In this section, “federal project” means any federal work, improvement, or project. “Federal project” includes: dredging projects; flood control projects; and other federal river, harbor, and navigation works and improvements. This section applies to the following governmental entities: counties; municipalities; public corporations; special districts; and any other political subdivisions. A governmental entity may: assist the United States or a federal agency in constructing, financing, maintaining, using, or operating a federal project, including agreeing to terms of local cooperation required by the United States or a federal agency; enter into a contract with the United States or a federal agency, in the form required by the United States or federal agency, obligating the governmental entity to: construct, finance, maintain, use, or operate a federal project; or arrange, contract for, or supervise the construction, financing, maintenance, use, or operation of a federal project; appropriate or obligate money and obtain private loans or financing to pay for its share of the cost of a federal project; accept and use federal grants or loans to assist in the construction, financing, maintenance, use, or operation of a federal project; purchase or, in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article, condemn land and interests in land necessary for a federal project and transfer any interest in that land to the United States or a federal agency; and enter property and waters to conduct surveys, soundings, and examinations in furtherance of a federal project.

For the purpose of constructing, financing, maintaining, using, or operating a watershed project, a county or municipality may enter into a contract, including an obligation of repayment under applicable federal public works and economic development programs under 42 U.S.C. §§ 3161 and 3162, with: the United States or a federal agency; a public drainage association; a public watershed association; or any person or other governmental entity.

Regardless of whether a county or municipality has established a housing authority under the Housing Authorities Law in Division II of the Housing and Community Development Article, the powers conferred by this section: are in addition to all other powers of a county or municipality; and may be exercised directly by a county or municipality or as otherwise provided by the governing body of the county or municipality. This section does not affect any powers conferred on a housing authority, county, or municipality by the Housing Authorities Law in Division II of the Housing and Community Development Article. A county or municipality may participate in federal lower–income housing assistance programs and for this purpose may: enter into contracts with the United States or a federal agency; accept and expend assistance payments related to existing, newly constructed, or substantially rehabilitated housing; act as a public housing agency as defined in federal law; and do all things necessary or convenient to participate in the program.

After consultation with the Department of Budget and Management, the Secretary of Planning shall adopt regulations that require a county or municipality to submit information, as required in this section, on federal aid, including grants, instructional contracts, loans, research contracts, and other assistance. Every 6 months, a county or municipality shall submit a summary notice to the Department of Planning if, during the 6–month period that the notice covers, the county or municipality received an award of federal aid in the form of an instructional contract, an instructional grant, a research contract, or a research grant. The summary notice shall state the amount of the award. This subsection does not apply to an instructional contract, an instructional grant, a research contract, or a research grant. Within 30 days after a county or municipality receives an award of federal aid, the county or municipality shall submit to the Department of Planning a summary notice that states: the amount of the award; and if the award is conditioned on matching funds: the amount of those funds; the source of those funds; and the period for which those funds are required.