EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0836*
SENATE BILL 836
L2, N1 4lr2736
CF HB 870
By: Senator McKay
Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2024
Assigned to: Finance
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Washington County – Abandoned Cemetery – Acquisition and Disposition 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing the County Commissioners of Washington County to 3
acquire by purchase or condemnation certain property on which a cemetery is located 4
if the acquisition is for certain preservation purposes and ownership of the property 5
cannot be determined or the organization established to operate the cemetery no 6
longer exists; authorizing the county commissioners to transfer the property 7
acquired by purchase or condemnation to a nonprofit organization that enters into a 8
certain agreement; and generally relating to the authority of Washington County to 9
acquire property on which a cemetery is located. 10
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Local Government 12
Section 12–412 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2013 Volume and 2023 Supplement) 15
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17
Article – Local Government 18
12–412. 19
(a) (1) The County Commissioners of Washington County may acquire 20
property or any interest in property by purchase, gift, or condemnation to acquire, 21
construct, or maintain a railroad line, if the county commissioners: 22
[(1)] (I) determine, by resolution, that the railroad line will help preserve 23
and attract industry and promote economic growth in the county; and 24 2 SENATE BILL 836
[(2)] (II) solicit bids and hold a public hearing in the same manner as 1
required for other public property in the county. 2
[(b) (1)] (2) (I) If the State builds or acquires a railroad line in 3
Washington County, the County Commissioners of Washington County may contribute a 4
reasonable amount toward the cost of the railroad line from the general funds of the county. 5
[(2)] (II) Before the county commissioners spend money under this 6
subsection, the county commissioners shall comply with the requirements for acquisition of 7
property for a railroad under [subsection (a) of this section] PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 8
SUBSECTION . 9
(B) (1) THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY MAY 10
ACQUIRE PROPERTY OR AN INTEREST IN PROPE RTY BY PURCHASE OR 11
CONDEMNATION IF : 12
(I) A CEMETERY IS LOCATE D ON THE PROPERTY ; 13
(II) THE PURPOSE OF ACQUI RING THE PROPERTY IS TO 14
PRESERVE THE HISTORI CAL NATURE OF THE CE METERY; AND 15
(III) 1. THE LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY CANN OT 16
BE DETERMINED ; OR 17
2. THE ORGANIZATION EST ABLISHED TO OPERATE THE 18
CEMETERY IS NO LONGE R IN EXISTENCE OR HA S BEEN DISSOLVED THR OUGH AN 19
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIO N BY A UNIT OF THE STATE. 20
(2) THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY MAY 21
TRANSFER PROPERTY AC QUIRED BY PURCHASE O R CONDEMNATION UNDER 22
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION T O A NONPROFIT ORGANI ZATION THAT 23
AGREES TO PRESERVE T HE HISTORICAL NATURE OF THE PROPERTY . 24
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENA CTED, That this Act shall take effect 25
October 1, 2024. 26