1388                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [CH. 869

activities and income of the Authority from taxation by the signa-
tories and the political subdivisions thereof; to grant the Au-
thority the power of eminent domain; to exempt the Authority, its
Contractor and the transit service rendered with the transit
facilities owned OR CONTROLLED by the Authority from
regulation by the signatories; to provide jurisdiction for actions
by or against the Authority; to generally relate to the operation
by the Authority of transit facilities and services in the zone; to
provide for the execution of this Title; to provide for the enlarge-
ment of the zone, withdrawal of any signatory, duration and amend-
ment of this Title; and to provide that the effectiveness of this
Title shall be dependent upon the consent of the Congress of the
United States; and relating generally to the Washington Metro-
politan Area Transit Regulation Compact.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Sections 317-1 to 317-86, inclusive, be and they are hereby
added to Article 41 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edi-
tion and 1964 Supplement), title "Governor—Executive and Ad-
ministrative Departments," subtitle "26. Washington Metropolitan
Area Transit Regulation Compact," to follow immediately after Sec-
tion 317 thereof, and all to read as follows:

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT
AUTHORITY COMPACT

Whereas, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia here-
tofore have entered into the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Regulation Compact (Virginia—Ch. 627, 1958 Acts of Assembly;
Maryland—Ch. 613, Acts of General Assembly 1959; District of
Columbia—Resolution of the Board of Commissioners adopted De-
cember 22, 1960), with the consent of the Congress (J.R., Septem-
ber 15. 1960, P.L. 86-794, 74 Stat. 1031, as amended by 76 Stat. 764),
as a first step toward the improvement of transit service in the
metropolitan area of Washington, D. C.;

Whereas, in said Compact each of the signatories pledged to each
of the other signatory parties faithful cooperation in the solution
and control of transit and traffic problems within said metropolitan
area and, in order to effect such purposes, agreed to enact any
necessary legislation to achieve the objectives of the Compact to
the mutual benefit of the citizens living within said metropolitan
area and for the advancement of the interests of the signatories;

Whereas, it has been established by a decade of studies that a
regional system of improved and expanded transit facilities, includ-
ing grade-separated rail facilities in congested areas, is essential
in said metropolitan area for the satisfactory movement of people
and goods, the alleviation of present and future traffic congestion,
the economic welfare and vitality of all parts of the area, the effec-
tiveness of the departments and agencies of the Federal government
located within the area, the orderly growth and development of the
District of Columbia and the Maryland and Virginia portions of
the area, the comfort and convenience of the residents of and visitors
to the area, and the preservation of the beauty and dignity of the
Nation's Capital;