This subtitle does not apply to Baltimore City.

Sections 1–703 through 1–707 of this subtitle do not: grant to a county or municipality additional authority in any substantive area beyond that granted under other public general law or public local law; restrict a county or municipality from exercising authority granted under other public general law or public local law; authorize a county or municipality to engage in an activity not authorized under other public general law or public local law; or preempt or supersede the regulatory authority of a unit of State government. This section applies to all counties, except: Anne Arundel County; Baltimore City; Baltimore County; Cecil County; Howard County; Prince George’s County; Queen Anne’s County; and Worcester County. The provisions of §§ 9–105 and 9–106 of this article apply to an act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted by a commission county under this section. A county may grant franchises as provided under existing public general law or public local law.

It is the policy of the State to authorize each county and municipality to displace or limit competition in the area of public transportation to: provide adequate, economical, and efficient transportation services; protect against excessive and inconsistent prices for transportation services; conserve energy and reduce accidents, air pollution, congestion, and traffic hazards through public transportation; encourage its use by contributing capital and operating funds so that transportation may be provided at the lowest cost; and promote the general welfare by providing a comprehensive transportation system. Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, a county or municipality may: grant one or more franchises for transportation services on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis; impose franchise fees; establish rates applicable to the franchise; and adopt rules, regulations, and licensing requirements for the operation of the franchise; or operate a public transportation system on an exclusive basis, including: establishing rates for the public transportation system; and adopting rules and regulations for the operation of the public transportation system.

It is the policy of the State to authorize each county and municipality to displace or limit competition in the area of water and sewerage systems to: assure delivery of adequate, economical, and efficient water and sewerage services; avoid duplication of water and sewerage facilities; control disease and provide for the public health and safety; prevent environmental degradation; protect natural resources; use the public right–of–way efficiently; and promote the general welfare by providing adequate water and sewerage systems. Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, a county or municipality may: grant one or more franchises or enter into contracts for water or sewerage systems on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis; impose franchise fees; establish charges and rates applicable to the franchise; and adopt rules, regulations, and licensing requirements for the operation of the franchise. If another law grants a county or municipality the authority to operate water and sewerage systems, the county or municipality shall operate the systems without regard to any anticompetitive effect.

Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, it is the policy of the State to direct and authorize each county and municipality to exercise authority over waste collection and disposal. This section does not apply to waste that the generator: directs to a specific facility for reclamation, recycling, or reuse; or disposes of on its property.

It is the policy of the State to authorize each county and municipality to displace or limit competition in the awarding of concessions on, over, or under property owned or leased by the county or municipality and in the leasing or subleasing of property owned or leased by the county or municipality to: use its assets properly for the best public purpose; protect the public from unscrupulous business practices and excessive prices; provide maximum accessibility to public property; provide desirable or necessary governmental services at the lowest possible cost; and promote the general welfare by using public property for the benefit of the residents of the county or municipality. Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, a county or municipality may: grant one or more franchises for any concession on, over, or under property owned or leased by the county or municipality on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis; control prices and rates for the franchise; and adopt rules and regulations for the operation of the franchise; and lease or sublease publicly owned or leased real property on terms that the county or municipality determines.

This section applies only to code counties and municipalities. It is the policy of the State to authorize each code county and municipality to displace or limit competition in the area of port regulation to: provide for safe harbors free of congestion and navigational hazards; protect marine life and wildlife; and prevent water pollution and erosion. Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, a code county or municipality may: grant one or more franchises or enter into contracts for the placement or construction of structures in or on the waters of the county or municipality; issue licenses for wharves and piers; or issue permits for mooring piles, floating wharves, buoys, and anchors.

Unless otherwise defined by local law, in this section, “cable television system” means a nonbroadcast facility that consists of a set of transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and central equipment, under common ownership and control, that distributes or is designed to distribute to subscribers the signals of one or more television broadcast stations. “Cable television system” does not include a facility that: serves 49 or fewer subscribers; or serves only subscribers in one or more multiple dwelling units under common ownership, control, or management. This section does not authorize the governing body of a county to enact laws or regulations for a municipality. The governing body of a county or municipality may: grant a franchise for a cable television system that uses a public right–of–way; impose franchise fees; establish rates applicable to a franchise; and adopt rules and regulations for the operation of a franchise.

Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, the County Commissioners of Somerset County may grant an exclusive franchise to a ferry company to operate between Somerset County and Reedville, Virginia. Before granting a franchise, the County Commissioners of Somerset County shall review the proposed business and financial plan of the ferry company. The County Commissioners of Somerset County may adopt regulations to carry out this section that are consistent with any regulations adopted by the Public Service Commission that relate to ferry companies. If the ferry company does not exercise the franchise within 18 months after it is granted, the franchise becomes void. A ferry company may not conduct gaming activities on a ferry that it operates under a franchise granted under this section.