3766

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 716

rejection, or otherwise deciding whether to implement a
grant, and

WHEREAS, The Federal statutes establishing block grants
in some instances authorize funds to be transferred from one
block grant which the State has accepted to another block
grant, and

WHEREAS, Other proposals to alter fundamental

federal/state relations in areas that are of major

importance to the health and welfare of the citizens of
Maryland may be proposed, including but not limited to
transferring responsibility for programs from one level of
government to another; and

WHEREAS, Decisions Because decisions relating to both
the application and effect of Federal budget cuts and the
assumption and implementation of Federal block grants have
far reaching consequences on local governments as direct
providers of services, consultation with local governments

and services, the consideration of the effects of

State-level decisions on the local programs, services, and
fiscal burdens needs to be considered by both the General
Assembly and the Governor, and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly believes that, to the
extent possible, policy decisions regarding participation in
block grants, or transfers between block grants or
participation in any other programs that reflect fundamental
changes in federal/state relations which may be enacted by
the Congress, are of such importance and significance that
both the executive and legislative branches of State
government must be involved. Further, the General Assembly
believes that inasmuch as Federal response dates frequently
require action at the State level at times the legislature
is not in session, procedures must be established to provide
for legislative consultation whether the General Assembly is
in or out of session.

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 15A - Budget and Fiscal Planning

FEDERAL BLOCK GRANTS

15A.

(A) BLOCK GRANTS - GRANT IN AID PROGRAMS IN WHICH

FUNDING FOR ONE OR MORE PROGRAMS HAS BEEN CONSOLIDATED INTO
ONE GRANT AND ARE GENERALLY REFERRED TO BY CONGRESS AS BLOCK
GRANTS.