1118                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 4

MAINTENANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROJECTS AND
FACILITIES IT MAY OWN OR OPERATE AND ANY PRODUCT OR
SERVICE RENDERED THEREBY; PROVIDED THAT ANY RULE OR
REGULATION, OTHER THAN ONE WHICH DEALS SOLELY WITH THE
INTERNAL MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMISSION, SHALL NOT BE
EFFECTIVE UNLESS AND UNTIL FILED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAW OF THE RESPECTIVE SIGNATORY PARTIES APPLICABLE
TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS GENERALLY; AND

2. DESIGNATE ANY OFFICER, AGENT, OR EMPLOYEE OF
THE COMMISSION TO BE AN INVESTIGATOR OR WATCHMAN AND
SUCH PERSON SHALL BE VESTED WITH THE POWERS OF A PEACE
OFFICER OF THE STATE IN WHICH HE IS DULY ASSIGNED TO
PERFORM HIS DUTIES.

15.3.    TAX EXEMPTIONS. —THE COMMISSION, ITS
PROPERTY, FUNCTIONS, AND ACTIVITIES SHALL BE EXEMPT
FROM TAXATION BY OR UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF ANY OF THE
SIGNATORY PARTIES OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
THEREOF; PROVIDED THAT IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES THE
COMMISSION, AS TO ITS SPECIFIC PROJECTS, SHALL MAKE
PAYMENTS TO LOCAL TAXING DISTRICTS IN ANNUAL AMOUNTS
WHICH SHALL EQUAL THE TAXES LAWFULLY ASSESSED UPON
PROPERTY FOR THE TAX YEAR NEXT PRIOR TO ITS-
ACQUISITION BY THE COMMISSION FOP A PERIOD OF TEN
YEARS. THE NATURE AND AMOUNT OF SUCH PAYMENTS SHALL
BE REVIEWED BY THE COMMISSION AT THE END OF TEN YEARS,
AND FROM TIME TO TIME THEREAFTER, UPON REASONABLE
NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD TO THE AFFECTED
TAXING DISTRICT, AND THE PAYMENTS MAY BE THEREUPON
TERMINATED OR CONTINUED IN SUCH REASONABLE AMOUNT AS
MAY BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
HARDSHIPS INCURRED AND BENEFITS RECEIVED BY THE TAXING
JURISDICTION WHICH ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PROJECT.

15.4.     MEETINGS; PUBLIC HEARINGS; RECORDS;
MINUTES.—

(A) ALL MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE OPEN
TO THE PUBLIC.

(E) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONDUCT AT LEAST ONE
PUBLIC HEARING IN EACH STATE PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF
THE INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. IN ALL OTHER CASES
WHEREIN THIS COMPACT REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING, SUCH
HEARING SHALL BE HELD UPON NOT LESS THAN TWENTY DAYS'
PUBLIC NOTICE GIVEN BY POSTING AT THE OFFICES OF THE
COMMISSION, AND PUBLISHED AT LEAST ONCE IN A NEWSPAPER
OR NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE AREA OR
AREAS AFFECTED. THE COMMISSION SHALL ALSO PROVIDE
FORTHWITH FOR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH NOTICE TO THE PRESS