1318                               Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 628

deems it in the public interest to do so. Notwithstanding such tem-
porary change in rates, the review procedures set out herein shall be
conducted by the Commission as soon thereafter as is practicable.

(5) Every decision and order of the Commission in any contested
proceeding shall be in writing and shall state the grounds for the
Commission's conclusions. The effects of such orders shall be prospec-
tive in nature.

568X.

The Commission shall annually prepare a budget which shall in-
clude its estimated income and expenditures for administration and
operation.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any provision of this
Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held
invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the other pro-
visions or any other application of this Act which can be given effect
without the invalid provisions or application and to this end, all the
provisions of this Act are hereby declared to be severable.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1971.

Approved May 24, 1971.

CHAPTER 628
(House Bill 972)

AN ACT to repeal Sections 6A and 6B of Article 33A of the Anno-
tated Code of Maryland (1965 Edition and 1971 Replacement
Volume), title "Eminent Domain" and to enact in lieu thereof
Nine (9) new sections to be known as 6A through 6-I inclusive,
NEW SECTIONS 6A THROUGH 6H, INCLUSIVE and to be
under a new subtitle to be known as "Relocation Assistance Policies
and Payments," said new sections to follow immediately after Sec-
tion 6 thereof providing for certain relocation assistance pay-
ments and benefits to CERTAIN persons whose property is
being acquired for public purposes by the State or a political
subdivision or agency thereof or by any public or private or-
ganization having the authority to acquire property by eminent
domain for public purposes, and providing for certain rule-making
authority by the acquiring agencies.

Whereas, Public Law 91-646 of the 91st Congress, approved
January 2, 1971 changes the relocation assistance legislation now
in effect at the Federal level and requires that in order to obtain
maximum Federal funds, for the Federally-aided public projects, the
State relocation assistance legislation must conform to the require-
ments of said Public Law 91-646, and

Whereas, it is hereby declared to be the legislative intent to
establish a uniform policy for the fair and equitable treatment of