SB 352
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
Senate Bill 352 (Chair, Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Committee)(By Request - Departmental - Agriculture)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Environment and Transportation
Agriculture – Multiflora Rose Management – Repeal
This departmental bill repeals provisions that make multiflora rose a nuisance weed that
must be managed.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill is not anticipated to materially affect State finances or operations.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) advises that it has not enforced these
provisions in more than 30 years.
Local Effect: The bill is not anticipated to materially affect local finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: MDA has determined that this bill has minimal or no impact on
small business (attached). The Department of Legislative Services concurs with this
assessment.
Analysis
Bill Summary/Current Law: Chapter 460 of 1982, as codified in the Agriculture Article,
(1) declares that multiflora rose may be a public and common nuisance on land used for
agricultural production; (2) requires a person who owns land where multiflora rose is
grown to maintain the land in accordance with management techniques prescribed by MDA
to prevent spread to adjoining property used for agricultural production; (3) requires the
Secretary of Agriculture to make an investigation as to the extent of any proscribed
infestation, upon receiving certain signed, written complaints; and (4) requires a landowner
to initiate compliance action within 30 days of written notice from the Secretary of a
violation. Additionally, the Secretary may accept, use, or expend funds made available
from any private or public source to carry out these provisions.
The bill repeals the entire Multiflora Rose Management subtitle.
Background: Multiflora rose is an invasive thorny shrub native to Asia that can grow up
to 15-feet tall. Formerly promoted as a “living fence,” roadside median, windbreak, and
forage crop, multiflora rose can quickly spread and create dense thickets that crowd out
native vegetation, change natural ecosystems, and alter wildlife habitats and food sources.
Controlling infestations of multiflora rose can require several years of manual, mechanical,
or herbicide control methods.
MDA advises that the State’s agricultural industry has multiflora rose contained and under
control, making the current law no longer necessary.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Garrett County; Howard County; Montgomery County;
Maryland Department of Agriculture; Department of Natural Resources; Maryland
Invasive Species Council; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 11, 2021
rh/sdk Third Reader - February 2, 2021
Analysis by: Tyler Allard Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 352/ Page 2
 ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
TITLE OF BILL: Agriculture – Multiflora Rose Management Law - Repeal
BILL NUMBER: SB 352
PREPARED BY: Cassie Shirk
PART A. ECONOMIC IMPACT RATING
This agency estimates that the proposed bill:
__X___ WILL HAVE MINIMAL OR NO ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND SMALL
BUSINESSES
OR
WILL HAVE A MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND SMALL
BUSINESSES
PART B. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
There is not expected to be any economic impact with the repeal of this law.
SB 352/ Page 3