1122                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 4

THE COMMISSION. THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SIGNATORY
PARTIES SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL BOOKS, DOCUMENTS,
RECORDS, ACCOUNTS, REPORTS, FILES, AND ALL OTHER
PAPERS, THINGS, OR PROPERTY BELONGING TO OR IN USE BY
THE COMMISSION AND NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE AUDIT
AND THEY SHALL BE AFFORDED FULL FACILITIES FOR
VERIFYING TRANSACTIONS WITH THE BALANCES OR SECURITIES
HELD BY DEPOSITARIES, FISCAL AGENTS, AND CUSTODIANS.

(C)   THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING
OFFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES AND
PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO COMMERCIAL CORPORATE
TRANSACTIONS AND UNDER SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS AS
MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE
UNITED STATES. THE AUDIT SHALL BE CONDUCTED AT THE
PLACE OR PLACES WHERE THE ACCOUNTS OF THE COMMISSION
ARE KEPT.

(D)   ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE WHO SHALL REFUSE TO
GIVE ALL REQUIRED ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION TO THE
ACCOUNTANTS SELECTED BY THE COMMISSION OR TO THE
AUTHORIZED OFFICERS OF ANY SIGNATORY PARTY OR WHO
SHALL REFUSE TO SUBMIT TO THEM FOR EXAMINATION SUCH
BOOKS, DOCUMENTS, RECORDS, FILES, ACCOUNTS, PAPERS,
THINGS, OR PROPERTY AS MAY BE REQUESTED SHALL FORFEIT
HIS OFFICE.

15.12.     REPORTS. —THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE
AND PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES
OF THE SIGNATORY PARTIES AND TO THE PUBLIC REPORTING
ON ITS PROGRAMS, OPERATIONS, AND FINANCES. IT MAY
ALSO PREPARE, PUBLISH, AND DISTRIBUTE SUCH OTHER
PUBLIC REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS AS IT MAY
DEEM NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE.

15.13.    GRANTS, LOANS, OR PAYMENTS BY STATES OR
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. —

(A) ANY OR ALL OF THE SIGNATORY PARTIES OR ANY
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF MAY:

1.    APPROPRIATE TO THE COMMISSION SUCH FUNDS AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO PAY PRELIMINARY EXPENSES SUCH AS
THE EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE MAKING OF BORINGS, AND
OTHER STUDIES OF SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS, IN THE
PREPARATION OF CONTRACTS FOR THE SALE OF WATER AND IN
THE PREPARATION OF DETAILED PLANS AND ESTIMATES
REQUIRED FOR THE FINANCING OF A PROJECT;

2.    ADVANCE TO THE COMMISSION, EITHER AS GRANTS