Ch. 204                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

without a high water table have been submitted to the
budget committees; and

(2) the budget committees have reviewed and commented on
the cost estimate and analysis or 45 days have elapsed from
the date the budget committees receive the estimate...........         52,015,000

Funds expended after June 1, 2002, and prior to May 31, 2003,
for the purposes in Section 14(3) above shall be reimbursed by
the State from the proceeds of the loan.]

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General Assembly
declares that it is the public policy of this State to manage State general obligation
bond debt in a manner that will maintain Maryland's AAA bond rating. The General
Assembly further declares that legislative oversight, control, and review of all forms
of State obligations are essential to maintenance of the State's existing bond rating
and protection of the fiscal integrity of the State.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, before work may
commence pursuant to any supplement to any appropriation contained in this Act,
satisfactory evidence must be given to the Board of Public Works that the project can
be completed with the aggregate of the funds in this Act and previously appropriated
for the stated purpose.

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, with the approval of
the Department of Budget and Management, any appropriation for construction
provided in this Act may be used to purchase capital equipment if the amount of the
appropriation exceeds the amount required for construction expenses, including
allowances for contingencies.

SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as otherwise
provided in this Act, before a State agency or institution named in this Act as
responsible for an individual item may begin work with funds appropriated by this
Act, the agency or institution shall provide satisfactory evidence to the Board of
Public Works that the work described in the individual item can be completed with
the funds specified for that item.

SECTION 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, with the approval of
the Department of Budget and Management, any appropriation under the provisions
of this Act that is in excess of the amount needed for a project may be credited to the
Construction Contingency Fund under Section 3-609 of the State Finance and
Procurement Article.

SECTION 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, if federal funds are
available to help accomplish any project identified in this Act, the State agency or
institution responsible for the project shall make efforts through proper
administrative procedures to obtain these federal funds. Before spending any funds
appropriated by this Act, the agency or institution shall certify its efforts to the Board
of Public Works and state the reason for any failure to obtain federal funds. If federal
funds are obtained, they shall be used to defray the costs of the project described in
this Act and not to expand its scope.

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