1750                               JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That this body-
urges upon the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia
and upon officials of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science a total
or partial cessation in the Virginia winter dredging season so as to
eliminate the overfishing of the female sponge crab in Virginia wa-
ters, to the detriment of the supply of adult crabs in the waters
of the entire Chesapeake Bay area; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Assembly of Maryland urges upon the
responsible officials of the State of Virginia and also upon the Fish
and Wildlife Service of the Department of Interior, in general coop-
eration with the State of Maryland, a heavy and basic research pro-
gram to ascertain the precise effects of the persistent overfishing
of crab resources by the State of Virginia; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of State of Maryland is directed to
send copies of this Resolution under the Great Seal of the State of
Maryland to the Governor of Virginia, the President of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth
of Virginia, the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science,
the Secretary of the Interior of the United States, the head of the
Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States, each member of the
Maryland and Virginia Delegations in the Congress of the United
States, the Director of the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs
of Maryland, the Secretary of the Board of Natural Resources of
Maryland, and the Director of the Natural Resources Institute of
Maryland.

Approved May 2, 1969.

No. 19
(House Joint Resolution 2)

House Joint Resolution requesting the Legislative Council to establish
a special committee to study the laws and practices concerning
mechanics' liens in the State of Maryland.

Whereas, the existing laws and practices in this State concerning
mechanics' liens often work hardships on homeowners, artisans, and
others; and

Whereas, these laws are especially complex and would require
extensive review prior to a thorough revision; and

Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the need to have
special study and consideration devoted to the laws and practices
in this State concerning mechanics' liens; and

Whereas, it would be especially fruitful to invite the participation
in such a study of persons and organizations familiar with the pres-
ent laws concerning mechanics' liens through daily activities in
industries affected by these laws; and, now, therefore be it