§ 9-320

# (a)

# (1)

The governing body of St. Mary’s County may grant, by law, a property tax credit under this section against county property tax imposed on:

(i) property that is:
1. owned by the St. George’s Island Improvement Association, Incorporated; and
2. used only for community or civic purposes;

(ii) real property that is owned by the Seventh District Optimist Youth Foundation, Inc.;

(iii) real property, including any improvements, that is subject to a State or a county land preservation program; and

(iv) real property that:
1. was formerly used solely as a tobacco barn; and
2. is subject to a tobacco buyout agreement.

# (2)

In authorizing a credit under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection, the governing body of the county may provide, by law, for:

(i) the amount of the credit;

(ii) the duration of the credit; and

(iii) any other provision necessary to administer the credit.

# (b)

# (1)

The governing body of St. Mary’s County may grant, by law, a property tax credit against the county property tax imposed on personal property.

# (2)

A law adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection may provide for:

(i) the amount of a credit;

(ii) the subclasses of personal property under § 8–101(c) of this article to which the credit applies; and

(iii) other provisions necessary to administer the credit.

# (c)

# (1)

The governing body of St. Mary’s County or of a municipal corporation in St. Mary’s County may grant, by law, a property tax credit under this section against the county or municipal corporation property tax imposed on real property that is:

(i) leased to a nonprofit school; and

(ii) used exclusively for primary or secondary educational purposes.

# (2)

A property tax credit granted under this subsection shall continue as long as the property is in compliance with the terms of this subsection.

# (d)

# (1)

To encourage the location and development of business operations and expansion of the employment base in St. Mary’s County, the governing body of St. Mary’s County or of a municipal corporation in St. Mary’s County may grant, by law, a property tax credit against the county or municipal corporation property tax imposed on any property owned or leased by a new or expanding business that creates 10 or more full–time jobs in an industry targeted for expansion by the St. Mary’s County Economic Development Commission.

# (2)

A tax credit granted under this subsection may not be granted for more than 10 years.

# (e)

# (1)

The governing body of St. Mary’s County may grant, by law, a property tax credit against the county property tax imposed on commercial real property that:

(i) is located in an eligible area of the county; and

(ii) has had improvements made on the property on or after July 1, 2020.

# (2)

(i) The amount of the credit authorized under this subsection may not exceed 25% of the county property tax assessed on the property.

(ii) The duration of the credit authorized under this subsection may not exceed 10 years.

# (3)

If the governing body of St. Mary’s County authorizes a credit under this subsection, the governing body of St. Mary’s County:

(i) may provide, by law, for:
1. subject to paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, the amount of the credit;
2. subject to paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, the duration of the credit; and
3. any other provision necessary to administer the credit; and

(ii) shall define, by law, the areas in the county and the improvements to the property that are eligible for a credit authorized under this subsection.