In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Cost” has the meaning stated in § 21–501 of this title. “County tax limitation” means a provision of a county charter that limits: the maximum property tax rate that a county may impose; or the rate of growth of county property tax revenues. “County transportation improvement” includes: for county roads and highways: a county right–of–way, roadway surface, roadway subgrade, shoulder, median divider, drainage facility or structure, related stormwater management facility or structure, roadway cut, roadway fill, guardrail, bridge, highway grade separation structure, tunnel, overpass, underpass, interchange, entrance plaza, approach, or other structure forming an integral part of a street, road, or highway, including a bicycle or walking path, designated bus lane, sidewalk, pedestrian plaza, streetscaping, or related infrastructure; or any other property acquired for the construction, operation, or use of the highway; and for a county transit facility, any one or more or combination of tracks, rights–of–way, bridges, tunnels, subways, rolling stock, stations, terminals, ports, parking areas, equipment, fixtures, building structures, other real or personal property, or services incidental to or useful or designed for use in connection with the rendering of transit service by any means, including rail, bus, motor vehicle, or other mode of transportation, but does not include any railroad facility. “Special taxing district” means a defined geographic area designated by a county within which ad valorem or special taxes are imposed to finance the cost of infrastructure improvements. “State transportation improvement” includes a highway facility, a transit facility, and related infrastructure. “Transit facility” has the meaning stated in § 3–101(k) of the Transportation Article. A county tax limitation that would otherwise apply to ad valorem or special taxes imposed only in a special taxing district does not apply for the purpose of financing the cost of State transportation improvements or county transportation improvements.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Bond” means a special obligation bond, note, or other similar instrument issued by a county under this section. “Cost” means any expense necessary or incident to acquiring, building, or financing any transportation improvement as may be provided by the local law authorized under subsection (b) of this section. “Special tax” means an ad valorem or a special tax, an assessment, a fee, or a charge imposed by a county in a special taxing district. “Special tax” does not include an ad valorem or a special tax, an assessment, a fee, or a charge imposed under Chapter 20A of the Montgomery County Code. “Special taxing district” means a special taxing district, special assessment district, or similar defined geographical area in a county in which the county is authorized to impose a special tax. “Special taxing district” does not include a development district created under Chapter 20A of the Montgomery County Code. “Transportation improvement” means a State transportation improvement or a county transportation improvement as defined in § 21–701 of this subtitle. Notwithstanding any other public general law, public local law, or charter of a charter county, a county may enact a law to provide for the issuance of bonds to finance the cost of transportation improvements for which the principal, interest, and any premium shall be paid from and secured by special taxes collected by the county in a special taxing district. Bonds issued under this section are special obligations of the county and do not constitute a general obligation debt of the county or a pledge of the county’s full faith and credit or general taxing power. Bonds issued under this section may be sold in any manner, either at public or private sale, and on terms as the county considers best. Bonds issued under this section are not subject to §§ 19–205 and 19–206 of this article. Bonds issued under this section, their transfer, the interest payable on them, and any income derived from them, including any profit realized on their sale or exchange, are exempt from taxation by the State, a county, or a municipality. Bonds issued under this section shall be treated as securities to the same extent as bonds issued under Subtitle 5 of this title. In addition to the special taxes, bonds issued under this section may be secured by other revenues generated in the special taxing district. This section, being necessary for the welfare of the State and its residents, shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes.