PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                              Ch. 758

(III) 10% TO PROGRAM OPEN SPACE, FOR LAND ACQUISITION AS
SPECIFIED IN $ 5-903(A)(2) OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES ARTICLE

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the provisions of this

Act shall govern the distribution of funds as contained in Chapter____(H.D. 175) of the

Acts of the General Assembly of 1997 for fiscal year 1998 to the extent provisions of this Act
provide for an allocation of funds different from that provided for in the Budget Bill, Chapter

______of the Acts of 1997 (H.B. 175), it is the intent of the General Assembly that the

allocation provided under this Act shall control. The Governor is hereby authorized to transfer
funds by approved budget amendment to the extent required to effect the fund allocation
provided under this Act.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial
members of the advisory committee to the Rural Legacy Board shall expire as follows:

(1)     4 members in fiscal 2000:

(2)     4 members in fiscal 2001; and

(3) 2 3 members in fiscal 2002.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1997.

Approved May 22, 1997.

CHAPTER 758
(House Bill 507)

AN ACT concerning

"Smart Growth" and Neighborhood Conservation - Rural Legacy Program

FOR the purpose of creating a Rural Legacy Program in the Department of Natural
Resources; establishing a Rural Legacy Board to administer the Program; providing
for the membership of the Board; providing that the Program is established to
enhance natural resources, agricultural, forestry, and environmental protection by
providing funds for the purchase of certain interests in real property; providing for
the funding of the Program; specifying criteria that the Board will apply in
administering the Program; providing for the approval of certain of the Board's
actions by the Board of Public Works; requiring that the Board and an approved
sponsor in the Program shall execute a certain grant agreement; providing for an
advisory committee to the Board to make recommendations for rural legacy
designations; requiring the Board to report annually to the Governor and the General
Assembly; requiring the Governor to include in the annual capital budget a certain
minimum amount; declaring the intent of the General Assembly; authorizing the
Governor to transfer certain funds by budget amendment; providing for the
composition of the advisory committee; specifying the amount of Program Open
Space funds that may be used for capital purposes; defining certain terms; and

- 4321 -