28                                Laws of Maryland                          [Ch. 2

conditions, and as the operation and maintenance of the projects
by the Authority will constitute the performance of essential govern-
mental functions, the bonds issued under the provisions of this
Article, their transfer and the income therefrom (including any profit
made on the sale thereof) shall at all times be free from all Stale,
municipal and local taxation.

(b) The right and power of any county and the Mayor and City
Council of Baltimore to impose annually taxes on land and the im-
provements thereon, present and future, acquired and developed by
the Authority, within their respective limits, shall be retained by
such political sub-divisions; but this right to impose taxes shall not
apply to land and the improvements thereon acquired from the
political sub-division. In addition to being so subject to taxes on
land and the improvements thereon, the Authority shall be subject
to any and all benefit assessments, including, but not limited to,
sewer and water charges which may be levied by operation of law.
The Authority and the particular political sub-division are author-
ized and empowered, in their individual discretion from time to time,
to enter into agreements, for such duration as they may determine,
for the payment by the Authority to the political sub-division of a
stated sum or sums in lieu of any such taxes or benefit assessments.

18A. (a) In and for Anne Arundel County the provisions of this
section shall prevail, notwithstanding any other provisions in Sec-
tions 6 or 18 or elsewhere in this Article.

(b)  The Authority shall not acquire any land or improvements
thereon, or any right, interest, franchise, easement or privilege
therein, for any of the purposes of this Article, within the limits of
Anne Arundel County, without the prior consent and approval by
resolution duly passed after a public hearing, of the Board of County
Commissioners of Anne Arundel County. This sub-section shall not
be construed to affect or impair the right of the Authority to acquire
an option for the possible later acquisition of any such right, interest,
franchise, easement or privilege therein. In addition, such approval
shall be conclusively presumed unless the Authority shall be notified
in writing to the contrary within ninety (90) days after making a
written request of the Board of County Commissioners for the ap-
proval of such acquisition.

(c)  The Board of County Commissioners of Anne Arundel County
shall retain full jurisdiction and power to tax any lands or the
improvements thereon, including any existing or future improve-
ments, so acquired by the Authority, or which hereafter may be
acquired by any other agency, city, person or corporation, within
the limits of Anne Arundel County, under the provisions of this
Article.

(d)  The Authority and the Board of County Commissioners of
Anne Arundel County are authorized and empowered, in their indi-
vidual discretion from time to time, to enter into agreements for such
duration as they may determine, for the payment by the Authority
to the County of a stated sum or sums in lieu of any such taxes.

(e)  This section shall be strictly construed.

19. (Annual Reports.) On or before the first day of December in
each year the Authority shall make an annual report of its activities