reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 1 - In General › Section 9-113 - Baltimore City and Montgomery County -- Residency Requirements for Chief Executive Officer

(a)    In this section, “chief executive officer” means:
(1)    the mayor of Baltimore City; or
(2)    the County Executive of Montgomery County.
(b)    This section applies only to Baltimore City and Montgomery County.
(c)    Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a candidate for chief executive officer shall be a resident of the county for at least 6 months before the general election for chief executive officer.
(d)    If the charter of a county contains a durational residency requirement that is longer than 6 months, the longer durational residency requirement shall be retained if the governing body of the county reaffirms the requirement by enactment of an ordinance no later than 4 weeks before the filing deadline specified in § 5–303(a) of the Election Law Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-201 - General Authority

A charter county:
(1)    shall have perpetual succession;
(2)    may sue and be sued;
(3)    may acquire and hold property, either absolutely or in trust for a public purpose;
(4)    may dispose of property;
(5)    may adopt a common seal; and
(6)    may adopt an ordinance, a resolution, or bylaws to exercise its powers.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-202 - Effect of Adoption of Charter

When a county becomes a charter county:
(1)    all property and franchises belonging to or in the possession of the former county commissioners of the county or any county agencies are vested in the charter county as a corporation;
(2)    an action against the former county commissioners of the county does not abate and is continued in the name of the charter county with the same effect as if originally brought against the charter county;
(3)    all liabilities, obligations, contracts, claims, and demands, accrued or to accrue, of the former county commissioners of the county are the liabilities, obligations, contracts, claims, and demands of the charter county; and
(4)    a criminal proceeding is not affected by the adoption of the charter and shall be prosecuted under the law in effect at the time of the crime.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-203 - Notice of Adoption or Rejection of Charter

After the adoption or rejection of charter home rule, a county promptly shall notify and provide copies of the adopted or rejected charter to the following:
(1)    five copies to the Department of Legislative Services;
(2)    one copy to the Secretary of State;
(3)    one copy to the State Archives; and
(4)    one copy to the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-204 - Council Members

(a)    Members of the county council of a charter county shall be elected as provided in Article XI–A, § 3A of the Maryland Constitution.
(b)    A county charter may require that a specified number of members of the county council shall:
(1)    reside in specified districts in the charter county; but
(2)    be elected by the voters of the entire county.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-205 - Power of Referendum

(a)    (1)    The voters of a charter county may reserve in the charter the power of referendum by which they may submit a local law enacted by the county council, by petition, to the voters for approval or rejection.
(2)    The charter shall specify:
(i)    what types of local laws may be petitioned to referendum; and
(ii)    whether a part of a local law may be petitioned to referendum.
(b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, in implementing procedures that relate to the power of referendum, the charter or the local laws shall provide adequate details as to time, notice, and form.
(2)    The initial notice of a referendum vote shall be given at least 30 days before the election.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-206 - Annual Duties Regarding Local Laws -- Charter Counties

(a)    (1)    At the end of each calendar or fiscal year, each charter county shall compile a complete set of all local laws enacted during that year under the Express Powers Act, Title 10 of this article.
(2)    The laws in the compilation shall be in numerical order, beginning with No. 1, and in a separate series for each year.
(b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, copies of the compilation shall be:
(i)    kept on permanent record at the office of the county council, county executive, or county manager;
(ii)    made available for inspection during regular business hours at that office; and
(iii)    provided in printed form without charge to the State Archives and the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
(2)    Annually, each charter county shall provide each member of the General Assembly representing any part of the county with:
(i)    notice that a digital copy of the compilation is available on the Internet; or
(ii)    a printed copy of the compilation without charge.
(3)    The charter county may make other copies of the compilation available at a reasonable cost to any person.
(c)    On or before March 1 of each year, the charter county shall provide without charge four printed copies of the compilation to the Department of Legislative Services.
(d)    Each charter county shall provide to the Department of Legislative Services a statement that includes information on:
(1)    the results of any referendum on a proposed local law held during the year; and
(2)    any actual or potential pending referendum that had not been held by the end of the year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 2 - Charter Counties › Section 9-207 - Annual Duties Regarding Local Laws -- Department of Legislative Services

(a)    (1)    At the end of each calendar year, the Department of Legislative Services shall ask each charter county whether the county has enacted any part of its local laws under the Express Powers Act, Title 10 of this article, during that calendar year or its latest fiscal year.
(2)    The charter county promptly shall:
(i)    answer the inquiry; and
(ii)    verify that copies of the requested enactments of local laws have already been sent to the Department of Legislative Services.
(b)    (1)    The Department of Legislative Services promptly shall certify to the Comptroller if a charter county does not comply with subsection (a) of this section or § 9–206(c) or (d) of this subtitle.
(2)    If the Department of Legislative Services certifies noncompliance, the Comptroller may discontinue all funds, grants, or State aid that the charter county is entitled to under State law relating to:
(i)    the income tax;
(ii)    the tax on racing;
(iii)    the recordation tax;
(iv)    the admissions and amusement tax; and
(v)    license taxes or fees.
(c)    The Department of Legislative Services shall:
(1)    arrange in a logical and convenient order the titles or the full text of the laws of each charter county that amends its county code; and
(2)    publish on the General Assembly website each title, identified as a title of the laws of a charter county that amends its county code, or the full text of the laws of each charter county that amends its county code.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-301 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Code home rule” means a form of county government organized under Article XI–F of the Maryland Constitution.
(c)    “Public local law” has the meaning stated in Article XI–F, § 1 of the Maryland Constitution.
(d)    “Voter” means an individual who is registered to vote under Title 3, Subtitle 1 of the Election Law Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-302 - Classes of Code Counties

(a)    (1)    There are four classes of code counties, based on the geographic region of the State where the county is located.
(2)    The geographic regions of the State are:
(i)    Central Maryland, consisting of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County;
(ii)    Eastern Shore, consisting of Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County;
(iii)    Southern Maryland, consisting of Calvert County, Charles County, and St. Mary’s County; and
(iv)    Western Maryland, consisting of Allegany County, Garrett County, and Washington County.
(b)    Unless limited to one or more classes listed in this section, a public general law enacted by the General Assembly that applies to code counties applies to each code county, regardless of class.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-304 - Notice of Intent to Adopt Home Rule

(a)    If the county commissioners decide to formally consider adopting code home rule, the county commissioners shall:
(1)    hold at least two public hearings in the county on the proposal; and
(2)    publish notice of the date, time, and place of each public hearing in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county:
(i)    at least three times;
(ii)    at weekly intervals; and
(iii)    in a period of not more than 30 days before the first public hearing.
(b)    At the hearings, the residents and taxpayers of the county shall be given the opportunity to be heard on the proposal to adopt code home rule.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-305 - Resolution to Adopt Home Rule

(a)    Within 60 days after the last public hearing, the county commissioners shall decide whether to adopt code home rule.
(b)    To adopt code home rule, the county commissioners shall adopt a resolution by at least a two–thirds majority of all the individuals elected to the board of county commissioners.
(c)    The resolution shall state that, subject to approval at referendum, the county shall operate under Article XI–F of the Maryland Constitution.
(d)    The county commissioners shall send a certified copy of the resolution to the county board of elections.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-306 - Referendum on Home Rule

(a)    The county board of elections shall submit the question of code home rule to the voters of the county for their adoption or rejection:
(1)    at the next regular congressional election; and
(2)    in accordance with the requirements of the Election Law Article as to time, notice, and form.
(b)    The ballot shall contain the words “For Adoption of Code Home Rule” and “Against Adoption of Code Home Rule”.
(c)    Within 10 days after receiving a certification of the vote on the referendum from the county board of elections:
(1)    if a majority of those who voted on the question voted in favor of adoption of code home rule:
(i)    the county commissioners publicly shall so proclaim; and
(ii)    on the 30th day after the public proclamation, the county shall become a code county; or
(2)    if less than a majority of those who voted on the question voted in favor of adoption of code home rule:
(i)    the county commissioners publicly shall so proclaim; and
(ii)    the proclamation shall state that the proposal to adopt code home rule is not approved.
(d)    After the adoption or rejection of code home rule, the county commissioners promptly shall send notification as follows:
(1)    five copies to the Department of Legislative Services;
(2)    one copy to the Secretary of State;
(3)    one copy to the State Archives; and
(4)    one copy to the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-309 - Legislative Days

(a)    By public local law, the county commissioners of a code county shall establish a specified number of days, not exceeding 45 days, in each year on which the county commissioners may meet to enact public local laws.
(b)    (1)    Legislative days:
(i)    need not be consecutive; and
(ii)    may be designated by public local law.
(2)    If a legislative day is not specified or not determinable by public local law, the county commissioners shall publish notice of the legislative day in a newspaper of general circulation in the code county between 3 and 14 days before the legislative day.
(c)    (1)    The first legislative session of a code county shall:
(i)    begin on the first business day 60 days after the effective date of code home rule; and
(ii)    be 15 days long.
(2)    The 15 days of the first legislative session do not count as part of the annual 45 legislative days.
(d)    Each legislative session shall be open to the public.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-310 - Requirements for Public Local Laws

(a)    Each public local law of a code county shall be passed by original bill.
(b)    The style of the enacting clause for each bill shall be “Be it enacted by …”.
(c)    Each public local law enacted shall embrace only one subject, which shall be described in the title of the bill.
(d)    A public local law may not be repealed or amended by reference to its title only.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-312 - Effective Dates of Public Local Laws

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a public local law enacted by the county commissioners of a code county takes effect:
(1)    45 days after it is enacted; or
(2)    at a later date specified in the public local law.
(b)    (1)    A public local law takes effect on the date of its passage if it is passed as an emergency bill.
(2)    An emergency bill may not:
(i)    abolish or create an office;
(ii)    change a salary, term, or duty of an officer;
(iii)    grant a franchise or special privilege; or
(iv)    create a vested right or interest.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-313 - Referendum on Public Local Law

(a)    (1)    The voters of a code county may submit to referendum, by petition, a public local law or a part of a public local law enacted under this subtitle.
(2)    The referendum shall be:
(i)    at the next regular congressional election unless the county commissioners, by resolution, schedule a special election;
(ii)    in accordance with the requirements of Title 7 of the Election Law Article as to time, notice, and form; and
(iii)    for adoption or rejection by a majority of those voting on the question.
(b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a referendum petition shall:
(i)    be filed with the county board of elections within 40 days after a public local law is enacted; and
(ii)    contain the signatures of at least 10% of the voters of the code county.
(2)    If more than one–half but less than the full number of signatures required to complete a referendum petition against a public local law are filed within 40 days after the public local law is enacted, the time for the public local law to take effect and the time for filing the remainder of signatures to complete the referendum petition is extended for an additional 40 days.
(c)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a referendum petition may consist of several papers.
(2)    Each paper shall:
(i)    contain the full text of the public local law or part of the public local law petitioned to referendum; and
(ii)    have attached to it an affidavit of the individual who procured the signatures on the petition that certifies that to the best of the individual’s personal knowledge, information, and belief:
1.    each signature on the petition is genuine; and
2.    the signers are voters in the code county.
(d)    The county board of elections shall verify the voter registration of each signer.
(e)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a legally sufficient referendum petition on a public local law is filed with the county board of elections, the public local law does not take effect until 30 days after its approval by a majority of the voters voting on the question.
(2)    An emergency law petitioned to referendum:
(i)    remains in effect from its effective date notwithstanding the filing of the referendum petition; but
(ii)    is repealed 30 days after its rejection by a majority of the voters voting on the question.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-314 - Annual Duties Regarding Local Laws -- Code Counties

(a)    At the end of each calendar or fiscal year, each code county shall compile a complete set of all public local laws enacted by the code county during that year.
(b)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, copies of the compilation shall be:
(i)    kept on permanent record at the office of the county commissioners;
(ii)    made available for inspection during regular business hours at the office; and
(iii)    provided in printed form without charge to the State Archives and the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.
(2)    Annually, each code county shall provide each member of the General Assembly representing any part of the county with:
(i)    notice that a digital copy of the compilation is available on the Internet; or
(ii)    a printed copy of the compilation without charge.
(3)    The code county may make other copies of the compilation available at a reasonable cost to any person.
(c)    On or before March 1 of each year, the code county shall provide without charge four printed copies of the compilation to the Department of Legislative Services.
(d)    Each code county shall provide to the Department of Legislative Services a statement that includes information on:
(1)    the results of any referendum on a public local law held during the previous calendar or fiscal year; and
(2)    any actual or potential pending referendum that has not been held by the end of the year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 3 - Code Counties › Section 9-315 - Annual Duties Regarding Local Laws -- Department of Legislative Services

(a)    (1)    At the end of each calendar year, the Department of Legislative Services shall ask each code county whether the county has enacted any part of its public local laws during that calendar year or its latest fiscal year.
(2)    The code county promptly shall:
(i)    answer the inquiry; and
(ii)    verify that copies of the requested enactments of public local laws already have been sent to the Department of Legislative Services.
(b)    (1)    The Department of Legislative Services promptly shall certify to the Comptroller if a code county does not comply with subsection (a) of this section or § 9–314(c) or (d) of this subtitle.
(2)    If the Department of Legislative Services certifies noncompliance, the Comptroller may discontinue all funds, grants, or State aid that the code county is entitled to under State law relating to:
(i)    the income tax;
(ii)    the tax on racing;
(iii)    the recordation tax;
(iv)    the admissions and amusement tax; and
(v)    license taxes or fees.
(c)    The Department of Legislative Services shall:
(1)    arrange in a logical and convenient order the titles or the full text of the laws of each code county that amends its code of public local laws; and
(2)    publish on the General Assembly website each title, identified as a title of the laws of a code county that amends its code of public local laws, or the full text of the laws of each code county that amends its code of public local laws.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 4 - Code Counties and Commission Counties › Section 9-401 - County Commissioners

(a)    This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.
(b)    The number of county commissioners in each county shall be set by the public local laws of the county.
(c)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the county commissioners shall:
(i)    meet within 60 days after their election; and
(ii)    qualify by taking the constitutional oath.
(2)    The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall take office on the first Monday in December after their election.
(d)    (1)    The county commissioners shall meet at least once each quarter.
(2)    The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall meet at least 48 times a year.
(3)    The County Commissioners of Washington County shall hold at least 10 of their general meetings each year in the evening.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 4 - Code Counties and Commission Counties › Section 9-402 - Vacancy in Office of County Commissioner

(a)    This section applies only to:
(1)    commission counties; and
(2)    except as otherwise provided by local law, code counties.
(b)    (1)    Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a vacancy occurs in an office of county commissioner, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
(2)    (i)    If a vacancy occurs during a session of the Senate of Maryland, the Governor shall appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(ii)    In Allegany County, if there is no resident senator from Allegany County in the Senate of Maryland at the time of the appointment, the Governor shall appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the House of Delegates.
(iii)    If a vacancy occurs during a recess of the Senate of Maryland, the Governor shall:
1.    appoint an individual during the recess; and
2.    submit to the Senate the nomination of the individual appointed, or another individual, not later than 30 days after the next meeting of the General Assembly begins.
(c)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (5) of this subsection, the central committee of the political party that is affiliated with the vacating county commissioner shall submit in writing to the Governor the name of the individual that the political party nominates to fill the vacancy.
(2)    The individual nominated by the central committee shall be of the same political party as the vacating county commissioner.
(3)    The Governor shall nominate or appoint the individual whose name is submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 15 days after the submission.
(4)    If there is no central committee in the county in which the vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy who has all the qualifications required for the office of county commissioner in the particular county.
(5)    In Garrett County, the nominee or appointee shall be a resident of the same commissioner district in which the former county commissioner resided.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 4 - Code Counties and Commission Counties › Section 9-404 - Legal Claims -- Generally

(a)    This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.
(b)    The county commissioners may sue and be sued.
(c)    The county commissioners may not pay a claim against the county unless:
(1)    the claim is payable by the county; and
(2)    the claimant produces legal proof of the claim.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 4 - Code Counties and Commission Counties › Section 9-405 - Ethics

(a)    This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.
(b)    This section does not apply to a county that has adopted local ethics laws under §§ 5–808 and 5–809 of the General Provisions Article if the local ethics laws have been approved by the State Ethics Commission.
(c)    During a county commissioner’s term of office, the county commissioner may not:
(1)    possess or acquire any share or interest in, or have or participate in, either directly or indirectly, any benefit, profit, or compensation of any agreement or contract entered into with any party by the county commissioners as county commissioners; or
(2)    accept, possess, or acquire any claim, or any share or interest in any claim, on or against the county of which the individual is a commissioner if the claim has been or will be passed on and approved by the county commissioners.
(d)    (1)    If a county commissioner violates the provisions of this section, the county commissioner is subject to prosecution.
(2)    A county commissioner who is convicted under this section shall forfeit:
(i)    the office; and
(ii)    the county commissioner’s share or interest in the agreement, contract, or claim in which the county commissioner was involved.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 4 - Code Counties and Commission Counties › Section 9-406 - Payment of Premium for Bonds of County Officials

(a)    This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.
(b)    This section does not apply to a clerk of court or a sheriff.
(c)    If a county treasurer, tax collector, county commissioner, or any county official is required by law to give a bond:
(1)    the county official shall give a bond executed by a surety company that is authorized to do business in the State; and
(2)    the bond shall be approved by the county.
(d)    (1)    The county may pay the premium for a bond given under subsection (c) of this section, not to exceed 0.5% per year of the penalty of an executed and approved bond.
(2)    (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, when a bond is executed and approved, the county commissioners may direct the payment of the premium of the bond from the general fund of the county in the same manner as required to pay general county debts.
(ii)    The payment of the premium on the bond given by a register of wills or State’s Attorney shall be charged as an expense of that officer.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-501 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Official action” means a phase of the process in which a public agency in St. Mary’s County makes a decision or recommendation, including receipt of information and deliberation.
(c)    (1)    “Public agency” means:
(i)    a governmental unit of St. Mary’s County, including an advisory or quasi–judicial agency, that is:
1.    supported in any part by public money; or
2.    authorized to spend public money;
(ii)    the St. Mary’s County Board of Education;
(iii)    the St. Mary’s County Board of Library Trustees;
(iv)    the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission; and
(v)    the St. Mary’s County Housing Authority.
(2)    “Public agency” includes a subcommittee or other subordinate unit of a governmental unit listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3)    “Public agency” does not include:
(i)    a grand jury;
(ii)    a petit jury;
(iii)    a law enforcement agency; or
(iv)    the judicial branch.
(d)    “Public agency meeting” means the convening of a quorum of the constituent membership of a public agency to deliberate or act on a matter under the supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power of the public agency.
(e)    “Quorum”, unless otherwise defined by applicable law, means a simple majority of the constituent membership of a public agency.
(f)    “Staff meeting” means a meeting of three or more staff members of one or more public agencies.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-502 - Public Policy

It is the policy of St. Mary’s County that:
(1)    public officials shall engage in official action in an open and public manner so that voters are advised of the performance of public officials and of decisions made in forming public policy;
(2)    public agencies exist to aid in conducting the people’s business;
(3)    the people of the county, in delegating authority, do not yield their sovereignty or give public agencies the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know; and
(4)    the right of the people to remain informed is protected so that they may retain control over the instruments they create.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-503 - Conflict With Another Statute, Ordinance, Regulation, or Rule

This subtitle prevails if it conflicts with another statute, ordinance, regulation, or rule, unless the other statute, ordinance, regulation, or rule is more stringent.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-504 - Open Meetings of Public Agency

(a)    Except as provided in § 9–512 of this subtitle, a public agency meeting at which official action is taken shall be open to the public.
(b)    A final decision whether to purchase or dispose of real property shall be at a public agency meeting open to the public.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-505 - Notice

(a)    This section does not apply to a staff meeting.
(b)    A public agency shall provide written public notice of the schedule of its regular public agency meetings, including their dates, times, and places:
(1)    at the beginning of each calendar or fiscal year; or
(2)    at the time the public agency begins to function.
(c)    (1)    Except as provided in § 9–506 or § 9–507 of this subtitle, a public agency shall provide supplemental written public notice of any special or rescheduled public agency meeting at least 48 hours before the meeting.
(2)    The notice shall include the agenda, date, time, and place of the public agency meeting.
(d)    A public agency shall provide written public notice by:
(1)    posting a copy of the notice prominently at the principal office of the public agency or at the building in which the public agency meeting is to be held; and
(2)    sending a copy of the notice to any person who requests to be notified of the public agency meetings.
(e)    A public agency shall give notice of intent to purchase or dispose of real property at least 15 days before a voting session on the action.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-506 - Reconvened Public Agency Meetings

A public agency meeting may be adjourned and reconvened at another time without additional public notice if:
(1)    notice of the time and place of the reconvened meeting is provided before adjournment;
(2)    the agenda for the reconvened meeting is published in advance; and
(3)    the agenda for the original meeting is available to observers at the beginning of the original meeting.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-507 - Emergency Public Agency Meetings

(a)    This section does not apply to a staff meeting.
(b)    A public agency may schedule an emergency public agency meeting to discuss unforeseen emergency conditions.
(c)    A public agency shall make a reasonable effort to provide notice of the date, time, and place of an emergency public agency meeting by telephone to the news media immediately after participants have been notified.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-508 - Meeting Minutes

(a)    This section does not apply to:
(1)    a staff meeting; or
(2)    a working session if a final decision is not made.
(b)    A public agency shall take and, in a timely manner, record minutes of each public agency meeting open to the public.
(c)    Minutes of a public agency meeting are a public record open for inspection and copying by any person.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-509 - Broadcasting and Recording of Meeting

(a)    A public agency that conducts a meeting that is open to the public shall allow recorded or live radio and television broadcasting and the use of recording devices.
(b)    A public agency may adopt rules and regulations regarding the recording and broadcasting of public agency meetings.
(c)    Public agencies are encouraged to use new technology when available to aid in public accessibility and transparency.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-514 - Judicial Review

(a)    (1)    A person denied a right conferred by this subtitle may file a complaint for mandamus, injunction, or other appropriate remedy in circuit court.
(2)    A plaintiff need not allege or prove an irreparable injury or an injury different from the public at large.
(b)    A complaint under this section shall be filed within 1 year after the date of the alleged violation.
(c)    The court shall conduct a hearing within 7 days after a complaint is filed.
(d)    A violation of this subtitle is deemed an injury to the public at large.
(e)    (1)    The court shall issue an order that:
(i)    grants or denies all or part of the relief sought;
(ii)    awards appropriate attorney’s fees or costs; and
(iii)    determines the effect of the action alleged to be in violation of this subtitle.
(2)    The court may void an action taken at a public agency meeting in violation of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 9 - General and Administrative Provisions › Subtitle 5 - St. Mary's County Open Meetings Act › Section 9-515 - Penalty

(a)    (1)    A person who knowingly violates this subtitle more than twice is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(2)    A person who willfully violates this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
(b)    If a civil order finding the defendant in violation of this subtitle is not entered at least once before the occurrence of an alleged misdemeanor, a violation of this subtitle is presumed not to be willful.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 10-102 - Grant of Express Powers

(a)    In addition to other powers granted to charter counties, each charter county may exercise by legislative enactment the express powers provided in Subtitles 2 and 3 of this title.
(b)    In addition to other powers granted to code counties, each code county may exercise by legislative enactment the express powers provided in Subtitle 3 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 2 - Express Powers of Charter Counties › Section 10-202 - Local Laws

(a)    A county may enact local laws and may repeal or amend any local law enacted by the General Assembly on any matter covered by the express powers in this title.
(b)    A county may provide for the enforcement of an ordinance, a resolution, a bylaw, or a regulation adopted under this title:
(1)    by civil fines not exceeding $1,000; or
(2)    by criminal fines and penalties not exceeding $1,000 and imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.
(c)    A county may provide for the enforcement of local fair housing laws by fines or penalties that do not exceed the fines or penalties provided in the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988 for enforcement of similar federal fair housing laws.
(d)    A county may provide for the enforcement of local employment discrimination laws or public accommodations discrimination laws by civil fines not exceeding $5,000 for any offense.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 2 - Express Powers of Charter Counties › Section 10-206 - Additional Legislative Powers

(a)    A county council may pass any ordinance, resolution, or bylaw not inconsistent with State law that:
(1)    may aid in executing and enforcing any power in this title; or
(2)    may aid in maintaining the peace, good government, health, and welfare of the county.
(b)    A county may exercise the powers provided under this title only to the extent that the powers are not preempted by or in conflict with public general law.
(c)    A county may not pass any law under this title regarding the licensing, regulating, prohibiting, or submitting to referendum the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-302 - County Legislative Body -- Compensation

(a)    By ordinance, a county may establish a commission to recommend compensation and allowances for members of the county legislative body.
(b)    (1)    Within 15 days after the beginning of the fourth year of the term, a commission established under this section, by resolution, shall submit to the county legislative body its recommendation for the compensation and allowances for members of the county legislative body.
(2)    Subject to subsection (e) of this section, the commission may recommend an increase or decrease in the compensation and allowances for members of the county legislative body.
(c)    On receiving the resolution, the county legislative body may reduce or reject the commission’s recommendation, but may not increase any item.
(d)    Any change in the compensation and allowances of members of the county legislative body shall be enacted by ordinance before the election for the members of the next succeeding county legislative body and take effect only for the members of the next succeeding county legislative body.
(e)    The compensation or allowances for members of the county legislative body of a charter county may not be less than provided in the county charter.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-303 - County Officers, Officials, and Employees

(a)    If a county executive is authorized, the county may set the qualifications, term of office, and compensation for the county executive.
(b)    A county may provide for the appointment and removal of all county officers except those whose appointment or election is provided for by the Maryland Constitution or public general law.
(c)    A county legislative body may enact local laws to:
(1)    prevent conflicts between the private interests and public duties of county officers and members of the county legislative body;
(2)    govern the conduct and actions of all county officers and members of the county legislative body in the performance of their public duties; and
(3)    provide for penalties, including removal from office, for a violation of the local laws or any regulations adopted under the local laws.
(d)    A county may provide for a merit system governing the appointment of county officials and employees not elected or appointed under the Maryland Constitution or public general law.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-304 - County Institutions

(a)    A county may establish, maintain, and control hospitals, homeless shelters, and other similar institutions in the county.
(b)    A county may establish and maintain courthouses.
(c)    A county may:
(1)    establish and maintain local correctional or detention facilities and juvenile facilities;
(2)    regulate all individuals confined in the facilities; and
(3)    make appropriate provisions for females and juveniles.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-305 - County Board of Appeals

(a)    A county may enact local laws to provide for:
(1)    the establishment of a county board of appeals, whose members shall be appointed by the county legislative body;
(2)    the number, qualifications, terms, and compensation of the members of the county board of appeals;
(3)    the adoption by the county board of appeals of rules of practice that govern its proceedings; and
(4)    a decision by the county board of appeals on petition of any interested person, after notice and opportunity for hearing, on the basis of a record before the board.
(b)    The county board of appeals may have original jurisdiction or jurisdiction to review the action of an administrative officer or unit of county government over matters arising under any law, ordinance, or regulation of the county council that concerns:
(1)    an application for a zoning variation or exception or amendment of a zoning map;
(2)    the issuance, renewal, denial, revocation, suspension, annulment, or modification of any license, permit, approval, exemption, waiver, certificate, registration, or other form of permission or of any adjudicatory order;
(3)    the assessment of any special benefit tax; or
(4)    the adjudication of a violation of an ordinance delegated in accordance with § 4–406(b) of the Courts Article.
(c)    When issuing a decision, the county board of appeals shall file an opinion that shall include a statement of the facts found and the grounds for the decision.
(d)    (1)    Any person aggrieved by the decision and a party to the proceeding before the county board of appeals may seek review by the circuit court for the county.
(2)    The circuit court may:
(i)    affirm the decision; or
(ii)    if the decision is not in accordance with law:
1.    modify the decision with or without remanding the case for rehearing; or
2.    reverse the decision with or without remanding the case for rehearing.
(3)    Any party to the proceeding in the circuit court aggrieved by the decision of the circuit court may appeal to the Court of Special Appeals in the same manner provided for civil cases.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-307 - Recording and Indexing of Legal and Legislative Records

Unless otherwise governed by other public general law, a county may provide for the recording and indexing of records of:
(1)    the clerk of the court;
(2)    the register of wills; and
(3)    the county commissioners or the county council.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-308 - Advertising and Printing of Legislative and Financial Records

A county may provide for advertising, printing, and publishing of county documents, including:
(1)    ordinances, bylaws, and resolutions; and
(2)    annual statements of expenses of the county government.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-309 - Audits; Claims Against County

(a)    A county may provide for:
(1)    the auditing of county accounts; and
(2)    assisting the Legislative Auditor or other State officer authorized to audit the county accounts.
(b)    A county may provide for proof of claims against the county before their payment.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-310 - Procurement

(a)    For any county work, a county may provide for competitive bidding and the making and awarding of contracts and may require bonds.
(b)    A county may provide for the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment through the Department of General Services.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Local Government › Division III - Counties › Title 10 - Express Powers Act › Subtitle 3 - Express Powers of Charter Counties and Code Counties › Section 10-312 - County Property; Housing Projects; Franchise; Required Notice

(a)    A county may provide for the protection of county property.
(b)    A county may provide for:
(1)    the acquisition by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise of property required for public purposes in the county; and
(2)    the disposal of any real or leasehold county property, if the county property is no longer needed for public use.
(c)    A county may lease as lessor any county property to further the public purposes of the county, on any terms and compensation that the county considers proper.
(d)    A county may provide for the financing of any housing or housing project wholly or partly, including the placement of a deed of trust, mortgage, or other debt instrument on the property to ensure repayment of funds used to purchase, construct, rehabilitate, or otherwise develop the housing project.
(e)    (1)    A county may grant any franchise or right to use a franchise, including any right or franchise in relation to any highway, street, road, lane, alley, or bridge.
(2)    A county may grant a franchise for a cable television system as provided in § 1–708 of this article.
(3)    For any franchise granted under this subsection, a county may:
(i)    impose franchise fees; and
(ii)    establish rates, rules, and regulations.
(f)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before the county makes any disposition, grant, or lease of county property, the county shall publish notice of the disposition, grant, or lease once a week for 3 successive weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county and shall include the terms and the compensation to be received and give opportunity for objections.
(2)    A county may grant an easement for a public utility without giving notice under this subsection.