Maryland Financial Institutions Section 13-708

      (a)      In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, the Authority may:

            (1)      Adopt and alter an official seal;

            (2)      Sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded;

            (3)      Adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, in accordance with the provisions of Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article;

            (4)      Maintain an office at such place as the Authority may designate;

            (5)      Employ, either as regular employees or independent contractors, consultants, engineers, architects, accountants, attorneys, financial experts, construction experts and personnel, superintendents, managers and other professional personnel, personnel, and agents as may be necessary in the judgment of the Authority, and fix their compensation;

            (6)      Appoint advisory committees composed of local officials, business interests, representatives of the convention, hotel, and tourism business, and such other experts as may be appropriate;

            (7)      Review and make recommendations on proposed convention center facilities and the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center facility, including the expansion and enhancement of the Baltimore City Convention Center and the Ocean City Convention Center and the development and construction of the Montgomery County Conference Center and the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, with respect to location, purpose, design, function, capacity, parking, costs, funding mechanisms, and revenue alternatives, with specific recommendations on:

                  (i)      The level of support from the private sector;

                  (ii)      The type of support from the private sector;

                  (iii)      Special taxing sources;

                  (iv)      Projected revenues;

                  (v)      Bonding authority and the source of debt service; and

                  (vi)      The fiscal impact on the State of any alternatives;

            (8)      Determine the locations of, develop, establish, construct, erect, acquire, own, repair, remodel, add to, extend, improve, equip, operate, regulate, maintain, and contribute to the maintenance and operating costs of facilities to the extent necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Authority;

            (9)      Subject to the provisions of § 13-711 of this subtitle, acquire, hold, lease (as lessor or lessee), use, encumber, transfer, or dispose of real and personal property;

            (10)      Enter into contracts of any kind, and execute all instruments necessary or convenient with respect to its carrying out the powers in this subtitle to accomplish the purposes of the Authority;

            (11)      Regulate the use and operation of facilities developed under the provisions of this subtitle;

            (12)      Fix and revise from time to time and charge and collect rates, rents, fees, or other charges for the use of facilities or for services rendered in connection with the facilities;

            (13)      Subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works, borrow money from any source for any corporate purpose, including working capital for its operations, reserve funds, or interest, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the property or funds of the Authority and to contract with or engage the services of any person in connection with any financing, including financial institutions, issuers of letters of credit, or insurers;

            (14)      Subject to the provisions of § 13-712 of this subtitle, issue bonds under this subtitle;

            (15)      Subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works, receive and accept from any source, private or public, contributions, gifts, or grants of money or property and invest the funds or proceeds in whole or in part;

            (16)      Exercise all the corporate powers granted Maryland corporations under the Maryland General Corporation Law;

            (17)      With respect to site acquisition, construction, and development of the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center facility, establish and participate in Authority affiliates;

            (18)      Impose the admissions and amusement tax authorized under § 4-102 of the Tax - General Article; and

            (19)      Do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted by this subtitle.

      (b)      (1)      An Authority sports facility may not be used to conduct professional basketball games.

            (2)      The Authority may not construct or enter into a contract to construct a sports facility other than at Camden Yards without the further approval of the General Assembly.