Md. Code, Local Government § 20–804

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Dwelling type” means a single family detached home, town

house, or multifamily housing unit.

(3) “New residential development” means the development of land

that results in the issuance of a use and occupancy permit for a residential dwelling

unit.

(4) “New school capacity construction bonds” means 10–year bonds

issued by the County Commissioners of Charles County under § 19–616 of this article.

(b) (1) By local law, the County Commissioners of Charles County may

impose a fair share school construction excise tax against the owner of real property

that is improved by new residential development.

(2) Before enacting a local law under this section, the county

commissioners shall hold a public hearing and provide reasonable notice of the

hearing.

(c) (1) (i) For fiscal year 2003, the tax may not exceed:

1. for a single–family detached home, $9,700;

2. for a town house, $9,200; and

3. for a multifamily housing unit, $7,000.

(ii) For fiscal year 2004 through fiscal year 2015, the tax may

not exceed the limits set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph altered by the

same percentage as the change in the producer price index for the materials and

components for construction, as reported by the United States Department of Labor,

for the fiscal year preceding the year for which the amount is being calculated.

(iii) The county commissioners may alter the base tax rates for

each dwelling type for fiscal year 2016 and for every fourth fiscal year thereafter to

reflect the number of students generated by each dwelling type and the cost of school

construction in the county.

(iv) For each fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 in which the base

tax rates are not adjusted under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the tax rates

may not exceed the rates imposed in the preceding fiscal year altered by the same

percentage as the change in the average statewide per–square–foot school building

cost as calculated by the Interagency Commission on School Construction in the

calendar year preceding the year for which the amount is being calculated.

(2) Before setting the rate of the tax for each fiscal year, the County

Commissioners of Charles County shall conduct a study to determine:

(i) the current amount of total costs incurred to construct new

capacity for public elementary, middle, and high school facilities in the county,

including:

1. costs for land acquisition, architectural and

engineering design, infrastructure, new classrooms, equipment, interest on bond

principal, and bond issuance; and

2. an amount equal to the total square footage of new

public elementary, middle, and high school facilities in the county multiplied by the

State square foot construction allowance, less the State funding share; and

(ii) the current average number of students in the county by

dwelling type.

(d) (1) The tax:

(i) shall be collected and secured in the same manner as

general ad valorem taxes unless otherwise provided by local law; and

(ii) is subject to the same penalties and the same procedure,

sale, and lien priority in case of delinquency as provided for general ad valorem taxes.

(2) (i) The tax shall be collected annually over a period of 10 years

at level amortized payments of principal and interest.

(ii) The rate of interest payable by a property owner shall be

set at the rate of interest paid by the county on the new school capacity construction

bonds issued in the first year the tax is imposed on that property owner.

(3) The tax shall constitute a lien on all taxable real or personal

property of the taxpayer for a period of 10 years or until the lien is satisfied by

repayment.

(4) Prior to the sale or transfer of real property in Charles County

that is improved by new residential development, the seller or transferor shall

provide notice to the buyer or transferee that includes:

(i) a statement that the tax may be imposed on the property;

and

(ii) the amount of the tax for the dwelling type on the property.

(e) The revenues from the tax shall be used to pay the principal and interest

on the new school capacity construction bonds as they become due.

(f) (1) On or before August 1 each year, the County Commissioners of

Charles County shall report to the General Assembly, subject to § 2–1257 of the State

Government Article, covering the preceding fiscal year.

(2) The report shall include:

(i) the amount of the tax set by the county commissioners for

each dwelling type;

(ii) the amount of proceeds derived from the issuance and sale

of the county’s new school capacity construction bonds;

(iii) the number of parcels of real property improved by new

residential development in Charles County; and

(iv) the number of square feet of new public school capacity

approved for construction in Charles County by the Interagency Commission on

School Construction.