On approval of the petition and report filed under Subtitle 2 of this title, the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall: establish a watershed association that is composed of the landowners; and name the organization the “_______ Public Watershed Association”. A watershed association created under this title is a political subdivision of the State and a body politic and corporate. A watershed association may: acquire, hold, and convey property; sue and be sued; adopt a seal; and exercise corporate powers.

Within 30 days after the approval of the petition and report, the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall call a meeting of the landowners to: elect a board of directors; and determine the compensation for the board of directors. At least 10 days before the meeting, the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall post a notice of the meeting at four public places in the area or vicinity of the area affected by the watershed association. The notice shall state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. Each landowner is entitled to one vote in the election of the board of directors. The board of directors elected under subsection (a) of this section shall determine by a random drawing the directors who: serve until the date of the first regular annual meeting; serve until the date of the first regular annual meeting and for 1 year thereafter; or serve until the date of the first regular annual meeting and for 2 years thereafter.

Each year, the landowners shall meet to elect a successor to: any director whose term expired on or before the date of the meeting; and any director who died or resigned since the last annual meeting. The county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall appoint an individual to fill a vacancy on the board of directors if: the board of directors does not call an annual meeting of landowners; or the board of directors holds an annual meeting of landowners but the landowners do not elect a director as required under subsection (a) of this section. If there is a vacancy on the board of directors, the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City may appoint a director to serve until the next annual meeting of landowners.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the term of each director elected or appointed under § 25–303 of this subtitle is 3 years. Each director shall serve until a successor is elected or appointed. A director who is elected or appointed to fill a vacancy caused by death or resignation shall hold the office for the rest of the term and until a successor is elected or appointed.

The board of directors shall elect a chair, a secretary, and any other necessary officer from among its members. The board of directors shall obtain a surety bond for any officer or employee who is entrusted with money.

An officer or a director of a watershed association shall have the immunity from liability described in § 5–508 of the Courts Article.

The county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall: retain the original petition and report approved under § 25–206(b) of this title; and deliver a copy of the approved petition and report to the board of directors and the State Soil Conservation Committee in the Department of Agriculture.

The designated officer with whom a petition for the establishment of a watershed association is filed shall maintain a watershed file. The watershed file shall contain the petitions, motions, orders, reports, and other exhibits necessary for a complete record of the establishment of each watershed association in the county.

In January of each year, the board of directors shall call a meeting of landowners. At least 10 days before the meeting, the board of directors shall post a notice of the meeting at four public places in the area or vicinity of the area affected by the watershed association. The notice shall state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. At the meeting, the landowners shall: receive the annual report of the board of directors; and transact any other business that may properly come before the landowners. The board of directors shall file a copy of the annual report and a copy of the minutes from the meeting with the designated officer.

The board of directors may call a special meeting of landowners at any time. At least 10 days before the meeting, the board of directors shall: post a notice of the meeting at four public places in the area or vicinity of the area affected by the watershed association; and mail a notice to each landowner in the watershed association. The notice shall state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.