Ch. 131                               . 1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

It is the intent of the budget committees to review the issue of technology centers during
the 1995 interim. The committees wish to ensure that state funding of these centers is
addressing the highest priorities in terms of providing the types of facilities that will advance the
state's efforts to develop and expand the high technology sector of the economy. After reviewing
the state's efforts in this area, the committees will be prepared to evaluate and review these and
similar projects during the 1996 session. It is the intent of the committees to make the two
projects deferred during the 1995 session the highest priority for funding during the 1996
session.

SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General Assembly
declares that it is the public policy of this State to manage State general obligation bond
debt in a manner that will maintain Maryland's AAA bond rating. The General Assembly
further declares that legislative oversight, control, and review of all forms of State
obligations is essential to maintenance of the State's existing bond rating and protection
of the fiscal integrity of the State.

SECTION 4. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That before work may
commence pursuant to any supplement to any appropriation contained herein,
satisfactory assurance must be given to the Board of Public Works that the project can be
completed with the aggregate of the funds herein and heretofore appropriated for the
stated purpose.

SECTION 5. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That with the approval of the
Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning, any appropriation for construction provided
in this Act may be used to purchase capital equipment if the amount of the appropriation
exceeds the amount required for construction expenses, including allowances for
contingencies.

SECTION 6. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That except as otherwise
provided in this Act, before a State agency or institution named in this Act as responsible
for an individual item may begin work with funds appropriated by this Act, the agency or
institution shall provide satisfactory evidence to the Board of Public Works that the work
described in the individual item can be completed with the funds specified for that item.

SECTION 7. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That with the approval of the
Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning, any appropriation under the provisions of this
Act that is in excess of the amount needed for a project may be credited to the
Construction Contingency Fund created by Section 1 (3), Item 23.05.02(E) of the
Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 1992 and codified under Section 3-609 of
the State Finance and Procurement Article, and provided that:

(a)     an appropriation may not be credited to the Construction Contingency Fund
until a construction contract has been awarded; and

(b)     the balance of the Construction Contingency Fund may not exceed $2,000,000;
and

(c)     a summary report on the sources and uses of the Fund shall be submitted to
the budget committees by January 1, 1996.

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