1156                                     LAWS OF MARYLAND                                Ch. 528

thereof is to be $20,000 or more, shall, before he be entitled to the issuance of such
permit, provide satisfactory proof to such inspector or authority that he is duly
registered under the provisions of this subtitle to carry out or superintend the same
and that he had paid the taxes or license required by the laws of this State, or
other political subdivision thereof, then in force so as to be qualified to bid upon or
contract for the work for which the permit has been applied.

(2) It shall be unlawful for such building inspector or any other authority to
issue or allow the issuance of such building permit unless the applicant has
furnished evidence that he is either exempt from the provisions of this subtitle or is
duly registered under this subtitle to carry out or superintend the work for which
such permit has been applied, and further that the applicant has paid the license
then in force so as to be qualified to bid upon or contract work covered by the
permit, such building inspector or other such authority, violating the terms of this
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(r) All architects and engineers preparing plans and specifications for work to be
contracted in Maryland shall include in their invitation to the bidder and in their
specifications a reference to the subtitle so as to convey to the invited bidder,
whether he be a resident or nonresident of this State and whether a certificate of
registration has been issued to him or not, the information that it will be necessary
for him to show evidence of a certificate of registration before his bid is
considered.

(s) Before any nonresident person or any foreign corporation, shall bid on any
work in this State, such nonresident person or any foreign corporation shall by
written power of attorney, appoint the Comptroller and his successor in the office,
the agent of such nonresident person or foreign corporation upon whom all lawful
process against or notice to such nonresident person or any foreign corporation
may be served and who shall be authorized to enter an appearance in behalf of
such nonresident person or any foreign corporation.

(t) The provisions of this subtitle shall not apply to the practice of general
contracting or subcontracting as defined in subparagraph (1) of subsection (b) by
any authorized representative or representatives of the United States of America or
any of its instrumentalities or agencies, the State of Maryland or its
instrumentalities, agencies, or institutions, or any county, city, town or any other
political subdivision of any district, zone, local subdivision or area in, the State of
Maryland or the construction, reconstruction, repair or improvement of any
highway or bridge, constructed, reconstructed or repaired by the State Roads
Commission.

(u)

(1)  Any person not being duly authorized who shall contract or bid upon the
construction of any of the projects or works or any part thereof enumerated in
subsection (b) (1) without having first complied with the provisions thereof, or who
shall attempt to practice general contracting or subcontracting in this State except
as provided for in this subtitle, and any person presenting or attempting to file as
his own the registration certificate of another or who shall give false or forged
evidence of any kind to the inspector in maintaining the registration or who falsely
shall impersonate another or who shall use an expired or revoked certificate, and
any awarding authority, who knowingly receives or considers a bid from anyone
not properly registered under this subtitle, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor.

(2)  No person shall be entitled to assert this subsection as a defense to any
action at law or suit in equity unless such persons shall first affirmatively prove