2530 ARTICLE 78.

approval. After the invoice has been approved by the Bureau, it shall be
the authority for the Comptroller to pay the amount due on the invoice
either to the using authority for transmittal to the contractor or seller,
or to the Bureau for the same purpose, according to whatever plan may
be devised by the Bureau and the State officers, boards, departments, com-
missions, and institutions for the payment of such claims out of the amounts
appropriated therefor by the General Assembly in the Budget Bill.

It shall be unlawful for any using authority whose salaries and expenses
are paid from the fees of his office to pay any contractor or seller for articles
of any kind, unless the invoice approved by him is also approved by the
Bureau. Any violation of this provision shall be cause for removal by the
Governor.

1920, ch. 184, see. 5.

5. The Secretary or Purchasing Agent shall not be interested in or in
any manner connected with, directly or indirectly, any contract or bid
for furnishing materials, supplies, merchandise or other articles of any kind
to any of the State officers, boards, departments, commissions and institu-
tions. Neither shall he accept or receive from any person, firm or corpor-
ation to whom any contract may be awarded, directly or indirectly, by
rebate, gift or otherwise, any money or other things of value whatsoever,
or any promise, obligation or contract for future reward or compensation
from any such party. If the Secretary or Purchasing Agent should violate
any provisions of this section he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $1,000 or imprisoned for
not more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the Court.

1920, ch. 184, sec. 6.

6. All contracts for printing for the State or for any using authority,
including the General Assembly of Maryland, with the exception of records
and briefs for the State Law Department, and the printing of the Maryland
Reports authorized in Article 80 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, title
" Reporter and Codifier—State," shall be made through or with the
approval of the Bureau.

On or before September 1st prior to the reconvening of each session of
tEe General Assembly, the Bureau shall obtain from the President and
Secretary of the Senate, and from the Speaker and Chief Clerk of the
House of Delegates, estimates of materials, supplies and equipment needed
during the session; and the Bureau shall, pursuant to its rules, advertise
for bids and make contracts for the purchase of such supplies and equip-
ment, including the printing of bills for second and third, reading files, and
the printing of rules and orders and " yeas " and " nays " and the printing
of the House and Senate Journals and lists of members and committees.

It shall be the duty of the Bureau to report its action in regard to
materials, supplies and equipment for the General Assembly to the pre-
siding officer of each House on the first day of the session.