ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 5

REVISOR'S NOTE: Subsection (a) of this section is new language added to
reference the exceptions to the express powers of the county commissioners
as provided in Art. 25, § 3(a)(2).

Subsection (b) of this section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 25, § 3(a)(1) and (w).

In subsection (b) of this section, the reference to "money" is substituted for
the former reference to "funds" for consistency with terminology used
throughout this title and this article.

Also in subsection (b) of this section, the reference to a "fire company" is
substituted for the former reference to "fire departments" for consistency
within this title.

The Public Safety Article Review Committee notes, for consideration by the
General Assembly, that of the counties listed as excepted from the scope of
this section, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George's
counties are charter counties and have county councils. Cecil County is a
commission county and is governed by a board of county commissioners.
Queen Anne's and Worcester counties are code home rule counties and
retain boards of county commissioners as their governing bodies.

Defined term: "County" § 1-101
8-302. SAME — DORCHESTER COUNTY.

(A)     SCOPE OF SECTION.

THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO DORCHESTER COUNTY.

(B)     MONEY FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.

(1)      SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF DORCHESTER COUNTY SHALL PAY AT LEAST THE SUM OF
$118,500 EACH YEAR TO THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES IN THE COUNTY FOR
THEIR BENEFIT AS LONG AS THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES ARE ACTIVE,
FIRE-FIGHTING ORGANIZATIONS.

(2)      EACH VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY SHALL USE THE MONEY
RECEIVED TO SUPPORT, MAINTAIN, EQUIP, AND OPERATE THE VOLUNTEER FIRE
COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIGHTING FIRES IN THE COUNTY.

(3)      EACH VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY SHALL COMPLY WITH THE
BYLAWS OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES ASSOCIATION OF DORCHESTER
COUNTY.

(4)      THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY NOT MAKE A PAYMENT TO A
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY UNLESS THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY COMPLIES
WITH THE BYLAWS OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES ASSOCIATION OF
DORCHESTER COUNTY.

(C)     USE OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE.

- 371 -