Maryland Education Section 23-205

      (a)      Each year, the Department may include in its budget operating funds for:

            (1)      The State Library Resource Center;

            (2)      Each regional resource center; and

            (3)      Each metropolitan cooperative service program.

      (b)      (1)      The State shall pay all capital expenses for:

                  (i)      The State Library Resource Center; and

                  (ii)      Each regional resource center.

            (2)      Before any money is spent under this subsection, the appropriate board of library trustees shall:

                  (i)      Have the project approved by the Department;

                  (ii)      Through the Department, submit the request to the Department of Budget and Management for consideration under Subtitle 6, Title 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and

                  (iii)      Agree to reimburse the Department an amount the Department determines if the facility ceases to be used for a resource center or cooperative service program.

      (c)      (1)      Each year each participating regional resource center shall receive a minimum amount of funding for each resident of the area served, to be used for operating and capital expenses.

            (2)      The allocation shall be calculated as follows:

                  (i)      For fiscal year 2006.............$4.50 per each resident of the area served;

                  (ii)      For fiscal year 2007.............$5.50 per each resident of the area served;

                  (iii)      For fiscal year 2008.............$6.50 per each resident of the area served;

                  (iv)      For fiscal year 2009.............$7.50 per each resident of the area served; and

                  (v)      For fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter............ $8.50 per each resident of the area served.

      (d)      (1)      Each year the State Library Resource Center shall receive a minimum amount of funding for each State resident in the previous fiscal year, to be used for operating and capital expenses.

            (2)      The allocation shall be calculated as follows:

                  (i)      For fiscal year 2001....$1.35 per State resident;

                  (ii)      For fiscal year 2002....$1.55 per State resident;

                  (iii)      For fiscal year 2003....$1.70 per State resident; and

                  (iv)      For fiscal year 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter...$1.85 per State resident.

      (e)      (1)      The Department shall:

                  (i)      Disburse funds to the State and regional resource centers and metropolitan cooperative service programs; and

                  (ii)      Require that these funds be used subject to any conditions specified by the appropriating agency or imposed under this subtitle.

            (2)      The Department may authorize the State Comptroller to withhold funds from any regional resource center or metropolitan cooperative service program that fails to meet the standards adopted by the Department.