<section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-101" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Commissioner” means a Commissioner of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Housing project” means an undertaking or project, including lands, buildings and improvements, and real and personal property, that is planned, acquired, owned, used, developed, constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated, or improved to provide:</text> <level label="1"> <text>housing, a substantial part of which is for persons of eligible income; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>streets, roads, sewer and water service, and other supporting public or private commercial, educational, cultural, recreational, community, or civic facilities needed for sound community development.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Montgomery Commission” means the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Person of eligible income” means an individual or family that qualifies under § 16-108 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-102" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <text>Title 12 of this article applies to the Montgomery Commission except where it is inconsistent with this title.</text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-103" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <text>This title applies only to Montgomery County.</text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-104" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <text>The General Assembly finds that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>there is unsafe and unsanitary housing in the county and there is a critical shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary housing that persons of eligible income can afford to rent or buy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as a result, persons of eligible income must occupy overcrowded and congested housing or must pay too much of their income for shelter;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>these conditions cause too much public money to be spent for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>there is a public emergency in the county caused in part by rapidly rising construction costs, operating and maintenance expenses, and the increase in conversions of rental housing to condominiums;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the serious problems created by these inflationary conditions and conversions include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a major displacement of large numbers of tenants, including elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities, from their housing;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a scarcity of low and moderate income housing on the market as demand for such housing increases;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>too few rental units available, planned, or under construction to replace the rental units being converted into condominiums; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>frustration of general plan concepts of balanced housing mix and adequate housing for all economic segments of the community;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary housing cannot be wholly relieved through private enterprise, and therefore building housing for persons of eligible income and spending public money to help get it built or ready for use do not compete with private enterprise;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>to remedy these conditions, construction and operation of such housing as set forth in this title are valid public purposes and essential government functions for which public money may be spent; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>this title is necessary in the public interest.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-105" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, formerly the Housing Authority of Montgomery County, is a public body corporate and politic that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>exercises public and essential governmental functions; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this Division II.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A committee of the Commission is a public body for the purposes of the Open Meetings Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-106" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission consists of seven Commissioners nominated by the County Executive and approved by the County Council.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Council shall conduct a public interview with each nominee before voting on whether to approve the nominee’s appointment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The term of a Commissioner is 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Removal of a Commissioner by the County Executive requires the approval of the County Council.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-107" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>Under the powers given elsewhere in this Division II, the Montgomery Commission may provide housing or housing projects for persons of eligible income, but may do so only in accordance with local law or under a contract with Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In accordance with subsection (a) of this section and in addition to the powers listed elsewhere in this Division II or given by local law, the Montgomery Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>make mortgage loans and rent subsidy payments to persons of eligible income;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make construction loans and long-term mortgage loans to any person to produce housing for persons of eligible income; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>purchase mortgages secured by housing for persons of eligible income.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Under the powers listed elsewhere in this Division II, the Montgomery Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>enter into development agreements as may be necessary or convenient in which:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least 50% of the units are initially occupied by individuals of families whose income individually or as part of a family unit is equal to or less than:</text> <level label="1"> <text>60% of the median income for the statistical area in which the units are located as determined by the federal Office of Management and Budget; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a lesser income that may be determined by the chief elected official or chief elected official’s designee in the jurisdiction in which the property is located; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least 20% of the units are initially occupied by individuals who are eligible for federal subsidies; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contract to furnish services, consultation, advice, and assistance to other housing authorities or other persons in or outside of the State to assist in developing, managing, renovating, or constructing housing described under item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-107.1" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>prepare written minutes of each meeting as soon as practicable after the meeting; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>stream live video of the open meetings of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-108" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual or family qualifies as a person of eligible income if the individual or family lacks enough income or assets without financial assistance to live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing without overcrowding.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The County Executive, or the County Executive’s designee, shall determine whether an individual or family qualifies as a person of eligible income.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other individuals or families with special needs, the County Executive or the County Executive’s designee may adjust the requirements for qualifying as a person of eligible income if the County Executive or designee considers that other standards are more appropriate to achieve the public purposes stated in this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A determination made under this subsection is conclusive of the matters determined.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The County Executive may change the definition of “person of eligible income” by issuing a proposed regulation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The regulation shall take effect only after a public hearing held in accordance with procedures established by the County Council.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-109" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <text>A substantial part of the housing in a housing project is deemed to be for persons of eligible income if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>after financing is provided by the Montgomery Commission, 50% or more of the housing units are occupied first by persons of eligible income;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>20% or more of the housing units are for low-income persons who are assisted or who are eligible to be assisted with federal subsidies; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the owners of the housing certify to the Montgomery Commission that they will make their best efforts to meet the standard under item (1) or (2) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-110" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>By May 1 each year, the Montgomery Commission shall submit its proposed budget to the County Council.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The public shall have an appropriate opportunity to comment on the proposed budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-111" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before November 30 each year, the Montgomery Commission shall issue a financial report for the previous fiscal year based on a certified audit.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before December 15 each year, the Montgomery Commission shall publish on its website:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the financial report issued under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a full and complete copy of the certified audit report for the previous fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, in performing the duties required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Montgomery Commission shall publish all information in a public record that relates to a financial report or a certified audit report of which the Montgomery Commission is not specifically required to deny an inspection under the Public Information Act.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Paragraph (2) of this subsection may not be construed as a waiver of information that is protected by privilege.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-112" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The County Executive and County Council may require an audit of the books of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To perform the audit, the County Executive and County Council may choose:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an independent certified public accountant licensed by the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a firm of certified public accountants licensed by the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall pay for the audit out of its operating budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-113" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; Organization and Administration of Montgomery Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Payee” means a person that receives from the Montgomery Commission an aggregate payment of at least $25,000 in a single fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Payee” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee of the Montgomery Commission with respect to the employee’s compensation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a retiree of the Montgomery Commission with respect to the retiree’s retirement allowance.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Payment data” means, at a minimum, the following information for a particular fiscal year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of each payee that received a payment from the Montgomery Commission;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the location of the payee by postal zip code;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the amount of the payment; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the purpose of the payment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Searchable website” means a website created in accordance with this section that allows a user to search and display payment data of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before December 1, 2021, the Montgomery Commission shall report payment data in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall develop and operate a single searchable website accessible to the public at no cost.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The searchable website shall allow a user to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>search payment data for fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>search by the following data fields:</text> <level label="1"> <text>payee name; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>payee zip code.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This section may not be construed to require the disclosure of information that is required to be kept confidential under federal, State, or local law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-201" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <text>Montgomery County may provide by local law for the county’s guarantee of the principal and interest on bonds that the Montgomery Commission issues:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to finance the acquisition, provision, development, or rehabilitation of housing at rental rates and prices not being offered in adequate quantity by the private sector; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to finance wholly or partly:</text> <level label="i"> <text>mortgage loans secured by the housing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>fund-related reserves and costs that are approved under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When a mortgage loan is financed partly by bonds guaranteed by Montgomery County and partly by bonds not so guaranteed, the part of the mortgage loan that is financed by bonds not so guaranteed shall be insured by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Federal Housing Administration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Maryland Housing Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a private mortgage insurer that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>authorized to do business in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>approved by the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal National Mortgage Loan Corporation; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>more than one of these insurers.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-202" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall meet the terms and conditions that the county government imposes in guaranteeing bonds issued under this subtitle and § 12-702 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If guaranteed revenue bonds are to finance the total cost of the housing, the Montgomery Commission shall meet any requirements that the county government imposes after the bonds are issued to protect the financial solvency of the housing project.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The total principal of the bonds guaranteed under this subtitle may not exceed $50,000,000.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-203" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the bonds authorized to be guaranteed under this subtitle are subject to § 312 of the County Charter.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The bonds may be structured with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>substantially level debt service payments; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>interest-only payments during the projected period for construction or rehabilitation of the housing project financed with bonds issued under this subtitle and § 12-702 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The bonds shall be issued on a serial maturity plan.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Part of each issue may be sold as term bonds structured with mandatory sinking fund payments, if required for market acceptance and approved by the county government in the manner specified by the County Council resolution adopted under § 16-206 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-204" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On determining to issue bonds, the Montgomery Commission shall provide to the County Executive information about the bonds and the housing projects benefiting from the bond proceeds.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The information shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the terms and conditions of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an estimate of the bond interest rate and the basis for the estimate;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the estimated timing and other provisions about the advertising and sale of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a description of the proposed housing project, with detailed estimates of construction and related costs to make it ready to rent or sell;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>detailed estimates of operating costs and debt service;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>schedules of reserves for depreciation and major maintenance;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>separate schedules that show how, after allowance for vacancies, revenues are expected to cover:</text> <level label="1"> <text>operating costs;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>debt service and capital costs; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>reserves for depreciation and major maintenance;</text> </level> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>separate schedules that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>show the cost, benefit, and effect on rent schedules of added safeguards to ensure solvency of the housing project;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>address devices such as mortgage insurance and debt service reserves; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>state the recommendation of the Montgomery Commission on use of those devices;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>a description of the terms and conditions for construction of the housing project, including any safeguards against construction default and the conditions under which construction financing is to be provided by the Montgomery Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>a description of the accounting system for recording and controlling expenditures of bond funds, debt service, operating costs, reserves, and revenues.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each housing project shall be established as an independent accounting entity for revenues, expenditures, debt service, and reserves.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-205" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <text>The local law implementing this subtitle shall provide procedures for review and approval of the issuance of bonds guaranteed by the county government.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The procedures shall include requirements for the County Executive to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>comment on the feasibility of the proposed bond guarantee and each housing project contemplated by the proposed bond guarantee; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>recommend whether the proposed bond guarantee should be approved and any terms and conditions for approval.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the County Executive recommends approval, the recommendation shall include a statement that the proposed housing project is fully self-supporting.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a recommendation by the County Executive to approve the proposed bond guarantee shall be supported by an acceptable independent feasibility study or studies that the Montgomery Commission submits.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The County Executive may waive the feasibility study requirement for a housing project financed, insured, or assisted by the State or the federal government.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-206" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="1"> <text>After considering the recommendations of the County Executive and holding a public hearing, the County Council shall approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the proposed bond guarantee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Council shall state the terms and conditions of an approved bond guarantee, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the maximum interest payable;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the terms of the bond issue;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the purposes for which the bond proceeds may be expended; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the method of controlling the expenditures of the bond proceeds and the revenues and expenditures for housing projects financed by the bond proceeds.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-207" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>An approval of a bond guarantee by the County Council shall be submitted to the County Executive within 3 days for concurrence or disapproval.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the County Executive does not communicate disapproval and reasons for the disapproval to the County Council within 10 days after receipt of an approval of a bond guarantee from the Council, the Council’s approval shall stand.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The County Council may override a disapproval of a bond guarantee by a vote of at least six members.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The County Council may rescind an approval of a bond guarantee by resolution adopted:</text> <level label="1"> <text>before the advertisement of the bonds; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the sale is to be private, before the earlier of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the sale of the bonds; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the distribution of a related offering circular.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-208" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <text>On request of the Montgomery Commission, the county may allocate by local law a part of the total guarantee authorized by this subtitle in an amount that the local law determines.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Without further approval by the County Council, the County Executive may approve by executive order the use of all or part of the allocation authorized under subsection (a) of this section as a bond guarantee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Montgomery Commission may then issue bonds guaranteed by as much of the allocation as the County Executive has approved as a bond guarantee, and the proceeds of the bonds shall be used to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>finance wholly or partly mortgage loans secured by housing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>fund related reserves and costs approved under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-209" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall provide annually to the county government an audit of each housing project financed by bonds guaranteed by the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The audit shall be done by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an independent certified public accountant licensed by the State; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a firm of independent certified public accountants licensed by the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The accountant or firm of accountants shall provide appropriate certified financial statements and a management letter on the financial soundness of the housing project.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county government may undertake financial and compliance audits on housing projects financed by bonds guaranteed under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-210" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <text>A bond stating in substance that it has been issued by the Montgomery Commission to help finance a housing project for persons of eligible income shall be considered to have been issued for that purpose in a proceeding in which the validity or enforceability of the bond or the security for the bond is in question.</text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-211" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Bonds"> <text>Montgomery Commission bonds may be sold at a public or private sale in the manner and on the terms authorized by resolution of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-301" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an attorney in the General Counsel’s office;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an employee who assists or acts in a confidential capacity for an individual who formulates, determines, or carries out management policies in the field of labor-management relations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a Montgomery Commission merit system employee during the employee’s initial probationary period; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a supervisor, as defined in § 2(11) of the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. § 152(11).</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-302" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>Montgomery Commission employees are divided into two bargaining units:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the office/professional/technical unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the service/labor/trade unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The office/professional/technical unit includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>office classification titles in which employees are responsible for communications, recording and retrieving information, and paperwork required in an office;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>professional classification titles in which employees have special or theoretical knowledge that usually is acquired through college training, other training that provides comparable knowledge, or work experience;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>paraprofessional classification titles in which employees perform, in a supportive role, some duties of a professional or technician that usually require less formal training or experience than those duties performed by those with professional or technical status; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>technical classification titles in which employees have both basic scientific or technical knowledge and manual skill that are usually acquired through specialized postsecondary school education or through equivalent on-the-job training.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The service/labor/trade unit includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>classification titles in which employees:</text> <level label="i"> <text>perform service and maintenance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may operate specialized machinery or heavy equipment; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>have duties that contribute to the comfort and convenience of the public or to the upkeep and care of Montgomery Commission buildings, facilities, or grounds; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>classification titles in which employees must have a special manual skill and thorough knowledge of processes that are acquired through on-the-job training, experience, apprenticeship, or formal training programs.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-303" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall recognize the right of an employee organization certified under this subtitle as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit to represent the employees of the bargaining unit in collective bargaining and in the settlement of grievances.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a single employee organization is certified to represent more than one bargaining unit, the Montgomery Commission shall negotiate a single contract with that organization covering all employees the organization represents.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An employee organization certified as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>serve as the only bargaining agent for the unit in collective bargaining; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, represent all employees in the unit fairly and without discrimination.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An employee organization meets the requirements of paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection as long as its actions are not arbitrary, discriminatory, or in bad faith toward an employee in the bargaining unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The exclusive representative may require an employee who does not pay membership dues or equivalent fees to pay:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the reasonable costs and fees, including expenses for staff time and materials, arbitrator fees, and related attorney’s fees, for filing a grievance or arbitrating a matter that arises under a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under this subtitle brought by the exclusive representative at the request of the employee; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any anticipated proportional costs and fees before a grievance is filed or arbitration is pursued.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Failure by the employee to pay the costs and fees required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall relieve the exclusive representative of any further responsibility to the employee.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A dispute concerning the reasonableness of the costs and fees imposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be submitted to the labor relations administrator in accordance with the procedures established under § 16–318 of this subtitle for unfair labor practices.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>An exclusive representative’s duty of fair representation owed to a public employee who is in the bargaining unit shall be limited to the negotiation and enforcement of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the public employer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit an employee organization from providing only to the organization’s members legal, economic, or job–related services or benefits outside the collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-304" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>The exclusive representative or representatives and the Montgomery Commission shall appoint a labor relations administrator from a list of five nominees on whom they have agreed.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The term of the labor relations administrator is 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A labor relations administrator is eligible for reappointment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-305" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee organization that is certified or that seeks certification as an exclusive representative shall submit to the labor relations administrator a copy of the employee organization’s constitution and bylaws and any amendment to them.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The constitution or bylaws shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a pledge that the employee organization accepts members without regard to age, marital status, national origin, race, religion, disabilities, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the right of members to participate in the affairs of the employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>procedures for periodic elections of officers by secret ballot;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>fair procedures governing disciplinary actions;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>procedures for the accurate accounting of all income and expenditures;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a requirement that a certified annual financial report be produced; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the right of members to inspect the employee organization’s accounts.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-306" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>The labor relations administrator shall hold an election for an exclusive representative after:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee organization shows by petition that at least 30% of the eligible employees in a bargaining unit support representation by an exclusive representative for collective bargaining; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an employee or an employee organization shows by petition that at least 30% of the eligible employees in a bargaining unit no longer support the current exclusive representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Elections may not be held:</text> <level label="i"> <text>within 1 year after the date of an election under this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, during the term of a collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>During the term of a collective bargaining agreement, a petition for an election may be filed only in November of the fiscal year in which the agreement expires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 30 days before an election under subsection (a) of this section, the labor relations administrator shall get from the Montgomery Commission and provide to the employee organization a list of the name, home address, and telephone number of each employee in the bargaining unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Providing a list under this subsection by the Montgomery Commission, the labor relations administrator, or any Montgomery Commission officials, employees, or other agents does not violate § 4–331 of the General Provisions Article or any State or local law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An election shall be held by secret ballot.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The ballot shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of each employee organization that submits a valid petition for an election;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the name of any other employee organization supported by a petition signed by at least 10% of the eligible employees in the bargaining unit; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an option for no representation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>If a petition described in subsection (a)(1) is submitted at the same time that a petition described in subsection (a)(2) is submitted, one election shall be held to determine which employee organization, if any, shall be the exclusive representative.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The ballot shall contain:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of the current certified employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name of the petitioning employee organization; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a provision for “No representation”.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>If none of the choices on the ballot receives a majority of the votes, the labor relations administrator shall hold a runoff election between the two choices receiving the most votes.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>After the election, the labor relations administrator shall certify the employee organization with the most votes as the exclusive representative.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the petitioning employee organization is certified as a result of an election carried out under subsection (f) of this section, that employee organization shall be treated as a successor in interest and party to any collective bargaining agreement to which the previous employee organization was a party.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall share the costs of the election procedures equally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-307" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual is eligible to vote in an election under this subtitle only if the individual is a Montgomery Commission employee to whom this subtitle applies.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Montgomery Commission and an employee organization dispute the eligibility of an employee in a bargaining unit, the dispute shall be submitted to the labor relations administrator.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The labor relations administrator shall hold evidentiary hearings at which the Montgomery Commission and interested employee organizations shall have the opportunity to present:</text> <level label="1"> <text>testimony;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>documentary and other evidence; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>arguments.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The decision of the labor relations administrator is final.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall share the costs of the hearings equally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-308" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and an employee organization certified as exclusive representative shall meet and engage in collective bargaining in good faith about:</text> <level label="1"> <text>salary and wages, including the percentage of an increase in the salary and wages budget that will be devoted to merit increments and cash awards, but salaries and wages shall be the same for all employees in the same classification;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>pension and other retirement benefits for active employees;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>employee benefits such as insurance, leave, holidays, and vacations;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>hours and working conditions;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>matters affecting the health and safety of employees;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the effect of the exercise of the Montgomery Commission’s rights and responsibilities under § 16-314 of this subtitle on employees; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>provisions for orderly processing and settling grievances about the interpretation and implementation of a collective bargaining agreement that may include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provisions for the exclusivity of forum;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>binding third party arbitration, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Montgomery Commission and the employee organization share the costs of binding arbitration equally; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the arbitrator does not have authority to amend, add to, or subtract from the collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not require the Montgomery Commission or the employee organization to agree to any proposal or to make any concession.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and an employee organization certified as exclusive representative:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall begin collective bargaining on or before September 1 in the fiscal year before the beginning of a fiscal year for which an agreement has not been reached; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall complete collective bargaining on or before the following February 1.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>During the period set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the parties shall negotiate in good faith.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-308.1" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <text>An employee organization certified as exclusive representative shall disclose to the employees represented by the employee organization all offers regarding wages made by the Montgomery Commission during collective bargaining negotiations conducted under this subtitle. </text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-309" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>If a party considers that a bargaining proposal contravenes the rights and duties of the Montgomery Commission under § 16–314 of this subtitle or otherwise violates this subtitle, the party shall petition the labor relations administrator for a determination of whether the bargaining proposal is a negotiability dispute that contravenes this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the procedure for resolving a negotiability dispute shall follow the procedure for reviewing unfair labor practice charges.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The labor relations administrator may shorten the time periods or order any expedited procedure appropriate under the circumstances.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The labor relations administrator may order a party to withdraw all or part of a bargaining proposal that contravenes this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A decision and order under this section is final unless it is appealed for being arbitrary, capricious, or exceeding the authority of a party.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-310" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If the parties have not reached an agreement on or before December 1 on a collective bargaining agreement that would become effective the following July 1, the parties shall jointly appoint a mediator–arbitrator panel.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the parties are unable to agree on a jointly appointed mediator–arbitrator as required under § 16–311 of this subtitle, the labor relations administrator shall name the jointly appointed mediator–arbitrator on or before December 7.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Notwithstanding appointment of the mediator–arbitrator panel, this subsection does not require beginning mediation–arbitration before the date set forth in subsection (b)(2) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>During the collective bargaining:</text> <level label="i"> <text>either party may declare an impasse and request the services of the mediator–arbitrator panel; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the parties may jointly request the services of a mediator–arbitrator panel before an impasse is declared.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the mediator–arbitrator panel finds in the discretion of the panel that the parties are at a bona fide impasse, or on February 1, if they still have not agreed on a contract, whichever happens first, the mediator–arbitrator panel shall require the parties to submit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a joint memorandum listing all items to which the parties have previously agreed; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a separate memorandum of the party’s last final offer presented in negotiations on all items to which the parties have not previously agreed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before February 10, if the parties have not agreed on a contract, the mediator–arbitrator panel shall hold a nonpublic hearing on the parties’ proposals at a time, date, and place chosen by the mediator–arbitrator panel.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each party shall submit evidence or make oral and written argument in support of the party’s last final offer.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The mediator–arbitrator panel may not open the hearing to a person who is not a party to the mediation–arbitration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before February 15, the mediator–arbitrator panel shall issue a report choosing the final offer that the mediator–arbitrator panel determines to be more reasonable when viewed as a whole.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, in determining the more reasonable offer, the mediator–arbitrator panel may consider only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>past collective bargaining contracts between the parties, including the bargaining history that led to the agreement or the precollective bargaining history of employee wages, hours, benefits, and other working conditions;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a comparison of wages, hours, benefits, and conditions of employment of similar employees of other public employers in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a comparison of wages, hours, benefits, and conditions of employment of similar employees of private employers in Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the public interest and welfare;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the ability of the employer to finance any economic adjustments required under the proposed agreement;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the effects of any economic adjustments on the standard of public services normally provided by the employer; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the annual increase or decrease in consumer prices for all items as shown in the most recent Consumer Price Index – Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (“CPI–W”) for the Washington Metropolitan Area.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In considering the terms and conditions of the final offer regarding wages, the mediator–arbitrator panel shall first consider and give the highest priority to the ability of the Montgomery Commission to pay for additional short–term and long–term expenses by considering:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the limits on the ability of the Montgomery Commission to raise revenue;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the added burden raising revenue would have on customers of the Montgomery Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the ability of the Montgomery Commission to continue providing the current level of service to its customers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In determining the more reasonable offer, the mediator–arbitrator panel shall consider that all items on which the parties agreed before the mediation–arbitration are integrated with each offer.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The mediator–arbitrator panel may not receive or consider the history of collective bargaining relating to the immediate dispute, including any offers of settlement not contained in the offer submitted to the mediator–arbitrator panel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The mediator–arbitrator panel may not compromise or alter the final offer that the mediator–arbitrator panel chooses.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (5) of this subsection and without ratification by the parties, the offer that the mediator–arbitrator panel chooses as integrated with the items on which the parties previously agreed is the final agreement between the Montgomery Commission and the exclusive representative.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The economic provisions of the final agreement are subject to funding by the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the Montgomery Commission shall appropriate money in the Montgomery Commission’s final budget for all economic provisions of the final agreement.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The parties shall execute an agreement that incorporates the final agreement, including arbitration awards and all issues agreed to under this section.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before April 1 or a later date determined by mutual agreement of the parties due to extenuating circumstances, the Executive Director of the Montgomery Commission shall submit to the Montgomery Commission any term or condition of the final offer that requires:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an appropriation of funds or that may result in a present or future fiscal impact on the Montgomery Commission or its customers; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>action by the Montgomery Commission to implement the collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Montgomery Commission may accept or reject all or part of any term or condition that the Executive Director is required to submit under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall share the costs of the mediator–arbitrator panel’s services equally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-310.1" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>During the term of a collective bargaining agreement:</text> <level label="1"> <text>either party may declare an impasse and request the services of a mediator–arbitrator; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the parties jointly may request the services of a mediator–arbitrator at any time without declaring an impasse.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the services of a mediator–arbitrator are requested, the parties jointly shall appoint a mediator–arbitrator.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the parties are unable to agree on a jointly appointed mediator–arbitrator as required under § 16–311 of this subtitle, the labor relations administrator shall name the jointly appointed mediator–arbitrator within 7 days after the services of a mediator–arbitrator were requested.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the mediator–arbitrator finds in the discretion of the mediator–arbitrator that the parties are in a bona fide impasse, the mediator–arbitrator shall require each party to submit a separate memorandum of the party’s last final offer presented in negotiations on items with regard to which the parties are in dispute.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 10 days after the submission of the memorandum required under subsection (c) of this section, the mediator–arbitrator shall hold a nonpublic hearing on the parties’ offers at a time, date, and place chosen by the mediator–arbitrator.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each party shall submit evidence or make oral and written argument in support of the party’s last final offer.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The mediator–arbitrator may not open the hearing to a person who is not a party to the mediation–arbitration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 5 days after the hearing required under subsection (d)(1) of this section, the mediator–arbitrator shall issue a report choosing the final offer that the mediator–arbitrator determines to be more reasonable when viewed as a whole.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, in determining the more reasonable offer, the mediator–arbitrator may consider only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>past collective bargaining contracts between the parties, including the bargaining history that led to the agreement or the precollective bargaining history of employee wages, hours, benefits, and other working conditions;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a comparison of wages, hours, benefits, and conditions of employment of similar employees of other public employers in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a comparison of wages, hours, benefits, and conditions of employment of similar employees of private employers in Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the public interest and welfare;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the ability of the employer to finance any economic adjustments required under the proposed agreement;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the effects of any economic adjustments on the standard of public services normally provided by the employer; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the annual increase or decrease in consumer prices for all items as shown in the most recent Consumer Price Index – Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (“CPI–W”) for the Washington Metropolitan Area.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In considering the terms and conditions of the final offer, the mediator–arbitrator shall first consider and give the highest priority to the ability of the Montgomery Commission to pay for additional short–term and long–term expenses by considering:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the limits on the ability of the Montgomery Commission to raise revenue;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the added burden raising revenue would have on customers of the Montgomery Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the ability of the Montgomery Commission to continue providing the current level of service to its customers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In determining the more reasonable offer, the mediator–arbitrator shall consider that all items on which the parties agreed before the mediation–arbitration are integrated with each offer.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The mediator–arbitrator may not receive or consider the history of collective bargaining relating to the immediate dispute, including any offers of settlement not contained in the offer submitted to the mediator–arbitrator.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The mediator–arbitrator may not compromise or alter the final offer that the mediator–arbitrator chooses.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (5) of this subsection and without ratification by the parties, the offer that the mediator–arbitrator chooses as integrated with the items on which the parties previously agreed is the final agreement between the Montgomery Commission and the exclusive representative.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The economic provisions of the final agreement are subject to funding by the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the Montgomery Commission shall appropriate money in the Montgomery Commission’s final budget for all economic provisions of the final agreement.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The parties shall execute an agreement that incorporates the final agreement, including arbitration awards and all issues agreed to under this section.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>Within 45 days after the execution of an agreement under paragraph (4) of this subsection or on a later date determined by mutual agreement of the parties due to extenuating circumstances, the Executive Director of the Montgomery Commission shall submit to the Montgomery Commission any term or condition of the final offer that requires:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an appropriation of funds or that may result in a present or future fiscal impact on the Montgomery Commission or its customers; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>action by the Montgomery Commission to implement the collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Montgomery Commission may accept or reject all or part of any term or condition that the Executive Director is required to submit under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall share equally the costs of the mediator–arbitrator’s services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-311" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>A mediator panel may be used in collective bargaining when:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Montgomery Commission and the employee organization agree to mediation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an impasse results, and the Montgomery Commission or the employee organization requests mediation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>each choose one mediator from a list supplied by the American Arbitration Association or the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>together choose a third mediator from a list supplied by the American Arbitration Association or the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Montgomery Commission and the employee organization cannot agree on a jointly appointed mediator, the labor relations administrator shall choose the third mediator.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall share the costs of mediation equally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-312" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and an employee organization certified as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit shall execute a collective bargaining agreement incorporating all matters of agreement on wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a collective bargaining agreement provides for a grievance procedure, that grievance procedure shall be the only procedure for employees in the bargaining unit.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The collective bargaining agreement may include an agency shop or other union security provision.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The collective bargaining agreement supersedes any conflicting regulation or administrative policy of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A collective bargaining agreement takes effect on the approval of the Montgomery Commission and the membership of the employee organization representing the bargaining unit.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A single year or multiple–year collective bargaining agreement shall expire at the close of the appropriate fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a provision in a collective bargaining agreement is ruled invalid or is not funded adequately, the rest of the agreement remains in effect unless reopened under § 16–313(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-313" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall include in its annual proposed operating budget adequate funding to carry out a collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless the Montgomery Commission’s budget is funded adequately to carry out the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall reopen the negotiated agreement and bargain about the provisions of the agreement not approved by the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The bargaining shall begin within 5 days after the final budget of the Montgomery Commission has been adopted.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-314" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subtitle and any agreement made under it do not impair the right and duty of the Montgomery Commission to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>determine the budget and mission of the Montgomery Commission;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintain and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>determine the services to be rendered and the operations to be performed;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>determine the location of facilities and the organizational structure, methods, processes, means, job classifications, and personnel by which operations are to be conducted;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>direct and supervise employees;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>hire, choose, and establish the standards governing promotion of employees, and classify positions;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>relieve employees from duties because of lack of work or money or when the Montgomery Commission determines that continued work would be inefficient or nonproductive;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>take action to carry out the missions of government in emergencies;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>transfer and schedule employees;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>determine the size, grades, and composition of the workforce;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>set the standards of productivity and technology;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>establish employee performance standards and evaluate and assign employees, except that evaluation and assignment procedures shall be a subject for bargaining;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>make and carry out systems for awarding outstanding service increments, extraordinary performance awards, and other merit awards;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>introduce new or improved technology, research, development, and services;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>control and regulate the use of machinery, equipment, and other property and facilities of the Montgomery Commission, subject to § 16–308(a)(5) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>maintain internal security standards;</text> </level> <level label="xvii"> <text>suspend, discharge, or otherwise discipline employees for cause, subject to the grievance procedure set forth in the collective bargaining agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="xviii"> <text>issue and enforce rules, policies, and regulations necessary to carry out this subsection and all other managerial functions that are not inconsistent with this Division II, federal or State law, or the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, this subtitle and any agreement made under it do not impair the right and responsibility of the Montgomery Commission to create, alter, combine, contract out, or abolish a job classification, department, operation, unit, or other division or service.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Montgomery Commission may undertake the contracting of work that will displace employees only if the Montgomery Commission gives written notice to the certified representative at least 90 days before signing the contract or within a different period that is agreed to by the parties.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery Commission may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>interfere with, coerce, or restrain an employee in the exercise of rights under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>dominate, interfere with, or assist in the formation, administration, or existence of any employee organization or contribute financial assistance or other support to an employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>encourage or discourage membership in an employee organization by discriminating against an employee through hiring, tenure, promotion, or other conditions of employment;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>discharge or discriminate against an employee because the employee has signed or filed an affidavit, petition, or complaint or given any information or testimony under this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>refuse to bargain in good faith with an employee organization that is certified as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit over any subject of bargaining or refuse to participate in good faith in the mediation, fact–finding, or grievance procedure under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection does not prohibit the Montgomery Commission from allowing employees to negotiate or to confer with the Montgomery Commission over labor matters during work hours without the loss of pay or time.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-315" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee organization may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interfere with, restrain, or coerce any employee in the employee’s exercise of a right under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>cause or attempt to cause the Montgomery Commission to discriminate against an employee in the employee’s exercise of a right under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>coerce, discipline, fine, or attempt to coerce a member of an employee organization as punishment or reprisal;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>coerce, discipline, fine, or attempt to coerce a member of an employee organization to impede the member’s work performance;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>refuse to negotiate in good faith with the Montgomery Commission as required by this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>fail or refuse to cooperate in impasse procedures and impasse decisions as required by this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual may file an unfair labor charge against an employee organization for a violation of subsection (a)(3) or (4) of this section only if the individual is a Montgomery Commission employee to whom this subtitle applies.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-316" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>Employees of the Montgomery Commission retain the right to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>form, join, or assist an employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>bargain collectively through a representative that the employees have chosen;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>engage in other lawful concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>refrain from an activity covered under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When an employee has a grievance under a collective bargaining agreement, the employee may present the grievance to the Montgomery Commission but may do so only through the employee organization certified as the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-317" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “strike” means the action of an employee, in concert with others, to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>refuse to report to work;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>stop or slow down work; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>abstain wholly or partly from the full, faithful, and proper performance of duties when the object is to induce, influence, or coerce a change in the terms, conditions, rights, or privileges of employment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A Montgomery Commission employee, a group of Montgomery Commission employees, or an employee organization may not engage in, induce, initiate, or ratify a strike by Montgomery Commission employees.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a strike occurs, on request of the Montgomery Commission, a court of competent jurisdiction may enjoin the strike.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An employee may not receive compensation from the Montgomery Commission while the employee is engaged in a strike.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If an employee engages in, induces, initiates, or ratifies a strike, the Montgomery Commission may take appropriate disciplinary action against the employee, including suspension or discharge.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The labor relations administrator shall hold a hearing on the disciplinary action at which the Montgomery Commission, the employee, and any interested employee organization may present evidence and argument.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>If the labor relations administrator finds after a hearing that an employee organization certified as an exclusive representative assisted, authorized, or initiated a strike involving the refusal of Montgomery Commission employees to report for work, the labor relations administrator shall revoke the certification of the employee organization.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An employee organization decertified under paragraph (1) of this paragraph may not be recertified for 2 years after the end of the strike.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the labor relations administrator finds after a hearing that an employee organization certified as an exclusive representative assisted, authorized, or initiated any other kind of strike, the labor relations administrator may revoke the certification of the employee organization for up to 1 year from the end of the strike.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-318" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>It is an unfair labor practice for the Montgomery Commission or an employee organization certified as an exclusive representative of a bargaining unit to violate the rights of a Montgomery Commission employee under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 30 business days after an alleged unfair labor practice occurs, the party charging the unfair labor practice shall submit the charge in writing to the labor relations administrator and the party alleged to have committed the unfair labor practice.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 15 business days after a party submits an unfair labor practice charge, the party shall ask the labor relations administrator to hold a hearing and decide whether an unfair labor practice has occurred.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The labor relations administrator shall hold a hearing and make findings of fact and conclusions of law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the labor relations administrator finds that a party has committed an unfair labor practice, the labor relations administrator shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>order that party to cease and desist from the unfair labor practice; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>order all relief necessary to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>remedy the violation of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make whole any injured employee or party and restore the employee or party to the position or condition in which the employee or party would have been but for the violation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Relief may include reinstatement, restitution, back pay, and injunctions.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Relief may not include attorney fees, punitive damages, consequential damages, or damages for pain, suffering, or emotional distress.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The decision of the labor relations administrator is final unless appealed on the basis of being arbitrary, capricious, or exceeding authority.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If the labor relations administrator finds that the party charged with the unfair labor practice has not committed any prohibited practice, the labor relations administrator shall issue an order dismissing the charges.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Montgomery Commission and the employee organization shall share the cost of any unfair labor practice proceeding equally.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>If the party found to have committed the unfair labor practice fails or refuses to comply with the labor relations administrator’s decision, the charging party may file an action to enforce the order with the circuit court for a county in which any of the involved employees work.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-319" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to the expression of any personal view, argument, or opinion or the making of any personal statement that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>does not contain a threat of reprisal, force, or promise of benefit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>was not made under coercive conditions; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>publicizes a representational election or encourages employees to exercise their right to vote in the election;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>corrects the record with respect to a false or misleading statement made by any person; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>informs employees of the Montgomery Commission’s policy about labor–management relations and representation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The expression of any personal view, argument, opinion, or statement described in subsection (a) of this section is not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an unfair labor practice under this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>grounds for setting aside an election held under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-401" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Adversely affect” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the elimination of more than two employee positions assigned to perform bargaining unit work if the positions are authorized, fully funded, and either vacant for less than 90 calendar days or occupied at the time the Montgomery Commission solicits a service contract;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a permanent and involuntary reduction below the number of hours for regular full–time employment for more than five employees currently assigned to a regular full–time work schedule to perform bargaining unit work when the Montgomery Commission solicits a service contract;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a permanent and involuntary reduction in the pay grade for more than five employees currently assigned to a regular full–time work schedule to perform bargaining unit work when the Montgomery Commission solicits a service contract; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a permanent and involuntary reduction in the base pay or fringe benefits otherwise applicable to a job classification covering more than five employees currently assigned on a full–time basis to perform bargaining unit work when the Montgomery Commission solicits a service contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Adversely affect” does not include any action by the Montgomery Commission taken in accordance with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a bona fide disciplinary proceeding;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a collective bargaining agreement then applicable in accordance with § 16–312 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a reallocation or reassignment to other bargaining unit work or other duties that does not result in a change in job classification or grade.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Bargaining unit work” means work duties assigned or allocated to any position occupied within the preceding 90 calendar days by an employee who is represented by a certified representative.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Certified representative” means an employee organization certified as the collective bargaining representative of Montgomery Commission employees in accordance with § 16–306 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Service contract” means a procurement contract for services that will be provided to the Montgomery Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-402" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subtitle applies to a service contract that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is solicited by the Montgomery Commission as a management plan intended to adversely affect Montgomery Commission employees represented by a certified representative; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in the estimation of the Montgomery Commission procurement officer, will exceed an annual cost of $75,000 as calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall adjust the annual cost estimation described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection to the nearest $100 every 2 years, beginning on October 1, 2008, to reflect any aggregate increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, for the Washington Metropolitan Area, or any successor index, for the previous 2 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>solicitation of a service contract as part of a management plan and not for a present or eventual purpose of adversely affecting Montgomery Commission employees represented by the certified representative;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>solicitation of a service contract for which the primary purpose is to obtain goods or construction services;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>solicitation of a service contract that the Montgomery Commission’s purchasing officials reasonably believe and express in writing may negatively affect the potential for participation by a minority, female, or disabled owned business in the Montgomery Commission’s minority, female, and disabled persons program under procurement policies, as amended;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>solicitation of a service contract for a service provided by a consultant;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>solicitation of a service contract for a professional service, unless the scope of service is provided by bargaining unit employees when the contract is solicited;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>solicitation of a service contract that the Montgomery Commission reasonably believes is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>necessary to meet an emergent or imminent threat to public health, welfare, or safety;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>required to comply with the requirements of any grant related to the funding of that contract; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>related to the settlement of an insurance claim;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>solicitation of a service contract that is in the best interest of an employee based on a need for specialized safety experience or expertise;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>solicitation of a service contract for any service provided by a public entity or provided to the Montgomery Commission in accordance with a public–private partnership with a private entity;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>solicitation of a service contract to be awarded on a noncompetitive basis in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations regarding those contracts;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>a service contract entered into prior to October 31, 2008;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>the renewal or rebidding of a service contract entered into prior to October 31, 2008, if the renewal or rebidding of the service contract does not result in a greater adverse effect on bargaining unit employees than existed prior to its renewal or rebidding;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>solicitation of a service contract for a capital improvement project, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 236 property, a newly–acquired or developed property, unless that property is both owned and managed by the Montgomery Commission, or an asset management project;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>solicitation of any class, type, category, or particular service contract that the Montgomery Commission reasonably believes should be performed by an independent contractor to eliminate a conflict of interest otherwise apparent if the services are performed by a bargaining unit employee;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>solicitation of any class, type, category, or particular service contract when the need for the service or activity is such that the time necessary for the analysis required under § 16–403 of this subtitle would:</text> <level label="i"> <text>result in damage to Montgomery Commission property;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>result in injury to individuals; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>substantially hinder the objective of constructing or maintaining safe, sanitary, and decent properties and facilities; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="15"> <text>a service contract required to comply with an applicable rule, regulation, or guideline established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to or limit the authority of the Montgomery Commission to abolish a bargaining unit position or conduct a reduction in force.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-403" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <text>Before the Montgomery Commission solicits any service contract under this subtitle, the Executive Director shall certify that the Montgomery Commission has complied with §§ 16–404 and 16–405 of this subtitle. </text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-404" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <level label="a"> <text>The Executive Director may not certify that the Montgomery Commission has complied with the requirements of this subtitle unless the Montgomery Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has taken steps to consider alternatives to the service contract, including reorganization, reevaluation of service, and reevaluation of performance;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has consulted with the certified representative of any Montgomery Commission employees who will be adversely affected if the Montgomery Commission enters into the service contract; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>has demonstrated, based on a cost comparison analysis utilizing good faith estimates, that the Montgomery Commission will save, by entering into a service contract, at least an amount equal to the lesser of $200,000 or 20% of the estimated net present value of the cost of the service contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall estimate and compare at least the following in the cost comparison analysis:</text> <level label="1"> <text>direct costs, including fringe benefits and the assumption that the contractor will pay employees who perform work under the service contract, at a minimum, the county living wage rate for Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>indirect overhead costs properly allocable to the bargaining unit work or service contract according to generally accepted accounting principles; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any costs associated with unemployment compensation or outplacement assistance for displaced employees.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-405" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <level label="a"> <text>The Montgomery Commission shall provide not less than 60 days’ advance notice and maintain at all times a formal plan of outplacement assistance for each Montgomery Commission employee who is represented by a certified representative and will be adversely affected by a service contract that is subject to this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The plan described in subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>efforts to transfer or place each adversely affected Montgomery Commission employee in a vacant Montgomery Commission position that the employee is qualified to perform;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a requirement in the service contract that the contractor shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the Montgomery Commission of any vacant position for which displaced Montgomery Commission employees may apply; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>consider and give preference to hiring displaced Montgomery Commission employees; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>written notification of the anticipated adverse effect on one or more job classifications to the certified representative at least 90 calendar days before the anticipated adverse effect will occur.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-406" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <text>The certified representative of an adversely affected Montgomery Commission employee may submit a proposal for existing bargaining unit employees to continue performing the services described in the solicitation while achieving the targeted savings.</text> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="16-407" title_number="16" title_name="Montgomery County" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Service Contracts"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Montgomery Commission fails to comply with any provision of this subtitle and a Montgomery Commission employee is adversely affected, the certified representative of the employee may file an appeal on the record on behalf of the employee before the State Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with the contested case provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If the hearing officer finds that the Montgomery Commission was arbitrary and capricious in soliciting or entering into a service contract that is subject to the requirements of this section, and the Montgomery Commission employee has been adversely affected, the hearing officer may award the employee actual damages for back pay and front pay for a combined period of up to 2 years beginning on the date the employee was first adversely affected, provided that the employee is obligated to mitigate the actual damages.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The award of actual damages authorized under this paragraph shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for a violation of this subtitle that is available to the employee, and no liability shall accrue for punitive damages, consequential damages, or damages for emotional distress or pain and suffering.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Noncompliance with this section may not invalidate a contract award or proposed contract award that the Montgomery Commission has otherwise validly awarded or issued.</text> </level> </section>