WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 188

liable to a benefit assessment charge at a rate and for a period
of time the same as properties first classified or assessed in
that year, but not less than the rate and number of years which
would have been applied at the time of exemption or suspension.
The receipts from benefit charge assessments for properties with
respect to which the benefit charge was exempted or suspended for
a period of years shall be used by the Commission to amortize any
bonds issued for the purpose of constructing or acquiring the
water and sewer lines for which benefit charges are levied under
the provisions of this chapter or for constructing or acquiring
other water and sanitary sewer lines for which benefit charges
are levied. After July 1, 1985, there is an alternative method
of assessment under this section to be called "equal benefit
assessment". The equal benefit assessment shall be the primary
method of assessing properties where an assessment is used to
amortize the providing of water or sewer, by the Commission to
private users. However, where dictated by equity or law, the
Commission, at its option, may assess the properties on a front
foot benefit basis. This new assessment method should not be
construed as requiring past assessments to be recouped under this
new formula. An equal benefit assessment may be levied on each
of the properties benefited by a purchase or the establishment or
construction of a water supply or sewerage facility in an equal
amount based on utilization potential of each property consistent
with current zoning. The total benefit assessments of all
properties being assessed shall be in whatever amount is required
to pay the total cost of the purchase, establishment, or
construction. The word "property" means all of that land area in
common ownership enclosed within the boundaries of contiguous
parcels. Should any property owner divide the property, the
assessment on all the newly created parcels shall be recalculated
and imposed as provided in this section.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1989.

Approved May 5, 1989.

CHAPTER 188

(House Bill 381)

AN ACT concerning

St. Mary's County Correctional Facility
Employees - Lie Detector Test

FOR the purpose of excluding certain employees of St. Mary's
County correctional facilities from the prohibition against

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