1170                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 755

provided that the Commission takes specific action setting aside
such funds prior to incurring any obligation to be met in whole or
in part in such manner. Except where the Commission makes use
of funds available to it under Article HI (h) hereof, the Commission
shall not incur any obligation prior to the allotment of funds by
the party states adequate to meet the same.

(d)  The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts
and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Com-
mission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures
established under its rules. However, all receipts and disbursements
of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited, yearly by a
qualified public accountant and the report of the audit shall be in-
cluded in and become part of the annual reports of the Commission.

(e)   The accounts of the Commission shall be open at any reason-
able time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the party
states and by any persons authorized by the Commission.

(f)  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent Com-
mission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of
accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the
support of the Commission.

ARTICLE VIII

Conflict of Interest

(a)   The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations with
respect to conflict of interest for the commissioners of the party
states, and their alternates, if any, and for the staff of the Commis-
sion and contractors with the Commission to the end that no member
or employee or contractor shall have a pecuniary or other incom-
patible interest in the manufacture, sale or distribution of motor
vehicles or vehicular equipment or in any facility or enterprise em-
ployed by the Commission or on its behalf for testing, conduct of in-
vestigations or research. In addition to any penalty for violation of
such rules and regulations as may be applicable under the laws of the
violator's jurisdiction of residence, employment or business, any
violation of a Commission rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this
Article shall require the immediate discharge of any violating em-
ployee and the immediate vacating of membership, or relinquishing
of status as a member on the Commission by any commissioner or
alternate. In the case of a contractor, any violation of any such rule
or regulation shall make any contract of the violator with the Com-
mission subject to cancellation by the Commission.

(b)  Nothing contained in this Article shall be deemed to prevent a
contractor for the Commission from using any facilities subject to
his control in the performance of the contract even though such facili-
ties are not devoted solely to work of or done on behalf of the Com-
mission; nor to prevent such a contractor from receiving remunera-
tion or profit from the use of such facilities.