406                              Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 138

therein, provided the action is brought within three years after the
cause of action accrued. Nothing in this section shall be construed
to limit the power of the authority to construct any project, or
portion thereof, or any addition, betterment or extension thereto,
directed by the officers, agents and employees of the authority, or by
agreement with the federal and state governments, or any agency or
department of either. Subject to the aforesaid, the authority may
(but without intending by this provision to limit any powers of such
authority) enter into and carry out such contracts, or establish or
comply with such rules and regulations concerning labor and mate-
rials and other related matters in connection with any project, or
portion thereof as the authority may deem desirable, or as may be
requested by any federal agency that may assist in the financing of
such project or any part thereof.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above,
the authority may establish reasonable rules and regulations gov-
erning emergency purchases and contracts and those involving single
or limited source services or materials and services or materials and
equipment of an unusual or noncompetitive nature THAT CAN BE
PURCHASED ONLY FROM A SINGLE SOURCE AND which shall
not be subject to competitive bidding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT NO SINGLE EMERGENCY PURCHASE OR CONTRACT
SHALL EXCEED TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($20,000).

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1971.

Approved April 23, 1971.

CHAPTER 138
(House Bill 271)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact with amendments Section 37 (c) of
Article 87 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969 Replacement
Volume and 1970 Supplement), title "Sheriffs," subtitle "Com-
pensation and Duties," providing that employees appointed by the
Sheriff of Baltimore County shall be under the merit system of the
Baltimore County Charter.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 37(c) of Article 87 of the Annotated Code of Mary-
land (1969 Replacement Volume and 1970 Supplement), title
"Sheriffs," subtitle "Compensation and Duties," be and it is hereby
repealed and re-enacted with amendments to read as follows:

37.

(c) The Sheriff of Baltimore County shall receive an annual
salary of $18,500. He shall appoint a chief deputy, [at an annual
salary of $12,500 and deputy sheriffs employed as of July 1, 1968,
shall each receive an annual salary of $8,500. and shall receive such
sum for necessary expenses as shall be authorized by the County
Council of said county. He shall also appoint] a deputy sheriff's