J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                             1147

12. Administrative Functions.

(a) Contracts, Advertising and Awards.

(1)  In contracting for any work or the purchase of any supplies,
materials, or other personal property of any kind which involves an
expenditure of more than two thousand dollars, the Authority shall
cause advertisements for bids for furnishing the same to be first
published at least twice in two or more daily newspapers having a
general circulation in the State of Maryland, the first publication
to be made not less than ten nor more than thirty days prior to the
date set for opening bids; and any such contract for the same shall
be awarded by the Authority on the basis of the lowest responsible
bidder. The Authority shall always have the right to reject all bids.

(2)   Whenever any personal property of any kind to be purchased
is of such a nature that no advantage will result in securing, or it is
not practical to obtain, competitive bids, the provisions of this
section may be dispensed with, but any such purchase shall not be
made nor shall the Authority incur any obligation therefor, until
approved by resolution or order of the Authority.

(3) The exercise by the Authority of the powers granted to it in
this section shall not be subject to any of the provisions of Article
15A of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition, as amended),
which conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this section.

(b) Taxation. Neither the State of Maryland nor any political sub-
division of the State, including the City of Baltimore, shall levy any
tax, charge, assessment, fee, or license imposition on the property
of the Authority, including real and personal property as well as
tangible and intangible property.

(B) TAXATION. ANY AND ALL REAL AND PERSONAL
PROPERTY (BOTH TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE) AND ANY
AND ALL RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST THEREIN, GROSS
RECEIPTS, GROSS OR NET INCOME, PURCHASES, SALES,
FRANCHISES, LICENSES, OPERATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND
FUNCTIONS, OWNED OR CONTROLLED, OR RECEIVED, OR
MADE, OR PERFORMED OR CARRIED ON, BY THE AU-
THORITY SHALL BE AND REMAIN TOTALLY EXEMPT FROM
ANY AND ALL TAXES, ASSESSMENTS, CHARGES AND FEES
OF EVERY KIND, NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT, IM-
POSED, LEVIED OR MADE BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND
OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF ANY PART
OF THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF WHICH ARE INCLUDED
IN THE AREA OVER WHICH THE AUTHORITY HAS JURIS-
DICTION AS SET FORTH IN THIS ACT OR ANY AGENCY OR
INSTRUMENTALITY OF ANY OF THEM.

(c) Annual Reports, Audits. On or before the first day of Decem-
ber in each year, the Authority shall make an annual report of its
activities for the preceding fiscal year to the Governor and to the
General Assembly of Maryland, and shall send a certified copy there-
of to the Mayor of the City, to the County Executive of Baltimore
County and to the President of the County Commissioners of Anne
Arundel County. Any such report shall include a complete operating
and financial statement covering its operations during the year. The
Authority shall cause an audit of its books and accounts to be made