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.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb0825*
HOUSE BILL 825
L3 (3lr2869)
ENROLLED BILL
— Environment and Transportation/Finance —
Introduced by Prince George’s County Delegation
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at __ ______________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
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 2 HOUSE BILL 825
Section A1–101 through A1–114 to be under the new heading “Appendix I – Urban 1
Renewal Authority for Blight Clearance” 2
Public Local Laws of Maryland – Compilation of Municipal Charters 3
(2015 Replacement Edition and 2021 Supplement) 4
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 5
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 6
Chapter 33 – Charter of the Town of Forest Heights 7
APPENDIX I – URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FOR BLIGHT CLEARANCE 8
A1–101. DEFINITIONS. 9
(A) IN THIS APPENDIX THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 10
INDICATED. 11
(B) “BLIGHTED AREA ” MEANS AN AREA OR SINGLE PROPERTY IN W HICH 12
THE BUILDING OR BUIL DINGS HAVE DECLINED IN PRODUCTIVITY BY R EASON OF 13
OBSOLESCENCE , DEPRECIATION , OR OTHER CAUSES TO A N EXTENT THAT THEY N O 14
LONGER JUSTIFY FUNDA MENTAL REPAIRS AND A DEQUATE MAINTENANCE . 15
(C) “BONDS” MEANS ANY BONDS (INCLUDING REFUNDING BONDS), NOTES, 16
INTERIM CERTIFICATES , CERTIFICATES OF INDE BTEDNESS, DEBENTURES , OR 17
OTHER OBLIGATIONS . 18
(D) “FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ” MEANS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR 19
ANY AGENCY OR INSTRU MENTALITY, CORPORATE OR OTHERWI SE, OF THE UNITED 20
STATES OF AMERICA. 21
(E) “MUNICIPALITY” MEANS THE TOWN OF FOREST HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. 22
(F) “PERSON” MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL , FIRM, PARTNERSHIP , 23
CORPORATION , COMPANY, ASSOCIATION, JOINT STOCK ASSOCIAT ION, OR BODY 24
POLITIC. IT INCLUDES ANY TRUST EE, RECEIVER, ASSIGNEE, OR OTHER PERSON 25
ACTING IN SIMILAR RE PRESENTATIVE CAPACIT Y. 26
(G) “URBAN RENEWAL AREA ” MEANS A BLIGHTED ARE A WHICH THE 27
MUNICIPALITY DESIGNA TES AS APPROPRIATE F OR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT. 28
(H) “URBAN RENEWAL PLAN ” MEANS A PLAN , AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO 29
TIME, FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT. THE PLAN SHALL BE SUF FICIENTLY 30
COMPLETE TO INDICATE ANY LAND ACQUISITION , DEMOLITION, AND REMOVAL OF 31
STRUCTURES , REDEVELOPMENT , IMPROVEMENTS , AND REHABILITATION A S MAY BE 32
PROPOSED TO BE CARRI ED OUT IN THE URBAN RENEWAL AREA , ZONING AND 33 HOUSE BILL 825 3
PLANNING CHANGES , IF ANY, LAND USES, MAXIMUM DENSITY , AND BUILDING 1
REQUIREMENTS . 2
(I) “URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT ” MEANS UNDERTAKINGS A ND ACTIVITIES 3
OF A MUNICIPALITY IN AN URBAN RENEWAL ARE A FOR THE ELIMINATIO N AND FOR 4
THE PREVENTION O F THE DEVELOPMENT OR SPREAD OF BLIGHT , AND MAY INVOLVE 5
CLEARANCE AND REDEVE LOPMENT IN AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA , OR 6
REHABILITATION OR CO NSERVATION IN AN URB AN RENEWAL AREA , OR ANY 7
COMBINATION OR PART OF THEM IN ACCORDANC E WITH AN URBAN RENE WAL PLAN. 8
THESE UNDE RTAKINGS AND ACTIVIT IES MAY INCLUDE : 9
(1) ACQUISITION OF A BLIG HTED AREA OR PORTION OF THE 10
BLIGHTED AREA ; 11
(2) DEMOLITION AND REMOVA L OF BUILDINGS AND I MPROVEMENTS ; 12
(3) INSTALLATION , CONSTRUCTION OR RECO NSTRUCTION OF 13
STREETS, UTILITIES, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS , AND OTHER IMPROVEMEN TS 14
NECESSARY FOR CARRYI NG OUT THE URBAN REN EWAL OBJECTIVES OF T HIS 15
APPENDIX IN ACCORDAN CE WITH THE URBAN RE NEWAL PLAN; 16
(4) DISPOSITION OF ANY PR OPERTY ACQUIRED IN T HE URBAN 17
RENEWAL AREA , INCLUDING SALE , INITIAL LEASING , OR RETENTION BY THE 18
MUNICIPALITY ITSELF , AT ITS FAIR VALUE FO R USES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 19
URBAN RENEWAL PLAN ; 20
(5) CARRYING OUT PLANS FO R A PROGRAM OF VOLUN TARY OR 21
COMPULSORY REPAIR AN D REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER 22
IMPROVEMENTS IN ACCO RDANCE WIT H THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN; 23
(6) ACQUISITION OF ANY OT HER REAL PROPERTY IN THE URBAN 24
RENEWAL AREA WHERE N ECESSARY TO ELIMINAT E UNHEALTHFUL , UNSANITARY, 25
OR UNSAFE CONDITIONS , LESSEN DENSITY , ELIMINATE OBSOLETE O R OTHER USES 26
DETRIMENTAL TO THE P UBLIC WELFARE , OR OTHERWISE TO REMO VE OR PREVENT 27
THE SPREAD OF BLIGHT OR DETERIORATION , OR TO PROVIDE LAND F OR NEEDED 28
PUBLIC FACILITIES ; AND 29
(7) THE PRESERVATION , IMPROVEMENT , OR EMBELLISHMENT OF 30
HISTORIC STRUCTURES OR MONUMENTS . 31
A1–102. POWERS. 32
4 HOUSE BILL 825
(A) THE MUNICIPAL ITY MAY UNDERTAKE AN D CARRY OUT URBAN RE NEWAL 1
PROJECTS IN AREAS OF THE MUNICIPALITY THA T ARE ZONED FOR COMM ERCIAL OR 2
RESIDENTIAL USE. 3
(B) THESE PROJECTS SHALL BE LIMITED: 4
(1) TO BLIGHT CLEARANCE I N BLIGHTED AREAS AND 5
REDEVELOPMENT OR THE REHABILITATION OF BL IGHTED AREAS ; 6
(2) TO ACQUIRE IN CONNECT ION WITH THOSE PROJE CTS, WITHIN 7
THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE MUNICIPALITY , LAND AND PROPERTY OF EVERY 8
KIND AND ANY RIGHT , INTEREST, FRANCHISE, EASEMENT, OR PRIVILEGE , 9
INCLUDING LAND OR PR OPERTY AND ANY RIGHT OR INTE REST ALREADY DEVOTED 10
TO PUBLIC USE, BY PURCHASE, LEASE, GIFT, CONDEMNATION , OR ANY OTHER LEGAL 11
MEANS; AND 12
(3) TO SELL, LEASE, CONVEY, TRANSFER, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF 13
ANY OF THE LAND OR P ROPERTY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R OR NOT IT HAS BEEN 14
DEVELOPED , REDEVELOPED , ALTERED, OR IMPROVED AND IRRE SPECTIVE OF THE 15
MANNER OR MEANS IN O R BY WHICH IT MAY HA VE BEEN ACQUIRED , TO ANY PRIVATE, 16
PUBLIC, OR QUASI–PUBLIC CORPORATION , PARTNERSHIP , ASSOCIATION, PERSON, 17
OR OTHER LEGAL ENTIT Y. 18
(C) LAND OR PROPERTY TAKEN BY TH E MUNICIPALITY FOR A NY OF THESE 19
PURPOSES OR IN CONNE CTION WITH THE EXERC ISE OF ANY OF THE PO WERS WHICH 20
ARE GRANTED BY THIS APPENDIX TO THE MUNI CIPALITY BY EXERCISI NG THE 21
POWER OF EMINENT DOM AIN MAY NOT BE TAKEN WITHOUT JUST COMPENS ATION, 22
AS AGREED ON BETWEEN THE PARTIES, OR AWARDED BY A JURY , BEING FIRST PAID 23
OR TENDERED TO THE P ARTY ENTITLED TO THE COMPENSATION . 24
(D) ALL LAND OR PROPERTY NEEDED OR TAKEN BY T HE EXERCISE OF THE 25
POWER OF EMINENT DOM AIN BY THE MUNICIPAL ITY FOR ANY OF THESE PURPOSES 26
OR IN CONNECTION WIT H THE EXERCISE OF AN Y OF THE POWERS GRAN TED BY THIS 27
APPENDIX IS DECLARED TO BE NEEDED OR TAKE N FOR PUBLIC USES AN D 28
PURPOSES. 29
(E) ANY OR ALL OF THE ACT IVITIES AUTHORIZED P URSUANT TO THIS 30
APPENDIX CONSTITUTE GOVERNMENTAL FUNCT IONS UNDERTAKEN FOR PUBLIC 31
USES AND PURPOSES AN D THE POWER OF TAXAT ION MAY BE EXERCISED , PUBLIC 32
FUNDS EXPENDED , AND PUBLIC CREDIT EX TENDED IN FURTHERANC E OF THEM. 33
A1–103. ADDITIONAL POWERS . 34
HOUSE BILL 825 5
THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE FOLLOWING ADDITI ONAL POWERS . THESE 1
POWERS ARE DECLARED TO BE NECESSARY AND PROPER TO CARRY INTO FULL 2
FORCE AND EFFECT THE SPECIFIC POWERS GRAN TED IN THIS APPENDIX AND TO 3
FULLY ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES AND OBJECTS CONTEMPLATED BY THE 4
PROVISIONS OF THIS S ECTION: 5
(1) TO MAKE OR HAVE MADE ALL SURVEYS AND PLANS NE CESSARY TO 6
THE CARRYING OUT OF THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX AND TO ADOP T OR 7
APPROVE, MODIFY, AND AMEND THOSE PLAN S. THESE PLANS MAY INCLU DE, BUT 8
ARE NOT LIMITED TO : 9
(I) PLANS FOR CARRYING OU T A PROGRAM OF VOLUN TARY OR 10
COMPULSORY REPAIR AND REHABILIT ATION OF BUILDINGS A ND IMPROVEMENTS ; 11
(II) PLANS FOR THE ENFORCE MENT OF CODES AND 12
REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE USE OF LAND A ND THE USE AND OCCUP ANCY OF 13
BUILDINGS AND IMPROV EMENTS AND TO THE CO MPULSORY REPAIR , 14
REHABILITATION , DEMOLITIO N, OR REMOVAL OF BUILDI NGS AND IMPROVEMENTS ; 15
AND 16
(III) APPRAISALS, TITLE SEARCHES , SURVEYS, STUDIES, AND 17
OTHER PLANS AND WORK NECESSARY TO PREPARE FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF 18
URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC TS AND RELATED ACTIV ITIES, AND TO APPLY FOR , 19
ACCEPT, AND UTILIZE GRANTS OF FUNDS F ROM THE FEDERAL GOVE RNMENT OR ANY 20
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL E NTITY FOR THOSE PURP OSES; 21
(2) TO PREPARE PLANS FOR THE RELOCATION OF PE RSONS 22
(INCLUDING FAMILIES , BUSINESS CONCERNS , AND OTHERS ) DISPLACED FROM AN 23
URBAN RENEWAL AREA , AND TO MAKE RELOCATION PAYMENTS TO OR WITH 24
RESPECT TO THOSE PER SONS FOR MOVING EXPE NSES AND LOSSES OF P ROPERTY 25
FOR WHICH REIMBURSEM ENT OR COMPENSATION IS NOT OTHERWISE MAD E, 26
INCLUDING THE MAKING OF PAYMENTS FINANCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVER NMENT; 27
(3) TO APPROPRIATE WHATEVER FUNDS AND M AKE WHATEVER 28
EXPENDITURES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARR Y OUT THE PURPOSES O F THIS 29
APPENDIX, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED : 30
(I) TO THE PAYMENT OF ANY AND ALL COSTS AND EX PENSES 31
INCURRED IN CONNECTI ON WITH, OR INCIDENTAL TO , THE ACQUISITIO N OF LAND 32
OR PROPERTY , AND FOR THE DEMOLITI ON, REMOVAL, RELOCATION , RENOVATION , 33
OR ALTERATION OF LAN D, BUILDINGS, STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, UTILITIES, OR 34
SERVICES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES OR IMPROVEMENTS , AND FOR THE 35
CONSTRUCTION , RECONSTRUCTION , INSTALLATIO N, RELOCATION, OR REPAIR OF 36 6 HOUSE BILL 825
STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, UTILITIES, OR SERVICES, IN CONNECTION WITH 1
URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC TS; 2
(II) TO LEVY TAXES AND ASS ESSMENTS FOR THOSE P URPOSES; 3
(III) TO BORROW MONEY AND T O APPLY FOR AND ACCE PT 4
ADVANCES, LOANS, GRANTS, CONTRIBUTIONS , AND ANY OTHER FORM O F FINANCIAL 5
ASSISTANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THE STATE, COUNTY, OR OTHER 6
PUBLIC BODIES, OR FROM ANY SOURCES , PUBLIC OR PRIVATE , FOR THE PURPOSES 7
OF THIS APPENDIX , AND TO GIVE WHATEVER SECURITY AS MAY BE R EQUIRED FOR 8
THIS FINANCIAL ASSIS TANCE; AND 9
(IV) TO INVEST ANY URBAN R ENEWAL FUNDS HELD IN RESERVES 10
OR SINKING FUNDS OR ANY OF THESE FUNDS N OT REQUIRED FOR IMME DIATE 11
DISBURSEMENT IN PROP ERTY OR SECURITIES W HICH ARE LEGAL INVES TMENTS FOR 12
OTHER MUNICIPAL FUND S; 13
(4) (I) TO HOLD , IMPROVE, CLEAR, OR PREPARE FOR 14
REDEVELOPMENT ANY PR OPERTY ACQUIRED IN C ONNECTION WITH URBAN 15
RENEWAL PROJECTS ; 16
(II) TO MORTGAGE , PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATE , OR OTHERWISE 17
ENCUMBER THAT PROPER TY; AND 18
(III) TO INSURE OR PROVIDE FOR THE INSURANCE OF THE 19
PROPERTY OR OPERATIO NS OF THE MUNICIPALI TY AGAINST ANY RISKS OR 20
HAZARDS, INCLUDING THE POWER TO PAY PREMIUMS ON A NY INSURANCE ; 21
(5) TO MAKE AND EXECUTE A LL CONTRACTS AND OTH ER 22
INSTRUMENTS NECESSAR Y OR CONVENIENT TO T HE EXERCISE OF ITS P OWERS 23
UNDER THIS APPENDIX , INCLUDING THE POWER TO ENTER INTO AGREEM ENTS WITH 24
OTHER PUBLIC BODIES OR AGENCIES (THESE AGREEMENTS MAY EXTEND OVER ANY 25
PERIOD, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OR RULE OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY ), 26
AND TO INCLUDE IN AN Y CONTRACT FOR FINA NCIAL ASSISTANCE WIT H THE 27
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT F OR OR WITH RESPECT T O AN URBAN RENEWAL P ROJECT 28
AND RELATED ACTIVITI ES ANY CONDITIONS IM POSED PURSUANT TO FE DERAL LAWS 29
AS THE MUNICIPALITY CONSIDERS REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE ; 30
(6) TO ENTER INTO ANY BUI LDING OR PROPERTY IN ANY U RBAN 31
RENEWAL AREA IN ORDE R TO MAKE INSPECTION S, SURVEYS, APPRAISALS, 32
SOUNDINGS, OR TEST BORINGS , AND TO OBTAIN AN ORD ER FOR THIS PURPOSE FROM 33
THE CIRCUIT COURT FO R THE COUNTY IN WHIC H THE MUNICIPALITY I S SITUATED IN 34
THE EVENT ENTRY IS D ENIED OR RESISTED ; 35
HOUSE BILL 825 7
(7) TO PLAN, REPLAN, INSTALL, CONSTRUCT, RECONSTRUCT , 1
REPAIR, CLOSE, OR VACATE STREETS , ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PUBLIC UTILITIES , 2
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS , AND OTHER PUBLIC IMP ROVEMENTS IN CONNECT ION WITH 3
AN URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT AND TO MAKE EXC EPTIONS FROM BUILDING 4
REGULATIONS ; 5
(8) TO GENERALLY ORGANIZE , COORDINATE , AND DIRECT THE 6
ADMINISTRATION OF TH E PROVISIONS OF THIS APPENDIX AS THEY APP LY TO THE 7
MUNICIPALITY IN ORDE R THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF REMEDYING BLIGHTE D AREAS 8
AND PREVENTING ITS C AUSES WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL ITY MAY BE PROMOTED AND 9
ACHIEVED MOST EFFECT IVELY; AND 10
(9) TO EXERCISE ALL OR AN Y PART OR COMBINATIO N OF THE 11
POWERS GRANTED IN TH IS APPENDIX. 12
A1–104. ESTABLISHMENT OF URBA N RENEWAL AGENCY . 13
(A) A MUNICIPALITY MAY ITS ELF EXERCISE A LL THE POWERS GRANTE D BY 14
THIS APPENDIX , OR MAY, IF ITS LEGISLATIVE B ODY BY ORDINANCE DET ERMINES 15
THE ACTION TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST , ELECT TO HAVE THE PO WERS 16
EXERCISED BY A SEPAR ATE PUBLIC BODY OR A GENCY. 17
(B) IN THE EVENT THE LEGI SLATIVE BODY MAKES T HAT DETERMINATION , 18
IT SHALL PROCEED BY ORDINANCE TO ESTABLI SH A PUBLIC BODY OR AGENCY TO 19
UNDERTAKE IN THE MUN ICIPALITY THE ACTIVI TIES AUTHORIZED BY T HIS 20
APPENDIX. 21
(C) THE ORDINANCE SHALL I NCLUDE PROVISIONS ES TABLISHING THE 22
NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR AGENCY , THE MANNER OF THEIR 23
APPOINTMENT AND REMO VAL, AND THE TERMS OF THE MEMBERS AND THEIR 24
COMPENSATION . 25
(D) THE ORDINANCE MAY INC LUDE WHATEVER ADDITI ONAL PROVISIONS 26
RELATING TO THE ORGA NIZATION OF THE PUBL IC BODY OR AGENCY AS MAY BE 27
NECESSARY. 28
(E) IN THE EVENT THE LEGI SLATIVE BODY ENACTS THIS ORDINANCE , ALL 29
OF THE POWERS BY THI S APPENDIX GRANTED T O THE MUNICIPALITY , FROM THE 30
EFFECTIVE DATE OF TH E ORDINANCE, ARE VESTED IN THE PU BLIC BODY OR AGENCY 31
ESTABLISHED BY THE O RDINANCE. 32
A1–105. POWERS WITHHELD FROM THE AG ENCY. 33
THE AGENCY MAY NOT : 34 8 HOUSE BILL 825
(1) PASS A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE AN URBAN RE NEWAL PROJECT 1
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS A1–102 AND A1–103 OF THIS APPENDIX ; 2
(2) ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGAT ION BONDS PURSUANT T O SECTION 3
A1–111 OF THIS APPENDIX ; OR 4
(3) APPROPRIATE FUNDS OR LEVY TAXES AND ASSES SMENTS 5
PURSUANT TO SECTION A1–103(3) OF THIS APPENDIX . 6
A1–106. INITIATION OF PROJECT . 7
IN ORDER TO INITIATE AN URBAN RENEWAL PRO JECT, THE LEGISLATIVE 8
BODY OF THE MUNICIPA LITY SHALL ADOPT A R ESOLUTION WHICH : 9
(1) FINDS THAT ONE OR MOR E BLIGHTED AREAS EXI ST IN THE 10
MUNICIPALITY; 11
(2) LOCATES AND DEFINES T HE BLIGHTED AREA ; AND 12
(3) FINDS THAT THE REHABI LITATION, REDEVELOPMENT , OR A 13
COMBINATION OF THEM , OF THE AREA OR AREAS , IS NECESSARY AND IN THE 14
INTEREST O F THE PUBLIC HEALTH , SAFETY, MORALS, OR WELFARE OF THE 15
RESIDENTS OF THE MUN ICIPALITY. 16
A1–107. PREPARATION AND APPRO VAL OF PLAN FOR URBA N RENEWAL PROJECT . 17
(A) IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX, THE 18
MUNICIPALITY SHALL H AVE PREPARED AN UR BAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR BLIGHTED 19
AREAS IN THE MUNICIP ALITY AND SHALL APPR OVE THE PLAN FORMALL Y. THE 20
MUNICIPALITY SHALL H OLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT 21
AFTER PUBLIC NOTICE OF IT BY PUBLICATION IN A NEWSPAPER HAVIN G A GENERAL 22
CIRCULATION WITHI N THE CORPORATE LIMI TS OF THE MUNICIPALI TY. THE NOTICE 23
SHALL DESCRIBE THE T IME, DATE, PLACE, AND PURPOSE OF THE H EARING, SHALL 24
GENERALLY IDENTIFY T HE URBAN RENEWAL ARE A COVERED BY THE PLA N, AND 25
SHALL OUTLINE THE GE NERAL SCOPE OF THE U RBAN RENEWAL PROJECT UNDER 26
CONSIDERATION . FOLLOWING THE HEARING , THE MUNICIPALITY MAY APPROVE AN 27
URBAN RENEWAL PROJEC T AND THE PLAN THERE FOR IF IT FINDS THAT: 28
(1) A FEASIBLE METHOD EXIS TS FOR THE LOCATION OF ANY 29
FAMILIES OR NATURAL PERSONS WHO WILL BE DISPLACED FROM THE U RBAN 30
RENEWAL AREA IN DECE NT, SAFE, AND SANITARY DWELLIN G ACCOMMODATIONS 31
WITHIN THEIR MEANS A ND WITHOUT UNDUE HAR DSHIP TO THE FAMILIE S OR 32
NATURAL PERSONS ; 33 HOUSE BILL 825 9
(2) THE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N CONFORMS SUBSTANTI ALLY TO THE 1
MASTER PLAN OF THE M UNICIPALITY AS A WHO LE; AND 2
(3) THE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N WILL AFFORD MAXIMU M 3
OPPORTUNITY , CONSISTENT WITH THE SOUND NEEDS OF THE M UNICIPALITY AS A 4
WHOLE, FOR THE REHABILITATI ON OR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN RENEWAL 5
AREA BY PRIVATE ENTE RPRISE. 6
(B) AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN MAY BE MODIFIED AT ANY TIME . IF 7
MODIFIED AFTER THE L EASE OR SALE OF REAL PROPERTY IN THE URBA N RENEWAL 8
PROJECT AREA , THE MODIFICATION MAY BE CONDITIONED ON WH ATEVER 9
APPROVAL OF THE OWNE R, LESSEE, OR SUCCESSOR IN INTE REST AS THE 10
MUNICIPALITY CONSIDE RS ADVISABLE. IN ANY EVENT, IT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO 11
WHATEVER RIGHTS AT L AW OR IN EQUITY AS A LESSEE OR PURCHASER , OR THE 12
SUCCESSOR OR SUCCESS ORS IN INTEREST , MAY BE ENTITLED TO A SSERT. WHERE 13
THE PROPOSED MODIFIC ATION WILL CHANGE SU BSTANTIALLY THE URBA N 14
RENEWAL PLAN AS APP ROVED PREVIOUSLY BY THE MUNICIPALITY , THE 15
MODIFICATION SHALL B E APPROVED FORMALLY BY THE MUNICIPALITY , AS IN THE 16
CASE OF AN ORIGINAL PLAN. 17
(C) ON THE APPROVAL BY TH E MUNICIPALITY OF AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN 18
OR OF ANY MODIFICATI ON OF IT, THE PLAN OR MODIFICATION SHALL B E 19
CONSIDERED TO BE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFEC T FOR THE RESPECTIVE URBAN 20
RENEWAL AREA . THE MUNICIPALITY MAY HAVE THE PLAN OR MOD IFICATION 21
CARRIED OUT IN ACCOR DANCE WITH ITS TERMS . 22
A1–108. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY IN URBAN RENEWAL ARE A. 23
(A) THE MUNICIPALITY , BY ORDINANCE , MAY SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE 24
TRANSFER REAL PROPER TY OR ANY INTEREST I N IT ACQUIRED BY IT FOR AN URBAN 25
RENEWAL PROJECT TO A NY PERSON FOR RESIDE NTIAL, RECREATIONAL , 26
COMMERCIAL , INDUSTRIAL, EDUCATIONAL , OR OTHER USES OR FOR PUBLIC USE, OR 27
IT MAY RETAIN THE PR OPERTY OR INTEREST F OR PUBLIC USE , IN ACCORDANCE 28
WITH THE URBAN RENEW AL PLAN AND SUBJECT TO WHATEVER COVENANT S, 29
CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS , INCLUDING COVENANTS RUNNING WITH THE 30
LAND, AS IT CONSIDERS NECE SSARY OR DESIRABLE TO ASSIST IN PREVENT ING THE 31
DEVELOPMENT OR SPREA D OF FUTURE BLIGHTED AREAS OR TO OTHERWIS E CARRY 32
OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS APPENDIX. THE PURCHASERS OR LES SEES AND THEIR 33
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIG NS SHALL BE OBLIGATE D TO DEVOTE THE REAL PROPERTY 34
ONLY TO THE USES S PECIFIED IN THE URBA N RENEWAL PLAN AND M AY BE 35
OBLIGATED TO COMPLY WITH WHATEVER OTHER REQUIREMENTS THE 36
MUNICIPALITY DETERMI NES TO BE IN THE PUB LIC INTEREST, INCLUDING THE 37
OBLIGATION TO BEGIN WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME ANY IMPROVEMENT S ON THE 38 10 HOUSE BILL 825
REAL PROPERTY RE QUIRED BY THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN . THE REAL PROPERTY 1
OR INTEREST MAY NOT BE SOLD, LEASED, OTHERWISE TRANSFERRE D, OR RETAINED 2
AT LESS THAN ITS FAI R VALUE FOR USES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE URBAN 3
RENEWAL PLAN . IN DETERMINING THE FA IR VALUE OF REAL PRO PERTY FOR U SES 4
IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE URBAN RENEWAL PLA N, THE MUNICIPALITY SHA LL TAKE 5
INTO ACCOUNT AND GIV E CONSIDERATION TO T HE USES PROVIDED IN THE PLAN, 6
THE RESTRICTIONS ON , AND THE COVENANTS , CONDITIONS, AND OBLIGATIONS 7
ASSUMED BY THE PURCH ASER OR LESSEE OR BY THE MUNICIPALITY RETAI NING THE 8
PROPERTY, AND THE OBJECTIVES O F THE PLAN FOR THE P REVENTION OF THE 9
RECURRENCE OF BLIGHT ED AREAS. IN ANY INSTRUMENT OR CONVEYANCE TO A 10
PRIVATE PURCHASER OR LESSEE, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY PROVIDE THAT THE 11
PURCHASER OR LESSEE MAY NOT SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFE R THE REAL 12
PROPERTY WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSEN T OF THE MUNICIPALIT Y UNTIL 13
THE PURCHASER OR LES SEE HAS COMPLETED TH E CONSTRUCTION OF AN Y OR ALL 14
IMPROVEMENTS WHICH T HE PURCHASER OR LESS EE HAS BEEN OBLIGATE D TO 15
CONSTRUCT ON THE PROPERTY . REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRE D BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y 16
WHICH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE PROVISIONS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN , IS 17
TO BE TRANSFERRED , SHALL BE TRANSFERRED AS RAPIDLY AS FEASIB LE IN THE 18
PUBLIC INTEREST CONS ISTENT WITH THE CARR YING OUT OF THE PROVISIONS OF 19
THE URBAN RENEWAL PL AN. ANY CONTRACT FOR THE TRANSFER AND THE URB AN 20
RENEWAL PLAN (OR ANY PART OR PARTS OF THE CONTRACT OR P LAN AS THE 21
MUNICIPALITY DETERMI NES) MAY BE RECORDED IN T HE LAND RECORDS OF T HE 22
COUNTY IN WHICH THE MUNICIPALITY IS SITUATED IN A MANNER SO AS TO AFFORD 23
ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTI VE NOTICE OF IT. 24
(B) THE MUNICIPALITY , BY ORDINANCE , MAY DISPOSE OF REAL PROPERTY 25
IN AN URBAN RENEWAL AREA TO PRIVATE PERS ONS. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY , BY 26
PUBLIC NOTICE BY PUB LICATION IN A NEWSPA PER HAVING A GENERAL 27
CIRCULATION IN THE C OMMUNITY, INVITE PROPOSALS FRO M AND MAKE AVAILABLE 28
ALL PERTINENT INFORM ATION TO PRIVATE RED EVELOPERS OR ANY PER SONS 29
INTERESTED IN UNDERT AKING TO REDEVELOP O R REHABILITATE AN UR BAN 30
RENEWAL AREA , OR ANY PART THEREOF . THE NOTICE SHALL IDENTIFY THE AREA, 31
OR PORTION THEREOF , AND SHALL STATE THAT PROPOSALS SHALL BE M ADE BY 32
THOSE INTERESTED WIT HIN A SPECIFIED PERI OD. THE MUNICIPALITY SHAL L 33
CONSIDER ALL REDEVEL OPMENT OR REHABILITA TION PROPOSALS AND T HE 34
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ABILITY OF THE PERSONS MAKIN G PROPOSALS TO CARRY 35
THEM OUT, AND MAY NEGOTIATE WI TH ANY PERSONS FOR P ROPOSALS FOR THE 36
PURCHASE, LEASE, OR OTHER TRANSFER OF ANY REAL PROPERTY AC QUIRED BY 37
THE MUNICIPALITY IN THE URBAN RENEWAL AR EA. THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ACCEPT 38
ANY PROPOSAL AS IT DEEMS TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INT EREST AND IN FURTHER ANCE 39
OF THE PURPOSES OF T HIS APPENDIX. THEREAFTER , THE MUNICIPALITY MAY 40
EXECUTE AND DELIVER CONTRACTS, DEEDS, LEASES, AND OTHER INSTRUMENT S 41
AND TAKE ALL STEPS N ECESSARY TO EFFECTUA TE THE TRANSFER S. 42 HOUSE BILL 825 11
(C) THE MUNICIPALITY MAY OPERATE TEMPORARILY AND MAINTAIN REAL 1
PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY IT IN AN URBAN RENEW AL AREA FOR OR IN CO NNECTION 2
WITH AN URBAN RENEWA L PROJECT PENDING TH E DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY 3
AS AUTHORIZED IN THI S APPENDIX, WITHOUT REGARD T O THE PROVISIONS OF 4
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION , FOR USES AND PURPOSE S CONSIDERED 5
DESIRABLE EVEN THOUG H NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE URBAN RENEW AL PLAN. 6
(D) ANY INSTRUMENT EXECUT ED BY THE MUNICIPALI TY AND PURPORTING 7
TO CONVEY ANY RIGHT , TITLE, OR INTERE ST IN ANY PROPERTY U NDER THIS 8
APPENDIX SHALL BE PR ESUMED CONCLUSIVELY TO HAVE BEEN EXECUTE D IN 9
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS A PPENDIX INSOFAR AS T ITLE OR 10
OTHER INTEREST OF AN Y BONA FIDE PURCHASE RS, LESSEES, OR TRANSFEREES OF 11
THE PROPERTY IS CONC ERNED. 12
A1–109. EMINENT DOMAIN . 13
CONDEMNATION OF LAND OR PROPERTY UNDER TH E PROVISIONS OF THIS 14
APPENDIX SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE PROVIDED I N THE 15
REAL PROPERTY ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND. 16
A1–110. ENCOURAGEMENT OF PRIV ATE ENTERPRISE. 17
THE MUNICIPALITY , TO THE EXTENT IT DET ERMINES TO BE FEASIB LE IN 18
CARRYING OUT THE PRO VISIONS OF THIS APPE NDIX, SHALL AFFORD MAXIMUM 19
OPPORTUNITY TO THE R EHABILITATION OR RED EVELOPMENT OF ANY UR BAN 20
RENEWAL AREA BY PRIV ATE ENTERPRISE CONSI STENT WITH THE SOUND NEEDS OF 21
THE MUNICIPALITY AS A WHOLE. THE MUNICIPALITY SHAL L GIVE CONSIDERATION 22
TO THIS OBJECTIVE IN EXERCISING ITS POWER S UNDER THIS APPENDI X. 23
A1–111. GENERAL OBLIGATION BO NDS. 24
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FI NANCING AND CARRYING OUT AN URBAN RENEWAL 25
PROJECT AND RELATED AC TIVITIES, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ISSUE AND SELL ITS 26
GENERAL OBLIGATION B ONDS. ANY BONDS ISSUED BY T HE MUNICIPALITY 27
PURSUANT TO THIS SEC TION SHALL BE ISSUED IN THE MANNER AND WI THIN THE 28
LIMITATIONS PRESCRIB ED BY APPLICABLE LAW FOR THE ISSU ANCE AND 29
AUTHORIZATION OF GEN ERAL OBLIGATION BOND S BY THE MUNICIPALIT Y, AND 30
ALSO WITHIN LIMITATI ONS DETERMINED BY TH E MUNICIPALITY. 31
A1–112. REVENUE BONDS . 32
(A) IN ADDITION TO THE AU THORITY CONFERRED BY SECTION A1–111 OF 33
THIS APPENDIX, THE MUNICIPALITY MAY ISSUE REVENUE BO NDS TO FINANCE THE 34 12 HOUSE BILL 825
UNDERTAKING OF ANY U RBAN RENEWAL PROJECT AND RELATED ACTIVITI ES. ALSO, 1
IT MAY ISSUE REFUNDI NG BONDS FOR THE PAY MENT OR RETIREMENT O F THE 2
BONDS ISSUED PREVIOU SLY BY IT. THE BONDS SHALL BE MA DE PAYABLE, AS TO 3
BOTH PRINC IPAL AND INTEREST , SOLELY FROM THE INCO ME, PROCEEDS, 4
REVENUES, AND FUNDS OF THE MUN ICIPALITY DERIVED FR OM OR HELD IN 5
CONNECTION WITH THE UNDERTAKING AND CARR YING OUT OF URBAN RE NEWAL 6
PROJECTS UNDER THIS APPENDIX. HOWEVER, PAYMENT OF THE BONDS , BOTH AS 7
TO PRINCIPAL AND INTERES T, MAY BE FURTHER SECUR ED BY A PLEDGE OF AN Y 8
LOAN, GRANT, OR CONTRIBUTION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT OR OTHER 9
SOURCE, IN AID OF ANY URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY UND ER 10
THIS APPENDIX, AND BY A MORTGAGE OF ANY URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT, OR ANY 11
PART OF A PROJECT , TITLE TO WHICH IS IN THE MUNICIPALITY . IN ADDITION, THE 12
MUNICIPALITY MAY ENT ER INTO AN INDENTURE OF TRUST WITH ANY PR IVATE 13
BANKING INSTITUTION OF THIS STATE HAVING TRUST PO WERS AND MAY MAKE IN 14
THE INDENTURE OF TRU ST COVENANTS AND COMMITMENTS REQUIRED BY ANY 15
PURCHASER FOR THE AD EQUATE SECURITY OF T HE BONDS. 16
(B) BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH IS SECTION DO NOT CO NSTITUTE AN 17
INDEBTEDNESS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ANY C ONSTITUTIONAL OR STA TUTORY 18
DEBT LIMITATION OR R ESTRICTION, ARE NOT SUB JECT TO THE PROVISIO NS OF ANY 19
OTHER LAW OR CHARTER RELATING TO THE AUTH ORIZATION, ISSUANCE, OR SALE 20
OF BONDS , AND ARE EXEMPTED SPE CIFICALLY FROM THE R ESTRICTIONS 21
CONTAINED IN §§ 19–205 AND 19–206 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF 22
THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND. BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH E PROVISIONS OF 23
THIS APPENDIX ARE DE CLARED TO BE ISSUED FOR AN ESSENTIAL PUB LIC AND 24
GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE AND, TOGETHER WITH INTERE ST ON THEM AND INCOM E 25
FROM THEM, ARE EXEMPT FROM ALL TAXES. 26
(C) BONDS ISSUED UNDER TH IS SECTION SHALL BE AUTHORIZED BY 27
RESOLUTION OR ORDINA NCE OF THE LEGISLATI VE BODY OF THE MUNIC IPALITY. 28
THEY MAY BE ISSUED IN ONE OR MORE SERIES A ND SHALL: 29
(1) BEAR A DATE OR DATES ; 30
(2) MATURE AT A TIME OR T IMES; 31
(3) BEAR INTEREST AT A RA TE OR RATES; 32
(4) BE IN A DENOMINATION OR DENOMINATIONS ; 33
(5) BE IN A FORM EITHER W ITH OR WITHOUT COUPO N OR 34
REGISTERED; 35
(6) CARRY A CONVERSION OR REGISTRATION PRIVILE GE; 36 HOUSE BILL 825 13
(7) HAVE A RANK OR PRIORI TY; 1
(8) BE EXECUTED IN A MANN ER; 2
(9) BE PAYABLE IN A MEDIU M OF PAYMENT, AT A PLACE OR PLACES , 3
AND BE SUBJECT TO TE RMS OF REDEMPTION (WITH OR WITHOUT PREM IUM); 4
(10) BE SECURED IN A MANNE R; AND 5
(11) HAVE OTHER CHARACTERI STICS, AS ARE PROVIDED BY T HE 6
RESOLUTION, TRUST INDENTURE , OR MORTGAGE ISSUED P URSUANT TO IT. 7
(D) THESE BONDS MAY NOT B E SOLD AT LESS THAN PAR VALUE AT PUBLIC 8
SALES WHICH ARE HELD AFTER NOTICE IS PUBL ISHED PRIOR TO THE S ALE IN A 9
NEWSPAPER HAVING A G ENERAL CIRCULATION I N THE AREA IN WHICH THE 10
MUNICIPALITY IS LOCA TED AND IN WHATEVER OTHER MEDIUM OF P UBLICATION AS 11
THE MUNICIPALITY MAY DETERMINE. THE BONDS MAY BE EXCH ANGED ALSO FOR 12
OTHER BONDS ON THE B ASIS OF PAR. HOWEVER, THE BONDS MAY NOT BE SOLD TO 13
THE FEDERAL GOVERNME NT AT PRIVATE SALE A T LESS THAN PAR , AND, IN THE 14
EVENT LESS THAN ALL OF THE AUTHORI ZED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS IS 15
SOLD TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , THE BALANCE MAY NOT BE SOLD AT PRIVATE 16
SALE AT LESS THAN PA R AT AN INTEREST COS T TO THE MUNICIPALIT Y WHICH DOES 17
NOT EXCEED THE INTER EST COST TO THE MUNI CIPALITY OF THE PORT ION OF THE 18
BONDS SOLD TO THE FEDERA L GOVERNMENT . 19
(E) IN CASE ANY OF THE PU BLIC OFFICIALS OF TH E MUNICIPALITY WHOSE 20
SIGNATURES APPEAR ON ANY BONDS OR COUPONS ISSUED UNDER THIS AP PENDIX 21
CEASE TO BE OFFICIAL S OF THE MUNICIPALIT Y BEFORE THE DELIVER Y OF THE 22
BONDS OR IN THE EVENT ANY OF THE OFF ICIALS HAVE BECOME S UCH AFTER THE 23
DATE OF ISSUE OF THE M, THE BONDS ARE VALID AND BINDING OBLIGATI ONS OF THE 24
MUNICIPALITY IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THEIR TE RMS. ANY PROVISION OF ANY LAW 25
TO THE CONTRARY NOTW ITHSTANDING, ANY BONDS ISSUED PUR SUANT TO THIS 26
APPENDIX ARE FULLY N EGOTIABLE. 27
(F) IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING INVOLV ING THE VALIDITY OR 28
ENFORCEABILITY OF AN Y BOND ISSUED UNDER THIS APPENDIX, OR THE SECURITY 29
FOR IT, ANY BOND WHICH RECIT ES IN SUBSTANCE THAT IT HAS BEEN ISSUED B Y THE 30
MUNICIPALITY IN CONNECT ION WITH AN URBAN RE NEWAL PROJECT SHALL BE 31
CONSIDERED CONCLUSIV ELY TO HAVE BEEN ISS UED FOR THAT PURPOSE , AND THE 32
PROJECT SHALL BE CON SIDERED CONCLUSIVELY TO HAVE BEEN PLANNED , 33
LOCATED, AND CARRIED OUT IN A CCORDANCE WITH THE P ROVISIONS O F THIS 34
APPENDIX. 35
14 HOUSE BILL 825
(G) ALL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES , BANKERS, SAVINGS BANKS , AND 1
INSTITUTIONS, BUILDING AND LOAN AS SOCIATIONS, SAVINGS AND LOAN 2
ASSOCIATIONS, INVESTMENT COMPANIES , AND OTHER PERSONS CA RRYING ON A 3
BANKING OR INVESTMEN T BUSINESS; ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES, INSURANCE 4
ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHER PERSONS CA RRYING ON AN INSURAN CE BUSINESS; AND 5
ALL EXECUTORS , ADMINISTRATORS , CURATORS, TRUSTEES, AND OTHER 6
FIDUCIARIES, MAY LEGALLY INVEST A NY SINKING FUNDS , MONEYS, OR OTHER 7
FUNDS BELONGING TO T HEM OR WITHIN T HEIR CONTROL IN ANY BONDS OR OTHER 8
OBLIGATIONS ISSUED B Y THE MUNICIPALITY P URSUANT TO THIS APPE NDIX. 9
HOWEVER, THE BONDS AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE SECURED BY AN 10
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E ISSUER AND THE FED ERAL GOVERNMENT IN W HICH THE 11
ISSUER AGREES TO BOR ROW FROM THE FEDERAL G OVERNMENT AND THE FE DERAL 12
GOVERNMENT AGREES TO LEND TO THE ISSUER , PRIOR TO THE MATURIT Y OF THE 13
BONDS OR OTHER OBLIG ATIONS, MONEYS IN AN AMOUNT WHICH (TOGETHER WITH 14
ANY OTHER MONEYS COM MITTED IRREVOCABLY T O THE PAYMENT OF PRI NCIPAL 15
AND INTEREST ON THE BOND S OR OTHER OBLIGATIO NS) WILL SUFFICE TO PAY THE 16
PRINCIPAL OF THE BON DS OR OTHER OBLIGATI ONS WITH INTEREST TO MATURITY 17
ON THEM. THE MONEYS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEME NT SHALL BE 18
REQUIRED TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF P AYING THE PRINCI PAL OF AND THE 19
INTEREST ON THE BOND S OR OTHER OBLIGATIO NS AT THEIR MATURITY . THE BONDS 20
AND OTHER OBLIGATION S SHALL BE AUTHORIZE D SECURITY FOR ALL P UBLIC 21
DEPOSITS. THIS SECTION AUTHORIZ ES ANY PERSONS OR PU BLIC OR PRIVATE 22
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIO NS AND OFFICERS TO USE ANY FUNDS OWN ED OR 23
CONTROLLED BY THEM F OR THE PURCHASE OF A NY BONDS OR OTHER 24
OBLIGATIONS. WITH REGARD TO LEGAL INVESTMENTS , THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE 25
CONSTRUED TO RELIEVE ANY PERSON OF ANY DU TY OF EXERCISING REA SONABLE 26
CARE IN SELECTING SE CURITIES. 27
A1–113. SHORT TITLE. 28
THIS APPENDIX SHALL B E KNOWN AND MAY BE C ITED AS THE FOREST 29
HEIGHTS URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY FOR BLIGHT CLEARANCE ACT. 30
A1–114. AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR REPEAL. 31
THIS APPENDIX, ENACTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 61 OF THE 32
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, MAY BE AMENDED OR RE PEALED ONLY BY THE 33
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND. 34
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 35
October 1, 2023. 36