Human–Relevant Research Fund – Collection of Contributions – Responsible Entity
Summary
SB585 changes the entity responsible for collecting contributions to the Human–Relevant Research Fund from the Maryland Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. The bill repeals the existing Health–General provisions governing the “Animal Testing and Research Contribution” and reenacts them in the Agriculture Article under a new subtitle titled “Human–Relevant Research Fund Contribution Collection.”
Under the bill, research facilities in Maryland that are required to file USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Form 7023 must pay an annual contribution to the Department of Agriculture by January 15. The amount is tiered based on the number of animals reported on the most recent form: $5,000 for up to 100 animals, $10,000 for more than 100 but not more than 500, $55,000 for more than 500 but not more than 5,000, and $75,000 for more than 5,000 animals. The Secretary of Agriculture must distribute the collected funds to the Human–Relevant Research Fund established in the Economic Development Article. Facilities that fail to pay may face a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day.
The bill’s impact is primarily administrative and fiscal: it shifts statutory authority and collection duties from the health agency to the agriculture agency, while preserving the underlying contribution structure and enforcement mechanism. It also reinforces the state’s ability to channel these payments into the Human–Relevant Research Fund, which supports alternatives to animal testing and related research initiatives.
The general sentiment reflected in the voting history appears favorable, as the bill passed third reading in both chambers with clear majorities. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate to identify detailed arguments, but the successful votes suggest broad legislative support for the transfer of collection responsibility and continuation of the fund.
Any likely contention would center on the policy of requiring research facilities to make these contributions at all, the size of the tiered payment amounts, and the shift in regulatory oversight from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. Research facilities and animal research stakeholders may view the assessment as a cost burden, while supporters are likely to emphasize funding for human-relevant research and alternatives to animal testing.
Impact
SB585 repeals the existing contribution-collection provisions in the Health–General Article and creates a new subtitle in the Agriculture Article, moving responsibility for collecting Human–Relevant Research Fund contributions to the Department of Agriculture. It preserves the tiered annual payment schedule for qualifying research facilities, ties the obligation to APHIS Form 7023 reporting, authorizes civil penalties for nonpayment, and directs the collected money to the Human–Relevant Research Fund in the Economic Development Article.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received favorably overall. It passed third reading in the Senate and House by substantial margins, indicating bipartisan or at least broad institutional support. Because no committee discussion transcript was provided, there is no detailed record of floor or committee arguments, but the voting history suggests the measure was not especially controversial at the final stage.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely the mandatory contribution requirement for research facilities, the amount of the tiered fees, and the policy choice to fund human-relevant research through assessments on animal research facilities. Another possible issue is the administrative shift from the Maryland Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture, which may raise questions about agency expertise, enforcement, and oversight. Research institutions and animal-research advocates would be the most likely opponents, while supporters would include proponents of alternatives to animal testing and funding for related research.