1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Department” means the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

   3. (3) “Governing authority” means:

      1. (i) the governing body of a county or municipality;
      2. (ii) a board of directors; or
      3. (iii) any other body that governs an entity to which this section applies.

2. (b) This section applies to the following governmental entities:

   1. (1) counties;
   2. (2) municipalities;
   3. (3) bicounty or multicounty agencies;
   4. (4) public authorities;
   5. (5) special taxing districts; and
   6. (6) any other political subdivision or unit of a political subdivision of the State.

3. (c) Each governmental entity shall have a resident agent who is:

   1. (1) a resident of the State;
   2. (2) a Maryland corporation; or
   3. (3) an officer of the governmental entity.

4. (d) A governmental entity shall designate or change its resident agent by filing for record with the Department:

   1. (1) a certification of the person who the charter of the governmental entity authorizes to accept service of process for the governmental entity; or
   2. (2) absent a charter designation, a certified copy of a resolution of the governmental entity's governing authority that authorizes the designation.

5. (e)

   1. (1) A governmental entity may change the address for its resident agent by filing for record with the Department a statement of the change signed by the chair or other principal officer of the governing authority of the governmental entity.
   2. (2) A resident agent whose address changes may notify the Department by filing for record with the Department a statement of the change signed by or for the resident agent.
6. (f) A resident agent may resign by filing a statement of resignation with the Department.
7. (g) There is no fee for a filing under this section.
8. (h) A designation, change of agent, change of address, or resignation is effective as provided in the Corporations and Associations Article for a corporate resident agent.

9. (i)

   1. (1) Service of process on the resident agent of a governmental entity constitutes effective service of process under the Maryland Rules on the governmental entity in an action brought against the governmental entity.
   2. (2) Any notice required by law to be served by personal service on the resident agent or any other agent or officer of a governmental entity may be served in the manner provided by the Maryland Rules that relate to service of process on governmental entities.
   3. (3) Service under the Maryland Rules is equivalent to personal service on the resident agent or other agent or officer of a governmental entity.

Added by Acts 2013, c. 119, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2013.