ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 135

8-1103.

(a) (1) There is an Ocean Beach Replenishment Fund, consisting of moneys
appropriated for that purpose in the State budget or in any bond enabling act and any
money contributed by local jurisdictions in accordance with this section.

(2)     The Fund shall be maintained for the purposes stated in this section,
and unspent portions of any appropriations to the Fund shall remain in the Fund and
may not revert to the General Fund AND ANY PROJECT OR PROGRAM FUNDED UNDER
THIS SUBTITLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF §§ 7-305(D)(3) AND 8-128(C)
OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

(3)     Any interest earned by the State on any funds contributed by local
jurisdictions shall:

(i) Accrue to the Fund; and

(ii) Be applied to reduce the annual maintenance payments of the
local jurisdictions.

5-9A-01.

(b) (1) A Rural Legacy Program is established to enhance natural resource,
agricultural, forestry, and environmental protection as provided in subsection (a) of
this section while maintaining the viability of resource based land usage and proper
management of tillable and wooded areas through accepted agricultural and
silvicultural practices for farm production and timber harvests.

(2) The Program provides funds to the local governments and land trusts
to purchase interests in real property from willing sellers, including easements,
transferable development rights, and fee estates, focused in designated Rural Legacy
Areas.

(3)     The Program shall encourage partnerships among the federal, State,
and local governments, and nonprofit land trust organizations and encourage local
land conservation initiatives.

(4)     The Program is administered by a Rural Legacy Board in the
Department of Natural Resources, an advisory committee, and existing State staff.

(c) (1) The Program is funded:

[(1)](I) Pursuant to § 13-209 of the Tax - Property Article and §

5-903(a)(2)(iii) of this article; and

[(2)] (II) By the proceeds from the sale of general obligation bonds as
provided in § 5-9A-09 of this subtitle.

(2) ANY PROJECT OR PROGRAM UNDER THE RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM IS
NOT SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF §§ 7-305(D)(3) AND 8-128(C) OF THE STATE
FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

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