HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                        2593

(d)  Every suit instituted under this section shall be
brought in the appropriate court in the political subdivision in
which the contract was to be performed and executed or in the
political subdivision where the contractor has his principal
place of business and not elsewhere, but no such suit shall be
commenced after the term of 1 year after the date of final
acceptance of the work performed under the contract. The obligee
named in the bond or the trustee for any other security shall not
be liable for the payment of any cost or expenses of any such
suit.

(e)   In the case of contracts of the State of Maryland, or
any board, commission, or agency thereof, the aforesaid bonds or
other security shall be payable to the State of Maryland and
shall be approved by the Attorney General as to form. In the case
of all other contracts subject to this section, the bonds or
other security shall be payable to the public body concerned, and
shall be approved by its attorney as to form.

(f)  Bonds, other security, or evidence of any trust account
established as security payable to the State of Maryland shall be
filed in the office of the State Comptroller. All other bonds,
other security, or evidence of any trust account established as
security shall be filed in the office of the public body
concerned.

(g)  The State Comptroller or officer in charge of the
office wherein the aforesaid bonds or other security are required
to be filed is authorized and directed to furnish, to any person
making application therefor who submits an affidavit that he has
supplied labor, or materials, for such work and payment therefor
has not been made or that he is being sued on any such bond or
other security, a certified copy of the bond, of a certified
statement of other security provided, or of evidence of any trust
account established which copy shall be prima facie evidence of
the contents, execution, and delivery of the bond or other
security, as applicable. Applicants shall pay for such certified
copies such reasonable fees as the State Comptroller or the
aforesaid officer shall fix to cover the cost of preparation
thereof.

3-502.

No procurement agency of the State may require bid,
performance, and payment bonds to be posted if the contract price
is less than [$25,000] $50,000, unless such bonds are required by
federal law or regulation or as a condition to federal
assistance.

3-503.

Performance bonds or other security may be required for any
procurement of supplies and services over [$25,000] $50,000 if
the circumstances warrant, as determined by the procurement
officer.