ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                            S.B. 836

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 24 - Political Subdivisions

9-1002.

(A)     THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, BY ORDINANCE, MAY
FIX AND IMPOSE A BUILDING EXCISE TAX ON ANY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WITHIN
DORCHESTER COUNTY.

(B)     THE COUNTY COUNCIL SHALL SPECIFY IN THE ORDINANCE:

(1)      THE TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SUBJECT TO THE
BUILDING EXCISE TAX;

(2)      THE CRITERIA AND FORMULAS USED TO ASSESS THE TAX; AND

(3)      THE TAX RATES.

(C)     (1) THE COUNTY COUNCIL MAY IMPOSE DIFFERENT RATES OF THE
BUILDING EXCISE TAX ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SUBJECT
TO THE BUILDING EXCISE TAX.

(2) THE TAX RATES:

(I)      SHALL RELATE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OR GROWTH-RELATED
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN THE COUNTY; AND

(II)     MAY NOT EXCEED:

1.       $5,000 PER LOT OR PARCEL UNIT FOR RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT WHERE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IS TO OCCUR; OR

2.       $1 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR ANY CATEGORY OF
NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 PER LOT OR PARCEL.

(D)     (1) THE REVENUES FROM THE BUILDING EXCISE TAX SHALL BE
DEPOSITED IN A SPECIAL FUND.

(2) THE SPECIAL FUND MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE CAPITAL COSTS OF
ADDITIONAL OR EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS, IMPROVEMENTS, AND FACILITIES
REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE NEW CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING:

(I)      EMERGENCY SERVICES;

(II)     SHERIFF'S OFFICES; AND

(III)   SCHOOLS.

(E)     THE BUILDING EXCISE TAX MAY BE IMPOSED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY,
INCLUDING WITHIN MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.

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