3684

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 787

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of
Maryland read as follows:

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative

Departments

266DD-1.

(a) It is found and declared that in this era of rapid
population growth and expansion and of increasing urbanization,
there is a need, in many areas of the State, to promote sound
community development.

It is further found and declared that the counties and
municipalities of this State do not have adequate resources to,
and the ordinary operations of private enterprise cannot without
State assistance, deal effectively with all of the problems of
sound community development.

It is further found that a need exists to coordinate and
concentrate federal, State, regional and local public and private
community development efforts and resources.

It is further found and declared that there is a shortage of
adequate, safe, and sanitary housing for families of limited
income particularly; and that by increasing the housing supply
for families of limited incomes this shortage will be alleviated
and sound community development promoted.

It is further found and declared that the increase of
opportunities for homeownership is desirable and promotes sound
community development.

It is further found and declared that the reduction of the
consumption of energy and the increase in the utilization of
solar energy by the provision of financial assistance to
encourage energy conservation and solar energy improvements to
housing and buildings used for commercial purposes promotes sound
community development and is otherwise in the public interest.

IT IS FURTHER FOUND AND DECLARED THAT THE PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTAINED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH INCLUDES
STREETS, SIDEWALKS, CURBS, SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS, BRIDGES, AND
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, IS IN NEED OF REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION,
THAT THE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR FINANCING INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS HAVE BECOME SCARCER IN RECENT YEARS, AND THAT PROVIDING
AN ADDITIONAL, ACCESSIBLE, AND UNCOMPLICATED MECHANISM FOR
FINANCING INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS PROMOTES SOUND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT, IS VITAL TO A STRONG ECONOMY, IMPROVES THE QUALITY
OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHERWISE PROMOTES THE HEALTH, SAFETY,
AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.