Local Government - Municipal Annexation - Petition and Referendum

SB 505 modifies Maryland's annexation rules to allow certain redevelopment authorities to initiate annexation petitions and vote in referendums. Specifically, it permits these authorities (in charter counties that own state-funded redevelopment property under a competitive contract) to sign petitions and vote when fewer than 20 residents qualify to do so. The bill amends Section 4-413 of Maryland's Annotated Code to expand eligibility for petition signers beyond just residents. This change streamlines the annexation process for designated redevelopment projects without altering voting requirements for residents.