EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0825*
HOUSE BILL 825
L3 3lr2869
CF SB 506
By: Prince George’s County Delegation
Introduced and read first time: February 8, 2023
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 11, 2023
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Town of Forest Heights (Prince George’s County) – Urban Renewal Authority 2
for Blight Clearance 3
PG 410–23 4
FOR the purpose of granting the Town of Forest Heights in Prince George’s County the 5
authority to exercise urban renewal powers in areas zoned for commercial or 6
residential use for blight clearance and redevelopment under Article III, Section 61 7
of the Maryland Constitution; authorizing the municipality to levy certain taxes and 8
issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds to carry out urban renewal powers; 9
and generally relating to urban renewal authority for blight clearance for the Town 10
of Forest Heights in Prince George’s County. 11
BY adding to 12
Chapter 33 – Charter of the Town of Forest Heights 13
Section A1–101 through A1–114 to be under the new heading “Appendix I – Urban 14
Renewal Authority for Blight Clearance” 15
Public Local Laws of Maryland – Compilation of Municipal Charters 16
(2015 Replacement Edition and 2021 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Chapter 33 – Charter of the Town of Forest Heights 20
2 HOUSE BILL 825
APPENDIX I – URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FOR BLIGHT CLEARANCE 1
A1–101. DEFINITIONS. 2
(A) IN THIS APPENDIX THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 3
INDICATED. 4
(B) “BLIGHTED AREA ” MEANS AN AREA OR SIN GLE PROPERTY IN WHIC H 5
THE BUILDING OR BUIL DINGS HAVE DECLINED IN PRODUCTIVITY BY R EASON OF 6
OBSOLESCENCE , DEPRECIATION , OR OTHER CAUSES TO A N EXTENT THAT THEY N O 7
LONGER JUSTIFY FUNDA MENTAL REPAIRS AND A DEQUATE MAINTENANCE . 8
(C) “BONDS” MEANS ANY BONDS (INCLUDING REFUNDING BONDS), NOTES, 9
INTERIM CERTIFICATES , CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS , DEBENTURES , OR 10
OTHER OBLIGATIONS . 11
(D) “FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ” MEANS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR 12
ANY AGENCY OR INSTRU MENTALITY, CORPORATE OR OTHERWI SE, OF THE UNITED 13
STATES OF AMERICA. 14
(E) “MUNICIPALITY” MEANS THE TOWN OF FOREST HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. 15
(F) “PERSON” MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL , FIRM, PARTNERSHIP , 16
CORPORATION , COMPANY, ASSOCIATION, JOINT STOCK ASSOCIAT ION, OR BODY 17
POLITIC. IT INCLUDES ANY TRUST EE, RECEIVER, ASSIGNEE, OR OTHER PERSON 18
ACTING IN SIMILAR RE PRESENTATIVE CAPACIT Y. 19
(G) “URBAN RENEWAL AREA ” MEANS A BLIGHTED ARE A WHICH THE 20
MUNICIPALITY DESIGNA TES AS APPROPRIATE F OR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT. 21
(H) “URBAN RENEWAL PLAN ” MEANS A PLAN , AS IT EXISTS FROM TI ME TO 22
TIME, FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT. THE PLAN SHALL BE SUF FICIENTLY 23
COMPLETE TO INDICATE ANY LAND ACQUISITION , DEMOLITION, AND REMOVAL OF 24
STRUCTURES , REDEVELOPMENT , IMPROVEMENTS , AND REHABILITATION A S MAY BE 25
PROPOSED TO BE CARRI ED OUT IN THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA , ZONING AND 26
PLANNING CHANGES , IF ANY, LAND USES, MAXIMUM D ENSITY, AND BUILDING 27
REQUIREMENTS . 28
(I) “URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT ” MEANS UNDERTAKINGS A ND ACTIVITIES 29
OF A MUNICIPALITY IN AN URBAN RENEWAL ARE A FOR THE ELIMINATIO N AND FOR 30
THE PREVENTION OF TH E DEVELOPMENT OR SPR EAD OF BLIGHT, AND MAY INVOLVE 31
CLEARANCE AND R EDEVELOPMENT IN AN U RBAN RENEWAL AREA , OR 32
REHABILITATION OR CO NSERVATION IN AN URB AN RENEWAL AREA , OR ANY 33 HOUSE BILL 825 3
COMBINATION OR PART OF THEM IN ACCORDANC E WITH AN URBAN RENE WAL PLAN. 1
THESE UNDERTAKINGS AN D ACTIVITIES MAY INC LUDE: 2
(1) ACQUISITION OF A BLIG HTED AREA OR PORTION OF T HE 3
BLIGHTED AREA ; 4
(2) DEMOLITION AND REMOVA L OF BUILDINGS AND I MPROVEMENTS ; 5
(3) INSTALLATION , CONSTRUCTION OR RECO NSTRUCTION OF 6
STREETS, UTILITIES, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS , AND OTHER IMPROVEMEN TS 7
NECESSARY FOR CARRYI NG OUT THE URBAN RENEWAL OBJECTIVES O F THIS 8
APPENDIX IN ACCORDAN CE WITH THE URBAN RE NEWAL PLAN; 9
(4) DISPOSITION OF ANY PR OPERTY ACQUIRED IN T HE URBAN 10
RENEWAL AREA , INCLUDING SALE , INITIAL LEASING , OR RETENTION BY THE 11
MUNICIPALITY ITSELF , AT ITS FAIR VALUE FO R USES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 12
URBAN RENEWAL PLAN ; 13
(5) CARRYING OUT PLANS FO R A PROGRAM OF VOLUN TARY OR 14
COMPULSORY REPAIR AN D REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER 15
IMPROVEMENTS IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THE URBA N RENEWAL PLAN ; 16
(6) ACQUISITION OF ANY OT HER REAL PROPERTY IN THE URBAN 17
RENEWAL AREA WHERE N ECESSARY TO ELIMINAT E UNHEALTHFUL , UNSANITARY, 18
OR UNSAFE CONDITIONS , LESSEN DENSITY , ELIMINATE OBSOLETE O R OTHER USES 19
DETRIMENTAL TO THE P UBLIC WELFARE , OR OTHERWISE TO REMO VE OR PREVENT 20
THE SPREAD OF BLIGHT OR DETERIORATIO N, OR TO PROVIDE LAND F OR NEEDED 21
PUBLIC FACILITIES ; AND 22
(7) THE PRESERVATION , IMPROVEMENT , OR EMBELLISHMENT OF 23
HISTORIC STRUCTURES OR MONUMENTS . 24
A1–102. POWERS. 25
(A) THE MUNICIPALITY MAY UNDERTAKE AND CARRY OUT URBAN RENEWAL 26
PROJECTS IN AREAS OF THE MUNICIPALITY THAT ARE ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL OR 27
RESIDENTIAL USE. 28
(B) THESE PROJECTS SHALL BE LIMITED: 29
(1) TO BLIGHT CLEARANCE I N BLIGHTED AREAS AND 30
REDEVELOPMENT OR THE REHABILITATION OF BL IGHTED AREAS ; 31
4 HOUSE BILL 825
(2) TO ACQUIRE IN CONNECT ION WITH THOSE PROJE CTS, WITHIN 1
THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY , LAND AND PROPERTY OF EVERY 2
KIND AND ANY RIGHT , INTEREST, FRANCHISE, EASEMENT, OR PRIVILEGE , 3
INCLUDING LAND OR PR OPERTY AND ANY RIGHT OR INTEREST ALREADY DEVOTED 4
TO PUBLIC USE, BY PURCHASE, LEASE, GIFT, CONDEMNATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL 5
MEANS; AND 6
(3) TO SELL, LEASE, CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF 7
ANY OF THE LAND OR P ROPERTY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R OR NOT IT HAS BEEN 8
DEVELOPED , REDEVELOPED , ALTERED, OR IMPROVED AND IRRE SPECTIVE OF THE 9
MANNER OR M EANS IN OR BY WHICH IT MAY HAVE BEEN ACQ UIRED, TO ANY PRIVATE, 10
PUBLIC, OR QUASI–PUBLIC CORPORATION , PARTNERSHIP , ASSOCIATION, PERSON, 11
OR OTHER LEGAL ENTIT Y. 12
(C) LAND OR PROPERTY TAKE N BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y FOR ANY OF THESE 13
PURPOSES OR IN CONNE CTION WITH TH E EXERCISE OF ANY OF THE POWERS WHICH 14
ARE GRANTED BY THIS APPENDIX TO THE MUNI CIPALITY BY EXERCISI NG THE 15
POWER OF EMINENT DOM AIN MAY NOT BE TAKEN WITHOUT JUST COMPENS ATION, 16
AS AGREED ON BETWEEN THE PARTIES, OR AWARDED BY A JURY , BEING FIRST PAID 17
OR TENDERE D TO THE PARTY ENTIT LED TO THE COMPENSAT ION. 18
(D) ALL LAND OR PROPERTY NEEDED OR TAKEN BY T HE EXERCISE OF THE 19
POWER OF EMINENT DOM AIN BY THE MUNICIPAL ITY FOR ANY OF THESE PURPOSES 20
OR IN CONNECTION WIT H THE EXERCISE OF AN Y OF THE POWERS GRAN TED BY THIS 21
APPENDIX IS DECLARED TO BE NEEDED OR TAKEN F OR PUBLIC USES AND 22
PURPOSES. 23
(E) ANY OR ALL OF THE ACT IVITIES AUTHORIZED P URSUANT TO THIS 24
APPENDIX CONSTITUTE GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIO NS UNDERTAKEN FOR PU BLIC 25
USES AND PURPOSES AN D THE POWER OF TAXAT ION MAY BE EXERCISED, PUBLIC 26
FUNDS EXPENDED , AND PUBLIC CREDIT EX TENDED IN FURTHERANC E OF THEM. 27
A1–103. ADDITIONAL POWERS . 28
THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE FOLLOWING ADDITI ONAL POWERS . THESE 29
POWERS ARE DECLARED TO BE NECESSARY AND PROPER TO CARRY INTO FULL 30
FORCE AND EFFEC T THE SPECIFIC POWER S GRANTED IN THIS AP PENDIX AND TO 31
FULLY ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES AND OBJECTS CONTEMPLATED BY THE 32
PROVISIONS OF THIS S ECTION: 33
(1) TO MAKE OR HAVE MADE ALL SURVEYS AND PLAN S NECESSARY TO 34
THE CARRYING OUT OF THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX AND TO ADOP T OR 35
APPROVE, MODIFY, AND AMEND THOSE PLAN S. THESE PLANS MAY INCLU DE, BUT 36
ARE NOT LIMITED TO : 37 HOUSE BILL 825 5
(I) PLANS FOR CARRYING OU T A PROGRAM OF VOLUNTARY OR 1
COMPULSORY REPAIR AN D REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS AND IMPROV EMENTS; 2
(II) PLANS FOR THE ENFORCE MENT OF CODES AND 3
REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE USE OF LAND A ND THE USE AND OCCUP ANCY OF 4
BUILDINGS AND IMPROV EMENTS AND TO THE CO MPULSORY REPAIR , 5
REHABILITATION , DEMOLITION, OR REMOVAL OF BUILDI NGS AND IMPROVEMENTS ; 6
AND 7
(III) APPRAISALS, TITLE SEARCHES , SURVEYS, STUDIES, AND 8
OTHER PLANS AND WORK NECESSARY TO PREPARE FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF 9
URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC TS AND RELATED ACTIV ITIES, AND TO APPL Y FOR, 10
ACCEPT, AND UTILIZE GRANTS O F FUNDS FROM THE FED ERAL GOVERNMENT OR A NY 11
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL E NTITY FOR THOSE PURP OSES; 12
(2) TO PREPARE PLANS FOR THE RELOCATION OF PE RSONS 13
(INCLUDING FAMILIES , BUSINESS CONCERNS , AND OTHERS ) DISPLACED FROM AN 14
URBAN RE NEWAL AREA , AND TO MAKE RELOCATI ON PAYMENTS TO OR WI TH 15
RESPECT TO THOSE PER SONS FOR MOVING EXPE NSES AND LOSSES OF P ROPERTY 16
FOR WHICH REIMBURSEM ENT OR COMPENSATION IS NOT OTHERWISE MAD E, 17
INCLUDING THE MAKING OF PAYMENTS FINANCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVER NMENT; 18
(3) TO APPROPRIATE WHATEV ER FUNDS AND MAKE WH ATEVER 19
EXPENDITURES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARR Y OUT THE PURPOSES O F THIS 20
APPENDIX, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED : 21
(I) TO THE PAYMENT OF ANY AND ALL COSTS AND EX PENSES 22
INCURRED IN CONNECTI ON WITH, OR INCIDENT AL TO, THE ACQUISITION OF L AND 23
OR PROPERTY , AND FOR THE DEMOLITI ON, REMOVAL, RELOCATION , RENOVATION , 24
OR ALTERATION OF LAN D, BUILDINGS, STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, UTILITIES, OR 25
SERVICES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES OR IMPROVEMENTS , AND FOR THE 26
CONSTRUCTION , RECONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, RELOCATION, OR REPAIR OF 27
STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, UTILITIES, OR SERVICES, IN CONNECTION WITH 28
URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC TS; 29
(II) TO LEVY TAXES AND ASS ESSMENTS FOR THOSE P URPOSES; 30
(III) TO BORROW MONEY AND T O APPLY FOR AND ACCE PT 31
ADVANCES, LOANS, GRANTS, CONTRIBUTIONS , AND ANY OTHER FORM O F FINANCIAL 32
ASSISTANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THE STATE, COUNTY, OR OTHER 33
PUBLIC BODIES, OR FROM ANY SOURCES , PUBLIC OR PRIVATE , FOR THE PURPOSES 34
OF THIS APPENDIX , AND TO GIVE WHATEVER SECURITY AS MAY BE REQUIR ED FOR 35
THIS FINANCIAL ASSIS TANCE; AND 36 6 HOUSE BILL 825
(IV) TO INVEST ANY URBAN R ENEWAL FUNDS HELD IN RESERVES 1
OR SINKING FUNDS OR ANY OF THESE FUNDS N OT REQUIRED FOR IMME DIATE 2
DISBURSEMENT IN PROP ERTY OR SECURITIES W HICH ARE LEGAL INVES TMENTS FOR 3
OTHER MUNICIPAL FUNDS ; 4
(4) (I) TO HOLD , IMPROVE, CLEAR, OR PREPARE FOR 5
REDEVELOPMENT ANY PR OPERTY ACQUIRED IN C ONNECTION WITH URBAN 6
RENEWAL PROJECTS ; 7
(II) TO MORTGAGE , PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATE , OR OTHERWISE 8
ENCUMBER THAT PROPER TY; AND 9
(III) TO INSURE OR PROVIDE FOR THE I NSURANCE OF THE 10
PROPERTY OR OPERATIO NS OF THE MUNICIPALI TY AGAINST ANY RISKS OR 11
HAZARDS, INCLUDING THE POWER TO PAY PREMIUMS ON A NY INSURANCE ; 12
(5) TO MAKE AND EXECUTE A LL CONTRACTS AND OTH ER 13
INSTRUMENTS NECESSAR Y OR CONVENIENT TO T HE EXERCISE OF ITS POWE RS 14
UNDER THIS APPENDIX , INCLUDING THE POWER TO ENTER INTO AGREEM ENTS WITH 15
OTHER PUBLIC BODIES OR AGENCIES (THESE AGREEMENTS MAY EXTEND OVER ANY 16
PERIOD, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OR RULE OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY ), 17
AND TO INCLUDE IN AN Y CONTRACT FOR FINAN CIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE 18
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT F OR OR WITH RESPECT T O AN URBAN RENEWAL P ROJECT 19
AND RELATED ACTIVITI ES ANY CONDITIONS IM POSED PURSUANT TO FE DERAL LAWS 20
AS THE MUNICIPALITY CONSIDERS REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE ; 21
(6) TO ENTER INTO ANY BUILDING OR PROPERTY IN ANY URBA N 22
RENEWAL AREA IN ORDE R TO MAKE INSPECTION S, SURVEYS, APPRAISALS, 23
SOUNDINGS, OR TEST BORINGS , AND TO OBTAIN AN ORD ER FOR THIS PURPOSE FROM 24
THE CIRCUIT COURT FO R THE COUNTY IN WHIC H THE MUNICIPALITY I S SITUATED IN 25
THE EVENT ENTRY IS DE NIED OR RESISTED ; 26
(7) TO PLAN, REPLAN, INSTALL, CONSTRUCT, RECONSTRUCT , 27
REPAIR, CLOSE, OR VACATE STREETS , ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PUBLIC UTILITIES , 28
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS , AND OTHER PUBLIC IMP ROVEMENTS IN CONNECT ION WITH 29
AN URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT AND TO MAKE EXCEP TIONS FROM BUILDING 30
REGULATIONS ; 31
(8) TO GENERALLY ORGANIZE , COORDINATE , AND DIRECT THE 32
ADMINISTRATION OF TH E PROVISIONS OF THIS APPENDIX AS THEY APP LY TO THE 33
MUNICIPALITY IN ORDE R THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF REMEDYING BLIGHTE D AREAS 34
AND PREVENTING ITS CAUSES WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL ITY MAY BE PROMOTED AND 35
ACHIEVED MOST EFFECT IVELY; AND 36 HOUSE BILL 825 7
(9) TO EXERCISE ALL OR AN Y PART OR COMBINATIO N OF THE 1
POWERS GRANTED IN TH IS APPENDIX. 2
A1–104. ESTABLISHMENT OF URBA N RENEWAL AGENCY . 3
(A) A MUNICIPALITY MAY ITSELF EXERCISE ALL THE POWERS GRANT ED BY 4
THIS APPENDIX , OR MAY, IF ITS LEGISLATIVE B ODY BY ORDINANCE DET ERMINES 5
THE ACTION TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST , ELECT TO HAVE THE PO WERS 6
EXERCISED BY A SEPAR ATE PUBLIC BODY OR A GENCY. 7
(B) IN THE EVENT THE LEG ISLATIVE BODY MAKES THAT DETERMINATION , 8
IT SHALL PROCEED BY ORDINANCE TO ESTABLI SH A PUBLIC BODY OR AGENCY TO 9
UNDERTAKE IN THE MUN ICIPALITY THE ACTIVI TIES AUTHORIZED BY T HIS 10
APPENDIX. 11
(C) THE ORDINANCE SHALL I NCLUDE PROVISIONS ES TABLISHING THE 12
NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLI C BODY OR AGENCY , THE MANNER OF THEIR 13
APPOINTMENT AND REMO VAL, AND THE TERMS OF THE MEMBERS AND THEIR 14
COMPENSATION . 15
(D) THE ORDINANCE MAY INC LUDE WHATEVER ADDITI ONAL PROVISIONS 16
RELATING TO THE ORGA NIZATION OF THE PUBL IC BODY OR AGENCY AS MAY BE 17
NECESSARY. 18
(E) IN THE EVENT THE LEGI SLATIVE BODY ENACTS THIS ORDINANCE , ALL 19
OF THE POWERS BY THI S APPENDIX GRANTED T O THE MUNICIPALITY , FROM THE 20
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TH E ORDINANCE, ARE VESTED IN THE PU BLIC BODY OR AGENCY 21
ESTABLISHED BY THE O RDINANCE. 22
A1–105. POWERS WITHHELD FROM THE AGENCY. 23
THE AGENCY MAY NOT : 24
(1) PASS A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE AN URBAN RE NEWAL PROJECT 25
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS A1–102 AND A1–103 OF THIS APPENDIX ; 26
(2) ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGAT ION BONDS PURSUANT T O SECTION 27
A1–111 OF THIS APPENDIX; OR 28
(3) APPROPRIATE FUNDS OR LEVY TAXES AND ASSES SMENTS 29
PURSUANT TO SECTION A1–103(3) OF THIS APPENDIX . 30
A1–106. INITIATION OF PROJECT . 31 8 HOUSE BILL 825
IN ORDER TO INITIATE AN URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT, THE LEGISLATIVE 1
BODY OF THE MUNICIPA LITY SHALL ADOPT A RESOLUTION WHICH : 2
(1) FINDS THAT ONE OR MOR E BLIGHTED AREAS EXI ST IN THE 3
MUNICIPALITY; 4
(2) LOCATES AND DEFINES T HE BLIGHTED AREA ; AND 5
(3) FINDS THAT THE REHABI LITATION, REDEVELOPMENT , OR A 6
COMBINATION OF THEM , OF THE AREA OR AREAS , IS NECESSARY AND IN THE 7
INTEREST OF THE PUBL IC HEALTH, SAFETY, MORALS, OR WELFARE OF THE 8
RESIDENTS OF THE MUN ICIPALITY. 9
A1–107. PREPARATION AND APPRO VAL OF PLAN FOR URBA N RENEWAL PROJECT . 10
(A) IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX, THE 11
MUNICIPALITY SHAL L HAVE PREPARED AN U RBAN RENEWAL PLAN FO R BLIGHTED 12
AREAS IN THE MUNICIP ALITY AND SHALL APPR OVE THE PLAN FORMALL Y. THE 13
MUNICIPALITY SHALL H OLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT 14
AFTER PUBLIC NOTICE OF IT BY PUBLICATION IN A NEWSPAPER HAVIN G A GENERAL 15
CIRCULATION WITHIN T HE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY . THE NOTICE 16
SHALL DESCRIBE THE T IME, DATE, PLACE, AND PURPOSE OF THE H EARING, SHALL 17
GENERALLY IDENTIFY T HE URBAN RENEWAL ARE A COVERED BY THE PLA N, AND 18
SHALL OUTLINE THE GE NERAL SCOPE OF THE U RBAN RENEWAL PROJECT UNDER 19
CONSIDERATION . FOLLOWING THE HEARING , THE MUNICIPALITY MAY APPROVE AN 20
URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC T AND THE PLAN THERE FOR IF IT FINDS THAT: 21
(1) A FEASIBLE METHOD EXIS TS FOR THE LOCATION OF ANY 22
FAMILIES OR NATURAL PERSONS WHO WILL BE DISPLACED FROM THE URB AN 23
RENEWAL AREA IN DECE NT, SAFE, AND SANITARY DWELLIN G ACCOMMODATIONS 24
WITHIN THEIR MEANS A ND WITHOUT UNDUE HAR DSHIP TO THE FAMILIE S OR 25
NATURAL PERSONS ; 26
(2) THE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N CONFORMS SUBSTANTI ALLY TO THE 27
MASTER PLAN OF THE MUNICIPALITY AS A WH OLE; AND 28
(3) THE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N WILL AFFORD MAXIMU M 29
OPPORTUNITY , CONSISTENT WITH THE SOUND NEEDS OF THE M UNICIPALITY AS A 30
WHOLE, FOR THE REHABILITATI ON OR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN RENEWAL 31
AREA BY PRIVATE ENTE RPRISE. 32
(B) AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN M AY BE MODIFIED AT AN Y TIME. IF 33
MODIFIED AFTER THE L EASE OR SALE OF REAL PROPERTY IN THE URBA N RENEWAL 34 HOUSE BILL 825 9
PROJECT AREA , THE MODIFICATION MAY BE CONDITIONED ON WH ATEVER 1
APPROVAL OF THE OWNE R, LESSEE, OR SUCCESSOR IN INTE REST AS THE 2
MUNICIPAL ITY CONSIDERS ADVISA BLE. IN ANY EVENT, IT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO 3
WHATEVER RIGHTS AT L AW OR IN EQUITY AS A LESSEE OR PURCHASER , OR THE 4
SUCCESSOR OR SUCCESS ORS IN INTEREST , MAY BE ENTITLED TO A SSERT. WHERE 5
THE PROPOSED MODIFIC ATION WILL CHANGE SU BSTANTIALLY THE URBAN 6
RENEWAL PLAN AS APPR OVED PREVIOUSLY BY T HE MUNICIPALITY , THE 7
MODIFICATION SHALL B E APPROVED FORMALLY BY THE MUNICIPALITY , AS IN THE 8
CASE OF AN ORIGINAL PLAN. 9
(C) ON THE APPROVAL BY TH E MUNICIPALITY OF AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN 10
OR OF ANY MODIFICATI ON OF IT, THE PLAN OR MODIFICA TION SHALL BE 11
CONSIDERED TO BE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFEC T FOR THE RESPECTIVE URBAN 12
RENEWAL AREA . THE MUNICIPALITY MAY HAVE THE PLAN OR MOD IFICATION 13
CARRIED OUT IN ACCOR DANCE WITH ITS TERMS . 14
A1–108. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY IN URBAN REN EWAL AREA. 15
(A) THE MUNICIPALITY , BY ORDINANCE , MAY SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE 16
TRANSFER REAL PROPER TY OR ANY INTEREST I N IT ACQUIRED BY IT FOR AN URBAN 17
RENEWAL PROJECT TO A NY PERSON FOR RESIDE NTIAL, RECREATIONAL , 18
COMMERCIAL , INDUSTRIAL, EDUCATIONAL , OR OTHER USES OR FOR PUBLI C USE, OR 19
IT MAY RETAIN THE PR OPERTY OR INTEREST F OR PUBLIC USE , IN ACCORDANCE 20
WITH THE URBAN RENEW AL PLAN AND SUBJECT TO WHATEVER COVENANT S, 21
CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS , INCLUDING COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE 22
LAND, AS IT CONSIDERS NECE SSARY OR DESIRABLE TO ASSIST IN PREVENTING THE 23
DEVELOPMENT OR SPREA D OF FUTURE BLIGHTED AREAS OR TO OTHERWIS E CARRY 24
OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX. THE PURCHASERS OR LES SEES AND THEIR 25
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIG NS SHALL BE OBLIGATE D TO DEVOTE THE REAL PROPERTY 26
ONLY TO THE USES SPE CIFIED IN THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AND MAY BE 27
OBLIGATED TO COMPLY WITH WHATEVER OTHER REQUIREMENTS THE 28
MUNICIPALITY DETERMI NES TO BE IN THE PUB LIC INTEREST, INCLUDING THE 29
OBLIGATION TO BEGIN WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME ANY IMPROVEMENT S ON THE 30
REAL PROPERTY REQUIR ED BY THE URBAN RENE WAL PLAN. THE REAL PROPERTY 31
OR INTEREST MAY NOT BE SOLD, LEASED, OTHERWISE TRANSFERRE D, OR RETAINED 32
AT LESS THAN ITS FAI R VALUE FOR USES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE URBAN 33
RENEWAL PLAN . IN DETERMINING THE FA IR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR USE S 34
IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N, THE MUNICIPALITY SHA LL TAKE 35
INTO ACCOUNT AND GIV E CONSIDERATION TO T HE USES PROVIDED IN THE PLAN, 36
THE RESTRICTIONS ON , AND THE COVENANTS , CONDITIONS, AND OBLIGATIONS 37
ASSUMED BY THE PURCH ASER OR LESSEE OR BY THE MUNICIPALITY RETAINI NG THE 38
PROPERTY, AND THE OBJECTIVES O F THE PLAN FOR THE P REVENTION OF THE 39
RECURRENCE OF BLIGHT ED AREAS. IN ANY INSTRUMENT OR CONVEYANCE TO A 40
PRIVATE PURCHASER OR LESSEE, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY PROVIDE THAT THE 41 10 HOUSE BILL 825
PURCHASE R OR LESSEE MAY NOT SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFE R THE REAL 1
PROPERTY WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSEN T OF THE MUNICIPALIT Y UNTIL 2
THE PURCHASER OR LES SEE HAS COMPLETED TH E CONSTRUCTION OF AN Y OR ALL 3
IMPROVEMENTS WHICH T HE PURCHASER OR LESS EE HAS BEEN OB LIGATED TO 4
CONSTRUCT ON THE PRO PERTY. REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRE D BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y 5
WHICH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE PROVISIONS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN , IS 6
TO BE TRANSFERRED , SHALL BE TRANSFERRED AS RAPIDLY AS FEASIB LE IN THE 7
PUBLIC INTEREST CONS ISTENT WITH TH E CARRYING OUT OF TH E PROVISIONS OF 8
THE URBAN RENEWAL PL AN. ANY CONTRACT FOR THE TRANSFER AND THE URB AN 9
RENEWAL PLAN (OR ANY PART OR PARTS OF THE CONTRACT OR P LAN AS THE 10
MUNICIPALITY DETERMI NES) MAY BE RECORDED IN T HE LAND RECORDS OF T HE 11
COUNTY IN WHICH TH E MUNICIPALITY IS SI TUATED IN A MANNER S O AS TO AFFORD 12
ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTI VE NOTICE OF IT. 13
(B) THE MUNICIPALITY , BY ORDINANCE , MAY DISPOSE OF REAL PROPERTY 14
IN AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA TO PRIVATE PERS ONS. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY , BY 15
PUBLIC NOTICE BY PUB LICATION IN A NEWSPAPER HAV ING A GENERAL 16
CIRCULATION IN THE C OMMUNITY, INVITE PROPOSALS FRO M AND MAKE AVAILABLE 17
ALL PERTINENT INFORM ATION TO PRIVATE RED EVELOPERS OR ANY PER SONS 18
INTERESTED IN UNDERT AKING TO REDEVELOP O R REHABILITATE AN UR BAN 19
RENEWAL AREA , OR ANY PART THEREOF . THE NOTICE SHALL IDEN TIFY THE AREA, 20
OR PORTION THEREOF , AND SHALL STATE THAT PROPOSALS SHALL BE M ADE BY 21
THOSE INTERESTED WIT HIN A SPECIFIED PERI OD. THE MUNICIPALITY SHAL L 22
CONSIDER ALL REDEVEL OPMENT OR REHABILITA TION PROPOSALS AND T HE 23
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ABILITY OF THE PERSONS MAKING P ROPOSALS TO CARRY 24
THEM OUT, AND MAY NEGOTIATE WI TH ANY PERSONS FOR P ROPOSALS FOR THE 25
PURCHASE, LEASE, OR OTHER TRANSFER OF ANY REAL PROPERTY AC QUIRED BY 26
THE MUNICIPALITY IN THE URBAN RENEWAL AR EA. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ACCEPT 27
ANY PROPOSAL AS IT D EEMS TO BE IN THE PU BLIC INTEREST AND IN FURTHERANCE 28
OF THE PURPOSES OF T HIS APPENDIX. THEREAFTER , THE MUNICIPALITY MAY 29
EXECUTE AND DELIVER CONTRACTS, DEEDS, LEASES, AND OTHER INSTRUMENT S 30
AND TAKE ALL STEPS N ECESSARY TO EFFEC TUATE THE TRANSFERS . 31
(C) THE MUNICIPALITY MAY OPERATE TEMPORARILY AND MAINTAIN REAL 32
PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY IT IN AN URBAN RENEW AL AREA FOR OR IN CO NNECTION 33
WITH AN URBAN RENEWA L PROJECT PENDING TH E DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY 34
AS AUTHORIZED IN THI S APPENDIX, WITHOUT REGARD TO TH E PROVISIONS OF 35
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION , FOR USES AND PURPOSE S CONSIDERED 36
DESIRABLE EVEN THOUG H NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE URBAN RENEW AL PLAN. 37
(D) ANY INSTRUMENT EXECUT ED BY THE MUNICIPALI TY AND PURPORTING 38
TO CONVEY ANY RIGHT , TITLE, OR INTEREST IN ANY P ROPERTY UNDER THIS 39
APPENDIX SHALL BE PR ESUMED CONCLUSIVELY TO HAVE BEEN EXECUTE D IN 40
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS A PPENDIX INSOFAR AS T ITLE OR 41 HOUSE BILL 825 11
OTHER INTEREST OF AN Y BONA FIDE PURCHASE RS, LESSEES, OR TRANSFEREES OF 1
THE PROPERTY IS CONCERNE D. 2
A1–109. EMINENT DOMAIN . 3
CONDEMNATION OF LAND OR PROPERTY UNDER TH E PROVISIONS OF THIS 4
APPENDIX SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE PROVIDED I N THE 5
REAL PROPERTY ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND. 6
A1–110. ENCOURAGEME NT OF PRIVATE ENTERP RISE. 7
THE MUNICIPALITY , TO THE EXTENT IT DET ERMINES TO BE FEASIB LE IN 8
CARRYING OUT THE PRO VISIONS OF THIS APPE NDIX, SHALL AFFORD MAXIMUM 9
OPPORTUNITY TO THE R EHABILITATION OR RED EVELOPMENT OF ANY UR BAN 10
RENEWAL AREA BY PRIV ATE ENTERPRIS E CONSISTENT WITH TH E SOUND NEEDS OF 11
THE MUNICIPALITY AS A WHOLE. THE MUNICIPALITY SHAL L GIVE CONSIDERATION 12
TO THIS OBJECTIVE IN EXERCISING ITS POWER S UNDER THIS APPENDI X. 13
A1–111. GENERAL OBLIGATION BO NDS. 14
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FI NANCING AND CARRYING OUT AN URBAN RENEWAL 15
PROJECT AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ISSUE AND SELL ITS 16
GENERAL OBLIGATION B ONDS. ANY BONDS ISSUED BY T HE MUNICIPALITY 17
PURSUANT TO THIS SEC TION SHALL BE ISSUED IN THE MANNER AND WI THIN THE 18
LIMITATIONS PRESCRIB ED BY APPLICAB LE LAW FOR THE ISSUA NCE AND 19
AUTHORIZATION OF GEN ERAL OBLIGATION BOND S BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y, AND 20
ALSO WITHIN LIMITATI ONS DETERMINED BY TH E MUNICIPALITY. 21
A1–112. REVENUE BONDS . 22
(A) IN ADDITION TO THE AU THORITY CONFERRED BY SECTION A1–111 OF 23
THIS APPENDIX, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ISSUE REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE THE 24
UNDERTAKING OF ANY U RBAN RENEWAL PROJECT AND RELATED ACTIVITI ES. ALSO, 25
IT MAY ISSUE REFUNDI NG BONDS FOR THE PAY MENT OR RETIREMENT O F THE 26
BONDS ISSUED PREVIOU SLY BY IT. THE BONDS SHALL BE MA DE PAYABLE, AS TO 27
BOTH PRINCIPAL AND I NTEREST, SOLELY FROM THE INCO ME, PROCEEDS, 28
REVENUES, AND FUNDS OF THE MUN ICIPALITY DERIVED FR OM OR HELD IN 29
CONNECTION WITH THE UNDERTAKING AND CARR YING OUT OF URBAN RE NEWAL 30
PROJECTS UNDER THIS APPENDIX. HOWEVER, PAYMENT OF THE BO NDS, BOTH AS 31
TO PRINCIPAL AND INT EREST, MAY BE FURTHER SECUR ED BY A PLEDGE OF AN Y 32
LOAN, GRANT, OR CONTRIBUTION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT OR OTHER 33
SOURCE, IN AID OF ANY URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY UND ER 34
THIS APPENDIX, AND BY A MORTGAGE OF ANY URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT, OR ANY 35
PART OF A PROJECT , TITLE TO WHICH IS IN THE MUNICIPALITY . IN ADDITION, THE 36 12 HOUSE BILL 825
MUNICIPALITY MAY ENT ER INTO AN INDENTURE OF TRUST WITH ANY PR IVATE 1
BANKING INSTITUTION OF THIS STATE HAVING TRUST PO WERS AND MAY MAKE IN 2
THE INDENTU RE OF TRUST COVENANT S AND COMMITMENTS RE QUIRED BY ANY 3
PURCHASER FOR THE AD EQUATE SECURITY OF T HE BONDS. 4
(B) BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH IS SECTION DO NOT CO NSTITUTE AN 5
INDEBTEDNESS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ANY C ONSTITUTIONAL OR STA TUTORY 6
DEBT LIMITATION OR R ESTRICTION, ARE NOT SUBJECT TO T HE PROVISIONS OF ANY 7
OTHER LAW OR CHARTER RELATING TO THE AUTH ORIZATION, ISSUANCE, OR SALE 8
OF BONDS , AND ARE EXEMPTED SPE CIFICALLY FROM THE R ESTRICTIONS 9
CONTAINED IN §§ 19–205 AND 19–206 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF 10
THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND. BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH E PROVISIONS OF 11
THIS APPENDIX ARE DE CLARED TO BE ISSUED FOR AN ESSENTIAL PUB LIC AND 12
GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE AND, TOGETHER WITH INTERE ST ON THEM AND INCOM E 13
FROM THEM, ARE EXEMPT FROM ALL TAXES. 14
(C) BONDS ISSUED UN DER THIS SECTION SHA LL BE AUTHORIZED BY 15
RESOLUTION OR ORDINA NCE OF THE LEGISLATI VE BODY OF THE MUNIC IPALITY. 16
THEY MAY BE ISSUED IN ONE OR MORE SERIES A ND SHALL: 17
(1) BEAR A DATE OR DATES ; 18
(2) MATURE AT A TIME OR T IMES; 19
(3) BEAR INTEREST AT A RA TE OR RATES; 20
(4) BE IN A DENOMINATION OR DENOMINATIONS ; 21
(5) BE IN A FORM EITHER W ITH OR WITHOUT COUPO N OR 22
REGISTERED; 23
(6) CARRY A CONVERSION OR REGISTRATION PRIVILE GE; 24
(7) HAVE A RANK OR PRIORI TY; 25
(8) BE EXECUTED IN A MANN ER; 26
(9) BE PAYABLE IN A MEDIUM OF PAYME NT, AT A PLACE OR PLACES , 27
AND BE SUBJECT TO TE RMS OF REDEMPTION (WITH OR WITHOUT PREM IUM); 28
(10) BE SECURED IN A MANNE R; AND 29
(11) HAVE OTHER CHARACTERI STICS, AS ARE PROVIDED BY T HE 30
RESOLUTION, TRUST INDENTURE , OR MORTGAGE ISSUED P URSUANT TO IT. 31 HOUSE BILL 825 13
(D) THESE BONDS MAY NOT B E SOLD AT LESS THAN PAR VALUE AT PUBLIC 1
SALES WHICH ARE HELD AFTER NOTICE IS PUBL ISHED PRIOR TO THE S ALE IN A 2
NEWSPAPER HAVING A G ENERAL CIRCULATION I N THE AREA IN WHICH THE 3
MUNICIPALITY IS LOCA TED AND IN WHATEVER OTHER MEDIUM OF PUBLI CATION AS 4
THE MUNICIPALITY MAY DETERMINE. THE BONDS MAY BE EXCH ANGED ALSO FOR 5
OTHER BONDS ON THE B ASIS OF PAR. HOWEVER, THE BONDS MAY NOT BE SOLD TO 6
THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT AT PRIVATE SALE A T LESS THAN PAR , AND, IN THE 7
EVENT LESS THAN AL L OF THE AUTHORIZED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS IS 8
SOLD TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THE BALANCE MAY NOT BE SOLD AT PRIVATE 9
SALE AT LESS THAN PA R AT AN INTEREST COS T TO THE MUNICIPALIT Y WHICH DOES 10
NOT EXCEED THE INTER EST COST TO THE MUNI CIPALITY OF THE POR TION OF THE 11
BONDS SOLD TO THE FE DERAL GOVERNMENT . 12
(E) IN CASE ANY OF THE PU BLIC OFFICIALS OF TH E MUNICIPALITY WHOSE 13
SIGNATURES APPEAR ON ANY BONDS OR COUPONS ISSUED UNDER THIS AP PENDIX 14
CEASE TO BE OFFICIAL S OF THE MUNICIPALIT Y BEFORE THE DELIVER Y OF THE 15
BONDS OR IN THE EVEN T ANY OF THE OFFICIA LS HAVE BECOME SUCH AFTER THE 16
DATE OF ISSUE OF THE M, THE BONDS ARE VALID AND BINDING OBLIGATI ONS OF THE 17
MUNICIPALITY IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THEIR TE RMS. ANY PROVISION OF ANY LAW 18
TO THE CONTRARY NOTW ITHSTANDING, ANY BONDS ISSUED PURSUANT TO T HIS 19
APPENDIX ARE FULLY N EGOTIABLE. 20
(F) IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING INVOLV ING THE VALIDITY OR 21
ENFORCEABILITY OF AN Y BOND ISSUED UNDER THIS APPENDIX, OR THE SECURITY 22
FOR IT, ANY BOND WHICH RECIT ES IN SUBSTANCE THAT IT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE 23
MUNICIPALITY IN CONN ECTION WITH AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT SHAL L BE 24
CONSIDERED CONCLUSIV ELY TO HAVE BEEN ISS UED FOR THAT PURPOSE , AND THE 25
PROJECT SHALL BE CON SIDERED CONCLUSIVELY TO HAVE BEEN PLANNED , 26
LOCATED, AND CARRIED OUT IN A CCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS 27
APPENDIX. 28
(G) ALL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES , BANKERS, SAVINGS BANKS , AND 29
INSTITUTIONS, BUILDING AND LOAN AS SOCIATIONS, SAVINGS AND LOAN 30
ASSOCIATIONS, INVESTMENT COMPANIES , AND OTHER PERSONS CA RRYING ON A 31
BANKING OR INVESTMEN T BUSINESS; ALL INSURANCE COMPAN IES, INSURANCE 32
ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHER PERSONS CA RRYING ON AN INSURAN CE BUSINESS; AND 33
ALL EXECUTORS , ADMINISTRATORS , CURATORS, TRUSTEES, AND OTHER 34
FIDUCIARIES, MAY LEGALLY INVEST A NY SINKING FUNDS , MONEYS, OR OTHER 35
FUNDS BELONGING TO THEM OR WITHIN THEIR CONTROL IN ANY BONDS OR OTHER 36
OBLIGATIONS ISSUED B Y THE MUNICIPALITY P URSUANT TO THIS APPE NDIX. 37
HOWEVER, THE BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE SECURED BY AN 38
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E ISSUER AND THE FED ERAL GOVERNMENT IN W HICH THE 39
ISSUER AGREES TO BORROW FRO M THE FEDERAL GOVERN MENT AND THE FEDERAL 40 14 HOUSE BILL 825
GOVERNMENT AGREES TO LEND TO THE ISSUER , PRIOR TO THE MATURIT Y OF THE 1
BONDS OR OTHER OBLIG ATIONS, MONEYS IN AN AMOUNT WHICH (TOGETHER WITH 2
ANY OTHER MONEYS COM MITTED IRREVOCABLY T O THE PAYMENT O F PRINCIPAL 3
AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS OR OTHER OBLIG ATIONS) WILL SUFFICE TO PAY THE 4
PRINCIPAL OF THE BON DS OR OTHER OBLIGATI ONS WITH INTEREST TO MATURITY 5
ON THEM. THE MONEYS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEME NT SHALL BE 6
REQUIRED TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF P AYING THE PRINCIPAL OF AND THE 7
INTEREST ON THE BOND S OR OTHER OBLIGATIO NS AT THEIR MATURITY . THE BONDS 8
AND OTHER OBLIGATION S SHALL BE AUTHORIZE D SECURITY FOR ALL P UBLIC 9
DEPOSITS. THIS SECTION AUTHORIZ ES ANY PERSONS OR PU BLIC OR PRIVATE 10
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIO NS AND OFFICERS TO U SE ANY FUNDS OWNED O R 11
CONTROLLED BY THEM F OR THE PURCHASE OF A NY BONDS OR OTHER 12
OBLIGATIONS. WITH REGARD TO LEGAL INVESTMENTS , THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE 13
CONSTRUED TO RELIEVE ANY PERSON OF ANY DU TY OF EXERCISING REA SONABLE 14
CARE IN SELECTIN G SECURITIES. 15
A1–113. SHORT TITLE. 16
THIS APPENDIX SHALL B E KNOWN AND MAY BE C ITED AS THE FOREST 17
HEIGHTS URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FOR BLIGHT CLEARANCE ACT. 18
A1–114. AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR REPEAL. 19
THIS APPENDIX, ENACTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 61 OF THE 20
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, MAY BE AMENDED OR RE PEALED ONLY BY THE 21
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND. 22
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 23
October 1, 2023. 24
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.