HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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thrust of Ch. 617, Acts of 1980, is not which Department —
i.e., the Department of Natural Resources or the Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene — is responsible for the
functions under present Art. 43, § 406A. However, Ch. 617,
Acts of 1980, substitutes the Department of Natural
Resources for the Department of Water Resources and the
Water Resources Commission. There is no cross reference to
Ch. 27, Acts of 1980 in Ch. 617, Acts of 1980.

Where a conflict exists between statutes, the normal
rule of statutory construction is that both statutes should
be given effect if reconciliation is possible, and if
reconciliation is not possible then, unless there are
mitigating factors, the statute enacted later in time
prevails. However, in revising this title, the Commission
to Revise the Annotated Code, after consulting with the
Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health
and Mental Hygiene, and the assistant attorneys general
involved in the drafting of Ch. 27, Acts of 1980, concluded
that the more accurate reflection of legislative intent as
to departmental responsibility is found in Ch. 27, Acts of
1980. Consequently, §§ 20-201, 20-202, 20-205, 20-301,
20-310, and 20-404 of this title have been revised to
reflect the language of Ch. 27, Acts of 1980. The revision
of those provisions of this title according to Ch. 27, Acts
of 1980 is called to the attention of the General Assembly.

TITLE 21. WELL DRILLERS.

SUBTITLE 1. DEFINITIONS; GENERAL PROVISIONS.

21-101. DEFINITIONS.

(A)  IN GENERAL.

IN THIS TITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection is new language added
as the standard introductory language to a
definition section.

See also § 1-101 of this article for other
applicable definitions.

(B)  BOARD.

"BOARD" MEANS THE STATE BOARD OF WELL DRILLERS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection is new language
patterned after NR § 8-601(d).

(C)  LICENSE.

(1) "LICENSE" MEANS, UNLESS THE CONTEXT REQUIRES
OTHERWISE, ANY LICENSE ISSUED BY THE BOARD UNDER THIS TITLE
TO PRACTICE WELL DRILLING.