3130

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 502

BY adding to

Article 81 - Revenue and Taxes

Section 9(1-5), 277(1), and 278A(g)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1980 Replacement Volume and 1981 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
read(s) as follows:

Article 81 - Revenue and Taxes

9.                                                            .                                                       

(a) [The following] (1) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED
IN THIS SECTION, real and tangible personal property [are]
DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION IS exempt from assessment and from
State, county, and city ordinary taxation. [, except as
otherwise state, which]

(2) THE exemptions PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION
shall be strictly construed[.].

(L-5) (1) THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED IN THIS SUBSECTION
MAY BE CLAIMED ONLY FOR A PERIOD THAT DOES NOT EXCEED 12
MONTHS.

(2) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION, A TAX
EXEMPTION MAY BE CLAIMED WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY THAT IS
HELD, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THE CHARACTER OF THE
LAND AS AGRICULTURAL LAND, BY AN ORGANIZATION THAT:

(I) IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
UNDER § 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE;

(II) IS INCORPORATED IN THIS STATE OR, IF
NOT INCORPORATED IN THIS STATE, IS REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESS
IN THIS STATE; AND

(III) HAS AS ITS PRINCIPAL PURPOSE THE
TEMPORARY OWNERSHIP OF INTERESTS IN LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PRESERVATION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE LAND AS AGRICULTURAL
LAND.

277.

(a) (1) [A} EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS
SECTION, A tax is hereby imposed upon every instrument of
writing conveying title to real or personal property, or

creating liens or encumbrances upon real or personal

property, offered for record and recorded in this State with