1554                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 753

(4) To prepare and recommend methods for establishing capital
improvement programs and budgeting therefor, and schedules of
priority of public projects for units of government.

(5) To conduct a program of public information in order to de-
velop a general understanding of the function of comprehensive plan-
ning in and for the Regional Planning Area.

(6) (5) To prepare, publish, and distribute an annual report and
such other reports and plans as relate to the activities of The Council
as authorized by this Act TO THE GOVERNOR AND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND AND TO EACH MEMBER OF
THE COUNCIL.

Plans and Projects

17.    Referral of Plans and Projects.

Whenever the Regional Planning Council has adopted a SUG-
GESTED General Development Plan for the Regional Planning Area:

(1)    No plan or change of plan may be adopted by any unit of
government within the Regional Planning Area, until and unless the
plan has been submitted REFERRED to the Regional Planning
Council for its consideration; and

(2)    No road, park, public way, public building, or any other
development which is metropolitan or regional in nature or affects
an area greater than single unit of government, may be constructed
or authorized in the Regional Planning Area, until and unless the
proposed location and extent thereof has been submitted REFERRED
to the Regional Planning Council for its consideration.

The Regional Planning Council, within thirty days after the receipt
of any referral, shall act thereon. Failure to act within a period of
thirty days shall constitute its approval of the proposed plan or de-
velopment, except that the time required for examination and study
of the proposal may be extended by mutual agreement. In case of dis-
approval, The Council shall communicate its reasons to the State or
local agency or body responsible for such plan or development. Such
agency or body responsible for the plan or development has the power
to proceed without the approval of the Regional Planning Council,
only after reconsideration AFTER CONSIDERATION of the matter
in light of said disapproval. Upon such action it shall advise the
Regional Planning Council in writing of its reasons for proceeding.

It is the intention of this section that the Regional Planning Council
shall be consulted on every improvement which is regional or metro-
politan in nature or which directly or indirectly affects more than
one unit of government. It is the purpose of this section to give The
Council an opportunity to determine what effect a contemplated
improvement or structure will have upon the SUGGESTED General
Development Plan and to voice its opinion thereon. It is not the pur-
pose of this section to provide the Regional Planning Council with a
veto over such improvement or structure.

Finances

18.  Budget and Financing.

The Governor shall place in the GENERAL FUND budget for the