Ch. 311                                    LAWS OF MARYLAND

(i) To delegate any of the powers herein conferred of a
nonpolicy nature to any one or more of the Commissioners or to
the Director of the Commission.

(j) To report annually to the Secretary [of Economic and
Community Development] and, subject to § 2-1312 of the State
Government. Article, to the General Assembly as to the
Commission's activities during the preceding year, together with
any recommendations or requests it deems appropriate to further
the purposes of the Commission.

[14-606.] 5-206.

(a)  (1) In this section, the following words have the
meanings indicated.

(2)  "Dwelling" means the dwelling house of one or
more homeowners, and the curtilage where it is erected, which is
used as the principal residence of that homeowner or homeowners.

(3)  "Homeowner" means a person who, on July 1, 1976,
actually resides in a dwelling in which that person has a legal
interest, including any life estate, whether as sole owner, joint
tenant, tenant in common or tenant by the entirety.

(4)  "Principal residence" means a dwelling actually
occupied or expected to be actually occupied by the homeowner or
the homeowners for more than six consecutive months of the
present calendar year. Nonoccupancy of the dwelling because of
illness or the need for special care, of the homeowner, is
occupancy for the purposes of this section.

(b)  (1) When the Commission or other State agency commences
the acquisition by purchase, gift, or condemnation of the
dwelling of a homeowner within the "take line" established by the
Commission, the Commission or other State agency shall offer in
writing the homeowner or homeowners a life estate in that
property. Acceptance of the life estate shall be taken into
consideration when determining the value of the property. Upon
acceptance, the recipient of the life estate will pay real estate
property taxes, insurance, and ordinary maintenance costs.
Requests for material alterations or additions to the property
must be submitted in writing to the St. Mary's City Commission
and said request must be approved or disapproved by the
Commission within 45 days of the receipt of said request.

(2) In the case of a purchase, the Commission or
other State agency shall make the offer:

(i) At the time of each offer for purchase; and

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