MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                      1507

and Taxation," to enact a new subsection (14) in lieu thereof, to
stand in place of the subsection so repealed, to provide for
changes in the law relating to periodic surveys of assessment
ratios in the counties and Baltimore City.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Subsection (14) of Section 232 of Article 81 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1965 Replacement Volume), title "Revenue and
Taxes," be and it is hereby repealed, and that new Subsection (14)
be enacted in lieu thereof to stand in place of the section so repealed,
and to read as follows:

232.

(14) To provide for annual surveys of assessment ratios in the
23 counties and Baltimore City beginning January 1, 1970. The
Director shall prescribe the manner in which each survey is to be
conducted. He shall appoint a full-time staff of competent and ex-
perienced assessors who shall hold their positions during good
behavior, subject only to removal by the Department after a hearing
for incompetency or other cause. The number of personnel for and
the expenses instant to the survey, including travel, lodging, and
meals, shall be as provided in the Department's annual budget.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1969.

Approved May 14, 1969.

CHAPTER 667
(House Bill 530)

AN ACT to add new Section 43 to Article 21 of the Annotated Code
of Maryland (1968 Supplement), title "Conveyancing" to follow
immediately after Section 42 thereof and to be under the new
subtitle "Deposits on New Homes," to require builders or sellers,
EXCEPT LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKERS, of new homes
requiring or receiving deposits prior to completion of the home to
obtain and maintain either surety bonds in the amount of the de-
posit or an escrow account for such deposits to assure return of
the deposit upon specified conditions and to provide criminal pen-
alties for violations.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 43 be and it is hereby added to Article 21 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1968 Supplement), title "Conveyanc-
ing," to follow immediately after Section 42 thereof to be under
the new subtitle "Deposits on New Homes," and to read as follows:

Deposits on New Homes
43.

(a) In any contract of sale, whether verbal or written, for
the purchase of a new home which is situated in a development or sub-
division containing three TEN or more new homes under construction