reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 1 - Commissioners › Section 17-104 - Removal of Commissioners

(a)    A commissioner may be removed before the completion of the commissioner’s term:
(1)    in Montgomery County:
(i)    by the County Executive with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council; or
(ii)    unless the County Executive disapproves the resolution in writing within 30 days after its adoption, by resolution of a majority of the members of the County Council; and
(2)    in Prince George’s County, by the County Executive with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council.
(b)    (1)    Unless a hearing is waived in writing by the commissioner designated for removal, before any removal under this section, a public hearing shall be held:
(i)    in Montgomery County, by the body initiating the removal proceeding; or
(ii)    in Prince George’s County, by the County Council.
(2)    The commissioner shall be given an opportunity at the hearing to present a defense.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 1 - Commissioners › Section 17-105 - Officers

(a)    From among its members, the Commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair.
(b)    (1)    The election of the chair and vice chair shall be at the first meeting of the Commission in June of each year, or as soon after the meeting as possible.
(2)    Of the chair and vice chair:
(i)    one shall be from Montgomery County and the other shall be from Prince George’s County; and
(ii)    each office shall alternate annually between Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
(3)    (i)    By unanimous vote the Commission may waive the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection for 1 year.
(ii)    The Commission may not waive the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection for 2 successive years.
(4)    Each officer shall serve for 1 year or until a successor is elected.
(c)    Each officer shall perform the duties designated by the Commission.
(d)    (1)    If a vacancy exists in the position of chair or vice chair, the Commission promptly shall elect a new chair or vice chair for the remaining portion of the 1–year term of office.
(2)    (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if the vacancy in the position of chair or vice chair results from resignation or removal from the Commission, the election to fill the unexpired portion of the officer’s term shall be held only after the Commission vacancy has been filled.
(ii)    The Commission may elect an acting chair or vice chair to serve until the vacancy has been filled.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 1 - Commissioners › Section 17-106 - Meetings; Minutes

(a)    The Commission shall determine the times and places of its meetings.
(b)    The Commission shall keep minutes in the usual corporate form.
(c)    (1)    The votes of the commissioners shall be:
(i)    taken and recorded for any action that:
1.    authorizes, modifies, or rescinds a water or sanitary sewer extension; or
2.    adopts or amends a water or sewer program of extensions;
(ii)    taken separately; and
(iii)    recorded as yeas, nays, or abstentions.
(2)    The Commission shall record in the minutes:
(i)    the name of a commissioner who votes or abstains;
(ii)    the reason for an abstention;
(iii)    a brief summary of the matters on which a vote is taken; and
(iv)    any disclosure made under § 19–103 of this article.
(d)    The minutes shall be open to public inspection at the principal office of the Commission during business hours.
(e)    (1)    The Commission shall:
(i)    stream live video or live teleconference audio or other audio of the open meetings of the Commission; and
(ii)    maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived recording of each open meeting that is livestreamed in accordance with this subsection.
(2)    The inability of the Commission to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection due to technical failure that entirely prevents or otherwise affects the quality of the live video or audio streaming of a meeting of the Commission does not affect the validity of any action taken by the Commission during the meeting if:
(i)    the Commission otherwise complies with this section and the Open Meetings Act; and
(ii)    the inability to comply is not due to willful action by the Commission.
(3)    In addition to complying with the minutes requirements of the Open Meetings Act under § 3–306 of the General Provisions Article, if the Commission is unable to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Commission shall make good faith efforts to record an open session by video or audio and maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived recording of the meeting.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 1 - Commissioners › Section 17-107 - Compensation; Benefits; Staff

(a)    (1)    The members of the Commission are entitled to the following annual salaries:
(i)    chair     $13,500;
(ii)    vice chair     $13,000; and
(iii)    commissioners     $13,000.
(2)    The salary shall be paid every 2 weeks.
(b)    While in office, commissioners may participate in any Commission program of group health, life, and disability insurance to the same extent and under the same terms as Commission staff.
(c)    The Commission may employ a staff in accordance with the Commission’s budget.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 2 - Legal and Financial Affairs › Section 17-201 - Incorporation; Judgments; Previous Acts

(a)    (1)    The Commission is a body corporate.
(2)    The Commission may:
(i)    use a common seal;
(ii)    sue and be sued; and
(iii)    do any other corporate act for the purpose of carrying out this division.
(b)    (1)    The Commission shall certify to the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County a tax rate that will, when imposed and collected in accordance with § 22–106 of this article, produce an amount sufficient to satisfy:
(i)    a judgment against the Commission, including related costs and attorney’s fees; or
(ii)    a settlement agreement to resolve threatened or pending litigation, including related costs and attorney’s fees.
(2)    The Commission shall certify the tax rate under paragraph (1) of this subsection at the beginning of the taxable year for property taxes of the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County immediately following the date of the judgment or settlement agreement described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3)    The tax rate described in this subsection is in addition to any tax required under this division for interest, serial bonds, or sinking fund requirements.
(c)    All acts, orders, and regulations previously passed by the Commission while sitting in the District of Columbia are ratified and shall be given the same force and effect as if passed in the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 2 - Legal and Financial Affairs › Section 17-204 - Contracts With Federal, State, County, or Municipal Authorities. [Effective Until April 24, 2028]

(a)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Commission may enter into a contract or agreement concerning the construction, maintenance, and operation of the water supply, sewer, or drainage systems under its control or under the control or ownership of the District of Columbia or any other agency, authority, or commission specified in this section.
(2)    The Commission may enter into a contract or agreement under paragraph (1) of this subsection with:
(i)    the District of Columbia;
(ii)    any federal, state, county, or municipal authority in the State or any other state; or
(iii)    any public water, sewer, or drainage commission in the State or any other state.
(b)    The Commission may contract with, as a primary party or as a subcontractor, or invest in any person for the ownership, joint–venturing, management, operation, supervision, assistance, participation, or any other activity relating to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, or management of water or wastewater systems, including systems, services, expertise, intellectual property, and techniques developed in connection with, or usable or marketable with respect to, water or wastewater systems.
(c)    (1)    Any contract or agreement entered into under this section has the full effect of a contract between the District of Columbia and the State or between the other agencies, authorities, or persons described in the section and this State.
(2)    The authority granted in this section is in addition to, and is not limited by, the authority granted by any other Act of the General Assembly.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 2 - Legal and Financial Affairs › Section 17-205 - Products and Technologies

(a)    In this section, “product” or “technology” does not include water or sewer service provided as part of the primary mission of the Commission in the sanitary district or through systems connected directly to and operated as part of the water and sewer system in the sanitary district.
(b)    Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Commission may sell, lease, or license to the public, or enter into a contract concerning:
(1)    any product or technology that is produced or developed by the Commission in the normal course of operations, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights;
(2)    any service directly related to a product or technology described in item (1) of this subsection; or
(3)    any system, service, expertise, intellectual property, or technique developed, owned, or controlled by or under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(c)    The Commission may adopt a price structure for an item described in subsection (b) of this section based on any factors that the Commission considers relevant, including:
(1)    the costs of creating, developing, reproducing, and delivering the product or technology;
(2)    overhead and labor costs; and
(3)    the fair market value of the product or technology.
(d)    (1)    The Commission shall account for expenditures and revenues resulting from sales under this section by establishing a separate set of accounts.
(2)    The accounts established under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be itemized and included in the Commission’s annual budget.
(e)    The Commission shall use any net revenues earned from projects and contracts entered into under this section to stabilize or reduce rates and to reduce debt.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 2 - Legal and Financial Affairs › Section 17-206 - Projects

(a)    The Commission may finance initial program development costs and other project costs for a project subject to this subtitle from Commission funding sources other than revenue bond proceeds only if those costs are reimbursed from project revenues.
(b)    In any fiscal year, funding of initial program development costs and other project costs under subsection (a) of this section may not exceed an amount equal to 3% of the gross revenues of the Commission from water service charges and sewer usage charges for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
(c)    Any project, contract, or transaction entered into under this subtitle that uses revenue bonds issued under Title 22, Subtitle 2 of this article shall be entered into by the Commission through the use of:
(1)    a limited liability company;
(2)    a limited liability partnership;
(3)    a limited partnership; or
(4)    another comparable limited liability entity or arrangement.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 3 - Payment of Commission Obligations › Section 17-301 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Proper invoice” means an invoice that:
(1)    contains the contractor’s federal employer’s identification number or Social Security number;
(2)    contains the contract or purchase order number or other description of the contract; and
(3)    contains or is accompanied by the substantiating information and documentation required by regulation or contract.
(c)    “Receipt date” means the date that a proper invoice is received by the Commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 3 - Payment of Commission Obligations › Section 17-303 - Interest on Unpaid Contracts; Rate

Any amount due and payable under law and an authorized, written procurement contract that remains unpaid for more than 45 calendar days after the receipt date shall accrue interest, at the rate specified in § 11–107(a) of the Courts Article, for the period that begins 31 calendar days after the receipt date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 3 - Payment of Commission Obligations › Section 17-304 - Liability of Commission for Payment of Interest

The Commission is not liable for the payment of interest under this subtitle:
(1)    if a proper invoice for accrued interest is not submitted within 30 calendar days after the date of the Commission’s check for payment of the amount on which the interest accrued;
(2)    for more than 1 year following the 31st calendar day after the receipt date;
(3)    on amounts representing unpaid interest; or
(4)    if there is a dispute, as determined by the Commission, as to any material factor in the contract or purchase order.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-401 - Audit; Financial Statement; Public Information

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    (i)    “Payee” means a person that receives from the Commission an aggregate payment of $25,000 in a single fiscal year.
(ii)    “Payee” does not include:
1.    a Commission employee with respect to the employee’s compensation; or
2.    a Commission retiree with respect to the retiree’s retirement allowance.
(3)    “Searchable website” means a website created in accordance with this section that displays and searches payment data of the Commission.
(b)    The Commission shall:
(1)    publish annually in at least one newspaper in Montgomery County and one newspaper in Prince George’s County a copy of the current financial statement of the Commission;
(2)    employ a certified public accountant licensed to practice in the State to audit the books and accounts of the Commission;
(3)    keep available for public inspection during business hours at its principal office the annual audit and current financial statement; and
(4)    file annually with the county executives and county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, and the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Senate and House delegations to the Maryland General Assembly a certified copy of the annual audit and current financial statement.
(c)    On or before July 1, 2020, the Commission shall develop and operate a single searchable website accessible to the public at no cost through the Internet.
(d)    The searchable website shall contain Commission payment data including:
(1)    the name of each payee receiving a payment;
(2)    the location of the payee by postal zip code; and
(3)    the amount of the payment.
(e)    The searchable website shall allow the user to:
(1)    search data for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter; and
(2)    search by the following data fields:
(i)    a payee receiving a payment; and
(ii)    the zip code of a payee receiving a payment.
(f)    This section may not be construed to require the disclosure of information that is required to be kept confidential under federal, State, or local law.
(g)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the county council or county executive of Montgomery County or Prince George’s County may, in person or by a duly authorized agent, audit and examine the books and records of the Commission.
(2)    The Commission may not be required to pay the cost of the audit or examination under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-402 - Discrimination Prohibited

The Commission may not discriminate against a person on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, gender identity, genetic information, family responsibilities, or national origin.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-402.1 - Nondiscrimination Provision in Contracts

(a)    (1)    The Commission may not enter into a contract unless the contract contains a provision obliging the contractor:
(i)    not to discriminate in any manner against an employee or an applicant for employment on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, gender identity, genetic information, or national origin; and
(ii)    to include a similar nondiscrimination provision in all subcontracts.
(2)    (i)    If the nondiscrimination provision is omitted from a contract or subcontract, the Commission shall provide the contractor a reasonable opportunity to cure the defect, subject to this section.
(ii)    If the contractor fails to cure the defect:
1.    the Commission may declare the contract to be void; and
2.    the contractor is entitled to the reasonable value of work performed and materials provided by the contractor.
(iii)    If the contractor cures the defect, the contract remains in force according to its revised terms.
(b)    (1)    In accordance with this section, the Commission may compel a contractor to continue to perform under a contract if:
(i)    the contractor willfully fails to comply with the requirements of a nondiscrimination provision; and
(ii)    the contract is partially executory.
(2)    If the Commission compels performance under this subsection, the Commission:
(i)    is liable for no more than the reasonable value of work performed and materials provided by the contractor after the date on which the breach of contract was or should have been discovered; and
(ii)    shall deduct any money that has been paid under the contract from the money that comes due under item (i) of this paragraph.
(c)    (1)    If a subcontractor willfully fails to comply with the requirements of a nondiscrimination provision, the contractor may declare the subcontract to be void.
(2)    If a contractor declares a subcontract to be void under this subsection, the contractor is liable for no more than the reasonable value of work performed or materials provided by the subcontractor.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-403 - Regulations -- Generally

(a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided by this division, the Commission may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this division and any other laws the administration and enforcement of which are vested in the Commission.
(2)    The Commission may:
(i)    limit or regulate the use and supply of water service and sanitary sewer service on a temporary basis in any area or to any premises served by the Commission’s facilities, as the needs of the occasion and the protection of the Commission’s systems require;
(ii)    adopt regulations that the Commission considers necessary for the public safety, health, comfort, or convenience in the construction, operation, maintenance, expansion, relocation, replacement, renovation, and repair of the Commission’s water system and sanitary sewer system; and
(iii)    establish the forms of permits and specify the nature, type, and amount of information, detail, and engineering data that a person must submit to the Commission for any permit authorized or required by this division.
(b)    Except for the immediate preservation of the public health and safety or for emergency provisions required to protect the Commission’s systems, the Commission shall publish a notice of any new regulation that is authorized by this section at least 30 days before its effective date in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county of the sanitary district.
(c)    A regulation adopted by the Commission under this section has the force and authority of law.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-404 - Regulations -- Gas Fixtures, Devices, and Connections

(a)    The Commission may:
(1)    adopt regulations for the installation of fuel gas piping, appliances, appurtenances, and connections from the point of service supplying any premises in the sanitary district; and
(2)    require a permit and charge a fee for the installation of fuel gas piping, appliances, appurtenances, and connections.
(b)    The Commission shall publish a notice of any new regulation that is authorized by this section at least 30 days before its effective date in at least two newspapers of general circulation in each county of the sanitary district.
(c)    A person may not violate a regulation adopted under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-405 - Regulations -- Publicly Owned Watershed Property

(a)    Under the authority granted to the Commission under § 17–403 of this subtitle, the Commission may adopt regulations governing all publicly owned watershed property acquired by or under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(b)    (1)    The Commission shall post the watershed regulations at each public recreation site in the watershed areas.
(2)    The Commission shall publish the watershed regulations at least 30 days before their adoption in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county of the sanitary district.
(3)    (i)    The posting and publication of the watershed regulations is sufficient notice.
(ii)    The sworn certificate of a commissioner as to the posting and publication of the watershed regulations is prima facie evidence of posting and publication.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-406 - Additional Regulations

(a)    The Commission may adopt regulations governing:
(1)    erosion and sediment control for utility construction under authority of § 17–403 of this subtitle and § 4–105 of the Environment Article, after review and approval of the proposed regulations by the soil conservation districts of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County and the Department of Natural Resources;
(2)    sewer cleaning under authority of § 24–201 of this article;
(3)    plumbing under authority of § 17–403 of this subtitle and §§ 24–106, 26–102, and 26–204 of this article;
(4)    gas fitting under authority of § 17–404 of this subtitle;
(5)    required permits for public utility construction under authority of §§ 27–101 and 27–107 of this article; and
(6)    the Commission Pretreatment Program under authority of § 17–403 of this subtitle and § 9–332 of the Environment Article.
(b)    (1)    The Commission shall publish the regulations as provided under § 17–403(b) of this subtitle.
(2)    The sworn certificate of a commissioner as to the publication of the regulations is prima facie evidence of publication.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-407 - Payment for Property Damage Caused by Sanitary Sewer Backup or Water Main Break

(a)    (1)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with its regulations, the Commission may pay for actual property damage caused by:
(i)    a sanitary sewer backup; or
(ii)    a water main break on or after October 1, 1999.
(2)    Payment made by the Commission under this section is not an admission of liability.
(b)    The Commission may not pay for actual property damage caused by a sanitary sewer backup or water main break if the sanitary sewer backup, water main break, or resulting damage from the backup or break was caused by an intentional act or negligence of the owner or tenant of the property.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 4 - Miscellaneous Powers and Duties › Section 17-408 - Composting Facilities

(a)    Unless the Commission takes precautions to make a composting facility free of offensive off–site odors, the Commission may not construct the facility in an area that has more than 100 homes that are located within 5 miles of the facility.
(b)    The Commission shall adopt regulations that provide standards for the construction and operation of a composting facility that is free of offensive off–site odors.
(c)    If the Commission does not control and eliminate any offensive off–site odor that is caused by a composting facility that is constructed after July 1, 1986, the Commission shall close the facility within 4 months after the date the offensive off–site odor is emitted from the facility.
(d)    If a composting facility is closed for failure to meet any standards adopted by the Commission under this section, Montgomery County shall select an alternative method or location for the disposition of sludge located at the closed facility.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-601 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    (1)    “Abuse” means an employee’s intentional misconduct or misuse of authority or position:
(i)    involving Commission property or funds that is improper or deficient when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider reasonable under the same facts and circumstances; or
(ii)    for the purpose of furthering improperly the private interests of the employee, a family member, or a close personal or business associate.
(2)    “Abuse” includes:
(i)    theft or misappropriation of Commission property or funds; and
(ii)    destruction or alteration of official records.
(c)    (1)    “Fraud” means an intentional act or attempt to obtain something of value from the Commission or another person through willful misrepresentation.
(2)    “Fraud” includes a willful false representation of a material fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, that causes the Commission to act, or fail to act, to the detriment of the Commission’s interest.
(d)    “Office” means the Office of the Inspector General.
(e)    “Vendor” means a party obligated by contract or subcontract to provide goods, services, or property to the Commission for consideration, including contracts and subcontracts for construction and professional services related to construction.
(f)    (1)    “Waste” means an inappropriate act or omission by an employee with control over, or access to, Commission property or funds that unreasonably deprives the Commission of value.
(2)    “Waste” includes mismanagement or other unintentional conduct that is deficient or improper when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider necessary to preserve the value of Commission property or funds under the same facts and circumstances.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-604 - Investigation and Audit

(a)    The inspector general may:
(1)    investigate mismanagement, misconduct, fraud, waste, and abuse at the Commission; and
(2)    conduct an annual audit of the Commission as needed.
(b)    If the inspector general conducts an audit under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the inspector general shall submit to the Commission and the county executives of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County a copy of the audit and a summary of the reports and investigations made by the inspector general in accordance with this section.
(c)    The Commission may include any audit by the inspector general in the audit of the Commission published under § 17–401 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-605 - Duties

(a)    The Office shall:
(1)    assist the Commission by providing independent evaluation and recommendations regarding opportunities to:
(i)    preserve the Commission’s reputation; and
(ii)    improve the effectiveness, productivity, or efficiency of Commission programs, policies, practices, and operations;
(2)    ensure public accountability by preventing, investigating, and reporting instances of fraud, waste, and abuse of Commission property or funds;
(3)    examine, evaluate, and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal controls and their related accounting, financial, technology, and operational policies;
(4)    report noncompliance with and propose ways to improve employee compliance with applicable law, policy, and ethical standards of conduct;
(5)    conduct audits as required under § 25–405 of this article; and
(6)    conduct other audits related to the operation of the Commission.
(b)    In developing recommendations, the Office may:
(1)    conduct administrative investigations, budgetary analyses, and financial, management, or performance audits and similar reviews;
(2)    provide management advisories; and
(3)    utilize the assistance from any other government agency or private party to complete a project initiated by the Office.
(c)    When applicable, the inspector general shall comply with generally accepted government auditing standards.
(d)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the inspector general shall submit written reports to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s website.
(2)    The inspector general:
(i)    may not disclose any record, report, or related information that is protected from disclosure under the Public Information Act;
(ii)    may provide an oral report if appropriate under generally accepted government auditing standards; and
(iii)    shall establish and follow procedures for safeguarding the identity of confidential sources and protecting privileged and confidential information.
(3)    The Commission shall publish with any report submitted by the inspector general any official written comments or responses offered by the Commission’s management.
(4)    The inspector general shall also submit to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s website periodic reports that summarize the activities, findings, recommendations, and accomplishments of the Office.
(e)    If reasonable grounds exist to believe that a serious violation of federal, State, or local law or Commission regulations has occurred, the inspector general shall report the allegation to:
(1)    an appropriate law enforcement agency;
(2)    the State Ethics Commission;
(3)    the Commission Board of Ethics; or
(4)    any other agency with jurisdiction to enforce the law.
(f)    The Commission shall adopt regulations to ensure that the Office operates independently from the management of the Commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-606 - Work Plan and Goals

(a)    (1)    The inspector general shall consult with the Commission to develop a written work plan and establish periodic goals and priorities for the Office based on an assessment of relative risks.
(2)    In developing the work plan, the inspector general shall take into consideration requests from commissioners, Commission officers, managers, and employees, elected officials, and members of the public.
(3)    The inspector general shall make the written work plan available to the public, subject to the Public Information Act.
(b)    (1)    In performing the duties authorized under this subtitle, the inspector general shall coordinate with law enforcement agencies, agency personnel administrators, the State Ethics Commission, the Commission Board of Ethics, and other internal officials or external entities as appropriate to avoid unnecessary disruption or duplication of effort in conducting any audit, analysis, or administrative investigation.
(2)    The Commission Board of Ethics shall have primary authority for investigations of abuse related to actions specified in § 17–601(b)(1)(ii) of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-607 - Budget Amounts and Legal Services

(a)    The Commission shall include in the Commission’s annual operating budget proposal the amounts recommended for the Office.
(b)    Subject to budget authorization and adequate funds:
(1)    the Commission’s general counsel shall provide legal services to the inspector general and may employ special counsel if appropriate or required by law; and
(2)    the inspector general may employ and be represented by a special legal counsel without consent of the general counsel if the Commission approves of a request after considering any recommendation or comment offered by the general counsel relating to the request.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-608 - General Provisions

(a)    (1)    On request from the inspector general, a Commission employee or official shall promptly provide to the inspector general any available document or other information concerning Commission operations, budget, programs, or vendor contracts.
(2)    (i)    The inspector general shall notify the Commission chair, vice chair, and general manager if any Commission employee or official fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness.
(ii)    The Commission chair, vice chair, or general manager shall take administrative action to produce compliance with a pending request for information by the inspector general as warranted and appropriate.
(b)    (1)    A vendor of the Commission shall provide to the inspector general any available document or other information concerning any Commission vendor contract, including documents related to the procurement of the contract.
(2)    (i)    The inspector general shall promptly notify Commission officers if any vendor fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness.
(ii)    The Commission officers shall take appropriate administrative or civil action to produce vendor compliance with a pending request for information by the inspector general.
(c)    (1)    Each Commission employee should report any fraud, waste, or abuse to the Office.
(2)    A Commission employee, vendor, or employee of any vendor may not be retaliated against or penalized, or threatened with retaliation or penalty, for providing information to, cooperating with, or in any way assisting the inspector general and staff of the Office in connection with any activity authorized under this subtitle.
(3)    The inspector general may not disclose the identity of a person that reports an allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse unless:
(i)    the reporting person consents to disclosure of the person’s identity;
(ii)    disclosure is reasonably necessary to complete an audit or investigation; or
(iii)    another person is legally entitled to disclosure of the identity of the reporting person.
(d)    The inspector general or a staff member authorized by the inspector general may administer an oath or affirmation or take an affidavit from any person if necessary to perform the duties under this subtitle.
(e)    The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 17 - Commission › Subtitle 6 - Office of the Inspector General › Section 17-609 - Oaths and Depositions; Subpoena

(a)    The inspector general, or a staff member authorized by the inspector general, may administer oaths and take depositions and other testimony for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission.
(b)    The inspector general may subpoena any person or evidence for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission.
(c)    If a person fails to comply with a lawful order or subpoena issued under this section, on petition of the inspector general, a court of competent jurisdiction may compel:
(1)    compliance with the order or subpoena; or
(2)    testimony or the production of evidence.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-104 - Employment of Personnel; Expenditures; Reimbursement

The Commission:
(1)    may employ personnel and make expenditures necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle; and
(2)    shall reimburse the State for any reasonable cost incurred by the Department of Budget and Management in carrying out the functions under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-106 - General Duty and Authority to Manage Employees

(a)    The Commission shall organize its employees in a manner that promotes the efficient disposition of all matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction.
(b)    To carry out this division, the Commission may:
(1)    organize its employees into departments or other divisional organizations;
(2)    establish the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the general manager, secretary, treasurer, chief engineer, general counsel, inspector general, and other employees the Commission considers necessary; and
(3)    appoint, discharge, and set the compensation of its employees in accordance with this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-107 - Merit System

(a)    The Commission may establish a merit system that includes all of its employees except:
(1)    the general manager, secretary, treasurer, and chief engineer;
(2)    the head of a department;
(3)    (i)    the inspector general; and
(ii)    any temporary employee of the Office of the Inspector General appointed under § 17–603 of this article; and
(4)    a part time, temporary, or contract employee.
(b)    The Commission may:
(1)    appoint or promote a merit system employee to the position of general manager, department head, or inspector general or designate a merit system employee as the general manager, department head, or inspector general on an acting basis;
(2)    retain the employee in the merit system in the position or grade from which the employee was appointed or promoted; and
(3)    continue to exclude the positions of general manager, department head, and inspector general from the merit system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-108 - Position Classifications

(a)    The Commission shall establish a list of each position to be included under the merit system and its corresponding salary.
(b)    The Commission may:
(1)    establish additional position classifications; and
(2)    combine, alter, or abolish existing position classifications and their corresponding salaries.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-111 - Preference in Hiring and Promotion for Veterans and Their Spouses

(a)    In this section, “eligible veteran” means a veteran of any branch of the armed forces of the United States who has received an honorable discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of military service, including:
(1)    the National Guard;
(2)    the military reserves;
(3)    the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service; and
(4)    the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(b)    The Commission may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to:
(1)    an eligible veteran;
(2)    the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service–connected disability; or
(3)    the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran.
(c)    Granting a preference under subsection (b) of this section does not violate any State or local equal employment opportunity law.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-115 - Leave Time -- Annual

(a)    Each merit system employee is entitled to the number of days of annual leave with pay that the Commission specifies by regulation.
(b)    The number of days of annual leave with pay specified by a regulation adopted under this section shall be:
(1)    at least 10 days but not more than 30 days in a calendar year; and
(2)    generally consistent with the annual leave schedules provided by other governmental agencies in the area of the sanitary district.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-116 - Leave Time -- Sick

(a)    In addition to annual leave, each merit system employee is entitled to up to 15 days of sick leave with pay in a calendar year.
(b)    (1)    An employee may use sick leave at any time.
(2)    An employee who uses 3 or more consecutive days of sick leave must present a certificate from a licensed physician before the employee may receive payment for the period of absence.
(c)    An employee may accumulate unused sick leave up to 60 days or more as the Commission specifies by regulation.
(d)    The Commission, by regulation, may provide for granting a leave of absence for a longer period, with full or partial pay, to an employee who is disabled through an injury or illness  resulting or arising from the employee’s employment with the Commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-117 - Payment to Beneficiary for Salary and Unused Annual Leave

(a)    The Commission, by regulation, may provide for the designation by a merit system employee of the individual to whom the employee’s final salary payment, and any payment due for unused annual leave, should be made on the death of the employee.
(b)    (1)    The designation of the beneficiary shall be:
(i)    in writing; and
(ii)    on file with the Commission before the death of the employee.
(2)    (i)    The writing need not be in testamentary form.
(ii)    The designation and payment are not testamentary dispositions.
(c)    The Commission may make the payments described in subsection (a) of this section directly to the beneficiary designated by the employee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-118 - Pension or Retirement Plan

(a)    The Commission may establish a pension or retirement plan for its employees.
(b)    (1)    The Commission may:
(i)    contract with an insurance company for a group, annuity, retirement, or pension plan; and
(ii)    contribute to the plan as the Commission considers equitable or as required by contract.
(2)    The Commission’s contribution under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be charged as expenses of the several functions of the Commission in the same proportion that the receipts of the respective functions bear to the total receipts of the Commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-119 - Transfers of Employees

(a)    The Commission may transfer an employee from one department to another.
(b)    A transfer may not result in a diminution of an employee’s salary unless:
(1)    the  employee agrees to the reduced salary; or
(2)    the Secretary concurs in the reduction.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-121 - Temporary Separations -- Suspensions

(a)    The Commission may suspend an employee for disciplinary purposes for up to 30 days.
(b)    Each suspension shall be without pay.
(c)    An employee may not be suspended for disciplinary purposes for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-122 - Temporary Separations -- Layoffs

(a)    An employee who is laid off because a position has been abolished, discontinued, or vacated because of a change in departmental organization or because of a stoppage or lack of work shall be placed on the eligible list for the classification of position from which the employee is laid off.
(b)    If a vacancy occurs in the employee’s merit system position, the employee shall be reemployed in preference to any eligible individual who is not an employee of the Commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Public Utilities › Division II - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission › Title 18 - Personnel › Subtitle 1 - Personnel Management › Section 18-123 - Permanent Separations -- Removal

(a)    An employee may not be permanently removed except for cause and after an opportunity to be heard.
(b)    An employee who is permanently removed may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with § 4–401 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.
(c)    An employee may not be permanently removed from the merit system because of religious or political opinions or affiliations.