Ch. 654                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

1-206.

THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES:

(1)     ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST THE EFFORTS OF COUNTIES AND
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP MUTUAL AND COOPERATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THEIR
COMMON PROBLEMS;

(2)     SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION, DATA, AND
OTHER MATERIALS THAT MAY BE PERTINENT TO SOUND COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE,
INCLUDING INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE;

(3)     IMPLEMENT MODEL OR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS AND
PROJECTS OR OTHERWISE PROVIDE A PROGRAM OF PRACTICAL RESEARCH IN
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE;

(4)     PROVIDE GRANTS AND LOANS FACILITATING ENERGY
CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF SOLAR ENERGY IN COMMERCIAL AND
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS;

(5)     PROVIDE ADVISORY, CONSULTATIVE, TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY MUNICIPAL CORPORATION,
COUNTY, LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY, OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN ORDER TO
CARRY OUT COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PURPOSES;

(6)     CONTRACT FOR AND ACCEPT ANY GIFT, GRANT, CONTRIBUTION, OR
LOAN OF FUNDS, PROPERTY, OR OTHER AID IN ANY FORM FOR COMMUNITY
ASSISTANCE FROM ANY AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE STATE OR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OR FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE, AND COMPLY WITH THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF;

(7)     ATTACH SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO ANY FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY;

(8)     PARTICIPATE WITH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, COUNTIES,
REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN
THE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCING, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAM DESIGNED
TO BUILD THE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS BY
SUPPLYING NEEDED MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE THROUGH CIRCUIT RIDING
MANAGERS TO MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS; AND

(9)     ADMINISTER PROGRAMS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
RELATING TO COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE

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