J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                      925

(1957 Edition), title "Crimes and Punishments", sub-title "Pro-
cedure", be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amend-
ments, to read as follows:

594. All motions for new trials in criminal cases shall be heard by
the court in which said motion is pending [, or by the Supreme
Bench of Baltimore City in cases of motions for new trials pending
in the Criminal Court of Baltimore City,] within ten days after the
filing of said motion, or, in the event of an agreed statement of the
evidence, or a statement of the evidence certified by the judge before
whom the case was tried, is filed, within ten days after the filing of
said statement; provided, however, that the time for the hearing of
any such motion may be extended either by an agreement in writing,
signed by the State's Attorney of the county or the City of Baltimore,
wherein such motion is pending, and by the defendant or his counsel,
or by an order signed by the trial judge.

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

Approved May 4, 1965.

CHAPTER 669
(Senate Bill 499)

AN ACT to add a new Section 12E to Article 81 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1957 Edition and 1960 Supplement), title
"Revenue and Taxes", sub-title "Powers of Montgomery, Prince
George's , CALVERT, ST. MARY'S and Charles Counties to Pro-
vide Tax Credits for Lands Affected by the Conveyance of Scenic
Easements or Development Rights", to follow immediately after
Section 12D thereof, concerning the power of Montgomery, Prince
George's , CALVERT, ST. MARY'S and Charles Counties to pro-
vide for a tax credit or a limited rate of taxation applicable to
properties which are affected by the conveyance of scenic ease-
ments or development rights; and to further provide that such
conveyances of scenic easements or development rights be cate-
gorized for the purpose of providing uniform tax credits or exemp-
tions within such categories.

WHEREAS, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT THE
PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE AND AREAS OF LOW-
DENSITY DEVELOPMENT IS NECESSARY FOR THE CREA-
TION OF AN EFFICIENT AND LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR
THE CONSERVATION OF WATER, SOIL AND OTHER MATE-
RIAL RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND FOR
THE SCENIC AND ESTHETIC CHARACTER OF THE STATE'S
LANDSCAPE; AND

WHEREAS, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT THE
RAPID GROWTH AND SPREAD OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
IS ENCROACHING UPON, OR ELIMINATING, MANY OPEN
SPACES AND AREAS OF LOW-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
WHICH IF PRESERVED WOULD CONSTITUTE IMPORTANT