1. A. Any Department employee who owns or operates a farm is subject to all applicable provisions of the Ethics Law.
2. B. For example, the Ethics Law, in part, prohibits employees from participating in matters in which the employee or a relative has a financial or other interest under State Government Article, §15-501, Annotated Code of Maryland.

3. C. The Ethics Law contains restrictions on:

   1. (1) Post-employment, under State Government Article, §15-504, Annotated Code of Maryland;
   2. (2) Gifts, under State Government Article, §15-505, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
   3. (3) Procurement, under State Government Article, §15-508, Annotated Code of Maryland.
4. D. The Ethics Law precludes employees from intentionally using the prestige of their position to benefit themselves or others, under State Government Article, §15-606, Annotated Code of Maryland, and State Government Article, §2-307, Annotated Code of Maryland.

5. E. The Ethics Law precludes disclosure or use of confidential information acquired by reason of the employee's public position and not yet available to the public:

   1. (1) For personal economic benefit; or
   2. (2) For the economic benefit of another, unless the confidential information is released in the discharge of an official duty, under State Government Article, §15-507, Annotated Code of Maryland.
6. F. In accordance with State Government Article, §15-601, Annotated Code of Maryland, employees may be subject to financial disclosure provisions and may be required to file annual statements if identified as being required to file under that section.

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

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