reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-908 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part II - Formation and Organization; Termination|Section 9-908 - Articles of Incorporation -- Articles of Amendment

    (a)    (1)    In this section, “articles of amendment” means a document that proposes or adopts an amendment to the articles of incorporation of an authority.        (2)    “Articles of amendment” includes a document that restates the articles of incorporation.    (b)    An authority may amend its articles of incorporation in accordance with this section:        (1)    To adopt a new name; or        (2)    To change, enlarge, or diminish its powers, duties, and purposes.    (c)    (1)    To amend its articles of incorporation, the board of directors of an authority shall adopt a resolution that proposes the amendments.        (2)    If the articles of incorporation are to be replaced, the resolution shall contain the language of the new articles of incorporation.        (3)    If any provision in the articles of incorporation is to be added, deleted, or amended, the resolution shall contain the language of the entire amended provision.        (4)    The resolution shall direct submission of the amendment to the governing body of each member political subdivision.        (5)    After the board of directors submits the amendment to the governing body of each member political subdivision, the governing body shall adopt or reject the amendment by law.    (d)    Articles of amendment under this section shall include:        (1)    The name and location of the principal office of the authority;        (2)    The complete amendment; and        (3)    A statement that the amendment:            (i)    Was proposed by the board of directors of the authority; and            (ii)    Was adopted by the governing body of each member political subdivision.    (e)    If the governing body of each member political subdivision adopts the amendment:        (1)    Two authorized officers of the authority shall:            (i)    Sign and acknowledge articles of amendment under the seal of the authority; and            (ii)    Verify under oath the matters and facts set forth in the articles of amendment; and        (2)    The authority shall file the articles of amendment for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.    (f)    (1)    The State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall:            (i)    Receive the articles of amendment;            (ii)    Mark the date and time of receipt to the articles of amendment; and            (iii)    Issue a certificate of approval for any articles of amendment that comply with this subtitle.        (2)    When the State Department of Assessments and Taxation issues a certificate of approval, the articles of amendment:            (i)    Are in full force and effect; and            (ii)    Are conclusively deemed to be lawfully and properly adopted.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-909 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part II - Formation and Organization; Termination|Section 9-909 - Filing Names and Addresses of Officers and Location of Principal Office

    (a)    When an authority is organized and elects its initial officers, the secretary of the authority shall file for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation:        (1)    The name and address of each officer of the authority; and        (2)    The location of the principal office of the authority.    (b)    Within 10 days after any change in location of the principal office of the authority, the secretary of the authority shall file notice of the new location with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-910 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part II - Formation and Organization; Termination|Section 9-910 - Withdrawing From or Joining Authority

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in this section, if an authority has 2 or more members, any of the member political subdivisions may withdraw from the authority.        (2)    Any political subdivision may join the authority.    (b)    After an authority that has 2 or more member political subdivisions incurs an obligation, the member political subdivisions may not withdraw from the authority.    (c)    (1)    By law, the governing body of a political subdivision shall show its intention to withdraw from or join an existing authority.        (2)    If, by resolution, the board of directors of an authority consents to the withdrawal of a political subdivision from the authority, the following persons shall sign and acknowledge articles of withdrawal:            (i)    The authorized officers of the withdrawing political subdivision; and            (ii)    The authorized officers of the authority.        (3)    If, by resolution, the board of directors of an authority consents to the addition of a political subdivision as a member of the authority, the following persons shall sign and acknowledge articles of joinder:            (i)    The authorized officers of the joining political subdivision;            (ii)    The authorized officers of the authority; and            (iii)    After they are authorized by law of the governing bodies of their respective political subdivisions, the authorized officers of the political subdivisions that are then members of the authority.    (d)    Articles of joinder under this section shall include, for the joining political subdivision, all of the information required under § 9-907(b) of this subtitle, including the name, address, and term of office of the 1st member of the board of directors of the authority from the joining political subdivision.    (e)    The officers of the authority shall file articles of withdrawal or articles of joinder under this section for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.    (f)    (1)    The State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall:            (i)    Receive the articles of withdrawal or articles of joinder;            (ii)    Mark the date and time of receipt to the articles; and            (iii)    Issue a certificate of approval for any articles that comply with this subtitle.        (2)    When the State Department of Assessments and Taxation issues a certificate of approval, the articles of withdrawal or articles of joinder:            (i)    Are in full force and effect; and            (ii)    Are conclusively considered to be lawfully and properly adopted.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-911 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part II - Formation and Organization; Termination|Section 9-911 - Termination of Authority

    (a)    An authority may terminate its existence after the authority:        (1)    Pays or provides for payment of the principal of and interest on each bond that the authority issued;        (2)    Settles any other claim against the authority; and        (3)    Has the approval by law of the governing body of each member political subdivision.    (b)    To terminate its existence, an authority shall:        (1)    Comply with the provisions of this section; and        (2)    File articles of dissolution for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.    (c)    The articles of dissolution shall include:        (1)    A statement that requests the termination of the existence of the authority;        (2)    A statement that the authority has:            (i)    Paid or provided for payment of the principal of and interest on each bond that the authority issued; and            (ii)    Settled each other claim against the authority; and        (3)    The signatures of the authorized officers of the authority.    (d)    (1)    If the articles of dissolution comply with this subtitle, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall:            (i)    Note the termination of existence of the authority on the records of the Department; and            (ii)    Issue a certificate of approval to the board of directors of the authority.        (2)    On approval of the articles of dissolution by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, the existence of the authority ends.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-914 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-914 - Membership -- Authorities Having Only 1 Member Political Subdivision

    (a)    This section applies to any authority that is incorporated or continued by only 1 political subdivision.    (b)    At the election of the governing body of the political subdivision, the board of directors of the authority consists of:        (1)    The members of the governing body of the political subdivision; or        (2)    Five citizens of the political subdivision who are appointed by the governing body of the political subdivision.    (c)    (1)    The term of a director who is also a member of the governing body of the political subdivision is the same as the term of office for the member on the governing body of the political subdivision.        (2)    The term of a citizen director:            (i)    Begins on the date of appointment; and            (ii)    Is 5 years, except that the respective terms of the directors serving on the initial board are 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years from the January 1 after the incorporation of the authority.        (3)    The terms of citizen directors are staggered as required by the terms provided for the 1st directors in paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection.        (4)    At the end of a term:            (i)    A citizen director continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies; or            (ii)    A director who is a member of the governing body of the political subdivision ceases to be a director.        (5)    A citizen director who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.        (6)    At a meeting held at least 1 month before the end of a term of a citizen director, the governing body of the political subdivision that is represented by the citizen director shall designate a successor, who shall be deemed to be appointed at the end of the term.    (d)    If a political subdivision joins the authority, the governing body of the joining political subdivision immediately shall appoint 1 director for a term that is the same as the terms of the other directors.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-915 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-915 - Membership -- Authorities Having Two or More Member Political Subdivisions

    (a)    This section applies to an authority that has two or more member political subdivisions.    (b)    Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the number of directors of the authority is the greater of:        (1)    Five; or        (2)    The number of member political subdivisions.    (c)    Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the articles of incorporation for the authority shall provide for:        (1)    The appointment of directors;        (2)    The staggering of their terms; and        (3)    Where the number of member political subdivisions is less than five, the apportioning of the directors between or among the member political subdivisions.    (d)    (1)    The term of a director may not be more than 5 years.        (2)    If a vacancy occurs during the term of a director, the governing body of the political subdivision that is represented by the director shall fill the vacancy.    (e)    If a political subdivision joins the authority, the governing body of the joining political subdivision immediately shall appoint one director for a term that is the same as the terms of the other directors.    (f)    If a political subdivision withdraws from the authority, any director who was appointed to represent the withdrawing political subdivision immediately ceases to be a director.    (g)    In Harford County:        (1)    The number of directors of the authority is the greater of:            (i)    Seven; or            (ii)    The number of member political subdivisions.        (2)    The articles of incorporation for the authority shall provide for the apportioning of the directors between or among the member subdivisions if the number of political subdivisions is less than seven.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-916 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-916 - Quorum; Meetings; Compensation; Staff

    (a)    (1)    A majority of the full authorized membership of the board of directors of an authority is a quorum to do business.        (2)    Unless the bylaws require a larger number, the board may take any action by a majority vote of the directors present at a validly called meeting.    (b)    The board shall determine the times and places of its meetings.    (c)    (1)    A citizen director is entitled to the compensation set by:            (i)    The governing body of the single political subdivision that incorporated or continues the authority; or            (ii)    The governing bodies of the member political subdivisions.        (2)    However, the compensation for a citizen director may not be increased or decreased during the term of the director.        (3)    A director who is also a member of the governing body of a political subdivision may not receive compensation for service as a director.    (d)    The board may:        (1)    Set the number of officers, agents, and employees that the board considers proper;        (2)    Set the powers, duties, and compensation for these employees; and        (3)    Elect or appoint any director as an officer, agent, or employee.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-917 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-917 - Miscellaneous Powers

    In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, an authority may:         (1)    Do anything necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this subtitle;        (2)    Adopt bylaws to regulate the affairs of the authority and conduct the business of the authority;        (3)    Have, use, alter, or abandon a corporate seal;        (4)    Sue, be sued, complain, and defend in all courts;        (5)    Maintain an office at any place that the authority determines; and        (6)    Manage the properties and business of the authority.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-918 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-918 - Duplication of Powers and Competition With Existing Utilities or Authorities; Specification of Projects and Powers; Creation of Additional Authorities

    (a)    An authority may not use any of its powers under this subtitle to construct, improve, maintain, or operate a project that in any way duplicates or competes with an existing public or private utility that serves substantially the same purposes.    (b)    (1)    By law, the governing bodies of the member political subdivisions may limit the projects that the authority may begin. If a limitation is made, the authority may not begin a project that is not authorized.        (2)    If the governing bodies of the member political subdivisions do not limit the projects that the authority may begin, the authority has all of the powers granted by this subtitle.    (c)    (1)    The governing body of a political subdivision that has created an authority under this subtitle may not create any other authority to serve any part of the same area.        (2)    Unless the governing body of every other member political subdivision consents by law, a member political subdivision may not create or join in the creation of any other authority.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-919 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-919 - Combining Systems for Operation and Financing Purposes

    For the purposes of operation and financing, an authority may combine any water system and sewerage system into a single project.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-920 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-920 - Interests in Property and Franchises; Consent Required to Use Eminent Domain

    (a)    The board of directors of an authority may:        (1)    Acquire, lease as a lessee, hold, and use any interest in any property or franchise that is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the authority;        (2)    Sell, lease as a lessor, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any interest in any property or franchise of the authority; and        (3)    Acquire any right in land or water right in connection with land by gift, purchase, or eminent domain.    (b)    To condemn an interest in property that is owned by a political subdivision, an authority must obtain the consent of the governing body of the political subdivision.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-921 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-921 - Entering, Using, Occupying, and Digging Up Streets and Other Land

    Subject to reasonable local police regulation that is established by the governing body of any political subdivision that has jurisdiction in the area, an authority may enter on, use, occupy, or dig up any street, road, highway, or public or private land that is necessary to acquire, construct, or maintain a project.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-922 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-922 - Tapping Fees

    (a)    When the owner of any property connects the property with a project operated by an authority, the authority may charge a reasonable tapping fee.    (b)    The tapping fee is in addition to any charges that the authority makes for rental or use of its projects.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-923 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-923 - Acceptance and Use of Grants, Aid, and Contributions

    An authority may accept:         (1)    From a federal agency, any grant to aid in the construction, acquisition, or operation of a project; and        (2)    From any source, aid or a contribution of money, property, labor, or any other thing of value for any stated purpose.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-924 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-924 - Annexation of Property of Authority

    If a political subdivision that is not a member of an authority annexes real property that is served by the authority, the authority may continue to do business on and exercise jurisdiction over its properties and facilities over its annexed real property as long as:         (1)    Any bond or indebtedness of the authority in effect at the time of the annexation remains outstanding or unpaid; or        (2)    Any contract or other obligation of the authority in effect at the time of the annexation continues in force.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-925 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part III - Board of Directors; Powers of Authorities|Section 9-925 - Record of Receipts, Expenses, and Expenditures; Audit and Financial Statement; Examination and Audit of Books and Records

    (a)    Each authority shall:        (1)    Keep a complete record of its receipts and expenditures;        (2)    Employ a certified public accountant to audit its books and accounts;        (3)    Keep a detailed audit and financial statement of its accounts available and open for public inspection at its principal office during business hours; and        (4)    File annually a certified copy of the detailed audit and financial statement with the governing body of each member political subdivision.    (b)    (1)    In person or by authorized agents, the governing body of any member political subdivision may examine and audit the books and records of the authority.        (2)    An examination or audit under this subsection is without cost to the authority.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-928 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part IV - Bonds of Authorities|Section 9-928 - Purpose of Bonds

    An authority may issue its bonds to pay any part of the cost of a project of the authority.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-929 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part IV - Bonds of Authorities|Section 9-929 - Nonapplicability of Other Laws

    (a)    The issuance of a bond under this subtitle is not subject to conditions or limitations in any other law of this State.    (b)    Sections 8-201, 8-206, and 8-208 of the State Finance and Procurement Article do not apply to any refunding bond issued under this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  9-930 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities|Subtitle 9 - Water and Sewer Authorities|Part IV - Bonds of Authorities|Section 9-930 - Bonds Not Pledge of Faith and Credit of State or Political Subdivision

    (a)    A bond issued under this subtitle:        (1)    Is not a pledge of the faith and credit of this State or any of its political subdivisions; and        (2)    Shall say on its face that neither the faith and credit of this State nor the faith and credit of any of its political subdivisions is pledged to the payment of the principal of or interest on the bond.    (b)    The issuance of a bond under this subtitle does not obligate this State or any of its political subdivisions directly, indirectly, or contingently:        (1)    To levy any tax; or        (2)    To make any appropriation for payment of the bonds, except from funds pledged in accordance with this subtitle.