Maryland Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments Section 14-102

      (a)      The General Assembly makes the following findings:

            (1)      Conditions of unemployment exist in many areas of the State;

            (2)      The acquisition of new facilities and existing facilities is essential to relieve this unemployment and to establish a balanced economy within the State;

            (3)      The present and prospective health, happiness, safety, right of gainful employment, and general welfare of the citizens of each of the counties and municipalities of the State will be promoted by the acquisition of facilities;

            (4)      The control or abatement of pollution of the environment of the State, including that by noise, is necessary to retain existing industry and commercial enterprises in, and attract new industry and commercial enterprises to, the State and to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the State, to protect the natural resources of the State, and to encourage the economic development of the State; and

            (5)      The public ports of the State are assets of value to the entire State; the residents of all parts of the State benefit directly from the waterborne commerce that they attract and service; and any improvement to these ports that increases their export and import commerce will benefit the people of the entire State.

      (b)      The General Assembly declares its legislative purpose to:

            (1)      Relieve conditions of unemployment in the State;

            (2)      Encourage the increase of industry and commerce and a balanced economy in the State;

            (3)      Assist in the retention of existing industry and commerce and in the attraction of new industry and commerce in the State through, among other things, port development and the control, reduction, or abatement of pollution of the environment and the utilization and disposal of wastes;

            (4)      Promote economic development;

            (5)      Protect natural resources and encourage resource recovery; and

            (6)      Generally promote the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of each of the counties and municipalities of the State.

      (c)      This subtitle shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes.

      (d)      It is the policy of this State to permit the exercise of the powers granted by this subtitle irrespective of the fact that such activities may displace or limit free economic competition.