Ch. 397                                           LAWS OF MARYLAND

(5)  Prior to the payment of any funds under the provisions
of this Act for the purposes set forth in Section 1(3) above,
private sources, foundations and local government shall provide
at least an equal and matching fund of $300,000 [and Talbot
County shall provide an additional equal and matching fund of
$300,000]. No part of an applicant's matching fund may be
provided, either directly or indirectly, from funds of the State,
whether appropriated or unappropriated. No part of the fund may
consist of real property, in kind contributions, or funds
expended prior to the effective date of this Act. In case of any
dispute as to what money or assets may qualify as matching funds,
the Board of Public Works shall determine the matter, and the
Board's decision is final. Private sources, foundations and
local government have until June 1, 1990, to present evidence
satisfactory to the Board of Public Works that the matching fund
will be provided. If satisfactory evidence is presented, the
Board shall certify this fact to the State Treasurer and the
proceeds of the loan shall be expended for the purposes provided
in this Act. If this evidence is not presented by June 1, 1990,
the proceeds of the loan shall be applied to the purposes
authorized in § 8-129 of the State Finance and Procurement
Article.

(6)  The Academy of Arts, Inc. shall grant and convey a
perpetual preservation easement on the exterior and interior of
the structures, where appropriate, and on land to the Maryland
Historical Trust in form and substance acceptable to the Trust.

SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect June 1, 1989.

Approved May 19, 1989.

CHAPTER 397

(House Bill 239)

AN ACT concerning

Merit System - State Employees' Benefits Plan

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Department of Personnel to
administer a benefits plan for State employees; requiring
the Department of Personnel to arrange for employee benefits
as part of the benefits plan; changing the procedures for
funding certain employee benefits; requiring the Governor to
include funds in the budget for certain employee benefits;
and generally relating to the funding and administration of
the State employees' benefits plan.

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