Maryland Constitution Article XI-D - Port Development
Maryland Constitution – Article XI-D: Port Development focuses on the state's authority to finance, develop, and support port-related infrastructure, especially in the interest of economic development and transportation.
📘 Summary of Article XI-D – Port Development (Maryland Constitution)
Adopted: 1969 (Amended over time)
🔹 Purpose:
To authorize the State of Maryland to promote and support the development of port facilities, especially through the Maryland Port Administration (a unit of the Maryland Department of Transportation).
🔹 Key Provisions:
Authorization of Debt:
The State may borrow money and issue bonds (without a statewide referendum) to finance port development projects.
Use of Funds:
Funds may be used to:
Acquire land
Construct and improve port facilities (e.g., docks, terminals, warehouses)
Support public or private maritime commerce.
No State Full Faith and Credit:
Bonds issued under this article do not constitute a debt against the State’s full faith and credit, meaning they are repaid from project revenues, not general tax revenue.
Leases and Contracts:
The Maryland Port Administration can lease facilities or enter into long-term agreements with private entities to promote commerce and trade through Maryland ports (especially the Port of Baltimore).
Revenue Bonds:
The State may issue revenue bonds, which are backed by the income from port operations rather than tax revenue.
⚓ Context:
This article enabled major infrastructure investments that helped make the Port of Baltimore a key economic engine for the state.
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