A Department employee may not participate, as a part of that employee's duties, in any of the following matters if that participation in any way affects the employee's farm, or a farm that directly competes for business with the employee's farm operation:

1. A. Any contract with the Department;
2. B. Any regulatory or enforcement action;
3. C. Any Department program that controls, or in any way regulates the employee's farm operation; or

4. D. Any matter that will have a direct and predictable effect on the employee's financial interest in the employee's farm operation, including such a matter involving:

   1. (1) The employees' spouse, or immediate family;
   2. (2) An outside employer or prospective employer of the employee;
   3. (3) An organization in which the employee serves as an officer, director, or general partner; or
   4. (4) Any person with whom the employee has or seeks a business, contractual, or other financial relationship.

Authority: Agriculture Article §2-102(e), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 8, 2010 (37:5 Md. R. 428)