(a)      (1)      In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

            (2)      "Department" means the Department of Assessments and Taxation.

            (3)      "Governing body" means the board of commissioners, county or municipal council, board of directors, or other governing body of a local entity.

            (4)      "Local entity" means a county, municipal corporation, bicounty or multicounty agency, public authority, special taxing district, or other political subdivision or unit of a political subdivision of this State.

      (b)      (1)      A local entity shall designate a citizen of this State who resides in the State, a Maryland corporation, or an officer of the local entity as its resident agent by filing for record with the Department:

                  (i)      A certification of the person whom the charter of the local entity authorizes to accept service of process for the local entity; or

                  (ii)      If the charter does not designate a person for service, a certified copy of a resolution of the local entity's governing body that authorizes the designation.

            (2)      If a local entity changes its resident agent, the local entity shall file for record with the Department:

                  (i)      A certification of the person whom the charter of the local entity authorizes to accept service of process for the local entity; or

                  (ii)      If the charter does not designate a person for service, a certified copy of a resolution of the local entity's governing body that authorizes the designation.

            (3)      A local entity may change the address for its resident agent by filing for record with the Department a statement of the change signed by the chairman or other principal officer of its governing body.

      (c)      (1)      A resident agent whose address changes may notify the Department by filing for record with the Department a statement of the change signed by or for the resident agent.

            (2)      A resident agent may resign by filing with the Department a statement of resignation.

      (d)      There is no fee for a filing under this section.

      (e)      A designation, change of agent, change of address, or resignation is effective as provided in the Corporations and Associations Article for a corporate resident agent.

      (f)      (1)      Service of process on a resident agent of a local entity constitutes effective service of process under the Maryland Rules on the local entity in an action, suit, or proceeding that is pending, filed, or instituted against the local entity.

            (2)      Any notice required by law to be served by personal service on a resident agent or other agent or officer of a local entity may be served in the manner provided by the Maryland Rules relating to service of process on local entities.

            (3)      Service under the Maryland Rules is equivalent to personal service on a resident agent or other agent or officer of a local entity.