§ 1-101. Definitions[Amendment subject to abrogation]

   (a) In general. -- In this division the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) County. -- "County" means a county of the State or Baltimore City.

(c) Department. -- "Department" means the Department of Business and Economic Development.

(d) Person. -- "Person" means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.

(e) Qualified distressed county. --

   (1) "Qualified distressed county" means a county with:

      (i) an average rate of unemployment for the most recent 24-month period for which data are available that exceeds:

         1. 150% of the average rate of unemployment for the State during that period; or

         2. the average rate of unemployment for the State during that period by at least 2 percentage points; or

      (ii) an average per capita personal income for the most recent 24-month period for which data are available that is equal to or less than 67% of the average per capita personal income for the State during that period.

   (2) "Qualified distressed county" includes a county that:

      (i) no longer meets either criterion stated in paragraph (1) of this subsection; but

      (ii) has met at least one of the criteria at some time during the preceding 24-month period.

(f) Secretary. -- "Secretary" means the Secretary of Business and Economic Development.

(g) State. --

   (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, "state" means:

      (i) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or

      (ii) the District of Columbia.

   (2) When capitalized, "State" means Maryland.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 83A, § 1-101(a), (e), 5-401(d), (e), (i), 5-901(h), (i), (bb), 5-1001(c), (h), 5-1401(m), 5-1501(a)(8), (11); 2008, ch. 306, § 2; ch. 498, § 2; 2011, ch. 303; 2012, ch. 654; ch. 715, § 1.