In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Department” means the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. “Governing authority” means: the governing body of a county or municipality; a board of directors; or any other body that governs an entity to which this section applies. This section applies to the following governmental entities: counties; municipalities; bicounty or multicounty agencies; public authorities; special taxing districts; and any other political subdivision or unit of a political subdivision of the State. Each governmental entity shall have a resident agent who is: a resident of the State; a Maryland corporation; or an officer of the governmental entity. A governmental entity shall designate or change its resident agent by filing for record with the Department: a certification of the person who the charter of the governmental entity authorizes to accept service of process for the governmental entity; or absent a charter designation, a certified copy of a resolution of the governmental entity’s governing authority that authorizes the designation. A governmental entity may change the address for its resident agent by filing for record with the Department a statement of the change signed by the chair or other principal officer of the governing authority of the governmental entity. A resident agent whose address changes may notify the Department by filing for record with the Department a statement of the change signed by or for the resident agent. A resident agent may resign by filing a statement of resignation with the Department. There is no fee for a filing under this section. A designation, change of agent, change of address, or resignation is effective as provided in the Corporations and Associations Article for a corporate resident agent. Service of process on the resident agent of a governmental entity constitutes effective service of process under the Maryland Rules on the governmental entity in an action brought against the governmental entity. Any notice required by law to be served by personal service on the resident agent or any other agent or officer of a governmental entity may be served in the manner provided by the Maryland Rules that relate to service of process on governmental entities. Service under the Maryland Rules is equivalent to personal service on the resident agent or other agent or officer of a governmental entity.

Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a State law or regulation requires a county or municipality to adopt legislation or a regulation at least as strict or effective as the applicable State law or regulation, the county or municipality may adopt the State law or regulation by reference. If a county or municipality adopts a State law or regulation by reference, the county or municipality shall specify: whether it also adopts by reference any amendments to the State law or regulation effective after the local adoption of the State law or regulation by reference; and any exceptions to the State law or regulation if the State law or regulation authorizes local options. The authorization under subsection (a) of this section: does not affect any requirement that a county or municipality form and maintain a local program, plan, or standard, including implementation and enforcement processes, required under any State law or any regulation adopted under the authority of that law; and if a State law or regulation adopted under the authority of that law authorizes local options, does not grant more authority than is granted by that law or regulation.

In this section, “regulation” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the State Government Article. This section does not apply to a unit of State government. Each governmental and quasi–governmental unit shall compile, index, and publish its regulations that affect a member of the general public.

In this section, “civil penalty” means a civil fine or other monetary penalty administratively imposed. Unless otherwise provided by statute, ordinance, or regulation, an officer or unit of a county, municipality, bicounty agency, or board of license commissioners authorized by law to impose a civil penalty up to a specific dollar amount for violation of a statute, ordinance, or regulation shall consider the following in setting the amount of the civil penalty: the severity of the violation; the good faith of the violator; and any history of prior violations.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Fair market value” means a value that: is determined by a schedule adopted by the Department of Transportation; and includes the value of the integral parts of an outdoor advertising sign, less depreciation. “Fair market value” does not include loss of revenue. “Outdoor advertising sign” means an off–premises outdoor sign that is: commercially owned and maintained; and used to advertise goods or services for sale in a location other than the location where the sign is placed. “Outdoor advertising sign” includes a sign composed of painted bulletin or poster panel, generally referred to as a billboard. A county or municipality shall pay the fair market value of an outdoor advertising sign that: was lawfully erected and maintained under a State, county, or municipal law or ordinance; and is removed or required to be removed by the county or municipality.

In this section, “covered employee” has the meaning stated in § 9–101 of the Labor and Employment Article. Before a county or municipality may issue a license or permit to an employer to engage in an activity in which the employer may employ a covered employee, the employer shall file with the issuing authority: a certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act; or the number of a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder.

The population count used after each decennial census to create the legislative districts that are used to elect the governing body of a county or a municipality: may not include individuals who: were incarcerated in State or federal correctional facilities, as determined by the decennial census; and were not residents of the State before their incarceration; and shall include individuals incarcerated in State or federal correctional facilities, as determined by the decennial census, at their last known residence before incarceration if the individuals were residents of the State.

To support, foster, or promote an affordable housing program for individuals or families of low or moderate income, a county or municipality may: establish local trust funds or appropriate funds; waive or modify building permit or development impact fees and charges that are not mandated under State law for the construction or rehabilitation of lower income housing units: in proportion to the number of lower income housing units of a development; and that are financed, wholly or partly, by public funding that requires mortgage restrictions or recorded covenants restricting the rental or sale of the housing units to lower income residents in accordance with specific government program requirements; or that are developed by a nonprofit organization that: has been exempt from federal taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for at least 3 years; and requires the homebuyer to participate in the construction or rehabilitation of the housing unit; enact legislation that restricts cost and resale prices and requires development of affordable housing units as part of any subdivision in return for added density; provide land or property from the inventory of the county or municipality; and support PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) programs to encourage construction of affordable housing.

In this section, “electric company” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article. This section applies to all counties and municipalities. On written request by a county or municipality, an electric company shall sell to the county or municipality some or all of the electric company’s existing street lighting equipment that is located in the county or municipality. If the county or municipality purchases street lighting equipment from an electric company, the county or municipality shall pay to the electric company the fair market value of the street lighting equipment. A county or municipality that purchases street lighting equipment in accordance with this section: shall be responsible for the maintenance of the street lighting equipment; and may contract with an outside entity for the maintenance of the street lighting equipment. Any person who controls the right to use space on any pole, lamppost, or other mounting surface previously used in the county or municipality by the electric company for street lighting equipment shall allow a county or municipality that has purchased the street lighting equipment to assume the rights and obligations of the electric company with respect to the space for the unexpired term of any lease or other agreement under which the electric company used the space. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the county or municipality may not restrict or prohibit universal access for electricity or any other service by assuming the rights and obligations of an electric company as to space on any pole, lamppost, or other mounting surface used for street lighting equipment. Any dispute between an electric company and a county or municipality arising under this subsection shall be submitted to the Public Service Commission for resolution.

In this section, “swimming pool” means a pool that is owned and operated by the governing body of a county or municipality. Each county or municipality that owns or operates a swimming pool shall develop and implement an automated external defibrillator program that meets the requirements of § 13–517 of the Education Article for each swimming pool owned or operated by the county or municipality. The program required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include provisions that: ensure an automated external defibrillator is provided on–site; and an individual trained in the operation and use of an automated external defibrillator is present at each swimming pool. The Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems jointly shall adopt regulations that: establish guidelines for periodic inspections and annual maintenance of the automated external defibrillators; and assist each county or municipality in carrying out the provisions of this section.

A county or municipality, in developing a construction or improvement project involving a bridge or other transportation facility that is adjacent to or crosses a waterway, shall consider any reasonable and appropriate measures to provide or improve in the vicinity of the bridge or other transportation facility water access for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or any other nonmotorized water dependent recreational activity. A county or municipality, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and interested stakeholders, shall establish: standards and guidelines for identifying appropriate bridges and other transportation facilities to be considered for the provision or improvement of water access under this section; and best practices and cost effective strategies for accommodating water access under this section.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Alarm system contractor” has the meaning stated in § 12–806 of this article. “Alarm user” has the meaning stated in § 12–806 of this article. This section applies to all counties and municipalities. If a county or municipality requires an alarm user or an alarm system contractor to register an alarm system, the county or municipality may impose a penalty against an alarm system contractor for failure to register an alarm system only if: the alarm system contractor requested a dispatch to an alarm user; and the alarm system contractor failed to register the alarm system. If a county or municipality requires an alarm user or an alarm system contractor to renew an alarm system’s registration, the county or municipality may impose a penalty against an alarm system contractor for failure to renew an alarm system’s registration only if: the alarm system contractor requested a dispatch to an alarm user; the alarm system contractor failed to renew the alarm system’s registration; and the county or municipality provided the alarm system contractor notice that: the alarm system’s registration expired; the alarm user or the alarm system contractor did not renew the alarm system’s registration; or the alarm system’s registration has been suspended.

This section applies to all counties and municipalities. Within the first 12 months of employment, a new officer of a humane society or animal control shall satisfactorily complete at least 80 hours of training for animal care and control professionals that is approved by the appropriate unit of a county or municipality. The training shall include instruction on: animal cruelty investigations; the association between animal abuse and the abuse of the elderly or domestic violence, as defined in § 4–701 of the Family Law Article; the use of legal resources, including constitutional law, the Annotated Code of Maryland, and county codes; lawful searches and seizures; professionalism and ethical standards; evidence collection and the chain of custody; preparation for civil and criminal proceedings, including basic trial principles and due process protections; conflict resolution and officer safety, including physical and mental health; and animal diseases and zoonosis. The unit of the county or municipality may require other training in addition to the training specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection. An officer of a humane society or animal control shall satisfactorily complete at least 6 hours of continuing education approved by the appropriate unit of a county or municipality every year. The continuing education shall include instruction on the current laws applicable to officers.

This section applies to all counties and municipalities. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an animal control facility operated by a county or municipality shall waive the adoption fee for a dog or cat adopted by a veteran who presents a valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration that includes a notation of veteran status in accordance with § 12–302 of the Transportation Article. An animal control facility may limit the number of adoption fee waivers granted to an individual under this subsection to one dog and one cat within a 6–month period.

A unit of a county or municipal government may not knowingly use public funds to influence the decisions of county or municipal employees to: support or oppose an employee organization that represents or seeks to represent the employees of the county or municipality; or become a member of an employee organization. This section does not apply to an activity performed or an expense incurred in connection with: addressing a grievance or negotiating or administering a collective bargaining agreement; allowing an employee organization or a representative of an employee organization access to and use of a county’s or municipality’s facilities or properties; performing an activity required by federal or State law or a collective bargaining agreement; negotiating, entering into, or carrying out a voluntary recognition agreement with an employee organization; or paying wages to a represented employee while the employee is performing duties if the payment is permitted under a collective bargaining agreement.

In this section, “amateur radio” means the use of a radio frequency spectrum for purposes of noncommercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self–training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, or emergency communication by a duly authorized person interested in radioelectric practice with a purely personal aim and without pecuniary interest. This section applies to all counties and municipalities. It is the intent of the General Assembly to codify the provisions of 47 C.F.R. § 97.15 concerning the Federal Communications Commission’s preemption of local ordinances regulating amateur radio station antenna structures. A county or municipal ordinance regulating amateur radio station antenna structures: may not preclude amateur radio communications; shall reasonably accommodate amateur radio communications; and shall constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the legitimate purpose of the ordinance.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Invasive bamboo” means nonnative bamboo that is characterized by aggressive spreading behavior, including bamboo species in the genus Phyllostachys. “Listed invasive tree” means any tree on the “Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List” posted by the Department of Agriculture. “Native tree replacement program” means a program whereby a person receives a native tree in exchange for removing and eradicating an invasive tree. “Tree of heaven” means the Ailanthus altissima tree species. This section applies to all counties and municipalities. The governing body of a county or municipality, by ordinance, may regulate invasive bamboo, listed invasive trees, or trees of heaven, including by prohibiting a person from: selling invasive bamboo, listed invasive trees, or trees of heaven; planting invasive bamboo, listed invasive trees, or trees of heaven; allowing invasive bamboo to grow on the property of the person without proper upkeep and appropriate containment measures, including barriers or trenches; and allowing trees of heaven or other listed invasive trees to grow on the person’s property. The governing body of a county or municipality may provide for the enforcement of an ordinance adopted under this section by: requiring any damages caused by invasive bamboo, listed invasive trees, or trees of heaven to be mitigated; and establishing a civil fine. The governing body of a county or municipality may establish a bounty or native tree replacement program to incentivize the removal and eradication of trees of heaven and other listed invasive trees. A bounty or native tree replacement program established by a county or municipality shall require: an invasive tree to be properly identified consistent with the species page published by the University of Maryland agriculture extension; and the invasive species, after being properly identified, to be removed or eradicated according to professionally accepted methods or consistent with methodology on the species page published by the University of Maryland agriculture extension.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Condominium association” means a council of unit owners, as defined in § 11–109 of the Real Property Article, subject to the provisions of the Maryland Condominium Act. “Homeowners association” means a homeowners association, as defined in § 11B–101 of the Real Property Article, subject to the provisions of the Maryland Homeowners Association Act. A county or municipality may establish a local trust fund or other appropriate fund for the purpose of repairing or rehabilitating infrastructure within communities that are subject to the requirements of the Maryland Condominium Act or the Maryland Homeowners Association Act. A fund created under paragraph (1) of this subsection: may be used, at the discretion of a county or municipality, for the repair of infrastructure that is traditionally maintained by the county or municipality for the benefit of the public, including roads and stormwater management facilities; and may not be used to repair or replace recreational facilities used for the exclusive use or benefit of the members of a condominium association or homeowners association or their guests. A fund established by a county or municipality under subsection (b) of this section shall consist of: property tax revenues paid to the county or municipality by unit owners in a condominium or lot owners in a homeowners association; other appropriations made by the county or municipality for the benefit of the fund; gifts or donations made to the fund; and investment earnings of the fund. A county or municipality shall assign property tax revenues paid to the county or municipality by the unit owners in a condominium association or the lot owners in a homeowners association to a fund established in accordance with this section as follows: 25% of the revenues per year for any condominium association or homeowners association that has not received support from the fund since the date on which the fund was established; and not less than 10% but not more than 25% of the revenues per year for any condominium association or homeowners association that has received support from the fund since the date on which the fund was established. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a county or a municipality may establish eligibility requirements for the award of funds to a condominium association or homeowners association. A county or municipality shall prioritize support for condominium associations and homeowners associations that exhibit the greatest need for infrastructure repair or rehabilitation. When evaluating the need for funding to support infrastructure repair, a county or municipality may consider the availability of other funds and resources on which a condominium association or homeowners association may rely.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Administration” means the Maryland Energy Administration. “Residential energy storage system” means a system, on a residential customer’s side of the meter, used to store electrical energy, or mechanical, chemical, or thermal energy that was once electrical energy, for use as electrical energy at a later date or in a process that offsets electricity use at peak times. “Residential solar energy system” means any configuration of solar energy devices that collects and distributes solar energy for the purpose of generating electricity and that has a single residential interconnection with the electrical grid. “Restriction on use” has the meaning stated in § 2–126 of the Real Property Article. “Solar permitting fee” means a fee equal to the sum of all charges imposed by a county or municipality, including charges imposed by a provider of solar permitting software, in connection with an application for a residential solar energy system. “Solar permitting software” means software or a combination of software that: automates plan review for residential solar energy systems to the most recent version of, as applicable: the Maryland Building Performance Standards; the National Electrical Code, including legally adopted local amendments; and locally adopted building codes; produces code–compliant approvals; issues a code–compliant permit; accepts online payments for any permitting fees imposed; issues permits or permit revisions immediately on receipt of online submission of permitting fee payments, if applicable; is capable of processing a majority of residential solar energy system applications; and when a permit is issued, immediately notifies a county or municipality, as applicable, of the issuance of the permit and allows access to approved application materials. This section applies to all counties and municipalities. This section does not apply to a restriction on use on: historic property that is listed in or determined by the Director of the Maryland Historical Trust to be eligible for inclusion in the Maryland Register of Historic Properties; or property located within a district designated by the applicable local jurisdiction to be of historic significance in accordance with § 8–105 of the Land Use Article. Subject to subsection (d) of this section and except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, on or before August 1, 2027, each county and municipality shall implement solar permitting software for features supporting the application submission, tracking, and approval of residential building permits for: residential solar energy systems; residential energy storage systems; main electrical panel upgrades; and main electrical panel derates. A county or municipality shall: complete a remote or in–person inspection required for a project permitted by solar permitting software within an average of 5 business days after receiving a properly completed request for inspection; and make publicly available annual data for the average inspection time for projects permitted by solar permitting software. Review of a permit application to install a residential solar energy generating system that is submitted using solar permitting software shall be limited to a determination whether the application meets all health and safety requirements under State and local law. A county or municipality shall complete any manual review of a software–approved permit within 5 business days after the permit is approved. This paragraph applies only to a residential solar energy system: that is or will be installed on a residential rooftop; and with a generating capacity of less than 20 kilowatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter. Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, beginning August 1, 2027, a county or municipality may not set a permitting fee for permits issued by solar permitting software that exceeds $500 for residential solar energy systems. A third–party payment processing charge may be assessed for permits issued by solar permitting software in addition to the maximum permitting fee under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph. An inspector may review construction documents that are produced by the solar permitting software. A county or municipality may not be required to comply with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section if: the county or municipality does not require a permit for: residential solar energy systems; or residential solar energy systems paired with a residential solar energy storage system; or as determined by the Administration, the automated software is no longer updated or maintained. The Administration shall delay the initial implementation or suspend the requirements of subsection (c) of this section if there are insufficient State or federal funds available to the Administration to provide financial support to a county or municipality implementing solar permitting software. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an electric company, other than a municipal electric utility or a third–party contractor for the electric company, shall perform any meter disconnection and reconnection necessary for the interconnection of a residential solar energy system or residential energy storage system within 5 business days after receiving a properly completed request from the owner or installer of the system. An electric company may authorize qualified personnel who are not associated with the electric company to perform any meter disconnection and reconnection necessary for the interconnection of a residential solar energy system or a residential energy storage system. This subsection may not be construed to alter requirements for small generator facility interconnection standards established by the Public Service Commission. The Attorney General may seek judicial enforcement against a county or municipality that fails to comply with this section.