ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 519

Article - Tax - Property

9-242.

(A)     (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION. IN THIS SECTION,
"HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING" MEANS A BUILDING THAT ACHIEVES AT LEAST:

(1) (I) ACHIEVES AT LEAST A SILVER RATING ACCORDING TO THE U.S.
GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL'S LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
DESIGN) GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM AS ADOPTED BY THE MARYLAND GREEN
BUILDING COUNCIL; OR

(2) (II) ACHIEVES AT LEAST A COMPARABLE RATING ACCORDING TO
ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE RATING SYSTEM.; OR

(III) MEETS COMPARABLE GREEN BUILDING GUIDELINES OR
STANDARDS APPROVED BY THE STATE.

(2) FOR PURPOSES OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, UNDER
LEED CREDIT MR7 OR A SIMILAR CRITERION IN A COMPARABLE RATING SYSTEM,
CREDIT MAY BE AWARDED FOR THE USE OF WOOD-BASED MATERIALS DERIVED
FROM ALL CREDIBLE SOURCES, INCLUDING THE SUSTAINABLE FOREST FORESTRY
INITIATIVE PROGRAM, THE CANADIAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN
TREE FARM SYSTEM, AND OTHER CREDIBLE CERTIFIED SOURCES PROGRAMS.

(B)     THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE CITY OR THE GOVERNING
BODY OF A COUNTY OR OF A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY GRANT, BY LAW, A TAX
CREDIT AGAINST THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION PROPERTY TAX
IMPOSED ON A HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING.

(C)     A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION MAY PROVIDE, BY LAW, FOR:

(1)      THE AMOUNT OF A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT UNDER THIS SECTION;

(2)      THE DURATION OF A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT UNDER THIS SECTION;

(3)      THE CRITERIA AND QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO RECEIVE THE
CREDIT; AND

(4)      ANY OTHER PROVISION NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 2004, and shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after June 30,
2004.

Approved May 26, 2004.

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