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<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="5-903.1" title_number="5" title_name="Forests and Parks" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Program Open Space">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Program Open Space Contingency Fund.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>There is a Program Open Space Contingency Fund.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing, revolving fund not to exceed $1,000,000 that consists of the amount of appropriations for a capital project:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>In excess of the amount needed for the capital project; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Allocated to the Fund by the Governor.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Fund may be used to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Supplement an existing appropriation for a capital project; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Undertake critical maintenance projects.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department shall evaluate each request for an expenditure from the Fund.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Department may request the Board of Public Works to authorize an expenditure from the Fund if:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>All reasonable attempts to reduce the cost of the capital project have been made;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>No practical alternative exists for securing funding to complete the capital or critical maintenance project; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The requested funding does not increase the scope of the capital project.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Prior to seeking approval from the Board of Public Works, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Budget and Management shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Provide written notice to the budget committees on the planned use of the funds; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Allow 45 days for review and comment by the budget committees unless the additional funds necessary do not exceed 20% of the original appropriation for any project and in the judgment of the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Budget and Management that the additional funds are necessary to prevent a work stoppage on the project.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>If the Board of Public Works authorizes an expenditure from the Fund, the amount specified by the Board of Public Works may be transferred from the Fund to the Program Open Space account to supplement the specified authorization.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>On or before January 1 of each year, the Secretary of Natural Resources shall report to the General Assembly, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the money:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Deposited in the Fund;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Authorized for expenditure from the Fund; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Expended from the Fund.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>Money in the Fund shall be deposited with the State Treasurer.</text>
  </level>
</section>
