Ch. 672

1997 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, the grantee shall provide and expend a matching
fund. No part of the grantee'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 or in kind contributions. The fund may consist of
funds expended prior to the effective date of this Act. In case of any dispute as to the
amount of the matching fund or 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. The
grantee has until June 1, 1999, to present evidence satisfactory to the Board of Public
Works that a matching fund will be provided. If satisfactory evidence is presented, the
Board shall certify this fact and the amount of the matching fund to the State Treasurer,
and the proceeds of the loan equal to the amount of the matching fund shall be expended
for the purposes provided in this Act. Any amount of the loan in excess of the amount of
the matching fund certified by the Board of Public Works shall be canceled and be of no
further effect.

(6)     No portion of the proceeds of the loan or any of the matching funds may be
used for the furtherance of sectarian religious instruction, or in connection with the
design, acquisition, or construction of any building used or to be used as a place of
sectarian religious worship or instruction, or in connection with any program or
department of divinity for any religious denomination. Upon the request of the Board of
Public Works, the grantee shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board that none of the
proceeds of the loan or any matching funds have been or are being used for a purpose
prohibited by this Act.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1997.

Approved May 22, 1997.

CHAPTER 672
(House Bill 550)

AN ACT concerning

Department of Natural Resources - Program Open Space - Use of Funds

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to use certain
Program Open Space funds for operating costs for land owned by the Department;
and generally relating to funds distributed to Program Open Space.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Natural Resources
Section 5-903

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1989 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

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