<section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-101" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board” means the Marine Contractors Licensing Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Entity” means a business with its principal office in the State that employs more than one individual to provide marine contractor services in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“License” means a professional license issued by the Board to an individual or entity to perform marine contractor services in the State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Licensed marine contractor” means an individual or entity that has received a license from the Board to perform marine contractor services.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Marine contractor services” means construction, demolition, installation, alteration, repair, or salvage activities located in, on, or under State or private tidal wetlands.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Marine contractor services” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Dredging and filling;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The construction, demolition, installation, alteration, repair, or salvage of structures, including boathouses, boat or other personal watercraft lifts or ramps, slips, docks, floating platforms, moorings, piers, pier access structures, pilings, wetland observation platforms, wetland walkways, and wharfs; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The construction, demolition, installation, alteration, repair, or salvage of stabilization and erosion control measures, including revetments, breakwaters, bulkheads, groins, jetties, stone sills, marsh establishments, and beach nourishment or other similar projects.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-201" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Marine Contractors Licensing Board"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Marine Contractors Licensing Board in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this title, the Board is responsible for the licensing and regulation of individuals and entities that provide marine contractor services in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-202" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Marine Contractors Licensing Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor, with the advice of the Secretary, and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the seven members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One shall be employed by the Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One shall be employed by the Department of Natural Resources;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Three shall be licensed marine contractors and shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One from Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, or St. Mary’s counties;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One from Baltimore City, or Baltimore, Cecil, Harford, Kent, or Queen Anne’s counties; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>One from Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, or Worcester counties; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Two shall be private citizens, appointed at large, who represent diverse interests, and shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One from Baltimore City, or Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Harford, Prince George’s, or St. Mary’s counties; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One from Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, or Worcester counties.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member of the Board is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Governor may remove a member from the Board for incompetence, misconduct, neglect of duty, or other sufficient cause.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-203" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Marine Contractors Licensing Board"> <level label="a"> <text>From among its members, the Board shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary annually.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall determine the manner of the election of officers.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-204" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Marine Contractors Licensing Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall meet at least twice a year, at the times and places that the Board determines.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each member of the Board is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may employ staff in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-205" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Marine Contractors Licensing Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Recommend regulations for adoption by the Secretary to carry out the provisions of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Make inquiries and conduct an investigation regarding any applicant for a license.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Carry out the provisions of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Collect and account for the fees provided for under this title; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Keep a current record of all individuals and entities licensed under this title, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The names of individuals and entities that are licensed;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The issuance and expiration dates of the licenses; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Any other information that the Board considers appropriate.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-206" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Marine Contractors Licensing Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall set reasonable fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses and other services that the Board provides.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fees imposed by the Board shall be set so as to produce funds to approximate the costs of maintaining the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall pay all funds collected under this title into the Wetlands and Waterways Program Fund under § 5–203.1 of this article for the administration of the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-301" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title or §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, a person shall be licensed by the Board as a marine contractor or be employed by an individual or entity that is licensed as a marine contractor before the person may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Perform marine contractor services in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Solicit to perform marine contractor services in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual, an entity, or a unit of local government may qualify for a license.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An individual who is employed by an agency of the federal government or the State may perform marine contractor services while in the performance of the duties of their employment without having to obtain a license from the Board under this title.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A residential or commercial property owner may perform marine contractor services on the property owner’s own property without having to obtain a license from the Board under this title.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to an individual who is employed by a county or municipality in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual who performs marine contractor services while in the performance of the duties of their employment is not required to pay a fee for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The issuance or renewal of a license; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A test administered by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an individual may perform marine contractor services while in the performance of the duties of their employment without having to obtain a license from the Board under this title if the individual is performing marine contractor services that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Would present a de minimis risk to human health or the environment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Do not require a federal or State permit; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the marine contractor services involve an existing structure, do not increase the footprint of the structure.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If an individual is performing marine contractor services for the routine maintenance or repair of an existing shore erosion control structure, the individual shall obtain a license from the Board under this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-302" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>To qualify for a license, an applicant shall meet the requirements of this section and any regulations adopted under this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the applicant is an entity, the entity shall appoint a member of the entity as the representative member to make the application on behalf of the entity.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An individual applicant or, if the applicant is an entity, the representative member shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Have at least 2 years of experience as a full–time marine contractor or demonstrate similar contractor experience;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pass a written marine contractor test recognized by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Have a federal tax identification number; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Carry:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Commercial general liability insurance with a $300,000 total aggregate minimum; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Workers’ compensation insurance, unless exempt by law.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-303" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>To apply for a license, an applicant shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Submit to the Board an application on the form that the Board provides;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Submit the documents required under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Pay to the Board the required application fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the applicant is an entity, the representative member shall complete the application form and otherwise be responsible for the entity’s compliance with this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the applicant is an individual, the application form provided by the Board shall require:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name of the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The address of the applicant; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The current and previous employment of the applicant relevant to the field of marine contracting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the applicant is an entity, the application form provided by the Board shall require:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A list of the entity’s owners; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each entity owner, the same information required regarding an individual applicant under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For all applicants, the application form shall require:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The address of the applicant’s proposed principal place of business and of each proposed branch office;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>All trade or fictitious names that the applicant intends to use while performing marine contractor services; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>As the Board considers appropriate, any other information to assist in the evaluation of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An individual applicant; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the applicant is an entity, any entity member.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The application form provided by the Board shall contain a statement advising the applicant of the penalties for violation of this title provided under § 17–403 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the applicant is an individual, the individual shall sign the application form under oath.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the applicant is an entity, the representative member of the entity shall sign the application form under oath, and shall provide proof to the Board that the representative member is a member of the entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An applicant for a license shall submit with the application proof of the insurance required under § 17–302(c)(4) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-304" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <text>The Board may not issue a license to an applicant whose trade or fictitious name or trademark is so similar to that used by another licensee that the public may be confused or misled by the similarity.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-305" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall issue a license that is valid for 2 years to any applicant who meets the requirements of this title and any regulation adopted under this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board, by regulation, may establish license categories that specify the marine contractor services each license authorizes a licensee to perform.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall include on each license that the Board issues:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The license category;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The full name of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The license number;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The location of the principal office and of each branch office if the licensee is an entity;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The date of issuance of the license;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The date on which the license expires; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The name of the representative member if the licensee is an entity.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-306" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <text>While a license to an entity is in effect, the license authorizes the entity to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Employ as marine contractors individuals who are not licensed marine contractors to provide marine contractor services to the public on behalf of the licensee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Represent itself to the public as a licensed marine contractor entity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-307" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <text>A licensed marine contractor shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Include the contractor’s marine contractor license number in all advertising related to the provision of marine contractor services; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Prominently display the contractor’s marine contractor license number on all large equipment used in the course of the licensee’s work as a marine contractor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-308" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations to stagger the terms of the licenses.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A license expires on the date the Secretary sets, in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>At least 2 months before a license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee, by first–class mail or electronically, to the last known address of the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A renewal application form; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notice that states:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The date on which the current license expires;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The date by which the Board must receive the renewal application for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The amount of the renewal fee.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Before a license expires, the licensee may renew the license for an additional 2–year term if the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is otherwise entitled to be licensed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pays to the Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The required renewal fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any outstanding fees; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Submits to the Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the continuing education requirements established under subsection (e) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Satisfactory evidence of compliance with the insurance requirements established under § 17–302 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Satisfactory evidence of the resolution of any license violations, suspensions, denials, revocations, or other Board actions taken under this title; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A renewal application on the form that the Board provides.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A licensee shall complete 12 hours of continuing education instruction covering marine contractor subject matter approved by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Board shall approve the substance and form of a continuing education course if the course is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Offered by a qualified instructor; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Conducted by an educational institution approved by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The licensee is responsible for the cost of any continuing education course.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-309" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <text>Within 5 days after the change, a licensee shall submit to the Board written notice of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>If the licensee is an individual or entity, any change in the address or telephone number of an existing office or principal place of business; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the licensee is an entity, the addition of a branch office.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-310" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in § 10–226 of the State Government Article, and subject to the notice and hearing requirements in subsection (c) of this section, the Board may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Violates any provision of this title or any regulation adopted under this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for the licensee or for another person;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Commits any gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct while practicing marine contractor services;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Fails to comply with the terms of a tidal wetlands authorization issued under § 16–202 or § 16–307 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Violates any provision of, or regulations adopted under, § 16–202 or § 16–307 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>In the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, as defined under § 8–1802 of the Natural Resources Article, fails to comply with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The terms of a State or local permit, license, or approval; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any State or local law, an approved plan, or other legal requirement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, established under Title 8, Subtitle 18 of the Natural Resources Article, shall notify the Board of any licensed marine contractor or applicant for a license that fails to comply with any requirement under subsection (a)(7) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Before the Board takes any final action under subsection (a) of this section, the Board shall give the applicant or licensee against whom the action is contemplated notice and the opportunity for a hearing before the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall provide notice and hold a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At least 30 days before the hearing, the hearing notice shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Served personally on the individual; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to the last known address of the individual or entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If, after due notice, the applicant or licensee against whom the action is contemplated fails or refuses to appear, the Board may hear and determine the matter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided under subsection (c) of this section, any person aggrieved by a final decision of the Board may take an appeal as authorized under §§ 10–222 and 10–223 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For purposes of this section, an act or omission of any principal, agent, or employee of an applicant or licensee may be construed to be the act or omission of the applicant or licensee, as well as of the principal, agent, or employee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-401" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts; Penalties"> <text>An individual or entity may not conduct, attempt to conduct, or offer to conduct any marine contractor services unless the individual or entity is licensed by the Board to perform the services.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-402" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts; Penalties"> <text>Unless authorized to perform marine contractor services under this title, an individual or entity may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual or entity is authorized to perform marine contractor services in the State. </text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-403" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this title or any regulation adopted under this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each day that a person conducts marine contractor services without a license constitutes a separate offense.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In addition to any other sanction under this subtitle, a civil action may be brought against a person for a violation of this title, or any regulation adopted under this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may be liable for a civil penalty under this subsection not to exceed $10,000 for each violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Wetlands and Waterways Program Fund, established under § 5–203.1 of this article, to be used for the administration of the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="17-501" title_number="17" title_name="Marine Contractors" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Termination of Title"> <text>Subject to the Maryland Program Evaluation Act, the provisions of this title and all regulations adopted under this title creating the Marine Contractors Licensing Board and relating to the regulation of marine contractors are of no effect and may not be enforced after July 1, 2031.</text> </section>