reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VII - Shared Facilities in Dorchester County › Section 9-677 - Adoption of Rules and Regulations

(a)    The Sanitary Commission shall propose and, with the approval of the Dorchester County Commissioners given after a public hearing, adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle that relate to shared facilities.
(b)    These rules and regulations shall include provisions for:
(1)    Classification of properties in the shared facilities area; and
(2)    Levy of benefit assessments in accordance with this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VII - Shared Facilities in Dorchester County › Section 9-678 - Advances by Dorchester County; Repayment

(a)    The Dorchester County Commissioners may advance funds to the Dorchester County Sanitary District, Inc., to meet the organizational and preliminary costs of establishing and constructing the shared facility.
(b)    From the first revenues received from benefit assessments made for the shared facility, the Sanitary Commission shall repay advances made under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-682 - Power of Sanitary Commission and Member Counties to Issue

(a)    Subject to the limitations and requirements of this subtitle, the sanitary commission and the member counties of the district may pledge the full faith and credit of the district and its members and issue bonds in the name of the district to pay the cost of a project in the amount estimated when the resolution authorizing the bond issue was adopted.
(b)    The issuance of bonds under this subtitle is not subject to any condition or limitation of law that is not in this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-683 - Limitation on Total of Outstanding Bonds

A district may not issue for a service area any bonds that, when added to the outstanding and unpaid bonds already issued for that service area, would result in a total bond issuance that exceeds 25 percent of the total value of property in the service area, as assessed for county taxation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-684 - Prerequisites for Issuance -- Resolution by Sanitary Commission

(a)    Before a district issues any bonds, the sanitary commission shall:
(1)    Adopt a resolution that proposes the issuance of the bonds; and
(2)    Submit the resolution to the governing body of each member county of the district.
(b)    If the governing body of each member county approves the resolution, the district may issue the bonds in accordance with this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-685 - Prerequisites for Issuance -- Determinations by Sanitary Commission

(a)    Before a district issues any bonds:
(1)    The sanitary commission shall make the determinations required by this section; and
(2)    After the sanitary commission makes the determinations, the district shall issue the bonds in accordance with the determinations.
(b)    The sanitary commission:
(1)    Shall determine the form of the bonds;
(2)    Shall determine the manner of execution of the bonds;
(3)    Shall determine the denominations of the bonds;
(4)    Shall determine the place, which may be any bank or trust company, where the principal and interest of the bonds will be paid;
(5)    Shall determine whether interest coupons will be attached to the bonds and, if so, the form of the coupons;
(6)    May determine whether the bonds will be issued in:
(i)    Coupon form;
(ii)    Registered form; or
(iii)    Coupon form and registered form;
(7)    May determine whether coupon form bonds will be registered as to:
(i)    Principal; or
(ii)    Principal and interest;
(8)    May determine a method for reconverting into coupon form bonds any bonds that are registered as to principal and interest;
(9)    May determine whether the district will redeem bonds before maturity, and if so, shall specify:
(i)    The terms and conditions the sanitary commission will impose as to redemption before maturity; and
(ii)    The method the sanitary commission will use in determining the prices the district will pay to redeem bonds before maturity;
(10)    Shall determine any other condition, term, or provision as to the bonds that the sanitary commission is required to make under this subtitle; and
(11)    May determine any other condition, term, or provision as to the bonds that the sanitary commission is allowed to make under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-686 - Required Contents of Bonds

Bonds issued under this subtitle shall:
(1)    Be dated;
(2)    Bear interest at the rate or rates that the sanitary commission determines;
(3)    Bear the seal of the district;
(4)    Be signed for the district;
(5)    Bear maturity dates that:
(i)    Are determined by the sanitary commission; and
(ii)    Are not more than 40 years from the date of issue; and
(6)    Subject to the limitation on liability of each member county of a multiple county district under § 9-696 of this subtitle, be endorsed by each member county as follows: “The payment of interest when due and the principal at maturity is guaranteed by .......... (name of member county), Maryland”.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-687 - Signing of Bonds

(a)    An officer of the district shall sign the bonds for the district.
(b)    Within 10 days after the sanitary commission submits the bonds to a member county for endorsement, the endorsement of the member county guaranteeing the bond shall be signed by:
(1)    The clerk or secretary of the governing body of the member county; and
(2)    (i)    The chief executive officer of the member county; or
(ii)    Another officer of the member county authorized by a resolution of the governing body of the member county to sign the endorsement.
(c)    The validity of a signature or facsimile of a signature made under this section is not affected by the fact that the individual whose signature is on the bond no longer holds the office that authorized the individual to sign the bond, even if the bond is delivered after that individual leaves the office.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-688 - Sale of Bonds

(a)    In the manner that the sanitary commission determines to be in the best interest of the district and the member counties, a district may sell bonds issued under this subtitle:
(1)    At public or private sale; and
(2)    At a price that meets the requirements of this section.
(b)    The district may not sell bonds at a price so low that the effective rate of interest is greater than the rate of interest that the sanitary commission has determined for the bonds.
(c)    The effective interest rate of the bonds shall be computed:
(1)    Without regard to any premium that might be paid to redeem the bonds before maturity; and
(2)    Otherwise in accordance with standard tables of bond values.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-689 - Status of Bonds

Bonds issued under this subtitle are:
(1)    Fully negotiable within the meaning of and for all the purposes of Title 8 of the Commercial Law Article; and
(2)    Exempt from all State, county, and city taxation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-690 - Temporary Bonds and Receipts

(a)    Before the definitive bonds are available for delivery to bond holders, the district may issue:
(1)    Interim receipts for payment for the bonds; or
(2)    Temporary bonds with or without coupons.
(b)    The interim receipts or temporary bonds may be exchanged for definitive bonds when the definitive bonds are available.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-692 - Use of Bond Proceeds

(a)    A district may use the proceeds from bonds issued under this subtitle only:
(1)    To pay costs incurred for the projects for which the bonds were issued; or
(2)    In accordance with this section.
(b)    The district shall disburse the proceeds as the sanitary commission provided in its authorizing resolution.
(c)    (1)    If the proceeds from bonds issued under this subtitle are insufficient to pay the costs incurred for the projects for which the bonds were issued, the district may issue additional bonds to make up the deficit.
(2)    Unless the sanitary commission provided otherwise in its authorizing resolution, bonds issued under this subsection:
(i)    Are deemed to be from the same series that originally was issued for the project; and
(ii)    Shall be repaid without preference to or priority for the bonds that already were issued for the project.
(d)    If the proceeds from bonds issued under this subtitle exceed the costs incurred for the projects for which the bonds were issued and if the authorizing resolution so requires, the district shall use the surplus to retire bonds of the same series.
(e)    If the proceeds from bonds issued under this subtitle exceed the costs incurred for the projects for which the bonds were issued and if the authorizing resolution does not otherwise require:
(1)    The district shall use the surplus to pay the next payment of principal on the bonds;
(2)    The sanitary commission shall adopt a resolution that authorizes the use of the surplus to pay for other projects that are in the same service areas as the projects for which the bonds were issued and then use the surplus in accordance with the resolution; or
(3)    The district shall use the surplus to cancel bonds of the same series by buying the bonds on the open market at a price that:
(i)    Does not include a premium of more than 5 percent of the par value; and
(ii)    The sanitary commission determines to be in the best interests of the district and the member counties served by the projects for which the bonds having excess proceeds were issued.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-693 - Refunding Bonds

In accordance with the provisions of this subtitle that generally govern the issuance of bonds, any district may issue refunding bonds to refund, pay, or discharge the principal or interest of:
(1)    Any other bond issued under this subtitle; and
(2)    Any other indebtedness incurred to acquire or construct a project.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-696 - Multiple County Districts; Proportionate Liability of Member Counties

If bonds issued under this subtitle are guaranteed by more than 1 member county, the liability of each member county on its guarantee is in proportion to the assessable base of that part of the property of the county that is in the service areas for which the bonds were issued as that proportion relates to the assessable base of all property in all the service areas for which the bonds were issued.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VIII - Bonds › Section 9-697 - Miscellaneous Bond Provisions

(a)    Each person who has a duty to act in the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued under this subtitle shall perform promptly the act that is required.
(b)    (1)    Before a series of bonds is issued under this subtitle, the governing body of each member county that will be affected by the series shall advance to the district not more than $25,000.
(2)    From the first proceeds available from the sale of the bonds, the district shall repay the advances made by the member counties.
(c)    Unless the approval is required under this subtitle, a district is not required to obtain the approval of any entity before it issues bonds.
(d)    The provisions of §§ 19–205 and 19–206 of the Local Government Article do not apply to bonds issued under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IX - Miscellaneous Provisions; Prohibited Acts; Penalties › Section 9-698 - Miscellaneous Provisions

(a)    Before a person may dig in or do any other construction on any way in a service area, the person shall obtain from the sanitary commission approval of the digging or construction.
(b)    To obtain approval, the person shall file with the sanitary commission a plan for the digging or construction that shows the depth and location of each:
(1)    Conduit;
(2)    Main;
(3)    Pipe;
(4)    Pole; and
(5)    Other structure.
(c)    If approval of the plans has been obtained from the sanitary commission, before a person may do any digging or construction different from the approved plans, the person shall:
(1)    Submit a new plan that shows the changes in the information required for the original plan; and
(2)    Obtain approval from the sanitary commission to do the digging or construction according to the new plan.
(d)    If any obstruction has been constructed in, on, or under a way in violation of this section and if the sanitary commission is required to move that obstruction to build or operate a project:
(1)    The district may move the obstruction and charge the cost of moving the obstruction to:
(i)    The person who constructed or installed the obstruction; or
(ii)    Any successor in interest to that person;
(2)    The owner of the obstruction is not entitled to compensation under this subtitle for moving the obstruction; and
(3)    The district is not liable for damage done to the obstruction.
(e)    Before beginning work on the plumbing system on any property in a service area, a person shall:
(1)    Obtain from the district a permit to do the plumbing work;
(2)    Pay to the district the permit fee that the sanitary commission requires; and
(3)    Allow the sanitary commission to inspect the plumbing work.
(f)    Before connecting the plumbing system of any property to a water pipe or sewer pipe operated by the district, a person shall:
(1)    Obtain from the district a permit to make the connection; and
(2)    Comply with any additional conditions that the sanitary commission requires.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IX - Miscellaneous Provisions; Prohibited Acts; Penalties › Section 9-699 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties

(a)    A person may not:
(1)    Interfere with an inspection made under authority of § 9-606 of this subtitle;
(2)    Violate § 9-661 of this subtitle by failing:
(i)    To maintain at least 1 sanitary toilet and wash basin as a part of any plumbing system that is used on any parcel after it is connected to a connector; or
(ii)    To disconnect and close each cesspool, sink, drain, and privy on a parcel after it is connected to a connector;
(3)    Violate a water conservation order;
(4)    Construct or operate an independent system in violation of § 9-664 of this subtitle;
(5)    Fail to move an obstruction in violation of § 9-669 of this subtitle;
(6)    Fail, in violation of § 9-697(a) of this subtitle, to perform any act required of that person in paying principal or interest on bonds issued under this subtitle;
(7)    Use, for any purpose other than repaying in accordance with this subtitle, any funds that, under this subtitle, are required to be used to pay principal and interest on bonds;
(8)    Violate § 9-698 of this subtitle;
(9)    Operate, or make any connection to a fire hydrant, unless the act is done:
(i)    With written permission of the sanitary commission; or
(ii)    By a fire department in discharge of its duties; or
(10)    Deface, damage, or obstruct a fire hydrant.
(b)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment in jail not exceeding 30 days or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part I - Definitions › Section 9-701 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Municipal authority” means:
(1)    The mayor and council of a municipality;
(2)    The town commissioners of a municipality; or
(3)    Any other governing body of a municipality.
(c)    “System” means:
(1)    A water supply system;
(2)    A sewerage system;
(3)    A drainage system; or
(4)    A refuse disposal system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-704 - Construction of Part Ii of This Subtitle

(a)    Except for Subtitles 2, 5, and 9 of this title, any act or part of an act that is inconsistent with the provisions of Part II of this subtitle is repealed to the extent of the inconsistency.
(b)    The provisions of Part II of this subtitle do not affect any power or duty of:
(1)    The Secretary;
(2)    The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission;
(3)    The Anne Arundel County Sanitary Commission;
(4)    The Baltimore County Metropolitan District; or
(5)    Baltimore City.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-705 - Powers of Municipal Authorities

A municipal authority may:
(1)    Construct a system in a municipality;
(2)    Extend or alter an existing system;
(3)    Maintain and operate a system constructed, extended, altered, or acquired under this subtitle;
(4)    Make a contract or an agreement with another municipal authority, or with any sanitary commission, sanitary district, county, State, or federal authority about the construction, alteration, maintenance, or operation of a system;
(5)    In order to exercise any power set out in this subtitle with regard to any part of any system, acquire by purchase, in fee or as an easement, from any owner, or if the owner objects, by condemnation, any property inside or outside the municipality, including:
(i)    Land;
(ii)    Structures;
(iii)    Buildings;
(iv)    Watercourses;
(v)    Water rights; and
(vi)    Any privately owned system;
(6)    Do any work necessary to carry out any activity under item (1), (2), or (3) of this section, including:
(i)    Preliminary work;
(ii)    Setting compensation for and appointing a workforce; and
(iii)    Entering a highway to work on a system, water main, sewer, drain, or related equipment, if the municipal authority:
1.    Has a permit to do the work;
2.    Leaves the highway in a condition at least as good as that existing before entry; and
3.    Pays all costs for cleanup and repair;
(7)    Establish street lines and grades, or grant approval to any person to establish street lines and grades, for the proper construction, establishment, or extension of any water, sewerage, or drainage system under the control of the municipal authority; and
(8)    Withhold water, sewerage, or drainage service from any property that abuts on any street for which a person establishes lines and grades without the approval of the municipal authority.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-706 - Condemnation

(a)    Whenever a municipal authority acquires any property by condemnation under this subtitle, the proceedings shall be in accordance with this section and Title 12 of the Real Property Article.
(b)    Notwithstanding any appeal or other proceeding by a defendant, the municipal authority may enter and take possession of the condemned property at any time at least 10 days after the return and recordation of the judgment if the municipal authority pays to the clerk of court:
(1)    The amount of the award;
(2)    All costs to date; and
(3)    All taxes to date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-707 - Takeover of Privately Owned System

(a)    In addition to the requirements of § 9-706 of this subtitle, whenever a municipal authority acquires a privately owned system under this subtitle, the provisions of this section apply.
(b)    If a municipal authority takes possession of a privately owned system, the municipal authority:
(1)    May extend, alter, maintain, or operate the acquired system together with the municipal system;
(2)    Shall subject the property served by the acquired system to the same benefit assessment as property served by the municipal system;
(3)    May compensate any owner of property served by the acquired system for any payment by the property owner toward the construction of the acquired system; and
(4)    Shall subject an owner or the agent of the owner of property served by the acquired system to the same rules, regulations, and penalties as any owner or the agent of the owner of property served by the municipal system.
(c)    If a municipal authority considers any part of the privately owned system unfit for incorporation into the municipal system, the municipal authority may disregard the unfit part of the privately owned system and extend the municipal system to serve the property served by the unfit part of the privately owned system.
(d)    The provisions of Part II of this subtitle that apply to a system constructed by the municipal authority apply to the system acquired or extended by the municipal authority under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-708 - Water Service Pipes or Sewer Connections; Abandonment of Cesspools, Drains, and Privies

(a)    A municipal authority shall:
(1)    Construct and provide at its own expense for any water main or sanitary sewer constructed or established under Part II of this subtitle, a water service pipe or sewer connection that extends from the water main or sewer to the property line of each lot that abuts on a street or right-of-way in which the water main or sewer is laid; and
(2)    When the municipal authority declares that a water main or sewer is complete and ready for use, notify each owner of abutting property that the owner shall:
(i)    Connect all spigots or hydrants, toilets, and waste drains with the water main or sewer, within a reasonable time as determined by the municipal authority; and
(ii)    Install adequate spigots or hydrants, toilets and waste drains if:
1.    There are no fixtures or drains; or
2.    The municipal authority believes that the existing fixtures or drains are improper or inadequate.
(b)    To prevent any use of or any injury to the public health, each owner of property that is connected with a sewer shall abandon, close, and leave, in the manner that the municipal authority directs, any:
(1)    Cesspool;
(2)    Drain;
(3)    Privy; or
(4)    Well that is determined by the municipal authority to be polluted or a menace to health.
(c)    (1)    After notice from the municipal authority, if a property owner in Frederick County fails to comply with the provisions of this section, the municipal authority may:
(i)    Have any necessary connections made;
(ii)    Cause any cesspool, drains, or privy to be closed and abandoned; and
(iii)    Charge the property owner with the cost of the connection or closing or both.
(2)    For purposes of this subsection, the costs:
(i)    Are a lien against the affected property until paid; and
(ii)    May be collected in the same manner as county or municipal taxes.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-709 - Removal of Obstruction

(a)    If any structure in, over, or under a public street, road, or alley in any county or municipality obstructs any work on a system, the municipal authority shall:
(1)    Give the person in control of the structure notice of the obstruction; and
(2)    Order the person in control of the structure to take any action necessary, within a time specified in the order, to enable the work to continue.
(b)    After the time specified in the order for abating the violation, a person who is served with an order under this section may not violate that order.
(c)    If any pipe or conduit laid under a public highway by a person in accordance with the terms of any permit issued or any plan approved under § 9-710 of this subtitle obstructs construction of any water main, sewer, or drain, the municipal authority shall remove or readjust the obstructing structure.
(d)    The municipality shall pay the cost of any necessary changes made under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-710 - Private Installation of Pipes or Conduits

(a)    A person shall hold a permit issued by the municipal authority before the person may lay any pipe or conduit under any public highway in a municipality.
(b)    The municipal authority shall issue a permit to lay any pipe or conduit under a public highway in the municipality if:
(1)    The person intending to lay the pipe or conduit submits to the municipal authority an adequate plan for the installation, including the size, type, and location of any pipe or conduit to be laid; and
(2)    The municipal authority approves the plan.
(c)    A person shall obtain the approval of the municipal authority for any proposed deviation from the approved plan before the person may deviate from the plan.
(d)    If a person lays a new pipe or conduit without a permit, or not in accordance with the approved plan or an approved deviation from the plan, the municipal authority shall:
(1)    Give the person reasonable notice of the violation; and
(2)    Order the person to remove or readjust any pipe or conduit within a time specified in the order.
(e)    After the time specified in the order for abating the violation, a person who is served with an order under this section may not violate that order.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-711 - Bonds Issued by Municipal Authorities -- in General

(a)    A municipal authority may issue bonds when and in the amounts needed to provide funds for all or part of a system’s:
(1)    Design;
(2)    Construction;
(3)    Extension;
(4)    Alteration;
(5)    Purchase; or
(6)    Condemnation.
(b)    The bonds issued under this subtitle:
(1)    May be issued without previous legislative authority;
(2)    May be outstanding in addition to the total indebtedness otherwise permitted by law;
(3)    May be of any type and denomination determined by the municipal authority, so long as no bonds mature later than 50 years from the date of issue;
(4)    Shall be exempt forever from any State, county, or municipal taxation; and
(5)    Shall be a lien on all property within the municipality that issues them.
(c)    (1)    Before issuing bonds under Part II of this subtitle, a municipal authority shall submit to a referendum of the voters of the municipality the question of whether to issue the bonds.
(2)    The referendum shall be held at:
(i)    Any regular municipal election; or
(ii)    A special municipal election, provided that the voters are given at least 20 days’ notice of the election.
(3)    The referendum ballot shall include the words “for ... bonds” and “against ... bonds”.
(4)    If a majority of the votes cast are “for ... bonds”, the municipal authority may issue the bonds.
(5)    If a majority of the votes cast are “against ... bonds”, the municipal authority:
(i)    May not issue the bonds; but
(ii)    May submit the question at any later regular or special municipal election as provided under this section, until a majority of the votes cast is “for ... bonds”.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-712 - Bonds Issued by Municipal Authorities -- Tax Levy to Pay Interest and Principal

(a)    While any bonds issued under Part II of this subtitle are outstanding, the municipal authority annually shall levy a tax against all of the assessable property served within the municipality to pay the principal and interest on the bonds.
(b)    The tax shall be:
(1)    Sufficient to pay:
(i)    When due, the principal and interest on the bonds; or
(ii)    The part of the principal or interest on the bonds that is not paid for by the levy of the annual front-foot assessment under § 9-713 of this subtitle or by the service charges collected under § 9-714 of this subtitle; and
(2)    Treated the same as any other municipal tax in every respect, including as to:
(i)    Priority rights;
(ii)    Interest;
(iii)    Penalties; and
(iv)    Manner of determination, levy, and collection.
(c)    (1)    Each person involved in the levy or collection of the taxes shall perform the duties promptly and properly.
(2)    A person may not use any funds collected under this section for any purpose other than the payment of principal and interest on the bonds.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-713 - Bonds Issued by Municipal Authorities -- Front-Foot Assessment to Pay Principal and Interest

(a)    To pay all or any part of the principal or interest on or to retire any outstanding bonds issued under Part II of this subtitle, the municipal authority may levy an annual front–foot assessment against any property that abuts on any street, road, alley, or right–of–way in which a water pipe, sewer, or drain is laid, or from which refuse is collected.
(b)    To set front–foot assessment rates, the municipal authority may:
(1)    Classify any property according to its use;
(2)    Determine a fair and reasonable frontage length for:
(i)    Any corner lot fronting on more than one street;
(ii)    Any irregular shaped lot fronting on more than one street;
(iii)    Any shallow lot fronting on more than one street;
(iv)    Any agricultural property; or
(v)    Any small acreage; and
(3)    Change the classifications or the front–foot assessment rates from year to year, but the rate for all property assessed in the municipality for any year shall be uniform within each classification.
(c)    (1)    The municipal authority shall notify each owner of assessed property in writing as to:
(i)    The classification of the property;
(ii)    The amount of the assessment; and
(iii)    The time and place for a hearing on the classification of the property and the benefit charges assessed against the property.
(2)    The classification of the property and the benefit charges assessed against the property shall be final, subject only to modification at the hearing.
(d)    (1)    The benefit charges are in default if not paid within 60 days after the date of levy.
(2)    The levy bears interest at the rate of 1 percent a month for each month after the time the benefit charges are in default.
(3)    The front–foot assessment charges are a first lien on the assessed property, subject only to prior State and county charges.
(4)    The municipal authority may enforce the lien by filing in an appropriate court a complaint for a judgment against the property owner and for execution on the judgment.
(e)    The municipal authority may provide terms for the extinguishment by property owners of annual front–foot benefit charges, if the extinguishment arrangement provides for the necessary payments on the outstanding bonds.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-714 - Service Charges to Pay Interest and Principal on Bonds and to Pay Other Costs

(a)    A municipal authority may set, collect, and, if necessary, modify service rates to provide funds:
(1)    To pay all or part of the principal and interest on bonds issued under Part II of this subtitle; and
(2)    To pay for the cost of maintenance, repair, and operation, including overhead expenses and depreciation allowance, of systems constructed under Part II of this subtitle.
(b)    The service rates shall be:
(1)    Chargeable against all property served by any system under the ownership of the municipal authority; and
(2)    Collectible against the owner of the property served, in the same manner as other debts are collectible at law.
(c)    The municipal authority may set:
(1)    The time for payment; and
(2)    The penalties for nonpayment.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-715 - Right of Entry

(a)    To carry out any official duty under Part II of this subtitle, a representative of a municipal authority, at any reasonable time, may enter on any private property or into any building that is within the jurisdiction of the municipality.
(b)    An owner, tenant, or agent of the owner or tenant may not:
(1)    Refuse to grant entry to any representative of the municipal authority who asks to enter on private property or into a building under this section; or
(2)    Interfere with the carrying out of any official duty of any representative of any municipal authority under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-716 - Rules and Regulations of Municipalities

A municipal authority may adopt rules and regulations:
(1)    To provide for the maintenance and operation of any system under its control; and
(2)    To govern the installation and alteration of all water supply, plumbing, and drainage arrangements on private property, including requirements for obtaining a permit and paying a reasonable charge before doing any work on any water supply, plumbing, or drainage system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part II - Regulation by Municipalities › Section 9-717 - Penalties

A person who violates any provision of or fails to perform any duty imposed by Part II of this subtitle, or who violates any provision of or fails to perform any duty imposed by a rule, regulation, order, or permit adopted or issued under Part II of this subtitle, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days in the county jail, or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-720 - "Political Subdivision" Defined

In Part III of this subtitle, “political subdivision”:
(1)    Means any public body of this State that owns or operates any water or sewerage system, including:
(i)    A county;
(ii)    A commission;
(iii)    A district; or
(iv)    A municipal corporation; and
(2)    Does not include the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-721 - Scope of Part

(a)    The powers granted to political subdivisions by Part III of this subtitle are supplementary to any other powers of the political subdivisions.
(b)    This section does not:
(1)    Invalidate any procedures initiated or completed by any political subdivision before June 1, 1972; or
(2)    Limit or modify any provision of any general or local law effective before June 1, 1972.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-722 - Connection Charges; Annual Assessment; Controlling Provisions

(a)    To provide funds for the payment of principal and interest on indebtedness that is incurred to finance any water or sewerage system, a political subdivision may:
(1)    Establish a reasonable charge that is not less than the actual cost, payable to the political subdivision, for connection with a water or sewerage system; and
(2)    Set an annual assessment, payable to the political subdivision, on all property, improved or unimproved, that abuts on any street, road, lane, alley, or right-of-way in which there is a water main or sewer.
(b)    Except for special provisions that apply only in certain political subdivisions, the provisions of §§ 9-655 through 9-658 of this title govern the imposition of assessments under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-723 - Rates and Charges for Water Service, Sewer Upkeep, and Sewer Service

(a)    Subject to any charter provisions of a chartered county or municipal corporation, any political subdivision may establish reasonable rates for water service, and reasonable charges for sewer upkeep and sewer service to provide funds for:
(1)    Maintenance, repair, and operation of any water or sewerage system; and
(2)    Payment of all or part of the principal and interest on any indebtedness that is incurred to finance any water or sewerage system.
(b)    The rates and charges are chargeable against all property that is connected to any water or sewer pipe that the political subdivision owns or supervises.
(c)    Subject to any necessary modification and to the provisions of this section, the rates and charges shall be uniform throughout each water or sewerage district.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-725 - Sewer Upkeep

The charge for the upkeep on sewers shall be:
(1)    Collected annually; and
(2)    A first lien on any property connected to any sewer pipe the political subdivision owns or supervises.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-726 - Sewer Service

(a)    The political subdivision shall:
(1)    Select a reasonable basis for imposing the sewer service charge; and
(2)    Collect the sewer service charge once, twice, or four times a year.
(b)    If any bill for sewer service remains unpaid after 60 days from the date the bill was sent:
(1)    The bill shall be collectible from the owner of the property served in the same manner and subject to the same interest as taxes are collectible in the county in which the water or sewerage system lies; and
(2)    The sewer service charges shall be a first lien on the property.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-726.1 - Disconnection for Unpaid Sewer Service

(a)    If a bill for sewerage service is unpaid for 45 days after being sent, a political subdivision may disconnect water service to the property.
(b)    Before disconnecting water service under this section, the political subdivision shall provide notice:
(1)    By mail sent to the last known address of the owner of the property; or
(2)    By posting the notice on the premises of the property served.
(c)    (1)    This subsection applies if a political subdivision:
(i)    Provides sewerage service to a property; but
(ii)    Does not provide water service to the property and water service is provided to the property by another political subdivision or by a private water company.
(2)    If a political subdivision advises another political subdivision or a private water company that a bill for sewerage service is unpaid for 45 days after being sent, subject to the notice provisions under subsection (b) of this section, the political subdivision or private water company informed of the unpaid bill may disconnect water service to the property.
(d)    (1)    Before reconnecting water service, a political subdivision may require full payment of the sewerage bill plus a reconnection charge reasonably related to the cost of reconnection, as established by regulation of the political subdivision.
(2)    A private water company may apply a reasonable reconnection charge, in accordance with the ratemaking requirements of Title 4 of the Public Utilities Article, when it reconnects water service.
(e)    This subsection does not preclude the use of any other procedure available to a political subdivision to collect unpaid sewerage charges.
(f)    (1)    This subsection applies only to property subject to a condominium regime established under Title 11 of the Real Property Article.
(2)    Notwithstanding any other law, if the political subdivision directly bills the governing body of a condominium or a person designated by the governing body of a condominium for water or sewer usage charges for all or a portion of the units in a condominium property, and a charge is in default for at least 60 days, the political subdivision or private water company informed of the unpaid bill shall post notice conspicuously at or near the entry to the common area of the condominium.
(3)    The political subdivision may enter onto the common area of a condominium property at a reasonable time to post the notice required under this subsection.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-727 - Hearings

Before setting or modifying a rate, charge, or assessment under this section, for any water or sewerage system it constructs or acquires, the political subdivision shall:
(1)    Give prompt notice of the proposed rate, charge, or assessment in at least 1 newspaper of general circulation in the area of the water or sewerage system; and
(2)    Conduct a public hearing on the necessity or advisability of the proposed rates, charges, or assessments.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 7 - Regulation by Municipalities and Political Subdivisions › Part III - Assessments, Rates, and Charges by Political Subdivisions for Water and Sewerage Service › Section 9-728 - Disconnecting and Restoring Services by Political Subdivision

(a)    A political subdivision may disconnect service to a property on a finding or notification from the governing body of the political subdivision in which the property is located that the property is:
(1)    A vacant lot; or
(2)    Cited as vacant and unfit for habitation on a housing or building violation notice.
(b)    Subject to subsection (c) of this section, on request by the owner of the property, the political subdivision shall restore service to a property where service was disconnected in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(c)    (1)    A political subdivision may require proof that all housing and building violation notices on a property have been resolved prior to restoring service under subsection (b) of this section.
(2)    Prior to restoring service under subsection (b) of this section, a political subdivision may require the owner of the property to pay:
(i)    All unpaid fees, charges, or assessments for service at the property; and
(ii)    Any reconnection fees for service at the property.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 8 - Sewerage Facilities Bond Act › Section 9-801 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Development” means:
(1)    Planning;
(2)    Acquisition by gift, purchase, lease, or eminent domain;
(3)    Construction;
(4)    Reconstruction;
(5)    Improvement; or
(6)    Extension.
(c)    “Governing body” includes any body or board that is in charge of the finances of a municipality.
(d)    “Municipality” means any municipal corporation of this State.
(e)    “Resolution” means any resolution or ordinance adopted by any governing body.
(f)    “Revenue” includes, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1)    The revenue currently derived from any existing sewerage facility that is being developed; and
(2)    The revenue to be derived from any subsequent developments to the sewerage facility.
(g)    “Sewerage facility” means all or any part of any plant, property, works, system, or facility that is used or useful in connection with the collection, treatment, or disposal of sewage, waste, garbage, or stormwater.