1066                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 349

judgment and execution for the sum or sums justly due him; pro-
vided, however, that any person having direct contractual relation-
ship with a subcontractor of the contractor, or with any sub-
contractor of the contractor but no contractual relationship ex-
press or implied with the contractor furnishing said payment bond,
shall have a right of action upon the payment bond upon giving
written notice to the contractor within ninety (90) days from
the date on which such person did, or performed the last of the labor
or furnished or supplied the last of the material for which such claim
is made, stating with substantial accuracy the amount claimed and the
name of the party to whom the material was furnished or supplied
or for whom the labor was done or performed. Such notice shall be
served by mailing the same by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, in an envelope addressed to the contractor at any place he
maintains an office or conducts his business, or his residence.

(d)    Same—Where and when brought: liability for costs.

Every suit instituted under this section shall be brought in the
appropriate court in the political subdivision in which the contract
was to be performed and executed or in the political subdivision
where the contractor has his principal place of business and not
elsewhere, but no such suit shall be commenced after the term of one
year after the date of final acceptance of the work performed
under the contract. The obligee named in the bond shall not be
liable for the payment of any cost or expenses of any such suit.

(e)    To whom bonds payable; approval as to form.

In the case of contracts of the State of Maryland, or any board,
commission, or agency thereof, the aforesaid bonds shall be payable
to the State of Maryland and shall be approved by the Attorney
General as to form. In the case of all other contracts subject to
this section, the bonds shall be payable to the public body concerned,
and shall be approved by its attorney as to form.

(f)    Where bonds filed.

Bonds payable to the State of Maryland shall be filed in the office
of the State Comptroller. All other bonds shall be filed in the office
of the public body concerned.

(g)    Certified copies of bonds.

The State Comptroller or officer in charge of the office wherein
the aforesaid bonds are required to be filed is authorized and directed
to furnish, to any person making application therefor who submits
an affidavit that he has supplied labor, or materials, for such work
and payment therefor has not been made or that he is being sued
on any such bond, a certified copy of the bond, which copy shall be
prima facie evidence of the contents, execution, and delivery of the
original. Applicants shall pay for such certified copies such reasonable
fees as the State Comptroller or the aforesaid officer shall fix to
cover the cost of preparation thereof.

Title X—Sales of Property
Subtitle 1. Land Installment Contracts
10-101. Definitions.

In this subtitle, unless the context otherwise requires, the follow-
ing words and terms shall have the following meaning: