(a) The Council shall: (1) Study and provide analysis regarding standards and factors relevant to the establishment of Coast Smart siting criteria and design criteria; (2) Develop siting and design criteria to establish and implement Coast Smart practices and requirements; (3) Develop eligibility criteria, standards, and procedures for applying for and obtaining a waiver from compliance with the Coast Smart requirements; and (4) Establish procedures for evaluating Coast Smart waiver applications that include the consideration of proposed capital projects with regard to: (i) The anticipated need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme weather events, sea level rise inundation, coastal flooding, storm surges, and shoreline erosion; and (ii) The need to prevent danger to life and property and to avoid environmental, socio–economic, and economic harm. (b) The chair of the Council may establish subcommittees consisting of members of the Council, experts in fields related to climate change and sea level rise, and interested parties to address or study specific issues.
Maryland Legal Code