reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-406 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-406 - Development of Program to Respond to Emergency Oil Spillage

    The Department is responsible for developing a program, including training, to enable the State to respond to an emergency oil spillage in waters of the State. The Department shall coordinate efforts of the various State and local units aiding in the operation and may request the aid of any appropriate federal agency if necessary.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-407 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-407 - Bond of Vessels on Waters of State to Discharge or Receive Oil Cargo

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and except for a vessel or barge carrying or receiving 25 barrels or less of oil, any vessel or barge, whether or not self-propelled, in or entering upon the waters of the State to discharge or receive a cargo of any bulk oil in the State shall post a bond of $500 per gross ton of vessel or barge or other security, in an equal amount, determined to be sufficient by the Secretary with the Department of the Environment. The bond or other security shall be in a form approved by the Department and may be obtained individually or jointly by the vessel or barge, its owner or agent, its charterer, or the owner or operator of the terminal at which the vessel or barge discharges or receives the bulk oil. If the Department of the Environment determines oil has been discharged or spilled into the waters of the State from the vessel or barge, the bond or other security shall be forfeited to the Department, to the extent of the costs incurred to eliminate the residue of oil discharge or spillage, to the extent of damage caused to the natural and recreational resources of the State, and to the extent of any otherwise uncollectible fine levied against the vessel or barge, its owner or agent, its charterer, or the owner or operator of the terminal at which the vessel or barge discharges or receives the bulk oil, or any other person responsible for the discharge or spill. The remedies provided in this section are in addition to every other remedy available. Bond or other security may not be released without certification by the Department of the Environment that the vessel or barge has not been a source of oil discharge or spillage into the waters of the State. If the owner or operator of a vessel or barge presents adequate evidence of financial responsibility to the Department, it shall be exempt from the Department provisions requiring posting, and forfeiture, on certain conditions of a bond or other security.    (b)    The Secretary may waive the bond or other security requirements of subsection (a) of this section if the Secretary determines that the bonds or securities required are unavailable.    (c)    If the Secretary has not waived the bond or security requirements as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the owner, agent, charterer, and owner or operator of the terminal at which a vessel or barge discharges or receives cargo of bulk oil without being bonded as provided in subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction is subject to a fine not exceeding $25,000 for each offense.    (d)    All penalties and bond and security forfeitures collected under this section shall be credited to the Maryland Oil Disaster Containment, Clean-Up and Contingency Fund.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-408 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-408 - Compensatory Fee for Oil Spillage

    The Department of the Environment shall charge and collect a compensatory fee from the person responsible for any oil spillage. This fee shall cover the costs incurred by any person who responds to an oil spillage with the authorization of the Department and shall cover the cost of labor, equipment operation, and material necessary to eliminate the residue of oil spillage, and the cost of restoring the area damaged by the spillage to its original condition. Any compensatory fees collected by the Department for costs incurred by a person authorized to respond to an oil spillage shall be reimbursed to that person by the Department.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-409 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-409 - Liability for Damages Caused by Oil Spillage; Underground Tanks

    (a)    The person responsible for the oil spillage shall be liable to any other person for any damage to his real or personal property directly caused by the spillage.    (b)    (1)    In this subsection, “owner of an underground oil storage tank” includes any person who:            (i)    Causes an underground oil storage tank to be installed; or            (ii)    Acquires, other than through a lease or rental, and uses an underground oil storage tank.        (2)    The Department shall adopt regulations requiring the owner of an underground oil storage tank to provide evidence of financial responsibility for costs of cleanup, corrective action, and third party liability in the event of a discharge.        (3)    Tanks subject to the financial responsibility requirements of this subsection shall be the same as those tanks for which financial assurance is required under Subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and limits of coverage shall be the same as those imposed under that act.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-410 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-410 - Discharge of Oil Generally

    (a)    Except in case of emergency imperiling life or property, unavoidable accident, collision, or stranding, or as authorized by a permit issued under § 9–323 of this article, it is unlawful for any person to discharge or permit the discharge of oil in any manner into or on waters of this State.    (b)    Notwithstanding any provision of this subtitle, any person discharging or permitting the discharge of oil, or who either actively or passively participates in the discharge or spilling of oil either from a land–based installation, including aboveground or underground storage tanks and vehicles in transit, or from any vessel, barge, ship, or boat of any kind, shall report the incident immediately to the Department. The person shall remain available until clearance to leave is given by the appropriate officials designated by the Department.    (c)    To administer this section the Department of the Environment may use the organization, equipment, and units, including engineering, clerical, and other personnel, employed in the improvement and preservation of waters and natural resources of the State to enforce the laws for the preservation and protection of the waters and natural resources of the State. Any person authorized by law to make arrests may apply for a warrant, arrest, and take into custody, with or without process, any person who violates any provision of this section. However, a person may not be arrested without process for a violation not committed in the presence of one of the aforesaid officials. If any person is arrested under the provisions of this section, the person arrested immediately shall be brought before a judge or court of the State for examination of the offense alleged against him.    (d)    Whenever any person, vessel, barge, ship, or boat is accused of violating any provision of this section, the arresting officer shall notify the Department of the Environment in writing to permit the Department to take any advisable action. The provisions of this subsection are directory only.    (e)    This section shall be in addition to the laws existing prior to June 1, 1949, for the preservation and protection of waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. It does not repeal, modify, or in any manner affect the provisions of those laws.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-411.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-411.1 - Underground Oil Storage Facilities

    (a)    On or before July 1, 1990, the owner, operator, or person in charge of an underground oil storage facility shall register the underground oil storage facility with the Department.    (b)    Unless an underground oil storage facility is registered with the Department in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and is in substantial compliance with State law and regulations relating to oil storage, as defined by regulation, no oil may be sold to or received by the underground oil storage facility.    (c)    For the purposes of this section, if any underground oil storage facility registered with the Department under subsection (a) of this section is removed, or no longer in use, the owner, operator, or person in charge of the underground oil storage facility shall notify the Department not later than 30 days after the removal or discontinuance of use.    (d)    The Department shall adopt regulations to:        (1)    Implement the provisions of this section; and        (2)    Define “underground oil storage facility”.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-411.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-411.2 - Groundwater Contamination

    (a)    Within 14 days of the finding, the Department shall notify the appropriate local health department of a finding that a groundwater monitoring well sample taken from a high–risk groundwater use area, as defined by the Department, contains:        (1)    Methyl tertiary butyl ether at or in excess of 20 parts per billion;        (2)    Benzene at or in excess of 5 parts per billion; or        (3)    A combination of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene at or in excess of 100 parts per billion.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall notify each owner of property within one–half mile of the site from which the sample was taken.        (2)    If the Department and the local health department agree, the local health department shall give the notice required under this section.        (3)    The notification shall:            (i)    Be mailed within 14 days of the receipt of a notice from the Department under subsection (a) of this section;            (ii)    Be mailed via certified mail; and            (iii)    Provide the property owner with information regarding the amount of contamination at the site.    (c)    The person responsible for the release that resulted in the groundwater contamination shall reimburse the Department or the local health department for the costs associated with providing the notice required under subsection (b) of this section.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-413 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-413 - Adding, Introducing, etc., Soil or Sediment Into Waters of the State

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, or except as authorized by a permit issued under § 9-323 of this article, it is unlawful for any person to add, introduce, leak, spill, or otherwise emit soil or sediment into waters of the State or to place soil or sediment in a condition or location where it is likely to be washed into waters of the State by runoff of precipitation or by any other flowing waters.    (b)    A person engaged in agricultural land management practices, as defined by the Department for the purposes of Subtitle 1 of this title, may not add, introduce, leak, spill, or otherwise emit soil or sediment into waters of the State unless that person is implementing and maintaining a soil conservation and water quality plan approved by the local soil conservation district. If a person engaging in agricultural land management practices without a district approved soil conservation and water quality plan complies with an order for corrective action issued under § 4-412(a) of this subtitle, that person shall not be subject to penalties as provided under § 4-417 of this subtitle.    (c)    With the approval of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Environment shall adopt regulations to implement subsection (b) of this section.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-414 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-414 - Evaluating and Monitoring Dumping of Dredged Spoils

    The Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with other appropriate agencies, shall evaluate and monitor the dumping of all dredged spoil and similar type operations in the waters of the State. The frequency of monitoring during actual operations shall be sufficient to promptly identify any irregular or unanticipated occurrence within sufficient time to modify or terminate the operations before environmental damage occurs. All monitoring data shall be made available promptly to the public.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-415 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-415 - Orders to Correct Violations

    If a violation of any provision of this subtitle has occurred and the existence of the violation has been finally determined, the Department shall promptly issue an order requiring the correction of each violation found to have occurred, and the Department shall secure compliance with the provisions of the order. If the terms of the order are violated or if the violation has not been corrected within the time specified in the order, the violation shall be referred to the Attorney General, who, in addition to any other action taken or which he elects to take against the violator, shall take appropriate legal action to require correction of the violation. This section does not prevent the Attorney General or the Department from taking action against the violator before the expiration of the time limitations or schedules in the order.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-415.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-415.1 - Entry and Access to Property

    (a)    At any reasonable time, to carry out duties under this subtitle, a representative of the Department may enter any oil storage facility or vessel or barge in or entering upon the waters of the State to discharge or receive a cargo of any bulk oil:        (1)    To inspect the vessel, barge, or oil storage facility;        (2)    To obtain water, air, or soil samples; and        (3)    To measure the volume and kinds of substances that are received or stored.    (b)    The Department may enter any property and assume control of any oil spill situation when it determines that a responsible party is not:        (1)    Acting promptly to remove the spill; or        (2)    Undertaking removal or mitigation in a manner appropriate to control or rectify the conditions causing the condition.    (c)    If entry is denied under this section, the Secretary may seek an injunction to enter the facility or property.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-416 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-416 - Injunctive Relief

    (a)    The Attorney General, on the request of the Department, shall prosecute criminal cases or bring an action for an injunction against any person violating the provisions of this title, or violating any valid order or permit issued by the Department. In any action for an injunction brought pursuant to this section, any finding of the Department after hearing shall be prima facie evidence of each fact found.    (b)    Upon a showing by the Attorney General, in behalf of the Department, that any person is violating or is about to violate the provisions of this subtitle or is violating or is about to violate any valid order or permit issued by the Department, an injunction shall be granted without the necessity of showing a lack of adequate remedy at law. In circumstances of emergency creating conditions of imminent danger to the public health, welfare or the environment, the Attorney General, on behalf of the Department, may institute a civil action for an immediate injunction to halt any pollution or other activity causing the danger.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-418 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-418 - Violations of 4-410; Enforcement and Disposition of Penalties and Compensatory Fees

    (a)    Any person responsible for a discharge of oil in violation of § 4-410(a) or (b) of this subtitle is:        (1)    Guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine or imprisonment or both for each offense as provided in § 4-417(b) of this subtitle;        (2)    Subject to the civil penalties set forth in § 4-417(a) of this subtitle; and        (3)    Liable for the pecuniary penalty specified in § 4-417(d) of this subtitle.    (b)    In addition to any other civil, criminal, or administrative penalty available, a person responsible for a discharge who violates § 4-410(a) or (b) of this subtitle in connection with a discharge or spill of oil exceeding 25,000 gallons is liable for a penalty, which may be recovered in a civil action, of up to $100 for each gallon discharged or spilled.    (c)    Clearance of a vessel or barge from a port of the State may be withheld until all penalties assessed under this subtitle and all compensatory fees charged under § 4-408 of this subtitle are paid. The penalties and compensatory fees constitute a lien on the vessel.    (d)    All penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Maryland Oil Disaster Containment, Clean-Up and Contingency Fund.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-419 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-419 - Liability of Persons Assisting in Controlling Discharge

    (a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person is not liable for costs of containment, cleanup, and removal of the discharge or damages as a result of acts or omissions taken in the course of rendering care, assistance, or advice consistent with this subtitle and the National Contingency Plan, or as otherwise directed by the federal on–scene coordinator or appropriate State official unless:        (1)    The person is a person responsible for the discharge in accordance with § 4–401(j) of this subtitle;        (2)    The person is a responsible party as defined by the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990; or        (3)    The person is grossly negligent or engages in willful misconduct.    (b)    Nothing in subsection (a) of this section shall be construed to affect or limit any cause of action for personal injury or wrongful death arising from an act or omission of a person responding to a discharge.    (c)    A responsible party as defined by the federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or a person responsible for the discharge as defined in § 4–401(j) of this subtitle is liable for any containment, cleanup, and removal costs or damages that another person is relieved of under this section.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-420 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 4 - Water Pollution Control and Abatement|Section 4-420 - Abandonment of Use of Heating Oil as Fuel

    (a)    This section applies to the removal of heating oil tanks from a residential property, when permanently abandoning the use of heating oil as a fuel at the property, whether by converting a heating system from the use of heating oil to another fuel, or otherwise.    (b)    Immediately upon abandonment of the use of heating oil as a fuel at the property, the owner of the heating oil tank shall:        (1)    Remove all flammable and combustible liquids from the heating oil tank and from all piping and piping connections;        (2)    (i)    Remove from the property the heating oil tank, if not in serviceable or operable condition, and all piping and piping connections used for supplying heating oil to the heating system; or            (ii)    In the case of an underground heating oil tank, fill in the tank with dirt, sand, gravel, or similar material;        (3)    Remove any outside filling pipe or secure the pipe against accidental filling; and        (4)    Dispose of all flammable and combustible liquids, and the heating oil tank if required, in accordance with the requirements of this article and other applicable State and federal laws.    (c)    If the abandonment of the use of heating oil occurs as a result of conversion to another heating fuel, the converted heating system shall be inspected in accordance with applicable law.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-501 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 5 - Penalty and Fines; Prosecution|Section 4-501 - Penalties and Fines

    (a)    Any person who violates any provision of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, unless another penalty is specifically provided elsewhere in this title, the person is subject to a fine not exceeding $500, or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court. Every fine and cost shall be paid in accordance with § 7–503 of the Courts Article.    (b)    Any person found guilty of a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this title in a court of competent jurisdiction, unless another penalty is specifically provided elsewhere in this title, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both with costs imposed in the discretion of the court. For the purpose of this subsection, a second or subsequent violation is one which has occurred within 2 years of any prior violation of this title.    (c)    In addition to any administrative penalty provided in this title, violation of any rule or regulation or restriction promulgated by any unit within the Department of the Environment pursuant to the provisions of this title is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-502 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 5 - Penalty and Fines; Prosecution|Section 4-502 - Attorney General Responsible for Cases Arising Under Provisions of Title

    The Attorney General shall take charge of, prosecute, and defend on behalf of the State every case arising under the provisions of this title and regulations adopted thereunder.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  4-601 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 4 - Water Management|Subtitle 6 - Underground Storage Tank Upgrade and Replacement Fund|Section 4-601 - Creation and Uses of Fund; Applicability of Subtitle

    (a)    There is an Underground Storage Tank Upgrade and Replacement Fund.    (b)    The Fund shall be used to provide loans to owners of underground storage tanks to finance eligible costs of upgrading and replacing underground storage tanks.    (c)    The provisions of this subtitle do not apply to underground storage tanks:        (1)    That are exempt under § 4–409(b)(3) of this title;        (2)    That are owned by the State or a county or a municipal government;        (3)    That are owned by a local education agency; or        (4)    That are owned by a paid or volunteer fire company or rescue squad.