5179
HOWARD COUNTY

CLAIMED.

(2)    THE DIRECTOR SHALL REVIEW THE
APPLICATION AND SIGNIFY TO THE CLAIMANT IN WRITING WITHIN
SIXTY (60) DAYS FOLLOWING RECEIPT THEREOF HIS APPROVAL OR
DISAPPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION, IN THE EVENT THE
APPLICATION IS DISAPPROVED, THE DIRECTOR SHALL INDICATE
HIS REASONS FOR SUCH DISAPPROVAL. GRANTS SHALL BE PAID
NOT EARLIER THAN JULY 1 OF THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE
CLAIM IS MADE.

(3)    ANY CLAIMANT AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF
THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL
HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS TO THE
APPEALS TAX COURT FOR HOWARD COUNTY. THE APPEAL SHALL BE
IN WRITING AND SHALL CLEARLY SET FORTH THE CLAIMANT'S
REASON FOR APPEAL AND ON WHAT SPECIFIC GROUNDS THE
CLAIMANT QUESTIONS THE DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
FINANCE.

E. PENALTY FOR FILING FALSE OR FRAUDULENT CLAIM,
REPORT OR STATEMENT

ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION WHO KNOWINGLY OR
WILLFULLY MAKES A FALSE OR FRAUDULENT CLAIM, REPORT OR
STATEMENT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN, OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF
OBTAINING, ANY RENT RELIEF SHALL BE GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF SHALL BE FINED
NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) FOR EACH
OFFENSE. IN ADDITION, SUCH PERSON SHALL REPAY TO THE
COUNTY ANY ALL AMOUNTS OF BENT RELIEF MONIES PAID BY THE
COUNTY IN RELIANCE ON SUCH FALSE OR FRAUDULENT CLAIM,
REPORT OR STATEMENT AND SHALL BE LIABLE FOR INTEREST ON
SUCH AMOUNTS AT THE RATE OF TWO-THIRDS (2/3RDS) OF ONE
PERCENT (1%) PER MONTH UNTIL REPAID.

SEVERABILITY

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT ARE SEVERABLE, AND IF ANY
PROVISION, SENTENCE, CLAUSE, SECTION OR PART THEREOF IS
HELD ILLEGAL, INVALID OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR INAPPLICABLE
TO ANY PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH ILLEGALITY,
INVALIDITY, UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OR INAPPLICABILITY SHALL
NOT AFFECT OR IMPAIR ANY OF THE REMAINING PROVISIONS,
SENTENCES, CLAUSES, SECTIONS OR PARTS OF THE ACT OR THEIR
APPLICATION TO OTHER PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS
HEREBY DECLARED TO BE THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT THAT THIS
ACT WOULD HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IF SUCH ILLEGAL, INVALID OR
UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION, SENTENCE, CLAUSE, SECTION OR
PART HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED THEREIN, AND IF THE PERSON OR
CIRCUMSTANCES TO WHICH THE ACT OR ANY PART THEREOF IS
INAPPLICABLE HAD BEEN SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED THEREFROM.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED BY THE COUNTY