section 10-421 - Restriction on First Day of Firearms Season for Hunting Deer
Section 10-422 - Interference With Hunters
Section 10-423 - Applicability of Penalty Provisions
Section 10-423.1 - Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund
Section 10-424 - Limitations on Hunting or Pursuing Wildlife, Unprotected Birds, or Mammals
Section 10-424.1 - Suspension of License for Violation of 10-424(1)
Section 10-425 - Waterfowl Processing Operations
Section 10-426 - Hunting via Internet Connection Prohibited; Penalty
Section 10-427 - Prohibition on Organized Killing Contests -- Penalty for Violation