This subtitle applies only in Prince George’s County.

Subject to this subtitle and any local law adopted by the County Council under this subtitle, any area in the county within an election district that abuts territory within the regional district may be annexed to the boundaries of the regional district.

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: at least 25% of the residents of the area to be annexed who are registered as voters in county elections; and owners of at least 25% of the assessed valuation of the real property located in the area to be annexed. If a written petition for annexation is submitted to the County Council, the chair of the County Council shall verify: the signatures on the written petition; and that the petition meets the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this section.

On verifying that the requirements of § 20–603 of this subtitle have been complied with, the chair of the County Council shall promptly cause a local law to be introduced that proposes the change of boundaries that the petition requests. The local law shall: 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: a brief and accurate description of the change in boundaries proposed in the local law and the conditions and circumstances applicable to the change in boundaries; and the time and place where the public hearing on the proposed local law will be held. The hearing shall: 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. After the required notice and hearing on the local law, a majority of the County Council may adopt the local law.

After the public hearing on the local law, the County Council may enact the local law in accordance with the usual requirements and practices applicable to legislative enactments of the County Council. The local law may not become effective until at least 45 days following its final enactment.

A written petition for a referendum on the local law may be filed during the 45 days following the final enactment of the local law. A petition filed under this section must be signed by: 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. The signers of a petition filed under this section must be: 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. When a written petition for referendum on a local law is submitted to the chair of the County Council, the chair shall verify: the signatures on the written petition; and that the petition meets the requirements of this section. On verifying that the requirements of this section have been met, the chair of the County Council shall suspend the effectiveness of the local law contingent on the results of the referendum. 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: be published twice at not less than weekly intervals in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to be annexed; and specify the time and place at which the referendum will be held. 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. If a majority of the persons voting on the local law in the referendum vote in favor of the local law, the local law shall become effective on the 14th day following the referendum. The County Council may enact local laws or adopt regulations that provide for conducting a referendum held under this section and tabulating the results of the referendum. The county shall pay in full for the expenses of a referendum held under this section.