Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
(Charter Amendment)
Introduced by: Councilmember Stokes
A Resolution Entitled
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council concerning
title
Charter Amendment - Tenant Legal Assistance Fund
For the purpose of authorizing the establishment of a continuing, nonlapsing Tenant Legal Assistance Fund, to be used exclusively to assist low-income tenants with housing-related legal services; authorizing the Mayor and City Council to dedicate revenue to the Tenant Legal Assistance Fund by ordinance; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the City for adoption or rejection.
body
By proposing to add
Article I - General Provisions
Section 15
Baltimore City Charter
(1996 Edition)
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the City Charter is proposed to be amended to read as follows:
Baltimore City Charter
Article I. General Provisions
§ 15. Special fund for tenant legal assistance.
(a) Authorization.
(1) By Ordinance, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may establish a continuing, nonlapsing fund for purposes of assisting low-income tenants with housing-related legal services.
(2) These purposes include supporting and augmenting programs and activities that are designed to:
(i) provide legal representation to tenants in rent court;
(ii) provide legal assistance to low-income renters facing eviction;
(iii) assist low-income tenants involved in disputes with landlords; and
(iv) make tenants aware of their legal rights.
(b) Revenue sources.
The fund established under this section may consist of:
(1) money appropriated to the fund in the annual Ordinances of Estimates;
(2) grants or donations made to the fund; and
(3) proceeds from fines, fees, surcharges, or other revenues dedicated to the fund by Ordinance.
(c) Continuing nature of fund.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, unspent portions of the fund established under this section:
(1) remain in the fund, to be used exclusively for their ordained purposes;
(2) do not revert to the general revenues of the City; and
(3) their appropriations do not lapse.
Section 2. And be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment to the City Charter be submitted to the legal and qualified voters of Baltimore City, for adoption or rejection, in accordance with Article XI-A, § 5 of the Maryland Constitution, in the form specified by the City Solicitor.