§ 12-103

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

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

(2) the acquisition and improvement of facilities are essential to relieve this unemployment and to establish a balanced economy in the State;

(3) the present and prospective health, happiness, safety, right of gainful employment, and general welfare of the residents of the State will be promoted by the acquisition and improvement of facilities;

(4) the control or abatement of pollution of the environment of the State, including noise pollution, is necessary to:

(i) retain existing industry and commerce in and attract new industry and commerce to the State;

(ii) protect the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of the State;

(iii) protect the natural resources of the State; and

(iv) encourage the economic development of the State; and

(5) (i) the public ports of the State are assets of value to the entire State;

(ii) the residents of the entire State benefit directly from the waterborne commerce that the public ports attract and service; and

(iii) any improvement of public ports that increases their export and import commerce will benefit the residents of the entire State.

(b) The legislative purposes of this subtitle are 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 in, and the attraction of new industry and commerce to, the State through, among other things, the development of ports, the control or abatement of environmental pollution, and the use and disposal of waste;

(4) promote economic development;

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

(6) promote the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of the State.