1468 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 607

CHAPTER 607

(House Bill 636)

AN ACT to add a new section to Article 75 of the Anno-
tated Code of Maryland (1939 Edition), title "Pleadings,
Practice and Process at Law", sub-title "Process", said
new section to be known as Section 157A and to follow
immediately after Section 157 of said Article, relating to
jurisdiction and venue in certain suits against the owners
or operators of aircraft.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That a new section be and it is hereby added to Article
75 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939 Edition), title
"Pleadings, Practice and Process at Law", sub-title "Pro-
cess", said new section to be known as Section 157A and to
follow immediately after Section 157 of said Article and to
read as follows:

157A. (a) The acceptance by a non-resident individual,
firm or corporation of the rights and privileges of using the
airways and airway service facilities of Maryland, shall be
deemed equivalent to an appointment by the non-resident
of the Secretary of State, as attorney upon whom may be
served all lawful process in any action against the non-
resident growing out of any injury to person or property
of a Maryland resident occurring in Maryland which results
from the operation of said aircraft while operated, or caused
to be operated by said non-resident. Service shall be made
in the same manner and with the same consequences pro-
vided for service of non-resident motor vehicle owners or
operators in Article 661/2, Section 106 (a) — (f), inclusive.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 157, in any
action against the owner or operators of aircraft growing
out of any injury to the person or property of a Maryland
resident occurring in Maryland, which results from the
operation of said aircraft, suit may be brought in the county
in which such injury occurred.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1, 1949.

, Approved April 29, 1949.