<section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-101" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Municipal charter” means a charter adopted under Article XI–E of the Maryland Constitution and a local law enacted by the General Assembly relating to the incorporation, organization, government, or affairs concerning administration and services of a municipality.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Qualified voter” means an individual authorized under a municipal charter to vote in elections in the municipality.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-102" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>There is one class of municipalities in the State, and every municipality is a member of that class.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-103" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The residents of a municipality are a municipal corporation.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Under the municipality’s corporate name, the municipality:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has perpetual succession;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may sue and be sued; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>may enact and adopt ordinances, resolutions, or bylaws necessary to exercise the authority of the municipality.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-104" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “special district” means a special tax area or district, sanitary district, park or planning district, soil conservation district, or public agency exercising specific powers in a defined area that does not exercise general municipal functions.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a municipality located in a special district may not exercise, divest, or duplicate in the municipality’s corporate limits any special power or duty conferred on the special district.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to the consent of the special district, a municipality may, within its corporate limits, provide recreational facilities within a special district’s jurisdiction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A municipality may not exempt an area from any property tax, special benefit assessment, or service charge imposed to support a special district.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A local law conferring a special power or duty on a special district does not authorize the special district to exercise that power or perform that duty in an area where a municipality continues to exercise the power or perform the duty.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A municipality may not amend or repeal its charter or exercise its powers of annexation or incorporation as to affect the power of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, relating to zoning; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, relating to sanitation, including sewer, water, and similar facilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Article XI–E of the Maryland Constitution, this division, and Division I of the Land Use Article do not authorize a municipality, through procedures under this title or other changes in the municipal charter, to exercise planning authority, subdivision control, or zoning jurisdiction in a political subdivision in which a State, regional, or county unit exercises planning authority, subdivision control, or zoning jurisdiction.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-105" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>The legislative body of a municipality may not adopt an ordinance, a resolution, a rule, or a regulation at a meeting not open to the public, except in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-106" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The legislative body of a municipality may set a date and establish procedures for submitting to the qualified voters of the municipality at a regular or special municipal election a local law, enacted under Article XI–E, § 5 of the Maryland Constitution, that sets a maximum property tax rate or a maximum amount of debt that may be incurred by the municipality.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The legislative body of a municipality may take necessary action to ensure that a local law setting a maximum property tax rate or a maximum amount of debt that may be incurred by the municipality does not take effect without approval by a majority of those who voted on the question at a regular or special municipal election.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-107" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>A municipality may not require an individual to own or control an interest in property to participate in an election or hold office in the municipality.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-108" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A qualified voter may vote in a municipal election by absentee ballot.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a municipality shall provide a procedure to vote by absentee ballot.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A municipality may not require an individual to provide a reason that the individual will be unable to vote in person on election day in order to vote by absentee ballot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A municipality may use any method to enable absentee voters to vote, including using any facilities to transmit and receive applications for absentee ballots.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-108.1" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>As to voting in a municipal election:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a person is subject to the offenses and penalties related to voting specified under § 16–201 of the Election Law Article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the State Prosecutor or the State’s Attorney for the county in which the municipal election was held and where the offense is alleged to have occurred may prosecute the person for the offense.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-108.2" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>If a municipality requires candidates in a municipal election to file campaign finance reports, within 10 days after the filing deadline, each candidate in the municipal election shall submit to the State Board of Elections a copy of the campaign finance report that was filed by the candidate.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-108.3" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Ballot” means a ballot prepared by the State Board of Elections under Title 9 of the Election Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“State Board” means the State Board of Elections.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A municipality may request that the State Board include on a ballot the offices and questions to be voted on in a municipal election.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A municipality that makes a request under this section shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>file the request with the State Board on or before the day that is 9 months before the deadline date applicable for individuals who are required to file a certificate of candidacy as required under § 5–303 of the Election Law Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>certify as part of the request that the charter of the municipality requires, and the municipality has established, deadlines and procedures for the administration of municipal elections for the municipality that are consistent with the deadlines and procedures for State and county elections established by the State Board with regard to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the filing of certificates of candidacy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the filling of a vacancy in office;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the filing of a petition;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the certification of a ballot question;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>voter registration; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>voting.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if the State Board previously included a municipal election on the ballot, that municipality’s elections may continue to appear on the ballot without the municipality filing an additional request under this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A municipality shall file a request under this section if, since the municipality’s election last appeared on the ballot, there has been a significant change in the method the municipality uses to conduct its elections.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Within 30 days after receipt of a municipality’s request under this section, the State Board, after consultation with the local board in the county where the municipality is located, shall notify the municipality of its decision whether to include the municipal election on the ballot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the State Board approves a municipality’s request under this section, the State Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>include the offices and questions at the end of the ballot; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>arrange the offices and questions in a similar order as other offices and questions are arranged on the ballot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A municipality shall reimburse the State Board and the applicable local board for any additional costs incurred by the State Board or local board on account of including the offices and questions to be voted on in a municipal election on the ballot.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-108.4" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>A municipality shall fill a vacancy that resulted from a tie vote in an election for a municipal office within 90 days after the date of the election.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-108.5" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “State Board” means the State Board of Elections.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Board shall prominently display on the State Board’s website:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a list of all upcoming regular municipal elections reported under subsection (d)(2) of this section that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the municipality;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the election date; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>each office to be voted on; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a list indicating which municipalities have not yet reported upcoming regular municipal elections under subsection (d)(2) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each municipality that maintains a website shall prominently display on the municipality’s website a list of all upcoming regular and special elections in the municipality, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the election date;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whether the election is a regular or special municipal election; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>each office to be voted on.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before the date that is 3 months before the candidate filing deadline for a regular municipal election, the municipality shall submit to the State Board the qualifications to be a candidate for each office on the municipal ballot.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 15 business days after a special municipal election is scheduled, the municipality shall report to the State Board:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>the date of the special election;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>each office on the special election ballot; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>the qualifications to be a candidate for each office on the special election ballot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Immediately after a municipality submits the information required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the State Board shall publish the information on the State Board’s website.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before the date that is 10 business days after the candidate filing deadline for a municipal election, including a special election, the municipality shall submit to the State Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a list of each qualified candidate for each office on the municipal ballot and, if the election is a partisan election, the party affiliation of each candidate; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>information on how to vote and where to vote in the municipal election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Immediately after a municipality submits the information required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the State Board shall publish the information on the State Board’s website.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Board shall, immediately after a municipality submits its election results, publish the election results on the State Board’s website.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The election results published under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be organized by election year and the name of the municipality.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 30 days after the results of a municipal election are certified, the municipality shall submit to the State Board an electronic copy of the election results for each office or question voted on at the election, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>vote totals for each office or question reported separately by each of the following voting methods, if applicable:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in–person early voting;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>mail–in voting or vote–by–mail;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>provisional voting; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>in–person election day voting;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the municipality conducts partisan elections, the party affiliation of each candidate; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>the date of the next regular municipal election; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each office to be voted on at the next regular municipal election.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “ranked–choice voting” means a method of casting and tabulating votes in which voters rank candidates in order of preference and votes are tabulated in a manner that reflects voter preference.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A municipality that conducts its elections using ranked–choice voting shall submit to the State Board the municipality’s regulations for the tabulation of ranked–choice ballots.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Board shall publish the regulations submitted under paragraph (2) of this subsection on the State Board’s website.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-109" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If the governing body of a municipality creates, or causes the creation of, a document listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the chief executive officer of the municipality shall submit one copy of the document to the Department of Legislative Services by mail.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A municipality shall submit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a code or compilation containing all or part of the municipal charter;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in accordance with § 4–308 of this title, a charter amendment passed by the legislative body of the municipality or adopted by referendum, including the complete text of the amendment, the date of any referendum, the number of votes cast for and against the amendment by the legislative body or in a referendum, and the effective date of the amendment;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in accordance with § 4–303(b), (c), and (e) of this title, a complete list of measures that add, amend, or repeal sections in a municipal charter, including each charter section affected, by number and title;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>in accordance with § 4–414(a) of this title, a charter amendment, a resolution, a referendum, or any other document that changes the boundaries of the municipality, including a copy of the complete text of the document with a statement of the new boundaries, the date of any referendum, the number of votes cast for and against the annexation by the legislative body or in a referendum, and the effective date of the annexation;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>in accordance with § 4–508(b) of this title, a unified charter for merging municipalities, including the complete text of the unified charter, the date of any referendum, the number of votes cast for and against the adoption of the unified charter by the legislative bodies or a referendum, and the effective date of the unified charter;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>in accordance with § 4–214(a) of this title, a charter creating a municipality, including the complete text of the charter, the date of the referendum, the number of votes cast for and against the charter, and the effective date of the charter;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>in accordance with § 4–313(a), (b), and (c) of this title, a charter amendment repealing the entire municipal charter passed by the legislative body of the municipality or adopted by referendum, including the complete text of the amendment, the date of any referendum, the number of votes cast for and against the amendment by the legislative body or in a referendum, and the effective date of the amendment; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>in accordance with § 4–310(d) of this title, a statement on the results of any referendum on a proposed charter amendment held during the year, or any actual or potential pending referendum that had not been held by the end of the year.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The chief executive officer of each municipality shall send to the Department of Legislative Services:</text> <level label="1"> <text>any charter amendment resolution within 10 days after the resolution becomes effective under § 4–304(c) or § 4–307(e) of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any annexation resolution within 10 days after the resolution becomes effective under § 4–407 or § 4–412(d) of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services shall forward each document the Department receives under this division to the State Archives at least once each year for permanent storage.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-110" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “ordinance” means a legislative enactment of general application and continuing force for a municipality.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Ordinance” does not include a public local law under § 9–102 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each year, if a municipality enacts any ordinance appropriate for codification during the year, the governing body of a municipality shall provide for the preparation and distribution of a supplement to or new edition of its code of ordinances.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A supplement published under subsection (b) of this section shall contain each ordinance that is in effect and has been enacted or amended since the municipality’s most recent code of ordinances was published.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A new code published under subsection (b) of this section shall contain each ordinance that is in effect at the time of publication.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-111" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “legislation” means any form of county or municipal legislative enactment, including a law, an ordinance, a resolution, or any action by which a county budget is adopted.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, legislation enacted by a county does not apply in a municipality located in the county if the legislation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by its terms, exempts the municipality;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>conflicts with legislation of the municipality enacted under a grant of legislative authority provided by public general law or the municipal charter; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>relates to a subject on which a public general law or the municipal charter grants the municipality legislative authority; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the municipality by ordinance or charter amendment:</text> <level label="1"> <text>specifically exempts itself from the county legislation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>generally exempts itself from county legislation covered by the type of grant of authority to the municipality.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The following categories of county legislation, if within the scope of legislative powers granted to a county by the General Assembly, apply in all municipalities in the county:</text> <level label="1"> <text>county legislation made applicable to all municipalities in the county under a law enacted by the General Assembly;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>county revenue or tax legislation, subject to Title 16, Subtitle 5 and Title 20 of this article, the Tax – General Article, and the Tax – Property Article, or legislation adopting a county budget; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>subject to subsection (e) of this section, county legislation that is enacted in accordance with county requirements for legislation that is to become effective immediately and for which the legislative body of the county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>makes a specific finding based on evidence of record after a hearing held under item (ii) of this item that there will be significant adverse impact on the public health, safety, or welfare affecting residents of the county in unincorporated areas if the legislation does not apply in all municipalities in the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>conducts a public hearing at which all municipalities in the county and any interested persons have an opportunity to be heard;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>provides notice of the hearing by certified mail to all municipalities in the county at least 30 days before the hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publishes notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county for 3 successive weeks, beginning at least 30 days before the hearing; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>enacts the county legislation by an affirmative vote of at least two–thirds of the authorized membership of the county legislative body.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>County legislation enacted in accordance with subsection (c)(3) of this section is subject to judicial review by the circuit court of the county, in accordance with the Maryland Rules governing appeals from administrative agencies, of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the finding made under subsection (c)(3)(i) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the legislation’s applicability to municipalities located in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An appeal under this subsection shall be filed within 30 days after the effective date of the county legislation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In a judicial proceeding under this subsection, the only issues that may be considered are whether the county legislative body:</text> <level label="i"> <text>complied with the procedures of subsection (c)(3) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>had sufficient evidence from which a reasonable person could conclude that there will be a significant adverse impact on the public health, safety, or welfare affecting residents of the county in unincorporated areas if the county legislation does not apply in all municipalities in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The court shall decide the issues under paragraph (3) of this subsection without a jury.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If a court reverses a legislative body’s finding under subsection (c)(3)(i) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the legislation shall continue to apply in unincorporated areas of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the applicability of the legislation in a municipality is governed by subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A county or municipality in the county may appeal the decision of a circuit court in a proceeding under this subsection to the Appellate Court of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>County legislation enacted in accordance with subsection (c)(3) of this section does not apply, or becomes inapplicable, in a municipality that has enacted or enacts municipal legislation that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>covers the same subject matter and furthers the same policies as the county legislation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is at least as restrictive as the county legislation; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>includes provisions for enforcement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>By ordinance, a municipality may request and authorize the county in which it is located to administer or enforce any municipal legislation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After a municipality enacts an ordinance under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a county may administer or enforce the municipal legislation on mutually agreed terms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The other provisions of this article are considered amended as provided in this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-112" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Approved grating system” means a cover placed over the opening of an open drainage inlet in order to allow stormwater runoff to enter the drainage inlet while preventing large debris from entering the drainage inlet.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Approved grating system” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a standard yard inlet;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a raised grate yard inlet;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a trash rack grating, provided that the rack has at least four sides, each of which is at least as large as the diameter of the surface opening; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>for new drainage inlets, a precast concrete box incorporated into the construction of the drainage inlet.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Open drainage inlet” means a structure with a surface opening that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has a diameter of 12 inches or more; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is designed to collect and drain stormwater runoff.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Open drainage inlet” includes an open headwall structure attached to a culvert.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Open drainage inlet” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a grate inlet;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a curb inlet;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a combination curb and grate inlet;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a surface–level drainage tunnel with only one surface–level inlet and one direct surface–level outlet;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a slotted inlet; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a culvert located on an open drainage highway.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Privately owned existing open drainage inlet” means an inlet that is located on private property and was installed before October 1, 2026.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>“Publicly owned existing open drainage inlet” means an inlet owned and maintained by the municipality that was installed before October 1, 2026.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Publicly owned existing open drainage inlet” does not include inlets:</text> <level label="1"> <text>owned or maintained by a federal entity, State entity, county, or school board; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>inspected by the Department of the Environment.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A municipality may enter private property to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>complete the inventory required under subsection (c) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>install an approved grating system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2027, a municipality shall inventory the number and location of all publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets in the municipality.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before April 1, 2028, a municipality shall develop a prioritization plan for making improvements to publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The plan shall prioritize making improvements to publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets that pose the greatest risk to public safety.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="A"> <text>A municipality is not required to make improvements to publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets that do not pose a legitimate risk to public safety.</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>A municipality shall include in the plan an explanation of the reason for each publicly owned existing open drainage inlet and privately owned existing open drainage inlet excluded from the prioritization plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Improvements may include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>installation of an approved grating system secured to the inlet end of the open drainage inlet or the concrete structure built to house the drainage inlet, in a manner that prevents the approved grating system from being removed without the appropriate tools or by the force of flood water; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>installation of fencing that:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>obstructs at least 50% of any opening; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>is designed and installed in a manner that would not allow a person to enter the open drainage inlet.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before April 1, 2028, each municipality shall notify a private property owner with a privately owned existing open drainage inlet that the installation of an approved grating system or fencing is required in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On or before April 1, 2031, each municipality shall make improvements to all publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets included in the prioritization plan developed under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>A municipality is responsible for the cost of installing improvements on all publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A municipality may apply to the comprehensive flood management grant program within the Department of the Environment to cost–share a portion of the installation costs.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A municipality is not required to add improvements to any publicly owned existing open drainage inlets and privately owned existing open drainage inlets if it would significantly impair the hydraulic capacity of the drainage system.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Once a municipality has installed an approved grating system on a privately owned existing open drainage inlet, the municipality:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is not responsible for maintaining improvements installed on a privately owned existing open drainage inlet; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be held liable for incidents arising out of the maintenance of an approved grating system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Any new open drainage inlet installed in a municipality shall be equipped with an approved grating system that meets the requirements for installation described in this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-201" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“County liaison” means a county official, or the designee of the county official, who coordinates communication between the organizing committee and the county.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Organizing committee” means the group of individuals from the organizing community that works with the county commissioners or county council on the proposed municipal incorporation after a petition for incorporation is verified.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Organizing community” means individuals residing in an unincorporated area who are interested in forming a municipality.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-202" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <text>This subtitle governs municipal incorporation.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-203" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <text>An area proposed to be incorporated shall contain at least 300 residents before the organizing community may proceed under this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-204" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>A proposal to incorporate an area as a municipality is initiated when a valid petition is presented to the county commissioners or county council of a county by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>at least 25% of the registered voters who are residents of the area proposed to be incorporated; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at least 20% of the registered voters who are residents of the area proposed to be incorporated, together with the owners of at least 25% of the assessed valuation of the real property of the area proposed to be incorporated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>create a standard petition form for use by an organizing community; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide the board of elections of each county with the form for distribution to an organizing community.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A petition presented under subsection (a) of this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>express the interest of the subscribing individuals in the incorporation of the area;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contain a detailed description of the boundaries of the area proposed to be incorporated, including a survey of courses and distances or general landmarks and place names;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>state the name of the new municipality, which may not be the same as a name used by a municipality or county in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>state the names of the individuals who will initially represent the organizing community on the organizing committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The organizing community shall obtain the minimum number of valid signatures required under subsection (a) of this section within 18 months after the organizing community receives the standard petition form from the county board of elections.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Each person signing the petition shall indicate on the petition:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person’s name and residence address; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the petition is intended to be presented under subsection (a)(2) of this section and the person signing the petition owns real property in the area proposed to be incorporated, the location and assessed valuation of the property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Within 60 days after receiving a petition, the county commissioners or county council shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>verify that each person who signed the petition:</text> <level label="i"> <text>resides in the area proposed to be incorporated;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is registered to vote in the elections of that county; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if applicable, owns real property within the area proposed to be incorporated;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>verify that the petition meets the requirements of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>appoint a county liaison if the petition meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A petition, when received, becomes the property of the county commissioners or county council and may not be used to initiate another incorporation.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>A proposal to incorporate a municipality and to adopt a municipal charter may not be rescinded after the formal submission of the proposal in a manner other than that of a formal charter repeal as provided in §§ 4–313 and 4–314 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-205" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 90 days after the county commissioners or county council has verified that a petition presented under § 4–204 of this subtitle is valid, the organizing committee shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>actively seek information and input from the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>hold a public meeting to collect testimony on the proposed incorporation; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provide the county commissioners or county council with a report on issues related to the proposed incorporation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>During the 90–day period, the county shall cooperate fully with the organizing committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The organizing committee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notify the county liaison of all meetings and deliberations of the organizing committee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>give the county liaison full opportunity to participate in all meetings and deliberations of the organizing committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 45 days after receiving the report required under subsection (a)(1)(iii) of this section, the county commissioners or county council or its designee may review the report and provide comments to the organizing committee on issues relating to the proposed incorporation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-206" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>The organizing committee shall present to the county commissioners or county council a proposed municipal charter:</text> <level label="1"> <text>within 45 days after receiving the comments submitted to the organizing committee under § 4–205(c) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the county commissioners or county council has not submitted comments, within 90 days after the report is submitted by the organizing committee under § 4–205(a)(1)(iii) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The organizing committee shall submit statements with the proposed municipal charter describing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the likely fiscal effect of the proposed incorporation on residents of the proposed municipality, residents in the vicinity of the proposed municipality, and the county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the services that the proposed municipality is expected to provide; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the impact that the proposed incorporation is expected to have on property tax rates.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-207" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If the county commissioners or county council approves the referendum request, between 40 and 60 days after it receives the proposed municipal charter, the county commissioners or county council shall specify, by resolution, the day and hours for a vote on the proposed incorporation by the voters of the area to be incorporated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The resolution shall include the exact text of the proposed municipal charter as submitted by the organizing committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the county commissioners or county council rejects the referendum request, the county commissioners or county council shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provide in writing and make available to the public within a reasonable time the reasons for the rejection; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>establish reasonable procedures by which the county commissioners or county council shall reconsider a referendum request, including an opportunity for a public hearing with sufficient advance public notice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After the hearing and reconsideration process is completed, the county commissioners or county council, by resolution, shall affirm the rejection or approve the referendum request.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-208" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>The county commissioners or county council shall notify the voters of the area proposed to be incorporated by posting and publication of the proposal to incorporate, including a fair summary of the proposed municipal charter.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For at least 4 weeks immediately before the referendum, the county commissioners or county council shall make available an exact copy of the proposed municipal charter for public inspection at its office.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The county commissioners or county council shall publish notice of the referendum, together with a fair summary of the proposed municipal charter, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area proposed to be incorporated at least once a week during the 4 weeks immediately before the referendum.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On the day of the referendum, the county commissioners or county council shall make available an exact copy of the proposed municipal charter for public inspection at each place for voting on the referendum.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-209" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as expressly or necessarily modified by this subtitle, a referendum shall be conducted generally according to the procedures and practices for regular countywide elections.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On the day and during the hours specified for the referendum, the question of incorporation under the proposed municipal charter shall be submitted to the registered voters of the area proposed to be incorporated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county board of elections shall arrange for and conduct the referendum.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The wording specified by the county commissioners or county council in the resolution authorizing a referendum on the question of the proposed incorporation shall be placed on the ballots used at the referendum.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Promptly after the canvass is complete, the county board of elections shall certify the results to the county commissioners or county council.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Within 10 days after receiving a certification of the vote on the referendum from the county board of elections:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if a majority of those who voted on the question voted in favor of incorporation under the proposed municipal charter:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the county commissioners or county council publicly shall so proclaim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on the 30th day after the public proclamation, the area proposed to be incorporated shall become a municipality operating under the municipal charter; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if less than a majority of those who voted on the question voted in favor of incorporation under the proposed municipal charter:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the county commissioners or county council publicly shall so proclaim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the proclamation shall state that the proposed incorporation is not approved.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-210" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>An election of officers for a proposed municipality shall be conducted at the same time and place as the referendum on the question of incorporation and is subject to the same procedures and practices.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual may not be initially nominated or elected to a municipal office unless the individual qualifies under the requirements specified for that office in the proposed municipal charter.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A candidate for an elected office of a proposed municipality shall be nominated by a certificate of nomination filed by the candidate with the county board of elections.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The certificate of nomination shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name and residence address of the candidate; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the office that the candidate seeks.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>After certificates of nomination by candidates for municipal office are filed, the county board of elections shall prepare ballots to allow the registered voters of the area proposed to be incorporated to vote on the candidates who are nominated under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-211" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>Casting a vote against the proposed incorporation does not prevent the voter from voting for a candidate for a municipal office.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county board of elections shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>tally the votes cast for candidates to a municipal office; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>certify the results to the county commissioners or county council.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If less than a majority of those who voted on the question voted in favor of incorporation under the proposed municipal charter, the votes cast for candidates for a municipal office are void.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-212" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>The county commissioners or county council publicly shall proclaim that a candidate who received a plurality of the votes cast for an office has been elected to that office.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A candidate proclaimed by the county commissioners or county council to have been elected to an office shall become an officer of the municipality when the municipal charter takes effect.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If no individual is nominated for a municipal office, a candidate elected to an office is unable to assume the office, or for any other reason no candidate is elected to fill an office, the county commissioners or county council shall appoint a resident of the municipality to the office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When appointed to an office as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a resident shall hold the office as if elected.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-213" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the county commissioners or county council shall pay for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the referendum;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the original election of officers required under § 4–210 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the reasonable costs of third party consultants hired by the county commissioners or county council to analyze issues related to the proposed incorporation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the referendum results in incorporation, the municipality shall repay the expenses specified in subsection (a) of this section to the county within 1 year after the incorporation takes effect.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>After 1 year from the effective date of the incorporation, the county commissioners or county council may withhold any payment due to the municipality to satisfy any unpaid expense specified in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-214" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>When the public proclamation under § 4–209(d) of this subtitle is made, the county commissioners or county council shall send the information concerning the municipal charter to the Department of Legislative Services, as provided in § 4–109 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The municipal charter is subject to the requirements of §§ 4–310 and 4–311 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The exact text of the municipal charter, including any amendments, shall be included in any edition or codification of the municipal charter.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-215" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <text>If a referendum held under this subtitle results in the creation of a new municipality, the local income tax payments authorized under § 2–607 of the Tax – General Article shall be distributed to the municipality as follows, unless the county commissioners or county council agrees to an accelerated payment schedule:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in the first full fiscal year after the municipal incorporation takes effect, one–third of the distribution otherwise required under § 2–607 of the Tax – General Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the second fiscal year after the municipal incorporation takes effect, two–thirds of the distribution otherwise required under § 2–607 of the Tax – General Article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in the third fiscal year after the municipal incorporation takes effect and each subsequent fiscal year, all of the distribution required under § 2–607 of the Tax – General Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-216" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Incorporation of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>A new municipality that is eligible to assume planning and zoning authority and the county commissioners or county council shall cooperate in developing the first comprehensive land use plan of the municipality.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless the county commissioners or county council expressly approves otherwise, the initial zoning designations used by the municipality shall comply with §§ 4–104(e) and 4–516 of this title, including the 5–year zoning classification restriction.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-301" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <text>A municipality shall act in accordance with this subtitle in exercising the powers to amend its municipal charter that are granted under Article XI–E of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-302" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <text>An amendment to a municipal charter may be initiated by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the legislative body of the municipality as provided in § 4–304 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a petition of the qualified voters of the municipality as provided in § 4–305 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-303" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <text>In conformity with the requirement imposed on the General Assembly under Article III, § 29 of the Maryland Constitution:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a resolution or petition to amend a municipal charter shall contain the exact text of the proposed charter amendment, prepared so that each provision is shown as the provision would read when amended or enacted;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as provided in subsection (e)(2) of this section, a provision of a municipal charter may not be amended by reference to its title or citation only; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a municipal charter amendment shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>embrace one subject only; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>describe the subject in its title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A proposed amendment shall identify the provision to be amended by citing the code or other publication or amendment in which the most recent text of the provision appears.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Proposed amendments shall be in a consecutively numbered series.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A proposed amendment shall provide specifically for the repeal of a provision of the municipal charter that is inconsistent with the amended provision.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In a proposal to amend a municipal charter:</text> <level label="i"> <text>each addition shall be underscored, italicized, or shown in capital letters;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, each provision to be repealed shall be enclosed in double parentheses or boldface brackets; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>each new section shall be underscored, italicized, or shown in capital letters or contain some marginal or other notation to that effect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each entire section to be repealed need not be written out in full and enclosed in double parentheses or boldface brackets.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-304" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The legislative body of a municipality may initiate a proposed amendment to the municipal charter by a resolution that, except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, is adopted in the same manner as other resolutions in the municipality by a majority of all the individuals elected to the legislative body.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before adopting a resolution initiated by the legislative body of a municipality that proposes an amendment to the municipal charter, the legislative body shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>give at least 21 days’ advance notice of the public hearing.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The chief executive officer of the municipality shall give notice of the resolution that proposes an amendment to the municipal charter by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>posting an exact copy of the resolution at the main municipal building or other public place for the 40 days after the resolution is adopted; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>publishing a fair summary of the proposed amendment in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>at least four times;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>at weekly intervals; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>within the 40 days after the resolution is adopted; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>publishing a fair summary of the proposed amendment in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality at least once; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>delivering a copy of a fair summary of the proposed charter amendment either by hand or by mail once to every residence in the municipality.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The delivery required under paragraph (1)(ii)2B of this subsection may be accomplished by including a fair summary of the proposed charter amendment in a printed newsletter or any other regular municipal publication.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The municipality delivering a copy of a fair summary under paragraph (1)(ii)2B of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>maintain a record of or a copy of the receipt for the delivery under the records retention and document disposal schedule of the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>make the record or copy available to the general public in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Unless a petition meeting the requirements of subsection (d) of this section is presented to the legislative body of a municipality on or before the 40th day after the legislative body adopts a charter amendment resolution, the amendment shall take effect as a part of the municipal charter on the 50th day after the resolution is adopted.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A petition for a referendum on a proposed charter amendment shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be signed by at least 20% of the qualified voters for the municipal general election; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>request that the proposed amendment be submitted to referendum of the qualified voters of the municipality.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each individual signing the petition shall indicate on the petition the individual’s name and residence address.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The petition shall be delivered to the legislative body of the municipality by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>presentment; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>certified mail, return receipt requested.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>On receiving the petition, the legislative body shall verify that each individual who signed the petition is a qualified voter for the municipal general election.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The petition has no effect if it is signed by less than 20% of the qualified voters for the municipal general election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the petition complies with this section, the legislative body shall specify by resolution adopted in accordance with its normal legislative procedure:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the day and hours for the referendum; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the exact text that is to be placed on the ballot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>The legislative body may schedule the referendum for the next regular municipal general election or at a special election.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the legislative body schedules a special election, it shall be held not less than 40 days or more than 60 days after the resolution scheduling the referendum is adopted.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-305" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>By a petition presented to the legislative body of a municipality, at least 20% of the qualified voters for the municipal general election may initiate a proposed amendment to the municipal charter.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each individual signing the petition shall indicate on the petition the individual’s name and residence address.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On receiving the petition, the legislative body shall verify that each individual who signed the petition is a qualified voter for the municipal general election.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The petition has no effect if it is signed by less than 20% of the qualified voters for the municipal general election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Before voting on the proposed amendment initiated by the petition presented under subsection (a) of this section, the legislative body shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>give at least 21 days’ advance notice of the public hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the legislative body approves of the amendment in the petition presented under subsection (a) of this section, the legislative body may adopt the proposed amendment by resolution and proceed in the same manner as if the amendment had been initiated by the legislative body and in compliance with §§ 4–303(a) and 4–304 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the petition complies with this section, the legislative body, no later than 60 days after the petition is presented to the legislative body, shall specify by resolution adopted in accordance with its normal legislative procedure:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the day and hours for the referendum; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the exact text that is to be placed on the ballot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The legislative body may schedule the referendum for the next regular municipal general election or at a special election.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the legislative body schedules a special election, it shall be held not less than 40 days or more than 60 days after the resolution scheduling the referendum is adopted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The chief executive officer of the municipality shall give notice of a submission of a proposed charter amendment by:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>posting an exact copy of the proposed amendment at the main municipal building or other public place for at least 40 days immediately preceding the referendum at which the question is to be submitted; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>on the day of the referendum, posting a similar copy at the place for voting; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>publishing notice of the referendum and a fair summary of the proposed amendment in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality at least once in each of the 4 weeks immediately preceding the referendum; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>publishing a fair summary of the proposed amendment in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality at least once; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>delivering a copy of a fair summary of the proposed charter amendment either by hand or by mail to every residence in the municipality.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The delivery required under paragraph (1)(ii)2B of this subsection may be accomplished by including a fair summary of the proposed charter amendment in a printed newsletter or any other regular municipal publication.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The municipality delivering a copy of a fair summary under paragraph (1)(ii)2B of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>maintain a record of or a copy of the receipt for the delivery under the records retention and document disposal schedule of the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>make the record or copy available to the general public in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-306" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <text>After a resolution is adopted by the legislative body or after its submission in a petition, a proposal to amend a municipal charter may not be rescinded in any manner except by another charter amendment.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-307" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <text>On the day and during the hours specified in the resolution for a referendum, the charter amendment shall be submitted to the qualified voters.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the referendum shall be conducted generally according to the procedures for regular municipal elections.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The official who conducts the regular municipal election shall perform the same duties for the referendum.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The municipality shall pay for the referendum.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Promptly after the canvas is complete, the official who conducts the referendum shall certify the results to the chief executive officer of the municipality.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Within 10 days after receiving the certification:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if a majority of those who voted on the question voted for the proposed charter amendment:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the chief executive officer of the municipality publicly shall so proclaim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on the 30th day after the public proclamation, the charter amendment shall become part of the municipal charter; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if less than a majority of those who voted on the question voted for the proposed charter amendment:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the chief executive officer of the municipality publicly shall so proclaim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the proclamation shall state that the charter amendment is not approved.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-308" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <text>When a charter amendment becomes effective, the chief executive officer of the municipality shall send the information concerning the charter amendment to the Department of Legislative Services as provided in § 4–109 of this title.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-309" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <text>The exact text of an amendment to a municipal charter then effective shall be included in any later edition or codification of the charter.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-310" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each calendar or fiscal year, each municipality shall compile a complete set of charter enactments of the municipality for that year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The charter enactments in the compilation shall be in a numerical sequence, beginning with No. 1, and in a separate series for each year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, copies of the compilation shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>kept on permanent record at the offices of the chief executive officer and legislative body of the municipality;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>made available at those offices for inspection during regular business hours; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provided by those offices without charge.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county in which the municipality is located may make other copies of the compilation available at a reasonable cost to any person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before March 1 of each year, the municipality shall provide without charge copies of the compilation to the Department of Legislative Services as provided in § 4–109 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Along with the compilation provided under subsection (c) of this section, the municipality shall provide to the Department of Legislative Services, as provided in § 4–109 of this title, a statement that includes information on any referendum on a proposed charter amendment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-311" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each calendar year, the Department of Legislative Services shall ask each municipality whether any charter enactments have been adopted during that calendar year or the last fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The municipality promptly shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>answer the inquiry; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>verify, by a signed and notarized statement, that copies of the charter enactments already have been sent to the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services promptly shall certify to the State Comptroller if a municipality does not comply with subsection (a) of this section or § 4–310(c) or (d) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Department of Legislative Services certifies noncompliance, the Comptroller may discontinue all funds, grants, or State aid that the municipality is entitled to under State law relating to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the income tax;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the tax on racing;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the recordation tax;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the admissions and amusement tax; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>license taxes or fees.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>arrange in a logical and convenient order the titles or the full text of the laws of the municipalities that amend the municipal charters; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publish on the General Assembly website each title, identified as a title of the laws of the municipality, or the full text of each law of the municipalities that amends the municipal charters.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-312" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services shall compile the charters of all municipalities into a single publication.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services shall update the compilation of municipal charters on a regular basis.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-313" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the repeal of an entire municipal charter, and the termination of the municipality, may be accomplished by a charter amendment adopted under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The following need not contain the text of the municipal charter that is proposed for repeal and may simply state that the charter is proposed for repeal:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the resolution of the legislative body of the municipality, or the petition of the qualified voters, proposing the repeal of the municipal charter;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the posting and publication of the proposed repeal of the municipal charter; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the submission of the resolution proposing the repeal of the municipal charter and the favorable vote on the resolution to the Department of Legislative Services as provided in § 4–109 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>After a municipal charter is repealed, the charter may not be included in any later edition or codification of the public local laws of the county or State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The resolution or petition to initiate the repeal of a municipal charter may provide for the disposition of the assets of the municipality and the liquidation of any debt of the municipality.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If no disposition is made in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, the county commissioners or county council of the county in which the municipality is located shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>succeed to full ownership, title, and control of the assets of the municipality after the municipal charter is repealed; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>pay the debts and obligations of the municipality in accordance with the terms of the debts and obligations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>While a municipal charter remains in effect, the county commissioners or county council of the county in which the municipality is located may provide, by written agreement with the municipality, when the repeal of the charter takes effect, for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the transfer of some or all of the assets of the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the assumption of some or all of the debts and obligations of the municipality.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>To provide the revenue necessary to pay the debts and obligations of a municipality as of the time the municipal charter is repealed, the county commissioners or county council of the county in which the municipality is located shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish a special tax area with the same boundaries as the former municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>impose a special tax or special assessment in the special tax area and collect the special tax or special assessment in the same manner as other county property taxes are collected.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The proceeds of the tax or assessment shall be applied only to the debt and obligation of the former municipality.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The tax or assessment shall be discontinued when all debts and obligations of the former municipality have been paid.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-314" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Amendment or Repeal of Charter"> <level label="a"> <text>If the following conditions are satisfied, the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services promptly shall certify all the facts to the Secretary of State:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a municipality fails for 3 consecutive years to file with the Department of Legislative Services a comprehensive statement of financial condition as required under § 16–103 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative Services has reasonable cause to believe the municipality is no longer actively operating as a municipality under its charter; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Legislative Auditor certifies that the municipality has no debts or obligations outstanding and unpaid.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On receiving a certification under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of State shall issue a public proclamation declaring that the municipal charter is repealed under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary of State shall file copies of the proclamation with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the clerk of the Supreme Court of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the municipality is located; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The repeal of the municipal charter is effective on the first day of the month after a proclamation is issued under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On and after the effective date of the repeal:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the former municipality may not be treated as a municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the repealed municipal charter may not be included in any later edition or codification of public local laws of the county in which the municipality was located or of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If the assets and liabilities of the former municipality have not been disposed of before a municipal charter is repealed, after the charter is repealed the county commissioners or county council of the county in which the municipality is located shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>succeed to full ownership, title, and control of the assets of the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>liquidate the debt of the municipality as provided in § 4–313 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-401" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the legislative body of a municipality may enlarge its boundaries by annexation as provided in this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The power of annexation applies only to land that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is contiguous and adjoining to the existing boundaries of the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not create an unincorporated area that is bounded on all sides by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>real property presently in the boundaries of the municipality;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>real property proposed to be in the boundaries of the municipality as a result of the proposed annexation; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any combination of real property described in item (i) or (ii) of this item.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A municipality may not annex land that is in another municipality.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-402" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <text>An annexation proposal may be initiated by: </text> <level label="1"> <text>the legislative body of the municipality as provided in § 4–403 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a petition in accordance with § 4–404 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-403" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an annexation resolution may be introduced in the legislative body of the municipality in accordance with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the requirements and practices applicable to its legislative enactments; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the requirements of § 4–303(a) of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before an annexation resolution is introduced, the legislative body shall obtain consent from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>at least 25% of the registered voters who are residents in the area to be annexed; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the owners of at least 25% of the assessed valuation of the real property in the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The annexation resolution:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall describe by a survey of courses and distances the exact area to be annexed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may also describe by landmarks and other well–known terms the exact area to be annexed; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>shall contain a complete and detailed description of the conditions and circumstances that apply to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the change in boundaries; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the residents and property in the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-404" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to § 4–413 of this subtitle, an annexation petition shall be signed by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>at least 25% of the registered voters who are residents in the area to be annexed; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the owners of at least 25% of the assessed valuation of the real property in the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After an annexation petition is presented to the legislative body of the municipality, the presiding officer of the legislative body shall verify:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the signatures on the petition; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that the petition meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>After verifying compliance with the requirements of this section, the presiding officer of the legislative body promptly shall cause a resolution proposing the change of boundaries as requested by the petition to be introduced in the legislative body.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The annexation resolution shall conform to the form and content requirements of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-405" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>An annexation resolution shall provide that the residents in the area to be annexed and their property shall be added to the municipality, generally subject or not, as applicable, to specific provisions of the municipal charter.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an annexation resolution may provide, for stated periods and under specific conditions, special treatment of the residents in the area to be annexed and their property as to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>rates of municipal taxation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>municipal services and facilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After an annexation resolution takes effect, any change in the provisions for special treatment for stated periods and under specific conditions may be made only by a resolution enacted under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-406" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>After an annexation resolution is introduced, the chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality shall publish notice in accordance with the requirements of this section that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>briefly and accurately describes the proposed annexation and the applicable conditions and circumstances; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>specifies the date, time, and place that the legislative body sets for the public hearing on the proposed annexation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After an annexation resolution is introduced, the chief executive or the administrative officer of the municipality shall notify commercial property owners in the area to be annexed of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>all personal property taxes and fees imposed by the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date, time, and place that the legislative body sets for the public hearing on the proposed annexation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Public notice of the annexation resolution shall be published:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>at least four times; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the total area of the proposed annexation is 25 acres or less, at least two times;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at not less than weekly intervals; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the municipality and the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The public hearing shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>set no sooner than 15 days after the final required publication of the public notice; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>held in the municipality or the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Immediately after the first publication of the public notice, the municipality shall provide a copy of the public notice to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the governing body of the county in which the municipality is located; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any regional or State planning agency with jurisdiction in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The county and any regional or State planning agency with jurisdiction in the county has the right to be heard before the public at the hearing on the proposed annexation.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The public hearing may be rescheduled for or continued to a later date not more than 30 days after:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the date when the hearing was originally scheduled; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the date on which the hearing began but was not completed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the hearing is rescheduled or continued, public notice shall be published:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least 7 days before the date of the rescheduled or continued hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality and the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The public notice shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>briefly and accurately describe the area to be annexed; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>specify the date, time, and place of the rescheduled or continued public hearing.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>If a municipality is seeking to annex land that is located in a different legislative district than the legislative district in which the municipality or any part of the municipality is located, after the annexation resolution is introduced, the municipality shall provide written notice to the members of the General Assembly for the district in which the land is located and for the district to which the land is being annexed by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>electronic communication; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>United States Postal Service.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-407" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>After a public hearing, the legislative body of a municipality may enact an annexation resolution in accordance with its normal legislative procedure.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The annexation resolution may not take effect until at least 45 days after its enactment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-408" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to § 4–413 of this subtitle, at any time within 45 days after enactment of an annexation resolution, at least 20% of the registered voters who are residents in the area to be annexed may petition the chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality in writing for a referendum on the resolution.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After a petition is presented to the chief executive and administrative officer, the officer shall verify:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the signatures on the petition; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that the petition meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>After verifying compliance with the requirements of this section, the chief executive and administrative officer, by proclamation, shall suspend the effectiveness of the annexation resolution pending the results of the referendum.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-409" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>At any time within 45 days after enactment of an annexation resolution, at least 20% of the qualified voters of the municipality may petition the chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality in writing for a referendum on the resolution.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After a petition is presented to the chief executive and administrative officer, the officer shall verify:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the signatures on the petition; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that the petition meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>After verifying compliance with the requirements of this section, the chief executive and administrative officer, by proclamation, shall suspend the effectiveness of the annexation resolution pending the results of the referendum.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-410" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>At any time within 45 days after enactment of an annexation resolution, the governing body of the county or counties in which the municipality is located, by at least a two–thirds majority vote, may petition the chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality for a referendum on the resolution.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After verifying compliance with the requirements of this section, the chief executive and administrative officer, by proclamation, shall suspend the effectiveness of the annexation resolution pending the results of the referendum.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-411" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>The chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality shall schedule a referendum on the annexation resolution and publish notice of the date, time, and place at which the referendum will be held.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The referendum shall be held:</text> <level label="1"> <text>no sooner than 15 days and no later than 90 days after notices of the referendum are published; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at one or more places in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the municipality, for the referendum in the municipality; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the area to be annexed, for the referendum in that area.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Public notice of the referendum shall be published:</text> <level label="1"> <text>twice at not less than weekly intervals; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the municipality and the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-412" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>The governing body of a municipality, by ordinance, resolution, or regulation, may provide for conducting and tabulating the results of a referendum held under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The annexation resolution shall be submitted to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a referendum of the qualified voters of the municipality if the petition for referendum was presented by the residents of the municipality;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to § 4–413 of this subtitle, a referendum of the registered voters who are residents in the area to be annexed if the petition for referendum was presented by the residents of the area to be annexed; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>separate referendums of the voters specified in items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph if a petition for referendum was presented by the residents of the municipality and the residents in the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A petition for referendum presented by the governing body of a county shall be acted on in the same manner as a petition for referendum presented by the residents of the area to be annexed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The ballot shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>contain a summary of the annexation resolution; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide for the voter to indicate a choice for or against the annexation resolution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If only one petition for a referendum is filed and if a majority of the persons voting on the annexation resolution vote for the resolution, the resolution takes effect on the 14th day after the referendum.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If a referendum is conducted for both the residents of the municipality and the residents in the area to be annexed, the votes cast for the two referendums shall be tabulated separately to show the votes cast in the municipality and the area to be annexed.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If in both referendums a majority of the persons voting on the annexation resolution vote for the resolution, the resolution takes effect on the 14th day after the referendum.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If two referendums are held, the annexation resolution is void unless a majority in both referendums vote for the resolution.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The municipality shall pay for a referendum held under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-413" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <text>If fewer than 20 residents in an area to be annexed are eligible to sign a petition for annexation and vote in a referendum under this subtitle, any person, including the two or more joint owners of jointly owned property, who owns real property in the area to be annexed may sign the petition and vote in the referendum.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-414" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The chief executive and administrative officer of a municipality that has annexed property shall send a copy of the annexation resolution with the new boundaries to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the clerk or similar official of the municipality;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the clerk of the court in any county in which the municipality is located;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Department of Planning in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>for any municipality located in the regional district, the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The annexation resolution shall be sent to the Department of Legislative Services and the Department of Planning within 10 days after the resolution takes effect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each official or agency that receives an annexation resolution under subsection (a) of this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>keep on record the resolution with the new boundaries; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make the resolution available for public inspection during regular business hours.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-415" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <text>In addition to, but not as part of, an annexation resolution, the legislative body of the municipality shall adopt an annexation plan for the area to be annexed.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, for an annexation that began before October 1, 2009, the annexation plan shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>contain a description of the land use pattern proposed for the area to be annexed, which may include a county master plan already in effect for the area;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>describe the schedule to extend each municipal service performed in the municipality at the time of the annexation to the area to be annexed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>describe the general methods by which the municipality anticipates financing the extension of municipal services to the area to be annexed; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>be presented so as to demonstrate the available land for public facilities that may be considered reasonably necessary for the proposed use, including facilities for schools, water or sewage treatment, libraries, recreation, or fire or police services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, for annexation that begins on or after October 1, 2009, the annexation plan shall be consistent with the municipal growth element of the comprehensive plan of the municipality.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For purposes of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, an annexation begins when a proposal for annexation is initiated by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>resolution under § 4–403 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>petition under § 4–404 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On or after October 1, 2009, a municipality may submit an annexation plan under subsection (b) of this section if the municipality is granted an extension for the inclusion of a municipal growth element under § 3–304 of the Land Use Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After the expiration of a final extension granted under § 3–304 of the Land Use Article for the inclusion of a municipal growth element, an annexation plan shall be submitted in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>At least 30 days before the public hearing on an annexation resolution required under § 4–406 of this subtitle, a copy of the annexation plan shall be provided to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the governing body of any county in which the municipality is located;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Department of Planning; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any regional or State planning agency with jurisdiction in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The annexation plan shall be open to public review and discussion at the public hearing on the annexation resolution.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An amendment to the annexation plan does not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>amend the proposed annexation resolution; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>cause a reinitiation of the annexation procedure then in process.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-416" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Annexation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding § 4–104(f) of this title, if an area is annexed to a municipality that has planning and zoning authority at the time of annexation, the municipality shall have exclusive jurisdiction over planning, subdivision control, and zoning in the area annexed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not grant any planning or zoning power or subdivision control to a municipality that is not authorized to exercise planning or zoning power or subdivision control at the time of annexation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Without the express approval of the county commissioners or county council of the county in which the municipality is located, for 5 years after an annexation by a municipality, the municipality may not allow development of the annexed land for land uses substantially different than the authorized use, or at a substantially higher density, not exceeding 50%, than could be granted for the proposed development, in accordance with the zoning classification of the county applicable at the time of the annexation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding § 4–204 of the Land Use Article and if the county expressly approves, the municipality may place the annexed land in a zoning classification that allows a land use or density different from the land use or density specified in the zoning classification of the county or agency with planning and zoning jurisdiction over the land prior to its annexation applicable at the time of the annexation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-501" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, two or more abutting municipalities located in the same county may merge to form one municipality.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The governing body of the county must approve any merger under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-502" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>To initiate a merger, the legislative body of each municipality shall adopt a proposal of unification.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each municipality shall adopt the proposal of unification:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in substantially identical form; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the manner that the municipality adopts ordinary legislation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The proposal of unification shall include a detailed description of the boundaries of the proposed municipality that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is comprised of a survey of courses and distances; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may refer to general landmarks and place names.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-503" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>After both municipalities adopt the proposal of unification, the municipalities shall prepare a unified charter.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each municipality shall appoint three, four, or five representatives to serve on a charter commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each municipality shall appoint the same number of representatives.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The representatives shall meet as a charter commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 6 months after the municipalities adopt the proposal of unification, the commission shall draft a proposed unified charter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The charter commission shall elect officers from among the representatives.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As the representatives consider necessary, the charter commission may adopt rules to govern meetings and expedite the drafting of the unified charter.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-504" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>The unified charter is a legal document separate from any other legal instrument.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The unified charter shall provide that the unified municipality receive the assets and liabilities of the merging municipalities.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-505" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The charter commission shall submit a proposed unified charter to the legislative body of each municipality.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The legislative body shall include the proposed charter in a resolution that is considered in accordance with the procedural requirements provided for charter amendments in §§ 4–303(a) and 4–304 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For purposes of § 4–303(a) of this title, the resolution is considered to embrace only one subject.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each legislative body may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt or reject the resolution; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>amend the resolution, if the legislative bodies of the other municipalities concur.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-506" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>If a referendum is required under § 4–304 of this title, the referendum shall occur on the same day in each municipality.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each municipality shall administer and pay for the referendum in proportion to its respective population.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In a referendum, the unified charter is adopted if a majority of votes cast in each municipality is in favor of adoption.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-507" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>If a majority of the voters casting votes in any municipality at a referendum do not vote to adopt the unified charter, the proposed merger is not approved.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the unified charter is adopted, by referendum or by the legislative bodies when a referendum is not required, the adoption is final.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-508" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A merging municipality shall transfer its assets and liabilities to the unified municipality.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The merging municipality shall transfer the assets and liabilities by legal instruments separate from the unified charter and resolution.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The invalidity of a legal instrument that transfers or disposes of any property of a merging municipality does not affect the validity of the unified charter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 60 days after the unified charter is adopted, the legislative bodies of the merging municipalities jointly shall send the information concerning the charter to the Department of Legislative Services as provided in § 4–109 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The exact text of the unified charter adopted under this subtitle, including any amendments, shall be included in any edition or codification of the charter.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="4-509" title_number="4" title_name="In General" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Merger of Municipalities"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless the zoning classification is amended under the procedures required by the county, for 5 years after the effective date of the unified charter, the land of a merging municipality that does not have planning and zoning powers may not be placed in a zoning classification that allows a land use substantially different from the use allowed by the master plan or plan of the county or agency that has planning and zoning jurisdiction over the land before the merger.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not grant planning and zoning powers to a unified municipality if none of the merging municipalities has planning and zoning powers.</text> </level> </section>