3494                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                      Ch. 861

administrations of Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties;
and

WHEREAS, The Council has demonstrated its capacity and
capability to function as a viable organization to accomplish the
regional needs of the tri-county area of Allegany, Garrett, and
Washington counties; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly of Maryland directs that it is
in the best interest of the tri-county region of Allegany,
Garrett, and Washington counties to reaffirm, endorse, and
support the role of the Tri-County Council of Western Maryland as
the organization to advance the economic and social welfare of
the people of the tri-county region, to carry on a continuing
comprehensive development program, and to stimulate public
interest and participatory planning for the development of the
region; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

ARTICLE 20A - TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL OF WESTERN MARYLAND

TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1-101.

(A)  THERE IS A TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL FOR WESTERN MARYLAND.

(B)  THE TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL FOR WESTERN MARYLAND IS AN
ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AS A REGIONAL PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE TRI-COUNTY AREA.

(C)  THE TRI-COUNTY AREA CONSISTS OF ALL OF ALLEGANY,
GARRETT, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.

1-102.

(A)  IN THIS ARTICLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "AREA" MEANS THE REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AREA
THAT INCLUDES ALL OF ALLEGANY, GARRETT, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.

(C)  "COMMISSIONERS" MEANS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
ALLEGANY, GARRETT, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.

(D)  "COUNCIL" MEANS THE TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL FOR WESTERN
MARYLAND.

(E)  "PLAN" MEANS A REGIONAL PLAN PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL
FOR ALL OF ALLEGANY, GARRETT, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.

(F)  "REGION" MEANS THE AREA THAT INCLUDES ALL OF ALLEGANY,
GARRETT, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.