Annotated Code of Maryland

Subtitle 9. Automated Mapping-Geographic Information Systems

§ 10-901. Definitions.

  (a) In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 
  (b) Cost of providing a system product.- "Cost of providing a system product" means the cost to create, develop, and reproduce the product in printed or hard copy form. 
  (c) Cost of providing a system service.- "Cost of providing a system service" means the actual cost of providing the service, including a reasonable share of the overhead costs of the system. 
  (d) Governmental unit.- "Governmental unit" means: 
    (1) the State or a political subdivision, unit, or instrumentality of the State; 
    (2) a unit or instrumentality of a political subdivision of the State; 
    (3) a bicounty agency; or 
    (4) a combination of the entities specified in items (1) through (3) of this subsection. 
  (e) Overhead costs of the system.- "Overhead costs of the system" includes the costs of: 
    (1) data gathering and entry; 
    (2) data base maintenance and update; 
    (3) hardware; 
    (4) quality control; 
    (5) software; and 
    (6) indirect costs. 
  (f) System.- (1) "System" means an automated mapping-geographic information system in which geographically referenced data: 
        (i) are entered and stored electronically; and 
        (ii) can be manipulated to display selected geographic data. 
    (2) "System" includes data that define physical and nonphysical elements of geographically referenced areas. 
  (g) System products.- "System products" means drawings, lists, maps, narrative descriptions, photographs, or other hard copy formats that depict spatial data. 
  (h) System services.- "System services" means: 
    (1) electronic access to data in the system; 
    (2) on-line access to data in the system; and 
    (3) software programs to access data in the system. [1992, ch. 630.] 

§ 10-902. Legislative findings.

The General Assembly finds that: 
   (1) automated mapping-geographic information system products and system services have value to the general public; and 
   (2) automated mapping-geographic information system services that are developed at public expense should not be unreasonably withheld from private commercial users of geographic information, but should not provide a public subsidy to private commercial users. [1992, ch. 630.] 

§ 10-903. Applicability of subtitle and of §§ 10-611 through 10-628 of article.

  (a) In general - Applicability of subtitle.- This subtitle is applicable to a system established or maintained by any governmental unit. 
  (b) Applicability of §§ 10-611 through 10-628 of article.- Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, to the extent of any inconsistency, §§ 10-611 through 10-628 of this article do not apply to this subtitle. [1992, ch. 630.] 

§ 10-904. Fees.

  (a) Adoption.- A governmental unit may adopt a fee structure for: 
    (1) system products that will: 
       (i) make system products available at a cost consistent with the requirements of this subtitle; and 
       (ii) cover the cost of providing system products; and 
    (2) system services that: 
       (i) will cover the cost of providing system services, including a reasonable share of the overhead costs of the system; and 
       (ii) will not discriminate among purchasers of system services. 
  (b) System products.- A governmental unit may sell system products to the general public for a fee that reasonably reflects the cost of creating, developing, and reproducing the product in whatever format is available. 
  (c) System services.- A governmental unit may sell system services to the general public, subject to subsection (d) of this section, for a fee that reflects the cost of providing the system services.  
  (d) Reduction or waiver of fees.- A governmental unit: 
   (1) may reduce or waive the fees that it charges for system products and system services that are to be used for a public purpose; and 
   (2) shall apply its reduction or waiver of the fees uniformly among persons who are similarly situated. [1992, ch. 630.]