ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 266

(ii) to augment the efforts of advanced technology centers AND
SIMILAR PROGRAMS that serve agricultural and natural resources based small
businesses in rural areas through community colleges.

(3)     (i) The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund which is not subject
to § 7-302 of this article.

(ii) The Treasurer shall separately hold and the Comptroller shall
account for the Fund.

(iii) The Treasurer may invest moneys in the Fund in the same
manner as other State money may be invested.

(4)     Expenditures from the Fund may only be made:

(i) pursuant to an appropriation approved by the General
Assembly in the annual State budget; or

(ii) by the budget amendment procedure provided for in § 7-209 of
this article, provided that:

1.       the budget amendment and supporting information have
been submitted to the budget committees for their review and comment; and

2.       at least 45 days have elapsed from the time the budget
amendment and supporting information were submitted to the budget committees.

[(d) The Board of Public Works shall designate the Department of Business
and Economic Development as the agency to administer the grant funding under this
section.]

[(e)] (D) The [Department of Business and Economic Development] COUNCIL
shall award grants on the basis of the BINDING recommendations of the Maryland
Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Board.

[(f)] (E) (1) There is a Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural
Development Assistance Board.

(2) The Board shall consist of:

(i) the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary's designee;

(ii) the Secretary of Business and Economic Development or the
Secretary's designee;

(III) THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT OR THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE;

(IV)  THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE OR THE
SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE;

[(iii)] (V) the Secretary of Natural Resources or the Secretary's
designee; and

- 2197 -