(a) (1) The governing body of each county may erect two pillars 100 feet apart on the same meridian line in a public spot adjacent to the county courthouse of each county. (2) There shall be a distinctly visible needle point on the top of one of the pillars and a hair sight on top of the other pillar so that a straight line passing through its center and the center of the needle point would be on the true meridian line running north and south. (3) The needle point and hair sight required under this subsection shall be properly enclosed and protected. (b) (1) The governing body of the county may: (i) determine the accurate latitude and longitude of the pillars erected under subsection (a) of this section; and (ii) mark the latitude and longitude on one of the pillars in degrees, minutes, seconds, and parts of seconds. (2) The longitude shall be determined from the meridian of Washington, D.C. (c) (1) The pillars and enclosures are under the custody of the county clerk. (2) The pillars and enclosures shall be made available to any surveyor or civil engineer residing or engaged in surveying in the county for the purpose of: (i) testing compass variations; and (ii) verifying the meridian line when required by order of the circuit court for the county. (d) (1) If a county has erected pillars under this section, a surveyor who surveys land in the county shall annually test the surveyor's compass and note the variation of the compass from the meridian line identified under subsection (a) of this section. (2) (i) The surveyor shall record in the county where the surveyor resides the results of the test, including: 1. the date and time of the test; and 2. an affidavit verifying the correctness of the results. (ii) The test results shall be recorded in a book kept for the purpose of recording such results. (3) A surveyor who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of $50 and court costs. (4) A fine imposed under this subsection may be used as directed by the governing body of the county. (e) (1) The county clerk may charge a fee for: (i) recording a certificate of variation; (ii) recording an affidavit of correctness; (iii) providing copies or abstracts of certificates of variation or affidavits of correctness; and (iv) providing certificates and seals regarding certificates of variation or affidavits of correctness. (2) The fee collected by the clerk shall be the same as fees allowed by law for similar services regarding matters of record in the clerk's office. (3) The fee shall be paid by the party: (i) recording the document; or (ii) requesting a copy or abstract of recorded documents. (f) (1) A person may not: (i) willfully erase, deface, displace, or otherwise harm a pillar, or any part of a pillar, erected under subsection (a)(1) of this section; or (ii) destroy, break down, or remove the enclosure, or any part of the enclosure, required under subsection (a)(3) of this section. (2) On conviction, a person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $50 and not exceeding $500. (g) The governing body of a county that erects pillars under this section may pay the costs of carrying out this section in the same manner that other county expenses are paid.
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