1428                               Laws of Maryland                         [Ch. 782

(j) The term "[Federal agency" shall mean and include the United
States of America, any department or bureau thereof, and any
agency or instrumentality of the United States of America hereto-
fore established or which may be established or created hereafter.

(k) The term "project" shall mean any water system, sewer system
and any combination or part or parts thereof owned, constructed or
operated by a District under the provisions of this sub-title.

578.   The governing body of a county may, by ordinance or resolu-
tion, or the governing bodies of two or more counties may by ordi-
nances or resolutions, signify their intention to create a District to
acquire, construct, reconstruct, extend, repair, improve, maintain
and operate a project under an appropriate name and title, contain-
ing the word "District", which shall be a public body politic and
corporate.

Each such ordinance or resolution shall include articles of incor-
poration which shall set forth:

(a)   The name of the "District".

(b)  A statement that such District is formed under this sub-title.

(c)   The name of the incorporating county or counties.

(d)  The names, addresses and terms of office of the first members
of the Commission of said District.

(e)  The purpose or purposes for which the Authority is to be
created or is created.

Said articles of incorporation shall be executed by each incorporat-
ing county by its proper officers and shall be filed with the State Tax
Commission which shall receive the same and endorse thereon the
date and time of such receipt. If the Chairman or Secretary of
said Commission finds that the articles of incorporation conform to
law he shall forthwith endorse his approval thereon and issue a
certificate of approval to which shall be attached a copy of the ap-
proved articles. Upon the issuance of such certificate of approval
by the Chairman or the Secretary of said Commission the corporate
existence of said District shall begin and thereupon such District
shall be conclusively deemed to have been lawfully and properly
created and established and authorized to exercise its powers under
this sub-title. Promptly thereafter the said Commission shall record
said articles of incorporation, together with the endorsements
thereon, in a book to be kept for that purpose.

When the District has been organized and its officers elected, the
secretary shall certify to the State Tax Commission the names and
addresses of its officers, as well as the principal office of the District.
Any change in the location of the principal office shall likewise be
certified to the State Tax Commission within ten days after such
change.

579.   Every District so incorporated may, from time to time, and
in the manner hereinafter provided, amend its articles of incorpora-
tion and thereby accomplish any one or more of the following: the
adoption of a new name; and changes in, additions to, and diminu-
tions of its powers and purposes, provided that such amendment shall
contain only such provisions as it would be lawful or proper to insert
in articles of incorporation made at the time of such amendment.