{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-1-704","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Local Government § 1–704","heading":"","body":"(a) It is the policy of the State to authorize each county and municipality to\ndisplace or limit competition in the area of water and sewerage systems to:\n(1) assure delivery of adequate, economical, and efficient water and\nsewerage services;\n(2) avoid duplication of water and sewerage facilities;\n(3) control disease and provide for the public health and safety;\n(4) prevent environmental degradation;\n(5) protect natural resources;\n(6) use the public right–of–way efficiently; and\n(7) promote the general welfare by providing adequate water and\nsewerage systems.\n(b) (1) Notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect, a county or\nmunicipality may:\n(i) grant one or more franchises or enter into contracts for\nwater or sewerage systems on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis;\n(ii) impose franchise fees;\n(iii) establish charges and rates applicable to the franchise; and\n(iv) adopt rules, regulations, and licensing requirements for\nthe operation of the franchise.\n(2) If another law grants a county or municipality the authority to\noperate water and sewerage systems, the county or municipality shall operate the\nsystems without regard to any anticompetitive effect.","path":["Article - Local Government"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=glg\u0026section=1-704","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:59:58Z","sha256":"4edf86df0fbf8c0c972975a31fcf2b8637027a8b4db656cc3714b3a299093eb1","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-1-703","next":"us-md/md.-code-local-government-1-705"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}