<section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-101" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to all counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The governing body of a county 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> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-102" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <text>If the county commissioners or county council of a county publishes a code or compilation that contains all or part of the public local laws of the county, the county commissioners or county council shall provide without charge:</text> <level label="1"> <text>one printed copy to the State Archives;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one printed copy to the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>five printed copies to the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-103" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “ordinance”:</text> <level label="1"> <text>means a legislative enactment of general application and continuing force for Baltimore City; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not include a public local law under § 9–102 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each year, if Baltimore City enacts any ordinance appropriate for codification during the year, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City 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 Baltimore City’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="9-104" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to all counties, except Baltimore City.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The governing body of a county may appoint all officers, agents, and employees required for a county purpose and not otherwise provided for by law.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The governing body of a county controls property owned by the county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-105" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section applies only to commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not apply to Cecil County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This section applies only to a section of this article that specifically references this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not apply to a resolution expressing the opinion or an administrative act of the county commissioners of Frederick County, St. Mary’s County, or Somerset County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The county commissioners may not adopt an act, an ordinance, or a resolution until 10 days after a public hearing has been held on the proposed act, ordinance, or resolution.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county commissioners shall publish notice of the public hearing and a summary of the proposed act, ordinance, or resolution in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county once each week for 2 successive weeks.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-106" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to a section of this article that specifically references this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A copy of each act, ordinance, or resolution adopted by the county commissioners, certified by the presiding officer of the county commissioners and attested to by the clerk of the county commissioners, shall be filed with the clerk of the court of the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The clerk of the court shall record, date, and index the act, ordinance, or resolution without charge in a volume provided by the county commissioners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted by the county commissioners may not take effect until:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a copy has been filed with the clerk of the court of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a fair summary of the act, ordinance, or resolution has been published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An act, an ordinance, or a resolution filed in accordance with this section shall be admissible as evidence in any court proceeding on certification by the clerk of the court of the county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-107" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to all counties except:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Anne Arundel County;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Baltimore City;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Baltimore County;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Cecil County;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Howard County;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Queen Anne’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Worcester County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The provisions of §§ 9–105 and 9–106 of this subtitle apply to an act, an ordinance, or a resolution adopted by a commission county under this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The governing body of a county may provide for advertising, printing, and publishing of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>laws, ordinances, resolutions, or regulations adopted by the county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the annual statements of receipts and expenditures of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The governing body of a county may provide for the recording and indexing of records in the office of the clerk of the court, register of wills, the governing body, and other officers to the extent that the recording and indexing are not provided for by general law.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The governing body of a county shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>appoint an auditor or accountant within 30 days after the close of the fiscal year to audit the books and accounts of all county officers collecting, holding, or disbursing county funds; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publish or advertise the report of the auditor or accountant immediately after its completion to the extent that the governing body considers proper.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-108" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>Except where a dividing line is fixed in a river by law, the jurisdiction of a county lying on a navigable river in this State extends from the shore to the channel of the river dividing the county from another county.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if a vessel is located on a river between counties, process may be served on board the vessel by an officer of either county.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A vessel that is moored or fastened to the land on either side of a river is considered to be in the county where the vessel is fastened.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-109" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply if the boundary between counties is a navigable river.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the jurisdiction of a county bounded at any point by navigable waters extends from the shore to the inside of the channel, which is considered the center of the waters.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the navigable waters join a neighboring state, the jurisdiction of the county continues to the ultimate limit of the state.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The center of waters in subsection (b) of this section shall be as represented on the county maps issued under the authority of Chapter 51, Acts of 1896 and Chapter 129, Acts of 1898.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county map referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection is admissible as evidence of the location of county boundaries.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Certified copies of county maps issued under subsection (c)(1) of this section shall be kept on file with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the clerk of the court for each county; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the governing body of each county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Certified copies of county maps are official and authoritative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Nothing in this section changes the rights the State may have on or under the waters described in this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-110" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <text>Frederick County is a region of the State and shall be treated as a region by all units of State government.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-111" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <text>The County Commissioners of Allegany County may direct that any office under the control of the county commissioners be closed for business on Saturdays.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-112" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The governing body of each county may erect two pillars 100 feet apart on the same meridian line in a public spot adjacent to the county courthouse of each county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>There shall be a distinctly visible needle point on the top of one of the pillars and a hair sight on top of the other pillar so that a straight line passing through its center and the center of the needle point would be on the true meridian line running north and south.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The needle point and hair sight required under this subsection shall be properly enclosed and protected.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The governing body of the county may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>determine the accurate latitude and longitude of the pillars erected under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>mark the latitude and longitude on one of the pillars in degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The longitude shall be determined from the meridian of Washington, D.C.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The pillars and enclosures are under the custody of the county clerk.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The pillars and enclosures shall be made available to any surveyor or civil engineer residing or engaged in surveying in the county for the purpose of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>testing compass variations; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>verifying the meridian line when required by order of the circuit court for the county.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If a county has erected pillars under this section, a surveyor who surveys land in the county shall annually test the surveyor’s compass and note the variation of the compass from the meridian line identified under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The surveyor shall record in the county where the surveyor resides the results of the test, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the date and time of the test; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an affidavit verifying the correctness of the results.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The test results shall be recorded in a book kept for the purpose of recording such results.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A surveyor who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of $50 and court costs.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A fine imposed under this subsection may be used as directed by the governing body of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The county clerk may charge a fee for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>recording a certificate of variation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>recording an affidavit of correctness;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>providing copies or abstracts of certificates of variation or affidavits of correctness; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>providing certificates and seals regarding certificates of variation or affidavits of correctness.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fee collected by the clerk shall be the same as fees allowed by law for similar services regarding matters of record in the clerk’s office.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The fee shall be paid by the party:</text> <level label="i"> <text>recording the document; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>requesting a copy or abstract of recorded documents.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>willfully erase, deface, displace, or otherwise harm a pillar, or any part of a pillar, erected under subsection (a)(1) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>destroy, break down, or remove the enclosure, or any part of the enclosure, required under subsection (a)(3) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On conviction, a person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $50 and not exceeding $500.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The governing body of a county that erects pillars under this section may pay the costs of carrying out this section in the same manner that other county expenses are paid.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-113" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “chief executive officer” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the mayor of Baltimore City; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the County Executive of Montgomery County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to Baltimore City and Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a candidate for chief executive officer shall be a resident of the county for at least 6 months before the general election for chief executive officer.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the charter of a county contains a durational residency requirement that is longer than 6 months, the longer durational residency requirement shall be retained if the governing body of the county reaffirms the requirement by enactment of an ordinance no later than 4 weeks before the filing deadline specified in § 5–303(a) of the Election Law Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-114" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a county that offers a self–insured employee health benefit plan in the State shall provide to each firefighter employed by the county coverage for preventive cancer screenings in accordance with the latest screening guidelines issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection may not impose a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible requirement on coverage of preventive cancer screenings for firefighters as required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A county may satisfy the requirement in subsection (a) of this section by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>providing a no–cost annual examination to firefighters employed by the county that includes preventive cancer screenings for firefighters in accordance with the latest screening guidelines issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>applying for a grant under Title 13, Subtitle 40 of the Health – General Article to pay for innovative cancer screening technologies, including a multicancer early detection blood test.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to prohibit a county subject to this section from providing coverages that are greater than or more favorable to an insured or an enrollee than the coverage required under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-115" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Retired volunteer firefighter” means an individual who is a retired firefighter who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>volunteered with a volunteer fire company in a county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>was actively involved in fire suppression while volunteering with the volunteer fire company;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>has completed a minimum of 3 years of volunteer service; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>accumulated at least 50 points under a length of service award program or a point system established in lieu of a length of service award program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Volunteer fire company” includes a volunteer fire department.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Volunteer firefighter” means an individual who is a firefighter actively involved in fire suppression and volunteering with a volunteer fire company in a county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each county in which a volunteer fire company is located shall offer no–cost preventive cancer screenings in accordance with the latest screening guidelines issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters to each volunteer firefighter who volunteers and each retired volunteer firefighter who volunteered with the volunteer fire company.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each volunteer fire company shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>maintain an up–to–date list of volunteer firefighters who are volunteering and retired volunteer firefighters who volunteered with the volunteer fire company; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide the list to the county in which the volunteer fire company is located:</text> <level label="1"> <text>on or before October 1 each year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>on request of the county.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each county in which a volunteer fire company is located shall maintain a list of all volunteer firefighters who volunteer and all retired volunteer firefighters who volunteered in the county as provided by each volunteer fire company located in the county under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A county may satisfy the requirement in subsection (b)(1) of this section by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>providing a no–cost annual examination to volunteer firefighters and retired volunteer firefighters that includes preventive cancer screenings for firefighters in accordance with the latest screening guidelines issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>applying for a grant under Title 13, Subtitle 40 of the Health – General Article to pay for innovative cancer screening technologies, including a multicancer early detection blood test.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-201" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <text>A charter county:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall have perpetual succession;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may sue and be sued;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>may acquire and hold property, either absolutely or in trust for a public purpose;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>may dispose of property;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>may adopt a common seal; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>may adopt an ordinance, a resolution, or bylaws to exercise its powers.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-202" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <text>When a county becomes a charter county: </text> <level label="1"> <text>all property and franchises belonging to or in the possession of the former county commissioners of the county or any county agencies are vested in the charter county as a corporation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an action against the former county commissioners of the county does not abate and is continued in the name of the charter county with the same effect as if originally brought against the charter county;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>all liabilities, obligations, contracts, claims, and demands, accrued or to accrue, of the former county commissioners of the county are the liabilities, obligations, contracts, claims, and demands of the charter county; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a criminal proceeding is not affected by the adoption of the charter and shall be prosecuted under the law in effect at the time of the crime.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-203" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <text>After the adoption or rejection of charter home rule, a county promptly shall notify and provide copies of the adopted or rejected charter to the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>five copies to the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one copy to the Secretary of State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>one copy to the State Archives; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>one copy to the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-204" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <level label="a"> <text>Members of the county council of a charter county shall be elected as provided in Article XI–A, § 3A of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A county charter may require that a specified number of members of the county council shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>reside in specified districts in the charter county; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be elected by the voters of the entire county.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-205" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The voters of a charter county may reserve in the charter the power of referendum by which they may submit a local law enacted by the county council, by petition, to the voters for approval or rejection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The charter shall specify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>what types of local laws may be petitioned to referendum; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whether a part of a local law may be petitioned to referendum.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, in implementing procedures that relate to the power of referendum, the charter or the local laws shall provide adequate details as to time, notice, and form.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The initial notice of a referendum vote shall be given at least 30 days before the election.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-206" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each calendar or fiscal year, each charter county shall compile a complete set of all local laws enacted during that year under the Express Powers Act, Title 10 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The laws in the compilation shall be in numerical order, 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 (3) of this subsection, copies of the compilation shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>kept on permanent record at the office of the county council, county executive, or county manager;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>made available for inspection during regular business hours at that office; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provided in printed form without charge to the State Archives and the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Annually, each charter county shall provide each member of the General Assembly representing any part of the county with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notice that a digital copy of the compilation is available on the Internet; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a printed copy of the compilation without charge.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The charter county 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 charter county shall provide without charge four printed copies of the compilation to the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each charter county shall provide to the Department of Legislative Services a statement that includes information on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the results of any referendum on a proposed local law held during the year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any actual or potential pending referendum that had not been held by the end of the year.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-207" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Charter Counties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each calendar year, the Department of Legislative Services shall ask each charter county whether the county has enacted any part of its local laws under the Express Powers Act, Title 10 of this article, during that calendar year or its latest fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The charter county promptly shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>answer the inquiry; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>verify that copies of the requested enactments of local laws have already 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 Comptroller if a charter county does not comply with subsection (a) of this section or § 9–206(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 charter county 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 each charter county that amends its county code; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publish on the General Assembly website each title, identified as a title of the laws of a charter county that amends its county code, or the full text of the laws of each charter county that amends its county code.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-301" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Code home rule” means a form of county government organized under Article XI–F of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Public local law” has the meaning stated in Article XI–F, § 1 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Voter” means an individual who is registered to vote under Title 3, Subtitle 1 of the Election Law Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-302" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>There are four classes of code counties, based on the geographic region of the State where the county is located.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The geographic regions of the State are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Central Maryland, consisting of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Eastern Shore, consisting of Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Southern Maryland, consisting of Calvert County, Charles County, and St. Mary’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Western Maryland, consisting of Allegany County, Garrett County, and Washington County.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless limited to one or more classes listed in this section, a public general law enacted by the General Assembly that applies to code counties applies to each code county, regardless of class.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-303" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <text>The county commissioners of each county may adopt code home rule subject to approval at referendum by the voters of the county.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-304" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>If the county commissioners decide to formally consider adopting code home rule, the county commissioners shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>hold at least two public hearings in the county on the proposal; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publish notice of the date, time, and place of each public hearing in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least three times;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at weekly intervals; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in a period of not more than 30 days before the first public hearing.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At the hearings, the residents and taxpayers of the county shall be given the opportunity to be heard on the proposal to adopt code home rule.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-305" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 60 days after the last public hearing, the county commissioners shall decide whether to adopt code home rule.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To adopt code home rule, the county commissioners shall adopt a resolution by at least a two–thirds majority of all the individuals elected to the board of county commissioners.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The resolution shall state that, subject to approval at referendum, the county shall operate under Article XI–F of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The county commissioners shall send a certified copy of the resolution to the county board of elections.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-306" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The county board of elections shall submit the question of code home rule to the voters of the county for their adoption or rejection:</text> <level label="1"> <text>at the next regular congressional election; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in accordance with the requirements of the Election Law Article as to time, notice, and form.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The ballot shall contain the words “For Adoption of Code Home Rule” and “Against Adoption of Code Home Rule”.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <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 adoption of code home rule:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the county commissioners publicly shall so proclaim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on the 30th day after the public proclamation, the county shall become a code county; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if less than a majority of those who voted on the question voted in favor of adoption of code home rule:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the county commissioners publicly shall so proclaim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the proclamation shall state that the proposal to adopt code home rule is not approved.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>After the adoption or rejection of code home rule, the county commissioners promptly shall send notification as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>five copies to the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one copy to the Secretary of State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>one copy to the State Archives; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>one copy to the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-307" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <text>A code county may return to its form of government before the adoption of code home rule by following the same procedure required by this subtitle for the adoption of code home rule.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-308" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <text>Each code county shall proceed in accordance with this subtitle to exercise the powers to enact public local laws. </text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-309" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>By public local law, the county commissioners of a code county shall establish a specified number of days, not exceeding 45 days, in each year on which the county commissioners may meet to enact public local laws.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Legislative days:</text> <level label="i"> <text>need not be consecutive; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may be designated by public local law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a legislative day is not specified or not determinable by public local law, the county commissioners shall publish notice of the legislative day in a newspaper of general circulation in the code county between 3 and 14 days before the legislative day.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The first legislative session of a code county shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>begin on the first business day 60 days after the effective date of code home rule; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be 15 days long.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The 15 days of the first legislative session do not count as part of the annual 45 legislative days.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each legislative session shall be open to the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-310" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Each public local law of a code county shall be passed by original bill.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The style of the enacting clause for each bill shall be “Be it enacted by …”.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each public local law enacted shall embrace only one subject, which shall be described in the title of the bill.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A public local law may not be repealed or amended by reference to its title only.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-311" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>A county commissioner of a code county may introduce a bill on any legislative day.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Not later than the next day after the introduction of a bill, the presiding officer of the county commissioners shall schedule a public hearing on the bill.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A bill may be rejected after its introduction without a hearing by a vote of at least two–thirds of the total membership of the county commissioners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the public hearing on a bill shall be held not less than 7 days after introduction of the bill.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For an emergency bill, the public hearing shall be held not less than 3 days after introduction of the emergency bill.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The public hearing on a bill:</text> <level label="i"> <text>need not be held on a legislative day; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may be adjourned from time to time.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>After the introduction of a bill, a copy of the bill and notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be posted:</text> <level label="i"> <text>as soon as practicable;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>on an official bulletin board in a public place in the building in which the county commissioners usually meet; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in a manner that provides the public ready access to the copy of the bill and the notice during regular business hours.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Additional copies of the bill and notice of the hearing shall be made available to the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each copy of a bill shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the county commissioner who introduced the bill; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date the bill was introduced.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>An amendment proposed to a bill shall be in writing.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A copy of each amendment shall be made available for inspection by the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>After a public hearing, a bill may be finally passed on a legislative day with or without amendment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if a bill is amended before final passage, the bill may not be passed until it is reprinted as amended.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If an emergency bill is amended before final passage, the emergency bill need not be reprinted as amended.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except for an emergency bill, a bill may not be passed less than 7 days after its introduction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, to become a public local law, a bill shall be passed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the total membership of the county commissioners.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An emergency bill shall be passed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by an affirmative vote of at least four–fifths of the total membership; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the total membership is three members, by an affirmative vote of at least two members.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The county commissioners shall keep a journal that shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On final passage of a bill, the yea and nay votes shall be recorded in the journal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Each bill that passes, or a fair summary of it, shall be published:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at least three times;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>at weekly intervals; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>within the 4–week period after passage of the bill.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-312" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a public local law enacted by the county commissioners of a code county takes effect:</text> <level label="1"> <text>45 days after it is enacted; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at a later date specified in the public local law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A public local law takes effect on the date of its passage if it is passed as an emergency bill.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An emergency bill may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>abolish or create an office;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>change a salary, term, or duty of an officer;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>grant a franchise or special privilege; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>create a vested right or interest.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-313" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The voters of a code county may submit to referendum, by petition, a public local law or a part of a public local law enacted under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The referendum shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at the next regular congressional election unless the county commissioners, by resolution, schedule a special election;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in accordance with the requirements of Title 7 of the Election Law Article as to time, notice, and form; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>for adoption or rejection by a majority of those voting on the question.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a referendum petition shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be filed with the county board of elections within 40 days after a public local law is enacted; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>contain the signatures of at least 10% of the voters of the code county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If more than one–half but less than the full number of signatures required to complete a referendum petition against a public local law are filed within 40 days after the public local law is enacted, the time for the public local law to take effect and the time for filing the remainder of signatures to complete the referendum petition is extended for an additional 40 days.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a referendum petition may consist of several papers.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each paper shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>contain the full text of the public local law or part of the public local law petitioned to referendum; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have attached to it an affidavit of the individual who procured the signatures on the petition that certifies that to the best of the individual’s personal knowledge, information, and belief:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each signature on the petition is genuine; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the signers are voters in the code county.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The county board of elections shall verify the voter registration of each signer.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a legally sufficient referendum petition on a public local law is filed with the county board of elections, the public local law does not take effect until 30 days after its approval by a majority of the voters voting on the question.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An emergency law petitioned to referendum:</text> <level label="i"> <text>remains in effect from its effective date notwithstanding the filing of the referendum petition; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is repealed 30 days after its rejection by a majority of the voters voting on the question.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-314" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>At the end of each calendar or fiscal year, each code county shall compile a complete set of all public local laws enacted by the code county during that year.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, copies of the compilation shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>kept on permanent record at the office of the county commissioners;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>made available for inspection during regular business hours at the office; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provided in printed form without charge to the State Archives and the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Annually, each code county shall provide each member of the General Assembly representing any part of the county with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notice that a digital copy of the compilation is available on the Internet; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a printed copy of the compilation without charge.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The code county 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 code county shall provide without charge four printed copies of the compilation to the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each code county shall provide to the Department of Legislative Services a statement that includes information on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the results of any referendum on a public local law held during the previous calendar or fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any actual or potential pending referendum that has not been held by the end of the year.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-315" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At the end of each calendar year, the Department of Legislative Services shall ask each code county whether the county has enacted any part of its public local laws during that calendar year or its latest fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The code county promptly shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>answer the inquiry; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>verify that copies of the requested enactments of public local laws 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 Comptroller if a code county does not comply with subsection (a) of this section or § 9–314(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 code county 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 each code county that amends its code of public local laws; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>publish on the General Assembly website each title, identified as a title of the laws of a code county that amends its code of public local laws, or the full text of the laws of each code county that amends its code of public local laws.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-401" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Tourism Zones"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The number of county commissioners in each county shall be set by the public local laws of the county.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the county commissioners shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>meet within 60 days after their election; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>qualify by taking the constitutional oath.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall take office on the first Monday in December after their election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The county commissioners shall meet at least once each quarter.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall meet at least 48 times a year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The County Commissioners of Washington County shall hold at least 10 of their general meetings each year in the evening.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-402" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Tourism Zones"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>commission counties; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as otherwise provided by local law, code counties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a vacancy occurs in an office of county commissioner, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If a vacancy occurs during a session of the Senate of Maryland, the Governor shall appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In Allegany County, if there is no resident senator from Allegany County in the Senate of Maryland at the time of the appointment, the Governor shall appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the House of Delegates.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If a vacancy occurs during a recess of the Senate of Maryland, the Governor shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>appoint an individual during the recess; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>submit to the Senate the nomination of the individual appointed, or another individual, not later than 30 days after the next meeting of the General Assembly begins.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (5) of this subsection, the central committee of the political party that is affiliated with the vacating county commissioner shall submit in writing to the Governor the name of the individual that the political party nominates to fill the vacancy.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The individual nominated by the central committee shall be of the same political party as the vacating county commissioner.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Governor shall nominate or appoint the individual whose name is submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 15 days after the submission.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If there is no central committee in the county in which the vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy who has all the qualifications required for the office of county commissioner in the particular county.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>In Garrett County, the nominee or appointee shall be a resident of the same commissioner district in which the former county commissioner resided.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-403" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Tourism Zones"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county commissioners of each county are a corporation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-404" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Tourism Zones"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county commissioners may sue and be sued.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The county commissioners may not pay a claim against the county unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the claim is payable by the county; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the claimant produces legal proof of the claim.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-405" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Tourism Zones"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to a county that has adopted local ethics laws under §§ 5–808 and 5–809 of the General Provisions Article if the local ethics laws have been approved by the State Ethics Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>During a county commissioner’s term of office, the county commissioner may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>possess or acquire any share or interest in, or have or participate in, either directly or indirectly, any benefit, profit, or compensation of any agreement or contract entered into with any party by the county commissioners as county commissioners; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>accept, possess, or acquire any claim, or any share or interest in any claim, on or against the county of which the individual is a commissioner if the claim has been or will be passed on and approved by the county commissioners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If a county commissioner violates the provisions of this section, the county commissioner is subject to prosecution.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county commissioner who is convicted under this section shall forfeit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the office; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the county commissioner’s share or interest in the agreement, contract, or claim in which the county commissioner was involved.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-406" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Tourism Zones"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to code counties and commission counties.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to a clerk of court or a sheriff.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a county treasurer, tax collector, county commissioner, or any county official is required by law to give a bond:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the county official shall give a bond executed by a surety company that is authorized to do business in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the bond shall be approved by the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The county may pay the premium for a bond given under subsection (c) of this section, not to exceed 0.5% per year of the penalty of an executed and approved bond.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, when a bond is executed and approved, the county commissioners may direct the payment of the premium of the bond from the general fund of the county in the same manner as required to pay general county debts.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The payment of the premium on the bond given by a register of wills or State’s Attorney shall be charged as an expense of that officer.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-501" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Official action” means a phase of the process in which a public agency in St. Mary’s County makes a decision or recommendation, including receipt of information and deliberation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Public agency” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a governmental unit of St. Mary’s County, including an advisory or quasi–judicial agency, that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>supported in any part by public money; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>authorized to spend public money;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the St. Mary’s County Board of Education;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the St. Mary’s County Board of Library Trustees;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the St. Mary’s County Housing Authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Public agency” includes a subcommittee or other subordinate unit of a governmental unit listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public agency” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a grand jury;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a petit jury;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a law enforcement agency; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the judicial branch.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Public agency meeting” means the convening of a quorum of the constituent membership of a public agency to deliberate or act on a matter under the supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power of the public agency.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Quorum”, unless otherwise defined by applicable law, means a simple majority of the constituent membership of a public agency.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Staff meeting” means a meeting of three or more staff members of one or more public agencies.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-502" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>It is the policy of St. Mary’s County that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>public officials shall engage in official action in an open and public manner so that voters are advised of the performance of public officials and of decisions made in forming public policy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>public agencies exist to aid in conducting the people’s business;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the people of the county, in delegating authority, do not yield their sovereignty or give public agencies the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the right of the people to remain informed is protected so that they may retain control over the instruments they create.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-503" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>This subtitle prevails if it conflicts with another statute, ordinance, regulation, or rule, unless the other statute, ordinance, regulation, or rule is more stringent.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-504" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in § 9–512 of this subtitle, a public agency meeting at which official action is taken shall be open to the public.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A final decision whether to purchase or dispose of real property shall be at a public agency meeting open to the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-505" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a staff meeting.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public agency shall provide written public notice of the schedule of its regular public agency meetings, including their dates, times, and places:</text> <level label="1"> <text>at the beginning of each calendar or fiscal year; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at the time the public agency begins to function.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in § 9–506 or § 9–507 of this subtitle, a public agency shall provide supplemental written public notice of any special or rescheduled public agency meeting at least 48 hours before the meeting.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall include the agenda, date, time, and place of the public agency meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A public agency shall provide written public notice by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>posting a copy of the notice prominently at the principal office of the public agency or at the building in which the public agency meeting is to be held; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>sending a copy of the notice to any person who requests to be notified of the public agency meetings.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A public agency shall give notice of intent to purchase or dispose of real property at least 15 days before a voting session on the action.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-506" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>A public agency meeting may be adjourned and reconvened at another time without additional public notice if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notice of the time and place of the reconvened meeting is provided before adjournment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the agenda for the reconvened meeting is published in advance; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the agenda for the original meeting is available to observers at the beginning of the original meeting.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-507" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a staff meeting.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public agency may schedule an emergency public agency meeting to discuss unforeseen emergency conditions.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public agency shall make a reasonable effort to provide notice of the date, time, and place of an emergency public agency meeting by telephone to the news media immediately after participants have been notified.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-508" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a staff meeting; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a working session if a final decision is not made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public agency shall take and, in a timely manner, record minutes of each public agency meeting open to the public.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Minutes of a public agency meeting are a public record open for inspection and copying by any person.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-509" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A public agency that conducts a meeting that is open to the public shall allow recorded or live radio and television broadcasting and the use of recording devices.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public agency may adopt rules and regulations regarding the recording and broadcasting of public agency meetings.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Public agencies are encouraged to use new technology when available to aid in public accessibility and transparency.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-510" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>Except as provided in § 9–512 of this subtitle, a staff meeting shall be open to the public.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-511" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>A public agency meeting that is required to be open to the public under this subtitle shall be conducted in a location with reasonable facilities for public observation.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-512" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>A public agency meeting or a staff meeting may be conducted in a closed session only:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to consider or discuss the assignment, promotion, resignation, salary, demotion, dismissal, reprimand, or appointment of a member of a public agency or employee, unless the individual, as a matter of public record, makes a written request for an open session;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to discuss strategy in collective bargaining or litigation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>to engage in collective bargaining;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>to discuss the distribution of police forces to cope with public safety emergencies;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>to discuss cost estimates for capital projects to be subsequently placed through the bidding process;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>to hold preliminary discussions concerning the purchase or disposition of real property;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>when State law or federal regulation prohibits a meeting open to the public;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>to meet a condition for anonymity of a donor contained in a gift or bequest to the public agency;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>when secrecy is necessary to prevent the premature disclosure of the format or content of examinations or the disclosure of results of examinations as related to individual students;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>if the meeting is conducted by the County Board of Education or its staff to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>consider the discipline of a student, unless the parent, guardian, or student requests an open session of the County Board of Education; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>discuss specific students, families, or personnel and the disclosure of the discussions could prove detrimental or harmful to those individuals;</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <text>to consider the investment of public funds;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; or</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>to discuss cybersecurity, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>security assessments or deployments relating to information resources technology;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>network security information, including information that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>related to passwords, personal identification numbers, access codes, encryption, or other components of the security system of a governmental entity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental entity to prevent, detect, or investigate criminal activity; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>related to an assessment, made by or for a governmental entity or maintained by a governmental entity, of the vulnerability of a network to criminal activity; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>deployments or implementation of security personnel, critical infrastructure, or security devices.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A closed session shall be announced in advance at a meeting that is open to the public.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An announcement of a closed session shall include the nature of the business of the closed session.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The closed session shall be limited to the matters described in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The minutes of the next open session shall include the justification for holding the closed session, the names of those in attendance, and the times the meeting begins and ends.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, or decision may not be finally adopted at a closed session.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-513" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>A public agency may adopt rules and regulations to maintain order at its public agency meetings.</text> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-514" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person denied a right conferred by this subtitle may file a complaint for mandamus, injunction, or other appropriate remedy in circuit court.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A plaintiff need not allege or prove an irreparable injury or an injury different from the public at large.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A complaint under this section shall be filed within 1 year after the date of the alleged violation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The court shall conduct a hearing within 7 days after a complaint is filed.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A violation of this subtitle is deemed an injury to the public at large.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The court shall issue an order that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>grants or denies all or part of the relief sought;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>awards appropriate attorney’s fees or costs; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>determines the effect of the action alleged to be in violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may void an action taken at a public agency meeting in violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-515" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who knowingly violates this subtitle more than twice is guilty of a misdemeanor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who willfully violates this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a civil order finding the defendant in violation of this subtitle is not entered at least once before the occurrence of an alleged misdemeanor, a violation of this subtitle is presumed not to be willful.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glg" article_name="Local Government" number="9-516" title_number="9" title_name="General and Administrative Provisions" subtitle_number="5"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the St. Mary’s County Open Meetings Act. </text> </section>