MARVIN MANDEL. Governor                                 1847

WHEREAS, Heretofore there was no department of State government actively
to expound the point of view of the farmers and agricultural community and
protect the vitality of the agricultural industry from destruction; and

WHEREAS, By act of the General Assembly in the 1972 session there was
created a Department of Agriculture with the responsibility, among others, to
promote and preserve agricultural farm lands, activities and industries as a source
of economic and environmental satisfaction and food supply for generations to
come in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Other States, also faced with the need to preserve and plan the use
of agricultural lands, are studying or have adopted courses of action to take, such
as the creation state-wide of agricultural districts, exclusive agricultural zoning,
equitable assessment treatment, deferred or rollback tax plan, purchase of
development rights, and other ways and means in order to provide the incentive
and protection to maintain and preserve the rural environment and agricultural
lands; and

WHEREAS, For the foregoing reasons it is both desirable and imperative that
a study and plan be made to determine the best means of protecting Maryland's
agricultural land; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture is directed to undertake a
comprehensive study of ways and means to preserve agriculture land in Maryland
and prepare a long range plan and any recommendations he deems appropriate in
order for such preservation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Agriculture seek the assistance and
cooperation of any unit of State government or the federal government in the
conduct of such a study; and be it further

RESOLVED, That such a study and long range plan and recommendations be
completed by October 1, 1973, and thereupon presented to the Legislative Council
of Maryland for the Council to consider and take whatever action it deems
advisable; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the Governor of
Maryland; to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture of Maryland; and to
the Secretary of the Legislative Council.

Approved May 7, 1973.

No. 15
(Senate Joint Resolution 49)

Senate Joint Resolution requesting Governor Mandel to commission the Medical
and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland to conduct an evaluation of the medical
services provided to inmates of State penal institutions.

WHEREAS, A recent evaluation of medical conditions in the Baltimore City
Jail revealed that certain improvements were essential to provide adequate medical
services to city jail inmates; and