Anne Arundel County, Maryland Resilience Authority

Anne Arundel County, Maryland created its County Resilience Authority in 2022, which has the power to “undertake, manage, acquire, own, convey, and support resilience infrastructure projects.” The Resilience Authority may also sell bonds for resilience infrastructure projects. Each issuance of the bonds must include a bond transaction resolution that specifies the public purpose of the project, the maximum principal amount of the bonds, and appropriate terms and conditions. 

In addition to the power to issue and sell bonds, the Anne Arundel County Resilience Authority may acquire property for resilience infrastructure without eminent domain. The Resilience Authority also can self-govern and draft by-laws to manage its affairs.  

Maryland Senate Bill 507, passed in 2020, gives local governments like Anne Arundel County the power to create their own Resilience Authority. The resilience authorities may direct funding to a “non-exhaustive range of projects,” including flood barriers and green spaces.  Anne Arundel County is preparing its famous sea dock for the impacts of climate change. 

In addition to a widely-defined range of projects, Maryland Senate Bill 507 allows diverse funding and financing options, such as granting the Resilience Authorities the power to issue and sell bonds. In addition, the Authorities may charge and collect fees for their services.