1264 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 528

(q) "WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT. " An individual's "weekly
benefit amount" means the amount of benefits he would be en-
titled to receive for one week of total unemployment.

(s) "Base period" means the period beginning with the first
day of the nine completed calendar quarters immediately pre-
ceding the first day of an individual's benefit year and ending
with the last day of the next to the last completed calendar
quarter immediately preceding any week with respect to which
benefits are payable; but shall exclude any calendar quarter
which occurs prior to January 1, 1937.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That this Act is hereby
declared to be an emergency law and necessary for the imme-
diate preservation of the public safety, and, being passed upon
a yea and nay vote, supported by three-fifths of all members
elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly,
the same shall take effect from the date of its passage.

Approved May 18, 1937.

CHAPTER 528.

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact with amendments Section 5 of
Article 1A, of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1935 Sup-
plement), title "Aeronautics", sub-title "Aircraft", said
amendments changing the liability of owners, lessees and
aeronauts of aircraft, for injuries to persons or property on
the land or water beneath, caused by the ascent, descent or
flight of the aircraft or the dropping or falling of any ob-
jects therefrom.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That Section 5 of Article 1A of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1935 Supplement), title "Aeronautics", sub-title
"Aircraft", be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted with
amendments to read as follows:

5. DAMAGES ON LAND. The owner of every aircraft which
is operated over the lands or waters of this State is prima
facie liable for injuries to persons or property on the land or
water beneath, caused by the ascent, descent or flight of the
aircraft, or the dropping or falling of any object therefrom,
unless the injury is caused in whole or in part by the
negligence of the person injured, or of the owner or bailee of
the property injured, or unless at the time of such injury the
said aircraft is being used without the consent, express or