Secretary Kevin Attucks of the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Rachel Jones, MDA's Director of Government Relations, told the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee that Senate Bill 176 would allow MDA access to soil conservation district plans that are currently shared only with the Maryland Department of the Environment.

"We will use that for the purposes of statistics and then if and when needed for the purposes of enforcement," Secretary Attucks said, describing the data as useful for understanding on‑the‑ground conditions. Rachel Jones said the change would help MDA evaluate compliance with nutrient management rules, for example whether livestock had access to streams or whether stream exclusions had been implemented.

Jones told the committee the soil conservation districts had been briefed and that the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts signaled support for the proposal. She also said the information is already produced for MDE and would not create a substantial new reporting burden for districts.

Senator Gallien asked whether districts had been involved in crafting the legislation; Jones replied that MDA's resource conservation team shared the proposal and received approval from the association, though MDA retained its role as the state regulatory authority.

No committee vote or formal action was recorded in the transcript; witnesses asked for a favorable report.

SB 176: discussion only; sponsors requested favorable report.