854                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND                             [Ch. 4

an explanation why the final sentence is
proposed for deletion. The only other
changes made are in style.

6-113. GAS TO BE METERED.

(A) A PERSON WHO IS THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF ANY
GAS WELL MAY NOT WILLFULLY TAKE GAS FROM THE WELL
UNLESS THE GAS IS METERED BY A STANDARD METERING
SYSTEM. THE CLEANING OR BLOWING OF A WELL IS NOT
CONSTRUED AS A "TAKING" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THIS
SECTION. IF ANY PERSON OR OPERATOR PRODUCING GAS FROM
ANY WELL VIOLATES THE TERMS OF THIS SECTION, HIS
INTEREST IN THE LEASE UNDER WHICH THE WELL IS BEING
PRODUCED SHALL BE VOID AND SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AT
THE SUIT OF THE OWNERS OF THE ROYALTY INTEREST IN THE
LEASED PREMISES ON WHICH THE VIOLATION OCCURS.

REVISOR'S NOTE; This subsection presently appears
as Article 66C, section 687(a) of the Code.
The only changes made are in style.

(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INSPECT, READ, OR TEST
ANY METERS, THROUGH WHICH NATURAL GAS IS BEING
MEASURED UPON THE REQUEST OF ANY LESSOR, LESSEE,
OPERATOR, OR ROYALTY OWNER FROM WHOSE LAND, LEASE, OR
ROYALTY INTEREST, NATURAL GAS IS BEING PRODUCED.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection presently appears
as Article 66C, section 687(b) of the Code.
The only changes made are in style.

6-114. PENALTIES.

ANY PERSON WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES ANY PROVISION
OF THIS SUBTITLE IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON
CONVICTION IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IS
SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $1,000 FOR EACH
OFFENSE WITH COSTS IMPOSED IN THE DISCRETION OF THE
COURT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section presently appears as
Article 66C, section 685 of the Code.
Various words after "person" are proposed
for deletion since they are included in the
definition of person in section 6—102 (h).
The penalty provision has been changed to
delete any minimum punishment. This is
based upon the Commission's decision only