ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 447

(f)      The Task Force shall study:

(1)     the concept of small business goodwill, with a particular focus on
small business goodwill, and the appropriateness of developing a method for
determining the value of business goodwill as for purposes of calculating
compensation in condemnation proceedings;

(2)     the feasibility of requiring a displacing public agency to conduct a
study of the impact of condemnation on small business businesses, including small
businesses, in the proposed area where eminent domain condemnation proceedings
will be authorized take place;

(3)     the establishment of appropriateness of establishing a fund, similar
to the fund administered by the Baltimore Development Corporation, to provide
financial assistance for small businesses, including small businesses, impacted by a
condemnation or eminent domain proceeding; and

(4)     the feasibility of shortening the eminent domain condemnation
process to lessen the uncertainty that the process creates for small businesses;

(5)     the appropriateness of making a legislative proposal on business
owner compensation in condemnation proceedings applicable statewide or only in
Baltimore City; and

(6)     the circumstances in which condemnation can be used in the State.

(g)     The Task Force shall:

(1)     report its preliminary findings to the Governor and, subject to §
2-1246 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before January
31, 2005; and

(2)     report its final findings to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of
the State Government Article, the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2005.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October July 1, 2004. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 3 6 months
and, at the end of December 31, 2005, with no further action required by the General
Assembly, this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

Approved May 26, 2004.

CHAPTER 447
(Senate Bill 282)

AN ACT concerning

Mass Transit Services - Cost Recovery - Performance Standards

FOR the purpose of repealing the termination of continuing for a certain length of

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