J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                             1343

CHAPTER 762

(House Bill 973)

AN ACT to add eleven new sections and a new sub-heading, "Re-
development—Urban Renewal", to the Charter of the town of
Elkton, as said charter is contained in the Code of Public Local
Laws of Cecil County (1953 Edition, as amended), title "Cecil
County", sub-title "Elkton", in order to authorize and empower the
President and Commissioners of the town of Elkton to carry out
urban renewal projects involving the clearance and redevelopment
and rehabilitation of slum areas or blighted areas, including the
acquisition of property for such purposes with certain provisions
in regard to such acquisition by the exercise of the power of
eminent domain; declaring such activities to constitute govern-
mental functions in furtherance of which the president and com-
missioners of the town of Elkton may exercise the power of taxa-
tion, expend public funds and extend public credit; granting to the
president and commissioners of the town of Elkton certain ad-
ditional powers and authority necessary or proper to carry into
full force and effect the powers hereinabove mentioned and plac-
ing certain restrictions and limitations on certain powers granted.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That eleven new sections and a new sub-heading, "Redevolpment—
Urban Renewal", be and they are hereby added to the charter of the
town of Elkton, as said charter is contained in the Code of Public
Local Laws of Cecil County (1953 Edition, as amended), title "Cecil
County", sub-title "Elkton" to read as follows:

Redevelopment—Urban Renewal
1. Definitions

(a)  The following terms wherever used or referred to in this sub-
heading shall have the following meanings, unless a different mean-
ing is clearly indicated by the context:

(b)  "Federal Government'⁹ shall include the United States of
America or any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise,
of the United States of America.

(c)  "Slum Area" shall mean any area where dwellings predomi-
nate which, by reason of depreciation, overcrowding, faulty arrange-
ment or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any
combination of these factors, are detrimental to the public safety,
health or morals.

(d)  "Blighted Area" shall mean an area in which a majority of
buildings have declined in productivity by reason of obsolescence,
depreciation or other causes to an extent they no longer justify fun-
damental repairs and adequate maintenance.

(e)  "Urban Renewal Project" shall mean undertakings and activ-

Explanation: Italics indicate new matter added to existing law.

[Brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
CAPITALS indicate amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken out of bill.