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Maryland agriculture officials defend $124.7 million budget as analysts flag cover‑crop costs and audit gaps
Summary
Department of Agriculture officials pressed for full funding as analysts detailed a $124.7 million operating allowance, said cover‑crop payments spiked to about $32 million in FY25, and recommended a $100,000 restriction until MDA reports on long‑standing audit findings; MDA promised timelines and follow‑up materials.
The House Appropriations Committee’s Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee on Wednesday heard a fiscal 2027 budget presentation for the Maryland Department of Agriculture that showed an operating allowance of $124,700,000 and prompted questions about program spending, unresolved audit findings and a new electric‑vehicle charger inspection program.
Analyst Andrew Gray told the panel that the proposed operating budget rises about $2.6 million (2.1 percent) and that DLS identified two federal rescissions that reduced passthrough food‑purchase funding and a small spongy‑moth suppression grant. Gray recommended restricting $100,000 of MDA’s general‑fund appropriation until the department and the Department of General Services submit a report addressing findings 3 and 4 of the March 2025 audit, with a target submission date of 07/01/2026.
“DLS recommends that $100,000 of MDA’s general fund appropriation be restricted until MDA submits a report in coordination with the Department of General Services on the resolution of findings 3 and 4 of the March 2025 audit,”…
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