Title 20. Maryland-Washington Regional District — Subtitle 6. Prince George's County -- Annexation

A proposal for annexation of an area to the regional district shall be initiated by a written petition.

The written petition shall be signed by:

the signatures on the written petition; and

that the petition meets the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section.

describe by clearly ascertained boundary lines, by landmarks, and by other well–known terms consistent with the description of other areas included in the regional district, the exact area proposed to be included in the change; and

include a brief and accurate description of the conditions and circumstances applicable to the change of boundaries the petition requests.

The County Council shall give public notice of a hearing on the local law introduced under § 20–604 of this subtitle.

The notice required under this subsection shall be published at least four times at not less than weekly intervals in a newspaper of general circulation in the area proposed to be annexed.

The notice required under this subsection shall include:

commence not less than 7 days after the fourth publication of the required notice of the hearing; and

be held at the location identified in the notice.

at least 20% of the residents of the area to be annexed under the local law; and

owners of at least 20% of the assessed valuation of the real property located in the area to be annexed.

registered as voters in county elections; or

if there are fewer than 20 individuals living in the area proposed to be annexed who are eligible to sign a petition under this subsection, any person owning real property in the area proposed to be annexed.

the signatures on the written petition; and

that the petition meets the requirements of this section.

The chair of the County Council shall set a date for the referendum on the local law and publish notice of the referendum on the local law.

The date of the referendum on the local law shall be between 15 and 90 days after the published notice of the referendum.

The notice of the referendum on the local law shall:

The place where the referendum is held shall be within the area to be annexed under the local law.

On the date and at the place specified, the local law proposing to annex an area to the regional district shall be submitted to a referendum election of the qualified voters who reside in the area to be annexed and who are registered as voters in county elections.

If there are fewer than 20 individuals living in the area proposed to be annexed who are eligible to participate in a referendum election, any person owning real property in the area proposed to be annexed may participate in the referendum election.

The ballots or voting machines for the referendum election shall contain a summary of the local law with suitable provisions for the voter to indicate a choice for or against it.