352                               JOINT RESOLUTIONS

in the best interests of the State that a preference in employment be
given to Maryland residents on all public works being constructed
or carried on by the State and paid for in whole or in part with
money raised by Maryland taxes, and

WHEREAS, many other States now require that a preference be
given to their respective residents on all public works, and

WHEREAS, to avoid any possible question as to the constitutionality
of any law that might be passed on this matter at this 1958 Session
of the General Assembly of Maryland, it has been thought advisable
to establish a State policy on this subject by this Resolution; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That it be and
it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Maryland that
in the employment of laborers, mechanics and other workmen, ex-
cept supervisory personnel not to exceed 10% of the total working
force, on all public works being paid for in whole or in part with
State or other public funds, a preference shall be given to available
persons who have been residents of Maryland for at least six months
immediately prior to their employment, and be it further

Resolved, That all Departments and Agencies of the State of
Maryland be and they are hereby authorized and requested to pro-
vide for such preference in the specifications on which bids for any
State public works are to be based, and be it still further

Resolved, That all bidders on such public works be requested in
such specifications to specifically agree to observe and carry out
such preference in giving employment on any such public works
for which they may be awarded a contract, and be it still further

Resolved, That the Board of Public Works be and it is hereby
requested to coordinate and cooperate with all of the State agencies
affected by this resolution, to the end that a uniform specification,
insofar as possible, be prepared to carry out the intent of this reso-
lution, and be it still further

Resolved, That where such residents of Maryland are not avail-
able, where such preference might affect the use of contributions
from other sources for such public works, or in other unusual situ-
ations the Board of Public Works shall have authority to alter,
relax, or excuse the giving of the employment preference herein
provided for.