10 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 4

only for the purposes, contemplated by this Article, or as
directed in the grant of assistance.

27. APPEAL TO THE STATE BOARD. If an application is not
acted upon by the County Board within a reasonable time after
the filing of the application, or is denied in whole or in part, or
if any award of assistance is modified or cancelled under any
provision of this sub-title, the applicant or recipient may ap-
peal to the State Board in the manner and form prescribed by
the State Board. The State Board shall, upon receipt of such
an appeal, give the applicant or recipient an opportunity for
a fair hearing. The State Board may also, upon its own
motion, review any decision of a County Board, and may con-
sider any application upon which a decision has not been made
by the County Board within a reasonable time. The State
Board may make such additional investigation as it may deem
necessary, and shall make such decision as to the granting of
public assistance and the amount of assistance to be granted
as in its opinion is justified and in conformity with the
provisions of this sub-title. Applicants or recipients affected
by such decisions of the State Board shall, upon request, be
given reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing by
the State Board. All decisions of the State Board shall be
final and shall be binding upon the County involved and shall
be complied with by such County Board.

30. RECOVERY FROM THE ESTATE. On the death of any re-
cipient the total amount of assistance paid under this sub-title,
accounting from the time the recipient reaches the age of
sixty-five shall be allowed as a preferred claim against his
estate, ranking in order of priority after funeral expenses,
and prior to all other claims and expenses. The net amount
realized from all such claims shall be divided between the
State and County in proportion to the amount of assistance
paid by each respectively; provided, that no such claim shall
be enforced against any real estate of a recipient while it is
occupied by the surviving spouse or dependents.

32. ANNUAL APPROPRIATION. The County Commissioners of
each county and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore
shall annually levy or appropriate an amount sufficient to pro-
vide for one-half of all pensions paid or to be paid within said
county or city. Provided, however, that the County Commis-
sioners of each county and the Mayor and City Council of
Baltimore shall not be obligated to pay any sums as assistance
in excess of one-half of the total of all assistance paid or to
be paid within said county or city hereunder, except to the
extent that funds may be available in the State Treasury. In
the event that the Federal government shall require, as a con-