(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, in kind
contributions, or 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, 2001, 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.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1999.

Approved April 27, 1999.

CHAPTER 272
(House Bill 947)

AN ACT concerning

Fire and Rescue Services - Local Government - Contracting with For-Profit

Entities

FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain counties or municipal corporations from
contracting with certain for-profit entities for fire, emergency medical,
paramedic, or rescue services without the enactment of an ordinance or other
local law; providing for the construction of this Act; and generally relating to the
contracting with for-profit entities for fire, emergency medical, paramedic, or
rescue services.

BY adding to

Article 38A — Fires and Investigations
Section 68

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1997 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: