1172 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 484

20. (Effect and Method of Promulgation of such Regu-
lations. ) The regulations authorized in Articles 17 and
18 above shall bear a substantial relation to the conserva-
tion, maintenance and stimulation of the supply of fir. fish
and crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in
both States and in the Potomac River, and of oysters in
the Potomac River. The opinion of the Commission
as to the desirability and necessity of the imposition,
repeal, modification or change, from time to time, of
such rules and regulations and the purpose to be
achieved by their imposition, repeal, modification or
change, as the case may be, shall be final and conclusive,
unless the action of the Commission is arbitrary, wilful
or capricious and without any substantial evidence what-
ever to sustain it.

No rule or regulation shall be imposed, repealed, modi-
fied or changed without publication adequate to inform
interested persons in both States of the action proposed
to be taken, and the giving of notice of public hearings to
be held in each State at which all those interested or af-
fected shall have reasonable opportunity to be heard. The
Legislatures of the two States shall have authority to enact
statutes, from time to time, governing the method, manner
and circumstances of such publication and hearings con-
sistent with the provisions and purposes of this Compact.

When duly imposed, repealed, modified or changed, as
herein provided, the rules and regulations of the Commis-
sion shall have the force and effect of law, and neither the
Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia nor the
Legislature of the State of Maryland acting alone shall
have power to vary, supersede or repeal said rules and
regulations.

21. (Repeal of Inconsistent Laws. ) All public general
laws, public local laws and ordinances of the State of
Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia, or their re-
spective political subdivisions, inconsistent with any rule
or regulation of the Commission duly promulgated here-
under are hereby repealed to the extent of such incon-
sistency, such repeal to be effective upon the effective
date of the said rule or regulation with which such law
is inconsistent.

22. (Penalties. ) The penalty for violation of any valid
rule or regulation promulgated hereunder shall be such
fine or imprisonment, or both, as the court or magistrate
having jurisdiction may prescribe, not in excess of a fine
of one thousand dollars ($1, 000) or imprisonment for
one (1) year, or both, and in addition, in the discretion