(a) The Secretary may establish an assessment of up to $6 per ton on commercial equine feed that is sold in Maryland.
(b) The assessment shall be paid by the person registering the feed according to the collection and reporting guidelines established by the Secretary by regulation.
(c) Any assessments collected shall be paid into the Maryland Horse Industry Fund as provided in § 2–708.2 of this article.
(d) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to:
(1) Allow a person who purchases commercial equine feed in the State to request reimbursement of any assessment that was paid on the feed; and
(2) Require that a purchaser of feed be notified, at the point of sale, of the possibility of reimbursement.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, any funds collected under this section may be used only for education, research, and promotional materials and activities intended to benefit the Maryland equine industry.