§13–1103.

    (a)    There is a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, established as:

        (1)    A body corporate and politic; and

        (2)    An instrumentality of the State.

    (b)    The Authority is an independent unit of government in the Executive Branch of government that operates in the Department of Planning.

    (c)    The exercise by the Authority of the powers conferred by this subtitle is the performance of an essential public function.