J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     1437

license year, immediately notify the Commissioner thereof and shall
pay the amount prescribed in this subparagraph or return his regis-
tration certificate and plates.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1965.

Approved May 4, 1965.

CHAPTER 875
(House Bill 806)

AN ACT to add a new Section 61A to the Code of Public Local Laws
of Prince George's County (1963 Edition, being Article 17 of the
Code of Public Local Laws of Maryland), title "Prince George's
County," subtitle "Public Officials," to follow immediately after
Section 61 thereof, concerning the enactment of conflict of interest
laws as they pertain to certain elected public officials, and setting
forth the penalties therefor , AND FURTHER PROVIDE THAT
THE LAWS AFFECTING THE MEMBERS OF THE MARY-
LAND NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COM-
MISSION ESTABLISHED UNDER CHAPTER 448 OF THE
ACTS OF 1927 AND THE MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON
SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION ESTABLISHED BY
CHAPTER 122 OF THE ACTS OF 1918 BE INCLUDED WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

Whereas, our people's traditions of personal integrity and our
national principle that a public office is a public trust demand that our
public officials and those who deal with them exercise a high standard
of conduct in transactions involving relationships between our County
Government and the public; and

Whereas, no public official should conduct himself in any manner
that would cast suspicion on himself or members of his official board,
agency or department; and

Whereas, as government becomes increasingly complex, and our
democratic processes draw citizens from every walk of life, there is
increasing need for known standards of ethical conduct as a guide
for public officers; and

Whereas, if government is to attract and hold competent persons,
it should not unduly subject them to restrictions and regulations that
would take from them the normal benefits of the democratic society
and economy they serve; and

Whereas, recognizing the need for conflicts of interest statutes
does not spring from any widespread malfeasance on the part of
present office holders, but, rather, since the few may brand the
many, the discernment of certain offences must be made certain and
their elimination made sure; now therefore