J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                               577

AREAS and redevelopment or the rehabilitation or conservation of
slum or blighted areas, and to include the acquisition, within the
boundary lines of such county or municipal corporation, of land and
property of every kind and any right, interest, franchise, easement
or privilege therein, by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation or any
other legal means; and. THE TERM "SLUM AREA" SHALL
MEAN ANY AREA WHERE DWELLINGS PREDOMINATE
WHICH, BY REASON OF DEPRECIATION, OVERCROWDING,
FAULTY ARRANGEMENT OR DESIGN, LACK OF VENTILA-
TION, LIGHT OR SANITARY FACILITIES, OR ANY COMBINA-
TION OF THESE FACTORS, ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE
PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH OR MORALS. THE TERM
"BLIGHTED AREA" SHALL MEAN AN AREA IN WHICH A
MAJORITY OF BUILDINGS HAVE DECLINED IN PRODUC-
TIVITY BY REASON OF OBSOLESCENCE, DEPRECIATION
OR OTHER CAUSES TO AN EXTENT THEY NO LONGER
JUSTIFY FUNDAMENTAL REPAIRS AND ADEQUATE
MAINTENANCE.

(2) To sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
of said land or property, regardless of whether or not it has been
developed, redeveloped, altered or improved and irrespective of the
manner or means in or by which it may have been acquired, to any
private, public or quasi public corporation, partnership, association,
person or other legal entity.

No land or property taken by any county or any municipal cor-
poration for any of the aforementioned purposes or in connection
with the exercise of any of the powers which are or may be granted
to such county or municipal corporation pursuant to this section by
exercising the power of eminent domain shall be taken without just
compensation, as agreed upon between the parties, or awarded by a
jury, being first paid or tendered to the party entitled to such com-
pensation.

All land or property needed, or taken by the exercise of the power
of eminent domain, by any county or any municipal corporation for
any of the aforementioned purposes or in connection with the exer-
cise of any of the powers which are or may be granted pursuant
to this Section is hereby declared to be needed or taken for public
uses and purposes. Any or all of the activities authorized pursuant
to this section shall constitute governmental functions undertaken
for public uses and purposes and the power of taxation may be
exercised, public funds expended and public credit extended in fur-
therance thereof.

(b) The governing authority of any county and the legislative
body of any municipal corporation (other than Baltimore City)
which has or A CHARTER FORM OF GOVERNMENT OR
WHICH adopts a charter form of government as authorized by
Articles XI A or XI E of the Constitution is given, and the General
Assembly of Maryland may grant to any county or municipal cor-
poration (other than Baltimore City) any and all additional

(B) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY GRANT TO ANY
COUNTY OR ANY MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, BY PUBLIC
LOCAL LAW, ANY AND ALL ADDITIONAL power and

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