ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 475

additional years by the Mayor and City Council, but the General Assembly did not
intend to interrupt the 4 year 4-year review cycle under Baltimore City Charter
Article II - General Powers, Section (63)(g) that had existed since 1994; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to the power still contained in Baltimore City Charter
Article II - General Powers, Section 63(63)(a), the Mayor and City Council did renew
and continue the Charles Village Community Benefits District, Management
Authority effective July 1, 2002 by Resolution No. 02-28 (Council Bill 02-0760); but,
because of the conflict between Section 63(63)(g) and Chapter 89's the revision by
Chapter 89 of the Acts of 2000 to Section 63(63)(h)(1)(i), the Mayor and City Council
renewed and continued the Charles Village Community Benefits District,
Management Authority for only 1 year; and

WHEREAS, The Attorney General's office advised in a letter of February 27,
2003, that at no time has there been a lapse or hiatus in the authority conferred by
State law on the Mayor and City Council to continue the existence of community
benefits districts, including the Charles Village Community Benefits District,
Management Authority; and

WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council have lawfully exercised the authority
conferred by State law to continue the existence of community benefits districts or to
allow them to expire, including the Charles Village Community Benefits District,
Management Authority; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly wishes to retroactively clarify the authority
conferred on the Mayor and City Council to continue community benefits districts or
to allow them to expire, including the Charles Village Community Benefits District,
Management Authority, and to ratify and confirm the acts of the Mayor and City
Council in continuing the existence of such districts, including the Charles Village
Community Benefits District, Management Authority; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

The Charter of Baltimore City

Article II - General Powers

The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore shall have full power and authority to
exercise all of the powers heretofore or hereafter granted to it by the Constitution of
Maryland or by any Public General or Public Local Laws of the State of Maryland;
and in particular, without limitation upon the foregoing, shall have power by
ordinance, or such other method as may be provided for in its Charter, subject to the
provisions of said Constitution and Public General Laws:

(63)

(h) (1) The Mayor and City Council shall review and determine the
desirability of continuing the existence of each community benefits district
established under this section every 4 years:

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