reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 2 - Organization and Authority of Unit Pertaining to Water and Water Resources -- in General|Section 5-203 - General Powers, Duties, and Responsibilities of Department

    (a)    The Department has general supervisory power, regulation, and control over the water resources of the State within the boundaries of the tidal waters as provided in this article.    (b)    The Department shall exercise to the fullest extent possible the State’s responsibility for its water resources by planning and supervising multiple purpose development and conservation of the waters of the State for the State’s best interests and benefit. The Department shall develop a general water resources program which contemplates proper conservation and development of the waters of the State, in a manner compatible with multiple purpose management on a watershed or aquifer basis, or any other appropriate geographical unit. The program shall recognize and be consistent with functions of other State units. The Department shall be guided by the program in the performance of its duties.    (c)    The Department may make or cause to be made surveys, maps, investigations, and studies of water resources of the State necessary to provide sufficient information to formulate a program and perform its duties. The Department may contract for research or scientific investigation with the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, or other appropriate research organizations.    (d)    The Department may operate, sell, buy, lease, exchange, rent, or repair any vehicle, vessel, boat, net, or other equipment necessary for its work. The Department may furnish a vehicle, vessel, or boat which the Department owns or operates with any required arms, ammunition, or equipment. The Department’s authority under this subsection is subject to the provisions of the code relating to budget and procurement.    (e)    In addition to powers and duties stated in this title, the Department may exercise authority reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.    (f)    (1)    The Department may issue orders for corrective measures to any person who the Department believes to be violating any provision of this title or any regulation adopted under this title.        (2)    The person to whom an order is issued may, on request, contest the order in a hearing before the Department. The Department, by regulation, shall adopt procedures by which the hearings are held.        (3)    A court action for violation of the terms of an order may not be instituted unless the violator has had opportunity for an administrative hearing. However, regardless of whether an order for corrective measures has been issued, the Department at any time may refer an alleged violation of this title or any regulation adopted under this title directly to the Attorney General for appropriate court action. This subsection does not prevent the Attorney General from taking immediate action against the violator.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 3 - Interstate Water Compacts|Section 5-304 - Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin -- Appointment and Terms of Alternate Members

    The Governor of the State shall appoint an alternate member for each of the 3 members of the Commission for the State of Maryland created by § 5-303 of this subtitle. Each alternate shall have power to act in the absence of the person for whom he is alternate. The term of each alternate runs concurrently with the term of the member for whom he is an alternate.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-401 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Authority” means Maryland Potomac Water Authority.    (c)    “Federal government” means:        (1)    The United States of America; or        (2)    Any governmental agency of the United States of America.    (d)    “Initial cost” means the portion of water supply costs of the project which nonfederal entities must contract to repay prior to construction of the project. Actual payment of initial cost may be extended over a 50-year period beginning when augmented flow first is available from the project.    (e)    “Non-Maryland user” means a user not assessable by a represented county.    (f)    “Potomac River” means the main stem and North Branch of the Potomac River and its tributaries in those reaches below the augmented average flow surface level of the main stem and North Branch.    (g)    “Project” means a federally constructed dam, reservoir, and appurtenances on the North Branch of the Potomac River, commonly referred to as the Bloomington Dam project.    (h)    “Represented county” means any county enumerated in this subtitle as being within the district.    (i)    “The district”, unless otherwise indicated in the text to mean the District of Columbia, means the area of jurisdiction of the Authority, which includes the following counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington.    (j)    “User” means any person who uses water from the Potomac River for any purpose without regard to whether or not the water is consumed, altered, or replaced.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-402 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-402 - Established; Body Politic and Corporate; Powers and Legal Status Generally

    There is a Maryland Potomac Water Authority, established as a governmental unit and body politic and corporate, vested with the authority granted under the Constitution and laws of the State. The Maryland Potomac Water Authority has and shall exercise authority to conserve, control, and use for beneficial service storm and floodwaters of the rivers and streams of the Potomac River watershed in the district. The Authority may adopt and use a corporate seal, contract, sue and be sued, and perform any other corporate act to carry out this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-403 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-403 - Members; Chairman

    (a)    (1)    The Authority consists of 10 members.        (2)    The Secretary, the Director of Planning, and the General Manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary District are ex officio, nonvoting members. These ex officio members may designate alternates from among the senior employees to represent them at meetings of the Authority when they are unable to attend.        (3)    The governing body of each represented county shall appoint 1 of its members to serve as a member and 1 to serve as an alternate on the Authority at the pleasure of the governing body. Each member is a voting member except the member of the governing body of Garrett County, who is a nonvoting member until that county is assessed for payments to the Authority under the provisions of § 5-408 of this subtitle.        (4)    The Governor shall appoint 1 voting member to serve at the Governor’s pleasure and be chairman of the Authority.    (b)    A member serves without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses and disbursements incurred performing the member’s official duties.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-404 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-404 - Actions to Be by Unanimous Vote

    The unanimous vote of the voting members is required to approve any action of the Authority.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-405 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-405 - Subcommittees; Use of Services of Existing Units

    The Authority may appoint subcommittees and use the services of existing State and local units.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-406 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-406 - Contract With Federal Government Relative to Bloomington Dam Project

    The Authority may contract with the federal government to acquire storage in the Bloomington Dam project to regulate the streamflow of the Potomac River for water supply subject to the provisions of the Constitution or laws of the State and the following restrictions:         (1)    Reservoir regulation to increase or decrease downstream flows for water supply purposes shall conform to a schedule agreed on in writing between the Authority and the federal government;        (2)    Any contract, revision, or change of any part of the agreement, prior to becoming effective, shall be reviewed by the Department and, as to legality, by the Attorney General;        (3)    No hold harmless or indemnity provision made a part of any contract the Authority enters into may bind the State or any of its political subdivisions;        (4)    The contract may not restrict access as provided by the Act of August 1, 1953 (67 Stat. 359); and        (5)    The terms of a contract between the Authority and the federal government may be renegotiated upon their mutual agreement.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-407 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-407 - Pledging State's Faith and Credit; Creating Debt or Obligation; Individual Liability on Contracts

    Except as provided in § 5-408(c) of this subtitle, the Authority may not pledge the faith and credit of the State, nor create any debt or obligation of the State. If any pledge, debt, or obligation is created, it is invalid. The members of the Authority are not liable as individuals for any contract made on behalf of the Authority.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-408 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-408 - Charges to Pay for Initial Cost of Project

    (a)    The Authority shall assess and collect charges for payment of the State’s share of the initial cost of the project. Each represented county is assessed at a rate calculated from a cost-sharing formula based on a withdrawal ratio calculated as the sum of the average daily withdrawals from the Potomac River by all represented counties and non-Maryland users during the month of maximum withdrawal in the preceding calendar year divided into the average daily withdrawals for the county from the Potomac River during the same month.    (b)    The Authority shall assess non-Maryland users subject to appropriation requirements in § 5-502 of this title based on a rate calculated by the same means used for assessment of represented counties. The Authority shall collect assessed charges from non-Maryland users in a manner the Authority prescribes.    (c)    The Authority may enter into any contract or agreement with the government of the District of Columbia for the District of Columbia to pay the Authority its equitable share of initial cost of the project. The contract shall contain provisions to which the Authority and the government of the District of Columbia agree and may include provisions to ascertain the District of Columbia’s equitable share of costs, periodic revision of the amount of that share, and other cost payments by the District of Columbia. Any executed contract or agreement has full force and effect as a contract between the District of Columbia and the State.    (d)    An assessment of charges shall be:        (1)    Determined when the first payment is due, based on the preceding calendar year’s daily withdrawal information; and        (2)    Updated annually.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-409 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-409 - Permit to Non-Maryland User to Include Provision for Payment

    Any permit for the appropriation of water from the Potomac River the Department issues to any non-Maryland user shall include a provision for payment for the use based on the provisions of § 5-408 of this subtitle. The Department shall transfer the payment to the Authority for credit as the assessment of that non-Maryland user.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-410 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-410 - Rules and Regulations; Application of Administrative Procedure Act

    The Authority may issue rules and regulations to carry out its duties under this subtitle. The Authority is subject to the Administrative Procedure Act.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-411 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-411 - Collection Tax or Assessments in Represented County

    To satisfy any assessment established under § 5-408 of this subtitle, each represented county, after public hearing, may impose reasonable assessment charges on users located in the county or employ any other means of assessment and collection authorized by law for collection of taxes or assessments, including imposing liens on real or personal property.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-412 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-412 - Receipt of Funds Authorized; Borrowing From State and Represented Counties

    The Authority may receive from the State, its political subdivisions, the federal government, or any other source funds to apply to its obligations and duties under this subtitle. The Authority may borrow from the State and any represented county, and the State and any represented county may lend to the Authority funds the Authority requires to meet obligations under its contract with the federal government.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-413 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-413 - Availability of Department's Expertise and Consulting Services

    The Department shall make available to the Authority its expertise and consulting services, subject to any budgetary limitation.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-414 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 4 - Maryland Potomac Water Authority|Section 5-414 - Operational Budget

    The Authority shall prepare a budget to support its continued operation. One-half of the Authority’s budget shall be requested by the Department from the General Assembly and the represented counties shall provide the other half. The Authority shall adopt a formula to determine each county’s share of the budget.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-501 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-501 - Policy of State; Subtitle Supplemental to Existing Laws

    (a)    In order to conserve, protect, and use water resources of the State in accordance with the best interests of the people of Maryland, it is the policy of the State to control, so far as feasible, appropriation or use of surface waters and groundwaters of the State. Also, it is State policy to promote public safety and welfare and control and supervise, so far as is feasible, construction, reconstruction, and repair of dams, reservoirs, and other waterworks in any waters of the State.    (b)    (1)    In accordance with the policy declared in this section, and provided that it will not jeopardize the State’s natural resources, when appropriating groundwater of the State in Carroll, Frederick, or Washington counties, the Department may give priority to a public water system that provides water to:            (i)    A municipal corporation, not including those areas annexed after January 1, 2000; or            (ii)    A priority funding area established on or before January 1, 2000, under § 5–7B–02(6) of the State Finance and Procurement Article.        (2)    The Department may adopt regulations to implement this subsection.    (c)    This subtitle is in addition to and not in substitution for any existing laws of the State.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-504 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-504 - Permit to Construct or Change Conduits, Pipes, or Other Devices Pertaining to Potomac River

    A person shall obtain a permit from the Department to construct, reconstruct, change, or make an addition to any conduit, pipeline, wire cable, trestle, or other device, structure, or apparatus in, under, through, or over the bed or waters of the Potomac River. The permit is obtained upon written application to the Department. Obtaining, using, and holding this permit is subject severally to the provisions concerning permits found elsewhere in this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-505 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-505 - Material to Accompany Applications for Permits

    Each application for a permit required by this subtitle shall be accompanied by maps, drawings, and specifications of proposed use or waterway obstruction, changes, additions, or repairs proposed to be made, and other data and information the Department requires.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-507 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-507 - Grant or Denial of Permits; Conditions of Permits

    (a)    Before acting on any permit application, the Department shall weigh all respective public advantages and disadvantages and make all appropriate investigations. If the Department believes from the evidence before the Department and based upon State water resources policy declared in this subtitle that the applicant’s plans provide greatest feasible utilization of the waters of the State, adequately preserve public safety, and promote the general public welfare, the Department shall grant the permit to appropriate or use the waters, construct, reconstruct, or repair the proposed reservoir, dam, or waterway obstruction, or accomplish any combination of these objectives. If the Department believes from the evidence before the Department that the proposed appropriation or use of State waters or proposed construction is inadequate, wasteful, dangerous, impracticable or detrimental to the best public interest, the Department may reject the application or suggest modifications to the proposed plans to protect the public welfare and safety.    (b)    (1)    In granting any permit to appropriate or use water or construct any reservoir, dam or waterway obstruction, the Department may include any condition, term, or reservation concerning the character, amount, means, and manner of the appropriation or use or method of construction necessary to preserve proper control in the State and insure the safety and welfare of the people of the State. The Department may determine and specify what provisions to make, if any, in each permit granted to construct a dam or other waterwork for passage of fish.        (2)    Any measuring and reporting of water use required of a permittee by the Department shall be effective and reasonable under the circumstances.        (3)    Any regulations concerning measuring and reporting of agricultural water use or determination of aquifer or stream flow characteristics prior to issuance of a water appropriation permit for an agricultural water use shall be adopted by the Department with the advice and consent of the Secretary of Agriculture.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-508 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-508 - Compliance With Permits and Related Regulations; Restrictions to Bind Owner's Successors; Recording of Restrictions

    (a)    Appropriation or use of any waters of the State, construction or beginning construction, making or beginning any change, addition, reconstruction, or repair of any reservoir, dam or waterway obstruction, only shall be in conformity with any term, condition, regulation, or restriction of the Department’s permit or with any regulation the Department prescribes concerning any construction, change, addition, or repair.    (b)    (1)    Any term, condition, regulation, or restriction imposed on an appropriation or use of waters of the State or on a reservoir, dam, waterway obstruction, or change in the course, current, or cross section of any stream, through a permit issued pursuant to this subtitle, shall be binding on the owner of the permitted land or facility at the time the permit is issued and on any heirs, successors, or assigns of the owner’s interest in the land or facility.        (2)    As a condition of permit issuance or renewal under this subtitle to construct, reconstruct, change, add to, or repair any dam or reservoir, the Department shall require the owner of the permitted land or facility to record, in accordance with §§ 3-102 and 3-103 of the Real Property Article, a memorandum prepared by the Department of the terms, conditions, regulations, or restrictions applicable to that land or facility. The recording shall be at the expense of the landowner.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-510 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-510 - Permit Time Limits to Begin and Complete Work

    (a)    Except for permits issued for the appropriation or use of water for agricultural purposes, the Department shall prescribe a time limit not exceeding 2 years from the grant of a permit, during which construction, reconstruction, or repair shall begin or appropriation or use of water shall be completed.    (b)    The Department shall prescribe a time limit, not more than 5 years from the grant of any permit, during which construction, reconstruction, or repair of reservoirs, dams, or waterway obstruction shall be completed.    (c)    The Department may extend a permit-time limit for good cause shown.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-511 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-511 - Periodic Review of Appropriation and Use of Water; Correction of Permits

    The Department shall review triennially every appropriation and use of water for which a required permit is granted, to ascertain if the appropriation and use of water is being made according to quantity limitations and other conditions established by permit. Unless a permit is for the periodic appropriation or use of water for agricultural purposes, the Department shall correct a permit where the total quantity of water permitted to be appropriated and used is not used or needed.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  5-512 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 5 - Water Resources|Subtitle 5 - Appropriation or Use of Waters, Reservoirs, and Dams|Section 5-512 - Application and Construction of Subtitle

    (a)    The provisions of this subtitle do not amend or repeal:        (1)    Any law relating to the Public Service Commission or to water and water structures; or        (2)    Any act or parts of acts consistent with the provisions of this subtitle.    (b)    The provisions of this subtitle do not impair any riparian or other vested right, nor amend, repeal, limit, impair, or alter any right, power, or privilege granted by the General Assembly to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to appropriate or use any river, stream, or water in the State to augment and improve the municipal water supply of Baltimore City.