464                              Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 195

15.

(d) For the purpose of county taxation in Allegany, Baltimore,
Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent,
Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties,
such stock in business shall be assessed at sixty per centum (60%)
of such fair average value for the twelve months preceding the date of
finality. For the purpose of county taxation in Anne Arundel County,
[for the taxable year beginning July 1, 1970,] stock in business shall
be assessed at twenty-five per centum (25%) of such fair average
value for the twelve months preceding the date of finality; for the tax-
able year beginning July 1, [1971] 1972, such stock shall be entirely
exempt from valuation, assessment, and taxation under the pro-
visions of this section.

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

Approved April 23, 1971.

CHAPTER 195
(House Bill 1193)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, subsection (1)
of Section 3 of Article 25 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1966
Replacement Volume and 1970 Supplement), title "County Com-
missioners," subtitle "General Provisions," to increase the amount
the County Commissioners of Charles County may contract for
the purchase of materials and supplies without competitive bid-
ding.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That subsection (1) of Section 3 of Article 25 of the Annotated Code
of Maryland (1966 Replacement Volume and 1970 Supplement), title
"County Commissioners," subtitle "General Provisions," be and it is
hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

3.

(1) To provide for competitive bidding for any county work
and the making and awarding of contracts for the purchase of mate-
rials and supplies in excess of $1,000 in Harford County, in excess of
$2,500 in Worcester County and Charles County, in excess of $1,500
in Allegany County, and in all other counties $500 and to require
bonds in connection with said work or contracts, whenever deemed
proper; and if no bids are submitted in response to any calls there-
fore [therefor], to place the order as in their discretion they deem
best. The provisions of this subsection will not be applicable in Kent
County.

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

Approved April 23, 1971.