962

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 11

The substituted language is, however, narrower than
the former language, since the substituted language
does not encompass, e.g., § 7-208(c) although that
subsection is derived from former Art. 15A, § 8(a).
However, § 7-208 applies exclusively to the
Legislative Branch.

The substituted language also does not encompass §§
7-205 and 7-206 of this subtitle, which are derived
from former Art. 15A, § 8(a). Instead, in § 7-205 of
this subtitle, an introductory exception is added to
reference this section.

7-213. REDUCTIONS.

(A)  AUTHORIZED.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, WITH
THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE GOVERNOR MAY
REDUCE, BY NOT MORE THAN 25%, ANY ITEM OF APPROPRIATION THAT THE
GOVERNOR CONSIDERS UNNECESSARY.

(B)  EXCLUSIONS.

(1)  THE GOVERNOR MAY NOT REDUCE AN APPROPRIATION TO
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT.

(2)  THE GOVERNOR MAY NOT REDUCE AN APPROPRIATION FOR:

(I) PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON

THE STATE DEBT;

(II) PUBLIC SCHOOLS; OR

(III) THE SALARY OF A PUBLIC OFFICER, DURING
THE TERM OF OFFICE.

(3) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE MERIT SYSTEM LAW, THE
GOVERNOR MAY NOT REDUCE AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SALARY OF AN
EMPLOYEE IN THE CLASSIFIED OR UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from the first sentence of
former Art. 15A, § 11.

In subsection (b)(1) of this section, the references
to the "Legislative" and "Judicial" Branches are
substituted for the former references to the
"legislature" and the "judiciary". If the former word
"legislature" is read to mean only the General
Assembly and not, e.g., the staff agencies of the
General Assembly, the reference to the "Legislative
Branch" is broader. However, the substituted