ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 209

Article 25 - County Commissioners

3D.

(a) (3) (I) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY ANTICOMPETITIVE EFFECT, THE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY MAY GRANT ONE OR MORE
FRANCHISES A FRANCHISE FOR A FERRY COMPANY TO OPERATE FROM BETWEEN
SOMERSET COUNTY AND REEDVILLE, VIRGINIA ON A NONEXCLUSIVE AN EXCLUSIVE
BASIS.

(II)     BEFORE GRANTING A FRANCHISE FOR TO A FERRY COMPANY,
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY SHALL REVIEW THE
PROPOSED BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR OF THE FERRY COMPANY.

(III)    1. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY
MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH.

2. REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH
SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH ANY REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSION THAT RELATE TO FERRY COMPANIES.

(IV)    1. A FERRY COMPANY THAT IS GRANTED A FRANCHISE
UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH HAS UP TO 18 MONTHS TO EXERCISE THE FRANCHISE.

2. IF THE FERRY COMPANY HAS NOT EXERCISED THE
FRANCHISE AFTER 18 MONTHS FROM THE DATE IT WAS GRANTED, THE FRANCHISE
SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.

(IV) (V) A FERRY COMPANY THAT IS GRANTED A FRANCHISE
UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY NOT CONDUCT ANY GAMBLING OR GAMING
ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED UNDER THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE ON ANY FERRY THAT
IT OPERATES UNDER THE FRANCHISE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the granting of a
franchise under this Act may not be construed to prohibit or restrict the operation of
any passenger ferry service between Crisfield and Smith Island or between Crisfield
and Tangier Island that is in existence on the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 2. 3. 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect October July 1, 2003.

Approved May 13, 2003.

CHAPTER 209
(House Bill 42)

AN ACT concerning

Somerset County - Ferry Companies—Franchises
Company - Franchise

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