Ch. 97

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) may be elected on an annual basis by any current or future owner of
owner-occupied residential property, regardless of whether the property was purchased
before July 1, 1995.

[(c)] (D) (1) A semiannual payment schedule election under subsection
[ (b)(1)] (C)(1) of this section shall apply to:

(I)      The property tax due for the tax year following transfer of the
property; AND

(II)    THE PROPERTY TAX DUE AND NOT IN ARREARS FOR THE
CURRENT TAX YEAR FOR ANY TRANSFER OCCURRING BETWEEN JULY 1 AND
JANUARY 1 OF PROPERTY THAT IS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO A SEMIANNUAL
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT.

(2) ONCE THE PROPERTY OWNER ELECTS TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES
ACCORDING TO A SEMIANNUAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE, THAT ELECTION SHALL
REMAIN EFFECTIVE UNTIL CHANGED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER OR THE PROPERTY
IS TRANSFERRED.

(3) AN ELECTION OF A SEMIANNUAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE MAY NOT BE
EFFECTIVE UNLESS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT IS PAID ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF
THE COUPON ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30.

(E) (1) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY SHALL MAY ADOPT
PROCEDURES TO REQUIRE PROPERTY OWNERS TO MAKE A SEMIANNUAL PAYMENT
SCHEDULE ELECTION PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF PROPERTY TAX BILLS. NOTIFY
TAXPAYERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SEMIANNUAL PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT
OPTION.

(2) PROCEDURES ADOPTED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION:

(I) SHALL PROVIDE FOR AN ANNUAL WRITTEN NOTICE MAILED
TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THAT
ALLOWS THE OWNER AT LEAST 60 DAYS TO ELECT A PAYMENT OPTION; AND

(II) MAY NOT ESTABLISH A DEADLINE FOR MAKING AN ELECTION
THAT IS EARLIER THAN JUNE 1 PRECEDING THE TAX BILL.

(2) (I) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION SHALL NOTIFY
PROPERTY OWNERS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE
SEMIANNUAL PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT OPTION THROUGH NEWSPAPER
ADVERTISEMENTS OR THROUGH WRITTEN NOTIFICATION SENT TO ALL ELIGIBLE
PROPERTY OWNERS.

(II) THE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS OR WRITTEN NOTICE
SHALL INCLUDE.

1. INFORMATION ABOUT THE SEMIANNUAL PAYMENT
OPTION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELECTING
SEMIANNUAL PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT; AND

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