Ch. 759

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY adding to

Article - State Finance and Procurement

Section 5-7B-01 through 5-7B-08 5-7B-10, inclusive, to be under the new subtitle
"Subtitle 7B. Priority Funding Areas"; and 7-314(o)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1995 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The General Assembly enacted the Economic Growth, Resource

Protection, and Planning Act of 1992 (the 1992 Act) which established the State

Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy (the State Policy); and

WHEREAS, The State Policy provides that "development shall be concentrated

in suitable areas" and that "in rural areas, growth shall be directed to existing population

centers and resource areas shall be protected"; and

WHEREAS, Investment in the revitalization of older neighborhoods, and
encouraging quality growth and development through funding programs, will reduce the
outward pressure for sprawl and leapfrogging; and

WHEREAS, If current patterns of development continue unchanged, Maryland
will lose over 500,000 acres of farms and open spaces, will have abandoned many existing
and historic neighborhoods, and will spend millions of taxpayer dollars building costly
new infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, The 1992 Act is based on the recognition that State spending plays a
significant role in guiding growth and facilitating development; and

WHEREAS, The 1992 Act was an important first step in directing State spending
in a way that furthers the State Policy in that it requires certain projects funded through
State or federal funds to be consistent with the local plans of the jurisdictions in which the
projects are located; and

WHEREAS, County governments have demonstrated a commitment to
implementing the Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act of 1992; and

WHEREAS, Compliance While compliance with the 1992 Act by the counties is a
major step forward in implementing changes to preserve Maryland's farms and open
spaces, revitalize our existing neighborhoods, and using use taxpayer dollars in the cost
efficient and effective manner, the State must also play a significant role in achieving
these goals; and

WHEREAS, Targeted funding by the State of certain projects that serve to foster or
influence growth in those areas most suitable for growth or that meet other statewide
goals will serve to build on and complement the Act and will accelerate the preservation
of our open spaces and existing neighborhoods; and

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