ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 549

(C) (1) AFTER GIVING REASONABLE NOTICE TO THE OWNER OR PERSON
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLATION OF THE NATURE OF THE VIOLATION AND AFTER
GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MAY RESTRAIN, CORRECT, OR ABATE A VIOLATION OF A DULY
ADOPTED BUILDING CODE, PLUMBING CODE, ELECTRICAL CODE, OR OTHER
CONSTRUCTION CODE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION.

(2)     IF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABATE A VIOLATION OF A DULY
ADOPTED BUILDING CODE, PLUMBING CODE, ELECTRICAL CODE, OR OTHER
CONSTRUCTION CODE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY ASSESS AGAINST THE
PROPERTY THE REASONABLE COSTS OF THE ABATEMENT.

(3)      (I) THE ASSESSMENT SHALL BE:

1.       ADDED TO THE ANNUAL TAX BILL OF THE PROPERTY TO
BE COLLECTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS ORDINARY TAXES ARE COLLECTED; AND

2.       SUBJECT TO THE SAME INTEREST AND PENALTY FOR
NONPAYMENT, AS PROVIDED BY LAW FOR THE NONPAYMENT OF COUNTY TAXES.

(II) THE ASSESSMENT SHALL CONSTITUTE A LIEN AGAINST THE
PROPERTY FROM THE DATE OF ASSESSMENT UNTIL PAID.

(4)      (I) A PROPERTY OWNER AGGRIEVED BY THE ASSESSMENT MAY
PETITION THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR RELIEF.

(II)     WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF A PETITION, THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING TO DETERMINE THE PROPRIETY AND
REASONABLENESS OF THE ASSESSMENT.

(III)   AT THE HEARING, THE PETITIONER SHALL HAVE THE BURDEN
TO SHOW GOOD CAUSE AS TO WHY THE ASSESSMENT SHOULD NOT BE MADE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2004.

Approved May 26, 2004.

CHAPTER 549
(House Bill 1390)

AN ACT concerning

Elections - Voting Equipment or Supplies - Penalties

FOR the purpose of providing that the District Court and the circuit court have
concurrent jurisdiction in certain cases; altering the penalty for the violation of
certain provisions of the State election law relating to voting equipment and
supplies; and generally relating to the penalty for violating certain election laws.

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