reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part II - Corporate Structure of District › Section 9-616 - Withdrawal of Member County

(a)    If the district has not incurred any obligation, a member county may withdraw from a multiple county district in accordance with this section.
(b)    (1)    The governing body of the county seeking to withdraw shall adopt an ordinance or resolution that asks the district to allow that county to withdraw from the district.
(2)    If the sanitary commission adopts a resolution that approves the withdrawal of the petitioning county and if the governing body of each member county adopts an ordinance or resolution that approves the withdrawal of the petitioning county, the sanitary district and the governing body of the withdrawing county shall adopt and sign articles of withdrawal.
(c)    The district and the withdrawing county shall file the articles of withdrawal with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part II - Corporate Structure of District › Section 9-617 - Filing Corporate Documents With State Department of Assessments and Taxation

(a)    In this section, “corporate document” means:
(1)    Articles of incorporation;
(2)    Articles of amendment;
(3)    Articles of joinder; or
(4)    Articles of withdrawal.
(b)    (1)    When a corporate document is filed with it, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall:
(i)    Endorse on the corporate document the time and date the corporate document was received; and
(ii)    Examine the corporate document.
(2)    If, after examination, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation determines that the corporate document is proper, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall:
(i)    Issue a certificate of approval;
(ii)    Include with the certificate of approval a copy of the corporate document; and
(iii)    Record a copy of:
1.    The corporate document; and
2.    The certificate of approval.
(c)    When the State Department of Assessments and Taxation issues a certificate of approval under this section:
(1)    The corporate document is effective;
(2)    The district exists as provided in the corporate document; and
(3)    The corporate document is conclusively presumed to have been adopted lawfully.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part II - Corporate Structure of District › Section 9-618 - Reporting District's Principal Office and Corporate Officers

(a)    Promptly after it is created and its officers are elected, each district shall notify the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of:
(1)    The principal office of the district; and
(2)    The name and address of each officer of the district.
(b)    Within 10 days after the district makes any change in the location of the district’s principal office, the district shall notify the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the change.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-622 - Membership of Sanitary Commission -- Single County Districts

(a)    (1)    The sanitary commission of each single county district consists of the following numbers of sanitary commissioners, each appointed by the governing body of the member county:
(i)    Allegany County – 7;
(ii)    Dorchester County – 6;
(iii)    Somerset County, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection – 5;
(iv)    Worcester County – 5; and
(v)    Other counties – 3.
(2)    In a single county district in Somerset County, if there are more than 5 service areas in the single county district, the sanitary commission consists of:
(i)    One sanitary commissioner from each service area; and
(ii)    If there is an even number of service areas, one additional sanitary commissioner.
(b)    (1)    In a single county district in Somerset County, the sanitary commission consists of:
(i)    A sanitary commissioner from each service area who is a resident of that service area; and
(ii)    If there is an even number of service areas, one additional sanitary commissioner who is a resident of the county at large.
(2)    In other counties, each sanitary commissioner shall be a resident of the county.
(c)    (1)    The term of a sanitary commissioner in a single county district is as follows:
(i)    In Dorchester County, 6 years expiring on July 1 of the appropriate year.
(ii)    In Allegany County, 6 years expiring on June 1 of the appropriate year.
(iii)    In Somerset County, 6 years expiring, as required by the terms of the sanitary commissioners on July 1, 1982, on June 1 or January 1 of the appropriate year.
(iv)    In any other county, 6 years expiring on January 1 of the appropriate year.
(2)    The terms of sanitary commissioners in a single county district are staggered as required by the terms provided for sanitary commissioners on July 1, 1989.
(3)    The terms of the first sanitary commissioners appointed in a single county district created after June 30, 1982 are as follows:
(i)    For one sanitary commissioner, 2 years expiring on the second January 1 after the single county district is created.
(ii)    For one sanitary commissioner, 4 years expiring on the fourth January 1 after the single county district is created.
(iii)    For one sanitary commissioner, 6 years expiring on the sixth January 1 after the single county district is created.
(d)    (1)    At the end of a term, a sanitary commissioner in a single county district continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(2)    A sanitary commissioner in a single county district who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(e)    At least 1 month before the term of a sanitary commissioner in a single county district expires, the governing body of the member county shall appoint a successor.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-623 - Membership of Sanitary Commission -- Multiple County Districts

(a)    (1)    The sanitary commission of a district with 2 member counties consists of at least:
(i)    One sanitary commissioner from each member county appointed as the articles of incorporation of the district provide; and
(ii)    One sanitary commissioner from either member county as the articles of incorporation of the district provide.
(2)    The sanitary commission of a multiple county district with at least 3 member counties consists of a number of sanitary commissioners equal to at least the number of member counties.
(3)    The sanitary commission of a district that adds an incoming member county consists of:
(i)    The sanitary commissioners in office before the admission of the incoming county; and
(ii)    At least one sanitary commissioner from the incoming county.
(b)    A sanitary commissioner of a multiple county district shall be a resident of the member county from which the sanitary commissioner is appointed.
(c)    If a member county withdraws from a district, the term of each sanitary commissioner who was appointed from that county ends when the withdrawal is effective.
(d)    (1)    Except for the term of the first sanitary commissioner who represents each incoming county admitted to a district, the term of a sanitary commissioner in a multiple county district is the lesser of:
(i)    6 years; or
(ii)    The term provided in the articles of incorporation of the district.
(2)    The term of the first sanitary commissioner from an incoming county admitted to a district is 6 years.
(3)    The terms of sanitary commissioners in a multiple county district are staggered as required by the articles of incorporation of the district.
(4)    At the end of a term, a sanitary commissioner in a multiple county district continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(5)    A sanitary commissioner in a multiple county district who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and as required by the articles of incorporation of the district.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-624 - Officers

(a)    From among its sanitary commissioners, each sanitary commission shall elect a chairman who is the chief executive officer of the district.
(b)    In Somerset County, from among the sanitary commissioners, the commission shall elect a vice chairman.
(c)    Each sanitary commission shall appoint a secretary-treasurer.
(d)    In a single county district, a sanitary commissioner may not hold any other office of the county.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-625 - Quorum; Compensation

(a)    Unless the bylaws of the district require a larger number, a majority of the full authorized membership of the sanitary commission is a quorum.
(b)    Each sanitary commissioner is entitled to:
(1)    Compensation as approved and paid by the governing body of the member county from which appointed; and
(2)    Reimbursement for expenses as provided in the district’s budget.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-626 - Duties of Secretary-Treasurer

(a)    The secretary–treasurer of the sanitary commission shall:
(1)    Collect all charges and assessments made by the district;
(2)    Receive all money payable to the district; and
(3)    Account to the sanitary commission for all money received.
(b)    (1)    To protect the funds of the district, the secretary–treasurer shall give bond to this State in accordance with this subsection.
(2)    The amount of and surety on the bond shall be approved by the sanitary commissioners.
(3)    The bond shall include the following condition:
“That if .........., secretary–treasurer of the .......... District, shall well and faithfully execute the office of secretary–treasurer and shall account to the sanitary commission of the .......... District for all moneys which the secretary–treasurer receives for the sanitary commission of the .......... District, or is answerable for by law, then the obligation of this bond is void, otherwise to be in full force.”
(4)    After the bond has been approved by the sanitary commissioners, the secretary–treasurer shall:
(i)    Take, before the clerk of the circuit court for a member county, the oath of office required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution; and
(ii)    File the bond with the State Comptroller.
(5)    The sanitary commission may pay the premium on a bond given under this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-627 - Miscellaneous Powers of Sanitary Commission

(a)    In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, a sanitary commission may:
(1)    Determine the number of other officers, agents, and employees of the district; and
(2)    Determine the powers, duties, and compensation of other officers, agents, and employees of the district.
(b)    A sanitary commission may appoint a sanitary commissioner to any office of the district, set the compensation for that office, and require that the compensation be paid by the member county represented by that sanitary commissioner.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-628 - Advances to District by Member County

(a)    In addition to the other powers to make advances set forth in this subtitle, the governing body of a member county may make advances to a district in accordance with this section.
(b)    The advances shall be for the purpose of meeting the necessary operating and overhead expenses of the district from the time the district is created until it can receive funds that may be used to pay these expenses.
(c)    The advances shall be:
(1)    Paid from the general funds of the member county; and
(2)    In the amount that the governing body of the member county considers necessary.
(d)    (1)    The district shall repay the advances to the member county in accordance with the terms imposed by the governing body of the member county making the advances.
(2)    The governing body of the member county may not require the district to repay the advances before the time the district is allowed to impose minimum charges and usage charges under this subtitle.
(3)    The district may repay the advances to the member county before the time required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(e)    The district may repay the advances to the member county out of any funds whose use is not restricted but that are available to the district.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part III - Sanitary Commission › Section 9-629 - Allegany and Garrett Counties

(a)    The County Commissioners of Allegany County may exercise jurisdiction over the county sanitary commission, as created under this Part III.
(b)    The County Commissioners of Garrett County shall govern the district in Garrett County.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-632 - Miscellaneous Powers

(a)    For the purposes of carrying out this subtitle, each district has, in addition to the powers provided elsewhere in this subtitle, the powers set forth in Part IV of this subtitle.
(b)    Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a district has all of the powers, privileges, and immunities granted to Maryland corporations under the Maryland General Corporation Law.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-633 - Eminent Domain

(a)    Subject to the provisions of this section, a district may acquire rights in land or water rights by exercise of the right of eminent domain as set forth in Title 12 of the Real Property Article.
(b)    A district’s power of eminent domain does not extend to an interest in real property that is owned by a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision unless the governing body of that county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision consents.
(c)    A district’s power of eminent domain does not extend to a privately owned and operated water system, sewerage system, or solid waste acceptance facility unless:
(1)    The owners and operators of the system or facility consent;
(2)    The system of a facility is not being operated or maintained as required by law; or
(3)    The system is needed as an integral part of a service area.
(d)    (1)    After complying with this subsection and no sooner than 10 days after judgment has been entered in the condemnation proceedings, the district may take any property that has been condemned under this section.
(2)    Before taking the property, the district shall pay to the court the amount of the award and costs taxed to date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-635 - Contracts to Buy and Sell Services

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    (i)    “Contracting party” means the other party to a contract made by a district under this section.
(ii)    “Contracting party” includes:
1.    A person;
2.    A county of this State or any other state;
3.    A municipal corporation of this State or any other state;
4.    This State or any other state;
5.    The United States;
6.    Any instrumentality of this State, any other state, or the United States; and
7.    Another district of this State or any other state.
(3)    “Contracting party’s system” means any of the following systems owned or operated by a contracting party:
(i)    A sewerage system.
(ii)    A solid waste acceptance facility.
(iii)    A solid waste disposal system.
(iv)    A water system.
(b)    If its sanitary commission approves, a district may make a contract with a contracting party:
(1)    To buy services from the contracting party’s system;
(2)    To use the facilities of the contracting party’s system; or
(3)    To allow a contracting party or its customers to use the services or facilities of the district.
(c)    Any contract made under this section:
(1)    Shall require that the fees, rates, or charges collected under the contract be sufficient to pay the obligations of the contracting party; and
(2)    May allow a contracting party to collect from its customers the fees, rates, or charges due under the contract.
(d)    A contract made under this section is for the benefit of holders of the district’s bonds.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-636 - Construction Contracts

On the terms that the sanitary commission approves, a district may contract with any person, county, municipal corporation, adjoining state, or public authority or district of this State or an adjoining state, for the construction or operation of a water system, sewerage system, solid waste disposal system, or solid waste acceptance facility in this State or the adjoining state.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-637 - Excavation

(a)    In this section, “public way” means any public street, public road, public alley, or public highway.
(b)    In accordance with this section, a district may enter or excavate on any public way to install, maintain, or operate a project.
(c)    The district is not required to obtain a permit or to pay a fee for an entry or excavation under this section.
(d)    Before beginning work under this section, the district shall notify the public authority responsible for the public way.
(e)    After completing the work under this section, the district, at its own expense, shall restore the public way to a condition at least as good as the condition that existed immediately before the work began.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-639 - Territory Lost to Annexation

(a)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, the powers of a district continue as to any territory of the district that is annexed by a municipality or by a county that is not a member county.
(b)    The continuation of powers under this section expires when each contract, obligation, bond, and indebtedness of the district, for which the district was liable at the time of annexation, is extinguished.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-640 - Short Term Borrowing

(a)    In this section, “governmental agency” means:
(1)    The federal government;
(2)    This State; or
(3)    An agency or instrumentality of the federal government or this State.
(b)    A district may borrow from a governmental agency the amount of money that the sanitary commission considers necessary to pay the organization and planning costs for a project or a service area, including costs for:
(1)    Engineering services;
(2)    Legal services;
(3)    Estimates of costs;
(4)    Estimates of revenue;
(5)    Plans or specifications; and
(6)    Surveys.
(c)    (1)    A district may not pay interest on money borrowed from a governmental agency under this section.
(2)    If a district borrows from a governmental agency under this section, the district shall repay the lending governmental agency:
(i)    When work begins on the water system or sewerage system for which the borrowing was made; and
(ii)    Only from funds or bond revenues that, under this subtitle, relate to the project.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-641 - Borrowing From Other Sources

(a)    If the governing body of each member county that has territory in the service area of the project approves, a district may borrow money and pay interest to provide interim financing for a project.
(b)    Borrowing under this section may not be for a period of more than 5 years.
(c)    Each member county that approves a borrowing under this subsection shall guarantee payment of the principal and interest in the same way that a county makes guarantees under Part VIII of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-642 - Required Record Keeping

(a)    Each district shall:
(1)    Keep complete and accurate records of its receipts, expenses, and expenditures; and
(2)    Employ a certified public accountant to conduct a detailed audit of these records.
(b)    (1)    Each district shall make available for public inspection the district’s financial statement and the detailed audit.
(2)    At the district’s principal office and during normal business hours, any person may inspect the financial statement and the detailed audit.
(3)    Each year, each district shall give the governing body of each member county a certified copy of the financial statement and the detailed audit.
(c)    (1)    The governing body of any member county, at any time, may examine the books and records of the district.
(2)    The examination by the governing body of a member county under this subsection shall be without cost to the district.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-643 - Limitation on District's Powers

A district may not construct, improve, operate, or extend any project that would duplicate or compete with any utility that is similar to a project and serves substantially the same purposes, unless:
(1)    The utility is a privately owned water system or sewerage system; and
(2)    The sanitary commission finds that the utility is unfit for incorporation into the district’s system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part IV - Powers and Duties of Districts › Section 9-644 - Limitations on Powers of Counties

(a)    A county that has created a district may not create a new district that would serve territory served by an existing district.
(b)    Unless, by ordinance or resolution, every other member county of each district of which the member county is already a member approves, a member county may not join or create another district.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part V - Service Areas › Section 9-647 - Considering Proposed Service Areas

(a)    As provided in this part, the sanitary commission and the governing bodies of the member counties of a district may create or change service areas in the district.
(b)    Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, in considering a proposed service area, the sanitary commission and the governing bodies of the member counties may not create or change a service area unless they find that the creation or change:
(1)    Is necessary for the existing and future health, safety, and welfare of the public in general; and
(2)    Is feasible financially and from an engineering standpoint.
(c)    The governing bodies of the member counties of a district:
(1)    May authorize the district to retain expert engineering services to develop a plan for the creation of service areas in the district; and
(2)    Shall pay from the general funds of the member counties the cost of all engineering services obtained under this subsection.
(d)    In Allegany County, the boundaries of an existing service area may be changed to reduce the area included in the service area if the Sanitary Commission and the governing body of Allegany County make the findings specified in subsection (b) of this section and also find that the change in the boundaries of the service area would:
(1)    Exclude only properties which are not served by any project benefiting the service area or which the Sanitary Commission finds and determines will not be served within 2 years after the latter of:
(i)    The date on which the construction is completed for any project then under construction for the service area; or
(ii)    The date on which the Sanitary Commission adopts a resolution to change the boundaries of the service area; and
(2)    Not cause the outstanding principal balance of bonds issued for the service area to exceed 25 percent of the total value of property, as assessed for county taxation, in the service area, as proposed to be reduced, on the date on which the Sanitary Commission adopts the resolution to change the boundaries of the service area.
(e)    In Worcester County, in considering a proposed service area, the Sanitary Commission and the governing body of Worcester County may not create or change a service area unless they find that the creation or change:
(1)    Is necessary for the existing or future health, safety, and welfare of the public in general; and
(2)    Is feasible financially and from an engineering standpoint.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part V - Service Areas › Section 9-648 - Creation of Service Area by Sanitary Commission

(a)    Each sanitary commission may adopt a resolution that proposes to create a service area or to change the boundaries of an existing service area. The resolution shall refer to a plat of the member counties that clearly shows the boundary lines of the proposed service area.
(b)    (1)    The governing body of each member county shall hold a public hearing to consider the proposed service area or boundary change.
(2)    At least 10 days before the hearing required under this subsection, notice of the hearing shall be published in each member county in at least 1 newspaper of general circulation in the member county.
(c)    If the governing body of each member county approves the proposed creation of a service area or the proposed boundary change, a copy of the plat and the resolution required under subsection (a) of this section shall be recorded among the land records of each member county.
(d)    The sanitary commission shall give each service area to be created under this section a distinctive name.
(e)    A service area is created when the requirements of this section have been met.
(f)    Each service area created under this section is a separate taxing district.
(g)    A change in the boundaries of an existing service area does not affect any outstanding bond issued with respect to the existing service area.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part V - Service Areas › Section 9-650 - Advances by Member Counties for Service Areas

(a)    In addition to the power to make any other advances under this subtitle, the governing body of a member county may advance to a district the funds necessary to organize and to meet the preliminary expenses of a service area or a proposed service area.
(b)    The district shall repay advances made under this section.
(c)    If a bond issue is made for the service area for which advances were made under this section, the district shall repay any outstanding advances to the member county from the proceeds of the first bond issue.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part V - Service Areas › Section 9-651 - Consolidation of Administrative Matters of Service Areas

(a)    If consolidating administrative matters of service areas will not impair any bond obligation incurred by a district under this subtitle, the district may consolidate the administrative matters of service areas in accordance with this section.
(b)    If the action promotes efficient operation of the service areas, a district may:
(1)    Consolidate the operational, engineering, and financial functions of service areas;
(2)    Allocate costs among service areas; and
(3)    If this subtitle does not commit the funds for a specific purpose, combine funds of service areas.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-655 - Construction of Facilities

(a)    After the hearing processes required in § 9-648 or § 9-649 of this subtitle are complete, a sanitary district may begin construction on a project that has been approved under either of those sections.
(b)    The sanitary commission shall follow the bid solicitation procedure of this section for any construction work on the project, unless the cost will be $5,000 or less.
(c)    The sanitary commission may solicit bids for all or part of the project for which bids are sought.
(d)    Whenever the sanitary commission solicits bids under this section for construction contracts, the sanitary commission shall advertise the solicitation in each member county in at least 1 newspaper of general circulation in the county.
(e)    In addition to the advertising required by subsection (d) of this section, the sanitary commission may advertise the solicitation in other newspapers or technical journals.
(f)    If the sanitary commission awards a contract in response to bids received under this section, the sanitary commission shall award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
(g)    If the sanitary commission determines that the prices quoted in any bid are unreasonable or unbalanced, it may reject the bid.
(h)    If the sanitary commission rejects all the bids, the sanitary commission may:
(1)    Readvertise; or
(2)    Do the project or any part of it with its own temporary or permanent employees.
(i)    The sanitary commission may include in the contract additional conditions and requirements for:
(1)    Performance bonds;
(2)    Penalties; and
(3)    Liquidated damages.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-656 - Benefit Assessments and Connection Charges as to Property Owners

(a)    (1)    To pay the principal and interest on bonds issued under this subtitle, a sanitary commission may set reasonable benefit assessments and reasonable connection charges.
(2)    In Allegany County, a sanitary commission may also set reasonable benefit assessments to pay the cost of capital improvements to a water or sewerage system.
(3)    The Sanitary Commission of Worcester County may also set reasonable benefit assessments and reasonable connection charges to pay other costs on bonds issued under this subtitle.
(4)    In Dorchester County, a sanitary commission may also set reasonable benefit assessments to pay the cost of capital improvements and repairs to a water or sewerage system.
(b)    (1)    Except for Worcester County, a connection charge made under this section shall be equal at least to the cost of making the connection between a water system or sewerage system and the property served by that system.
(2)    In Worcester County, a connection charge shall be equal at least to:
(i)    The actual cost of making the connection between a water system or sewerage system and the property served by the system; or
(ii)    The average cost of making a connection based on:
1.    The diameter and the length of the connector; or
2.    The diameter of the connector and the width of the way in which the water pipe or sewer pipe is laid.
(3)    In the case of connectors constructed under § 9-661 of this subtitle during construction of the water line or sewer line, the Sanitary Commission of Worcester County shall determine a connection charge under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection that is the same on each side of the way in which the line is laid.
(c)    The Sanitary Commission may set benefit assessments on all property, improved or unimproved, that abuts a way in which a water main or sewer has been built.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-659 - Connections to Nonabutting Property

(a)    (1)    The sanitary commission shall connect the water system or sewerage system to any parcel:
(i)    Whose owner requests the connection;
(ii)    That does not abut a way in which a water pipe or sewer pipe is laid; and
(iii)    That is not the subject of a benefit assessment levied under § 9–657 or § 9–658 of this subtitle.
(2)    However, the Sanitary Commission of Worcester County may also construct or permit the construction of a connector to any parcel described under paragraph (1) at a time and in a manner that it determines to be appropriate.
(b)    The sanitary commission shall classify the parcel and determine a front–foot charge on the parcel as if the parcel abutted on a way in which a water pipe or sewer pipe is laid.
(c)    When a connection is made under this section, the owner of the parcel has the same rights and duties and the district has the same remedies as to the benefit assessment that apply to benefit assessments under §§ 9–657 and 9–658 of this subtitle.
(d)    Payment of a benefit assessment made under this section:
(1)    Is due when levied by the sanitary commission;
(2)    Is in default 60 days after the payment is due; and
(3)    When in default, bears interest from the date of default:
(i)    In Allegany and Somerset counties, at the rate set by the respective Sanitary Commission; and
(ii)    In all other counties, at the rate of 0.5 percent a month.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-660 - Disposition of Proceeds of Benefit Assessments

(a)    In this section, “district account” means the account maintained by a sanitary commission in accordance with this section.
(b)    A sanitary commission shall:
(1)    Maintain a district account; and
(2)    Credit to the district account all proceeds from the benefit assessments levied under this subtitle.
(c)    The sanitary commission shall use funds in the district account to pay the principal and interest on the bonds for which the benefit assessment was levied.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-663 - Control of Water Use; Fire Hydrants

(a)    A sanitary commission:
(1)    Shall control the use of water in its district; and
(2)    Has jurisdiction over each fire hydrant connected to a system operated by the district.
(b)    If a sanitary commission determines that there is a shortage of water or that the supply of water should be conserved, the sanitary commission may:
(1)    Issue an order that requires the conservation of water; and
(2)    Include in the order specific requirements for conserving water use.
(c)    The sanitary commission shall publish the order in a newspaper published in each member county covered by the order.
(d)    Each water user shall obey the order of the sanitary commission, effective with the earlier of:
(1)    The first publication of the order; or
(2)    Receipt of the order from the sanitary commission.
(e)    Without notice, the sanitary commission may disconnect the water supply of any person who violates the order.
(f)    (1)    To prevent waste of water, a representative of a sanitary commission at any reasonable time may enter any property connected to a system operated by the district and inspect the plumbing system on the property.
(2)    On entering any property, the representative of the sanitary commission shall present appropriate credentials to the owner, operator, or agent in charge.
(3)    After the inspection, the representative of the sanitary commission may order necessary changes to the plumbing system:
(i)    To eliminate leaks;
(ii)    To prevent water loss; and
(iii)    To prevent unnecessary or improper use of sewers.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-664 - Building and Operation of Independent System

(a)    An independent system may be constructed in accordance with this section:
(1)    By a member county at its own expense; or
(2)    By and at the expense of the owners of property that will be served by the independent system.
(b)    A person or member county may construct an independent system only if:
(1)    The independent system will serve an area that is not served by a project or a municipal system; and
(2)    The sanitary commission approves.
(c)    The person or member county that proposes to construct the independent system shall:
(1)    Submit to the sanitary commission plans and specifications for construction of the independent system; and
(2)    If the sanitary commission approves the plans and specifications, construct the independent system in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
(d)    Each independent system shall be operated:
(1)    At the expense of the person or county that constructs it; and
(2)    Under the general supervision of the sanitary commission.
(e)    The person or county that constructs an independent system shall:
(1)    Keep accurate records of:
(i)    The construction of the independent system;
(ii)    The operation of the independent system; and
(iii)    The cost of building and operating the independent system; and
(2)    File copies of the records with the sanitary commission.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-666 - Extension of Project Beyond Service Area

(a)    On the request of property owners whose property is not in any service area but is in an area that is contiguous to a service area, the sanitary commission may extend a project to include the properties that are the subject of the request.
(b)    The sanitary commission may require that the property owners agree:
(1)    To pay benefit assessments;
(2)    To pay connection charges; and
(3)    To any other condition that the sanitary commission makes.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-666.1 - Extension of Projects or Services to Noncontiguous Areas

(a)    The provisions of this section are applicable in Dorchester County.
(b)    On the request of property owners whose property is not in a service area and is not in an area that is contiguous to a service area, the sanitary commission may:
(1)    Extend a project to include the properties that are the subject of the request; or
(2)    Provide other services to the properties.
(c)    The sanitary commission may require that the property owners agree to the terms and conditions authorized under § 9-666(b) of this subtitle.
(d)    Property covered under this section and owners of property covered under this section shall be subject to the provisions of § 9-658(d) through (g), inclusive.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-667 - Duplication of Unfit Private System

If the sanitary commission determines that any part of an independent system is unfit for incorporation into a project, the sanitary commission may:
(1)    Disregard the unfit parts of the independent system; and
(2)    Extend its project into the area served by the unfit parts of the independent system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-668 - Purchase or Condemnation of Property Rights; Condemnation of Cemeteries

(a)    For the construction, maintenance, or operation of any part of a project, the district may acquire any interest in real property by:
(1)    Purchase; or
(2)    Exercise of the power of eminent domain as provided in Title 12 of the Real Property Article.
(b)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the district may condemn a property right in a cemetery only to install a sewer line or a water line.
(2)    The district may not condemn any property rights in and may not disturb:
(i)    Any existing grave;
(ii)    Any grave marker or monument;
(iii)    Any grave site whose title has been transferred through a sale or exchange made in good faith; or
(iv)    Any grave site as to which burial rights have vested or been transferred through a sale or agreement made in good faith.
(c)    Before the district condemns a property right in a cemetery, the sanitary commission shall adopt a resolution that:
(1)    Is approved by a majority of the sanitary commissioners appointed from the member county in which the cemetery is located;
(2)    Includes a declaration that the condemnation is necessary for the public health and safety; and
(3)    Includes a declaration that immediate acquisition of the property right in the cemetery is necessary.
(d)    The sanitary commission shall bury every water line and sewer line that it builds in cemetery land.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-669 - Removal of Obstructions to Projects

(a)    A person who owns any structure or obstruction that is on, over, or under a way shall promptly move that structure or obstruction, if:
(1)    The structure or obstruction impedes the building or operation of a project; and
(2)    The sanitary commission gives reasonable notice of the need to move the object or obstruction.
(b)    The person shall move the object as necessary to allow the orderly building or operation of the project.
(c)    The district shall pay the cost of moving the structure or obstruction.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VI - Operation of Districts › Section 9-670 - Disconnecting and Restoring Services by Sanitary Commission

(a)    A sanitary commission may disconnect service to a property on a finding or notification from the governing body of the political subdivision in which the property is located that the property is:
(1)    A vacant lot; or
(2)    Cited as vacant and unfit for habitation on a housing or building violation notice.
(b)    Subject to subsection (c) of this section, on request by the owner of the property, the sanitary commission shall restore service to a property where service was disconnected in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(c)    (1)    A sanitary commission may require proof that all housing and building violation notices for a property have been resolved prior to restoring service under subsection (b) of this section.
(2)    Prior to restoring service under subsection (b) of this section, a sanitary commission may require the owner of the property to pay:
(i)    All unpaid fees, charges, or assessments for service at the property; and
(ii)    Any reconnection fees for service at the property.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VII - Shared Facilities in Dorchester County › Section 9-672 - Definitions

(a)    In Part VII of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Shared facility” means a water system or sewerage system that serves:
(1)    More than 1 lot;
(2)    More than 1 single family residence or its equivalent; or
(3)    A series of water systems or sewerage systems that each serve 1 lot.
(c)    “Shared facility area” means the territory served by a shared facility.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VII - Shared Facilities in Dorchester County › Section 9-674 - Powers of Dorchester County Sanitary District, Inc

(a)    The Dorchester County Sanitary District, Inc., may:
(1)    Construct, buy, own, hold, lease, repair, maintain, improve, and operate a shared facility; and
(2)    Contract with any person, any agency of the federal government or this State, or any municipality for services that relate to the facility.
(b)    The shared facility may be built only:
(1)    Outside an incorporated area of Dorchester County; and
(2)    (i)    Outside a service area; or
(ii)    If inside a service area, to serve territory that the Sanitary Commission determines is not feasible to serve with an existing project.
(c)    The shared facility may not serve more than 14 single family residences or their equivalent.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VII - Shared Facilities in Dorchester County › Section 9-675 - Petition for Shared Facility

(a)    The owners of property in territory that may be served by a shared facility may file a written petition with the Sanitary Commission that requests the Sanitary Commission:
(1)    To build a shared facility; and
(2)    To designate a shared facility area.
(b)    The petition shall include:
(1)    Plans for the proposed shared facility that will enable the Sanitary Commission to determine the cost and feasibility of the proposed shared facility; and
(2)    A map of the proposed shared facility area.
(c)    The petitioners shall provide, at their own expense, the map and plans required by this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 9 - Water, Ice, and Sanitary Facilities › Subtitle 6 - Sanitary Commissions › Part VII - Shared Facilities in Dorchester County › Section 9-676 - Action on Petition

(a)    Within 90 days from the date the complete petition is filed, the Sanitary Commission shall decide on the petition.
(b)    In deciding on a petition, the Sanitary Commission may designate a shared facility area if the Sanitary Commission finds that:
(1)    The proposed shared facility is necessary for the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Dorchester County who would be affected by the proposed shared facility; and
(2)    It is feasible:
(i)    To construct the proposed shared facility; and
(ii)    To establish the proposed shared facility area.
(c)    (1)    If the Sanitary Commission denies the petition, the petitioners, within 30 days after the denial, may appeal to the Dorchester County Commissioners.
(2)    The Dorchester County Commissioners:
(i)    Shall determine whether the proposed shared facility meets the applicable standards of this section; and
(ii)    May affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the Sanitary Commission.
(d)    When a petition is approved by the Sanitary Commission or the Dorchester County Commissioners, the Sanitary Commission shall:
(1)    Adopt a resolution that:
(i)    Provides for construction of the shared facility; and
(ii)    Designates the boundaries of the shared facility area; and
(2)    File the resolution among the Dorchester County land records.