Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                   1377

(d) The proceeds collected from said Second and, Eighth AND
NINTH Election Districts by said fire tax shall be paid by the County
Commissioners annually to the THOSE fire companies approved by
the County Commissioners. LOCATED IN THOSE ELECTION
DISTRICTS IN WHICH THE MONEY IS COLLECTED. THE
FIRE COMPANIES WHICH ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF
SPECIAL TAX MONIES SHALL SUBMIT AN ANNUAL BUDGET
AND AN ACCOUNTING OF ALL EXPENDITURES TO THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

(C) ANY PROCEEDS COLLECTED BY THE FIRE TAX
WHICH ARE IN EXCESS OF THE BUDGETARY NEEDS OF
THE FIRE COMPANIES IN THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEY
ARE COLLECTED SHALL BE USED TO REDUCE THE FIRE
TAX FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IN THE SAID DISTRICT.

77C. The funds received by the fire companies, approved by the
County Commissioners, shall be used for the purpose of purchasing,
repairing, replacing, operating and maintaining their fire fighting
equipment and apparatus (including rescue equipment), the housing
of the same and for the training of new firemen, provided, however,
that no payment or disbursement of any of said funds shall be made
by said fire companies or the treasurer thereof without the approval
of its Board of Trustees or Board of Directors. The amount and type
of equipment of said fire companies shall conform to the standards
prescribed by the Southern Maryland Firemen's Association MARY-
LAND FIRE UNDERWRITERS BUREAU and no resolution,
regulation or by-law shall be passed by said fire companies limit-
ing or restricting the territory within said election district within
which they will respond to emergency or fire calls. Nor shall the said
fire companies pass any resolution, regulation or by-law limiting or
restricting the territory within the county which they will respond to
emergency or fire calls when so called by the proper authority.

77D. In the event said fire companies cease to be active fire fighting
organizations, or if the funds provided for herein are not used for the
purposes set forth in Sections 77B through 77E of this sub-title, or if
restrictive rules or regulations are adopted by said companies with
respect to the area within which they will respond to emergency or fire
calls, then, and in any of said events, the said County Commissioners
shall cease to levy the said fire tax.

77E. The fire companies approved by the County Commissioners
shall give bond to the County Commissioners of St. Mary's County in
a penal sum to be set by them conditioned upon the faithful expendi-
ture of the funds derived hereunder.

77F. Whenever the County Commissioners deem it desirable to
create a similar fire tax for one or more of the election districts not
affected by the preceding sections, they shall submit the question of
levying said fire tax to a referendum of the legally qualified voters of
the election district or districts concerned at the regular polling place
at the next regular election.

77G. ON AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT
IN ANY OF THE AFORESAID ELECTION DISTRICTS, THE

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