HB 121
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2020 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 121 (St. Mary's County Delegation)
Environment and Transportation Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
St. Mary’s County – Metropolitan Commission – Collection of Fees, Assessments,
and Nonsubstantive and Clarifying Revisions
This bill authorizes the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) to
(1) commence a third-party action to recover unpaid connection charges instead of being
required to sell the property to recover the charges and (2) issue a reimbursement
assessment for actual costs (including time and materials) of up to $1,000 as an
administrative enforcement remedy. The bill also makes a series of nonsubstantive changes
to update obsolete references and to add specificity and clarity to the laws that govern
MetCom.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: State operations and finances are not materially affected.
Local Effect: While MetCom operations and finances are not anticipated to be materially
affected, the bill grants MetCom additional flexibility in processes to recover unpaid
connection charges and enforce its rules and regulations through administrative means.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law/Background: MetCom, a component unit of St. Mary’s County, was
established by the General Assembly in 1957 as a quasi-governmental, nonprofit body, to
supply water and sewer service to St. Mary’s County. MetCom has been providing water
and sewer service since 1964.
For every new water or sewer connection made by MetCom, it may impose and collect a
reasonable connection fee that is not less than the actual cost of connection. In addition,
MetCom must issue a capital contribution charge for any new connection to a water supply
or sewer system. If the connection charges remain unpaid for 30 days after the payment is
due, the charge is considered overdue and in default. MetCom may then proceed to enforce
payment. For purposes of collection, all property subject to the charges must be sold for
the charges at the same time and in the same manner as the properties are sold for county
taxes.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): St. Mary’s County; Judiciary (Administrative Office of the
Courts); Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 26, 2020
rh/tso Third Reader - March 14, 2020
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 14, 2020
Analysis by: Richard L. Duncan Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 121/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - St. Mary's County - Metropolitan Commission - Nonsubstantive and Clarifying Revisions: 11-314 [], 11-321 [], 11-329L [], 1-131 [], 1-972 [], 1-135 [], 1-136 [], 1-137 [], 1-138 [], 1-139 [], 11-310 [], 11-311 [], 11-321 [], 11-312 [], 11-313 [], 11-314 [], 11-315 [], 11-316 [], 11-317 [], 11-318 [], 11-319 [], 11-320 [], 11-321 [], 11-322 [], 11-323 [], 11-324 [], 11-325 [], 11-326 [], 11-327 [], 1-971 [], 11-328 [], 11-329 [], 11-330 [], 9-503 []
Text - Third - St. Mary’s County – Metropolitan Commission – Collection of Fees, Assessments, and Nonsubstantive and Clarifying Revisions: 11-314 [], 11-321 [], 11-329L [], 1-131 [], 1-972 [], 1-135 [], 1-136 [], 1-137 [], 1-138 [], 1-139 [], 11-310 [], 11-311 [], 11-321 [], 11-312 [], 11-313 [], 11-314 [], 11-315 [], 11-316 [], 11-317 [], 11-318 [], 11-319 [], 11-320 [], 11-321 [], 11-322 [], 11-323 [], 11-324 [], 11-325 [], 11-326 [], 11-327 [], 1-971 [], 11-328 [], 11-329 [], 11-330 [], 9-503 []