NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1959 SESSION CHAPTER 108 HOUSE BILL 293

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1 NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1959 SESSION CHAPTER 108 HOUSE BILL 293 AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTIONS IN THE TOWNS OF LEAKSVILLE AND SPRAY ON THE CONSOLIDATION OF SAID TOWNS AND SUBJECT TO SAID ELECTIONS TO PROVIDE A CHARTER OF INCORPORATION FOR THE CITY OF LEAKSVILLE-SPRAY IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: Section 1. The governing bodies of the Towns of Leaksville and Spray in Rockingham County are hereby authorized and directed to submit to the voters of each town at the special municipal elections to be held in each town on Tuesday, March 31, 1959, the question of consolidation of said towns into one city. Each of said governing bodies shall give ten days' notice that said question will be submitted to the voters at said special elections. Such notice shall be by publication in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in said towns and by posting thereof in three public places in each town. At said elections, each voter shall be provided with a ballot on which shall be plainly printed the words "FOR CONSOLIDATION" and the words "AGAINST CONSOLIDATION", together with appropriate instructions for making the ballot. If the majority of the votes cast in either town voting separately is against consolidation, this Act shall become void. If the majority of the votes cast in each town voting separately is for consolidation, the Charter of Incorporation of the City of Leaksville-Spray, set forth in Section 2 of this Act, shall become effective at 12:00 o'clock noon, on the first day of June, 1959, and on said date and at said time the original charters of the Towns of Leaksville and Spray, together with all amendments thereto, shall be repealed and the City of Leaksville-Spray shall succeed to the rights, duties, powers and obligations of the Towns of Leaksville and Spray. In the event the results of the elections hereinbefore provided for are for consolidation, the following provisions shall apply: (1) The governing bodies of the Towns of Leaksville and Spray in Rockingham County are hereby authorized and directed to call a special municipal election for the consolidated City of Leaksville-Spray to be held on May 5, Any person qualified to run as a candidate for mayor or membership on the council of the City of Leaksville-Spray shall file as a candidate for such office by 5:00 o'clock P. M. of the second Monday immediately preceeding the date of election and shall pay a filing fee of five dollars ($5.00) to be paid in two equal parts of two dollars

2 and fifty cents ($2.50) each to the Town of Leaksville and to the Town of Spray. Any candidate for any office shall file said notice with and pay said filing fee to the city clerk of both the Town of Leaksville and the Town of Spray. The notice of candidacy shall be substantially in the following form: "I,, do hereby give notice that I reside at in Ward, (street address) of the proposed City of Leaksville-Spray; that I am a candidate for election to the office of Councilman from Ward (or to the office of Mayor) to be voted upon at the election to be held on Tuesday, May, 19, and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official ballot as a candidate for election to said office. (Signature of Candidate) Signed before me and filed this day of, 19. " City Clerk A notice of location of wards in the proposed City of Leaksville-Spray shall be given by publication in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in said towns and by posting thereof in three public places in each town for a period of ten days prior to the final filing date for the beforementioned special municipal election. No new registration will be required for the special election. The existing registrations for the existing Towns of Leaksville and Spray shall be in effect, and voting shall be conducted at the existing polling places. A new registration shall be required prior to the regular municipal election to be held on Tuesday after the first Monday of May The governing body of the City of Leaksville-Spray shall be composed of a council and five members which shall be sworn into office at 12:00 o'clock noon on June 1, (2) At its first meeting on June 1, 1959, the governing body of the City of Leaksville-Spray shall adopt the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Leaksville as the Code of Ordinances for the government of the City of Leaksville-Spray which shall supersede and replace the ordinances of the Towns of Leaksville and Spray. The zoning ordinance of Leaksville shall remain in full force and effect in the territory to which it applies on May 31, 1959 until changed, amended, supplemented or repealed by the governing body of the City of Leaksville-Spray. Sec. 2. CHARTER OF INCORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LEAKSVILLE-SPRAY. ARTICLE I. GENERAL Section 1. BODY CORPORATE. The inhabitants of the City of Leaksville-Spray, within the boundaries established in this charter or as hereafter lawfully established, shall be a municipal body politic and corporate in perpetuity, under the name "City of Leaksville-Spray." Page 2 S.L House Bill 293

3 Sec. 2. CORPORATE LIMITS. The boundaries of the city shall be as follows until lawfully changed: "BEGINNING at a point at the intersection of the present Leaksville City limit line with the present Spray Sanitary District line, said point being at the angle point formed by the intersection of the present Leaksville City limit line as it parallels Highland Drive, 400 feet eastwardly therefrom and said point being also 800 feet, more or less, in a northwardly direction from a concrete monument in the present Leaksville City limit line, said monument being about 400 feet eastwardly from Highland Drive in line with 'A' Street projected eastwardly; thence with the present eastern corporation boundary of the Town of Leaksville, approximately South 8 degrees 20 minutes East and parallel with the long tangent of Highland Drive, 400 feet eastwardly therefrom to a point at intersection, the center of a road forming the dividing line between Tract 'C' (now property of Mr. and Mrs. Homer E. Wright, Jr.) and Tract 'D' (now Mrs. Lucy Wilson Caudle) of the J. S. Wilson Estate; thence with center of said road, now being the line between Homer E. Wright, Jr., and Mrs. Caudle, North 87 degrees 45 minutes East approximately 236 feet to the northeast corner of Lot 18E of the Highland Park Subdivision; thence South 9 degrees 18 minutes East feet to an iron in East line of Lot 13E; thence continuing with East line of said subdivision, South 8 degrees 56 minutes East about 725 feet to a point where the present East line of incorporation of the Town of Leaksville intersects the East line of Lot 5E of Highland Park Subdivision at 400 feet East of the East line of Highland Drive; thence in a southeasterly and curving to a southwesterly direction, paralleling Highland Drive at 400 feet therefrom to a point at low water line on the East bank of Dan River; thence up and with the East bank of Dan River, as it curves back in a southwesterly direction, passing under bridge on Highway No. 87 and continuing with the low water line along the northwest bank of Dan River to the mouth of Matrimony Creek; thence up and with the center of run of Matrimony Creek, passing under bridge on Highway No. 770, and continuing up center lines of Matrimony Creek, crossing over Kings Mill Pond Dam and under bridge on the Leaksville-Price Road and continuing up center line of said Matrimony Creek to the mouth of Boiling Springs Branch; thence in a northeasterly direction up and with the center of run of Boiling Springs Branch in a northeasterly direction to junction with Spence Spring Branch; thence continuing with center of run of Boiling Springs Branch to its head; thence in a northeasterly direction to a marker located on East side of Oakland Avenue in the Dunn-C. H. Robertson homeplace front yard; thence at right angles to Oakland Avenue, 400 feet to concrete marker; thence southeastwardly and parallel to Oakland Avenue to the line of Fourth Street in the Oakland-Dunn property line; thence with South side of Fourth Street, through the Oakland Subdivision, crossing Union, Bryant and Hamilton Streets, and projected eastwardly to junction with the present Town of Spray corporate line; thence with said Town of Spray corporate line in a northerly direction paralleling Hamilton Street at 250 feet East therefrom about 2900 feet to the center line of Kendell Street; thence with the center line of said street in a westwardly direction about 100 feet to a point in Kendell Street, said point being about 150 feet eastwardly from the center line of Hamilton Street and running thence in a northwardly direction and parellel with the center line of Hamilton Street at a distance House Bill 293 S.L Page 3

4 of 150 feet therefrom, crossing Morgan Ford Road, 3800 feet, more or less, to a point in the present Spray Sanitary District line, said point being 300 feet, more or less, in a northern direction from the center line of Morgan Ford Road, and continuing with the present Spray Sanitary District line about North 45 degrees East 200 feet, more or less, to a point; thence southeasterly and paralleling Morgan Ford Road (and being 420 feet from the center line of same) 2000 feet, more or less, to a point in line with the Mineral Spring Branch; thence with said branch as it runs to Smith River and crossing said river to the northeast bank 1500 feet, more or less, to a point; thence down along the North bank of said river in an eastwardly direction 2500 feet, more or less, to an ash tree (old Strong corner) near the northeast bank of Smith River; thence northeastwardly about 360 feet to an iron pipe, corner of old Bateman (now North Spray Subdivision) tract; thence North 14 degrees 54 minutes East feet to a white oak; thence North 87 degrees 37 minutes East with line of North Spray Subdivision, feet; thence South 19 degrees East 643 feet with said subdivision; thence South 23 degrees 30 minutes West 856 feet with said subdivision; thence North 81 degrees 09 minutes East about 300 feet to a point in the present Spray Sanitary District line, said point being 600 feet, more or less, in a westwardly direction from Summit Road, running thence approximately parallel with Summit Road about North 52 degrees East 1600 feet, more or less, to a point; thence about South 78 degrees East 750 feet, more or less to a point; thence about North 82 degrees East 450 feet, more or less, to a point; thence about North 55 degrees East 400 feet, more or less, to a point; thence about South 35 degrees East crossing N. C. Highway No. 107, at approximately 425 feet and at a point approximately 400 feet northeast of the intersection of Summit Road and Cascade Road and running a total distance on same bearing of 850 feet, more or less, to a point approximately 425 feet southeast from the center line of N. C. Highway No. 107, and running thence approximately parallel with Cascade Road and 400 feet eastwardly therefrom, about South 55 degrees West 200 feet, more or less, to a point; thence about South 42 degrees West 1300 feet, more or less, to a point; thence South 22 degrees West 750 feet, more or less, to a point; thence about South 10 degrees West 2000 feet, more or less, to the southern edge of the right of way of the Danville and Western Railway, said point being approximately 400 feet eastwardly from the intersection of the old D. F. King and Spray Water Power & Land Company line with said Danville & Western Railway; thence with the southern edge of said right of way in a westwardly direction approximately 2500 feet to a point in the present Spray Sanitary District line on East side of Smith River, located near the trestle (D&W) crossing Smith River and 30 feet East of the high water line of said Smith River; thence down East side of Smith River and 30 feet eastwardly from its high water line, passing under highway bridge on N. C. Route No. 700, and continuing to a point, the said point being North 78 degrees 20 minutes East approximately 1050 feet from the angle point in the Leaksville corporate line produced by the angle of Highland Drive; thence South 78 degrees 20 minutes West approximately 1050 feet, crossing Smith River to said angle point in Leaksville corporate line, the point of beginning." Sec. 3. GOVERNING BODY. The qualified voters of the city shall elect, in the manner prescribed in Article 11 of this charter, a mayor and a council of five Page 4 S.L House Bill 293

5 members. The mayor and council shall constitute the governing body which shall have power to provide for the government of the city by such ordinances, bylaws, rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary, not inconsistent with the laws of the land. Sec. 4. POWERS. The city shall have and may exercise all powers now and hereafter granted to cities in general and to the City of Leaksville-Spray in particular by the constitution and laws, both general and special or local, of North Carolina. The following enumeration of powers shall not limit the foregoing sentence but shall constitute a part of the powers conferred: A. To levy and collect all taxes authorized by law to borrow money within the limitations of the Constitution and general law of the State; and to levy and collect special assessments for benefits conferred pursuant to general law. B. To furnish all local public services; to purchase, hire, construct, own and operate local public utilities within and without the corporate limits; and to grant local public utility franchises and regulate the exercise thereof. C. To organize and administer public libraries and recreational facilities, subject to the constitution and laws of the State. D. To adopt and enforce local police, sanitary, fire, building, traffic and other like regulations not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the State. ARTICLE II. ELECTIONS Section 1. WARDS. For the purpose of holding city elections, the City of Leaksville-Spray is hereby divided into five wards as follows: Ward No. 1. Starting at the Meadow Road Bridge over the Smith River at the City Limits the southern line of Ward No. 1 follows the center line of Meadow Road in a northwesterly direction to the intersection of Warehouse Street and Meadow Road; it then runs in a northerly direction following the center line of Warehouse Street to Carolina Street; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Carolina Street to Morgan Ford Road; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Morgan Ford Road to the North City Limits. The ward line then follows the City Limits in an easterly and southerly direction back to the point of beginning at the Meadow Road Bridge over the Smith River. Ward No. 2. Starting at the intersection of Morgan Ford Road and Carolina Street the line of Ward No. 2 follows the center line of Morgan Ford Road in a southwesterly direction to Water Street; it then runs in a westerly direction following the center line of Water Street to Park Road; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Park Road to Davis Street; thence in a westerly direction and southerly direction following the center line of Davis Street as it changes direction to Spring Street; thence in a westerly direction following the center line of Spring Street to Primitive Street; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Primitive Street to East Third Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of East Third Street to Tuttle Street; thence in a northerly and westerly direction following the center line of Tuttle Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to Fourth Street; thence in a westerly direction following the center line of Fourth Street to Union Street; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Union Street to Oakland Avenue; thence House Bill 293 S.L Page 5

6 in a northwesterly direction following the center line of Oakland Avenue to the City Limits; thence in a northerly direction and easterly direction following the City Limits to the center line of Morgan Ford Road; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Morgan Ford Road to the point of beginning. Ward No. 3. Starting at the Irving Avenue Bridge over Matrimony Creek at the City Limits on the West near Kings Mill Dam the line of Ward No. 3 follows the City Limits in a northerly direction up Matrimony Creek and a tributary to the center line of Oakland Avenue; it runs thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Oakland Avenue to Union Street; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Union Street to Fourth Street; thence in an easterly direction following the center line of Fourth Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to Tuttle Street; thence in an easterly direction and southerly direction following the center line of Tuttle Street as it changes direction to East Third Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of East Third Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to Bridge Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Bridge Street to Oak Street; thence in an easterly direction following the center line of Oak Street to Greenwood Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Greenwood Street to Spring Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Spring Street to Bridge Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Bridge Street to Church Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Church Street to Henry Street; thence in a northwesterly direction following the center line of Henry Street to Church Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Church Street to Patrick Street; thence in a northwesterly direction following the center line of Patrick Street to Spring Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Spring Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a northwesterly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to Center Church Road; thence in a westerly direction following the center line of Center Church Road to Irving Avenue; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Irving Avenue to the City Limits at the Irving Avenue Bridge over Matrimony Creek. Ward No. 4. Starting at the Hamilton Street Bridge over the Dan River at the southern City Limits the line of Ward No. 4 follows the southern City Limits in a westerly direction along the North bank of the Dan River to Matrimony Creek the ward line then turns in a northerly direction following the City Limits line along Matrimony Creek to the Irving Avenue Bridge over Matrimony Creek near Kings Mill Dam. At this point the ward line leaves the City Limits line and follows the center line of Irving Avenue in a northeasterly direction to Center Church Road; it then follows the center line of Center Church Road in an easterly direction to Hamilton Street. Thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to Spring Street; thence in a northeasterly direction following the center line of Spring Street to Patrick Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Patrick Street to Church Street; thence in a northeasterly direction following the center line of Church Street to Henry Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Page 6 S.L House Bill 293

7 Henry Street to Church Street; thence in a northeasterly direction following the center line of Church Street to Bridge Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Bridge Street to Washington Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Washington Street to Henry Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Henry Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Henry Street to Harris Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Harris Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to the City Limits at the Hamilton Street Bridge over the Dan River, this being the point of beginning. Ward No. 5. Starting at the Meadow Road Bridge over the Smith River at the City Limits the northern line of Ward No. 5 follows the center line of Meadow Road in a northwesterly direction to Warehouse Street; thence in a northeasterly direction following the center line of Warehouse Street to Carolina Street; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Carolina Street to Morgan Ford Road; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Morgan Ford Road to Water Street; thence in a westerly direction following the center line of Water Street to Park Road; thence in a northerly direction following the center line of Park Road to Davis Street; thence in a westerly direction and southerly direction following the center line of Davis Street to Spring Street; thence in a westerly direction following the center line of Spring Street to Primitive Street; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Primitive Street to Church Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Church Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a southerly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to Bridge Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Bridge Street to Oak Street; thence in an easterly direction following the center line of Oak Street to Greenwood Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Greenwood Street to Spring Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Spring Street to Bridge Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Bridge Street to Washington Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Washington Street to Henry Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Henry Street to Harris Street; thence in a southwesterly direction following the center line of Harris Street to Hamilton Street; thence in a southeasterly direction following the center line of Hamilton Street to the City Limits line at the Hamilton Street Bridge over the Dan River; thence in an easterly and northerly direction following the southern and eastern City Limits line as it meanders back to the point of beginning at Meadow Road Bridge over the Smith River. Sec. 2. ELECTION MECHANICS. All elections of city officers held in the City of Leaksville-Spray shall be held pursuant to the applicable provisions of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except as may otherwise be prescribed in this charter. Under this charter, an election of city officers shall be held on Tuesday after the first Monday of May, 1961, and biennially thereafter. Sec. 3. THE BALLOT. Each ballot shall contain the names of all candidates for the office of mayor and all candidates for the office of councilmen for the ward in House Bill 293 S.L Page 7

8 which the candidate is a resident and from which he is seeking the office of councilman. Each ballot shall be marked as follows: One vote shall be cast for a candidate for mayor; one vote shall be cast for a candidate for councilman in each ward. If not so marked, the ballot is voided. Sec. 4. FILING AS A CANDIDATE. Any person qualified to run as a candidate for mayor or membership on the City Council of the City of Leaksville-Spray shall file as a candidate for such office by 5:00 o'clock P. M. of the fifth Monday immediately preceding the date of the election and shall pay a filing fee of five dollars ($5.00). Any candidate for any office shall file said notice of candidacy with, and pay said filing fee to, the city clerk. The notice of candidacy shall be substantially in the following form: "I,, do hereby give notice that I reside at in Ward, (street address) of the City of Leaksville-Spray; that I am a candidate for election to the office of Councilman from Ward (or to the office of Mayor) to be voted upon at the election to be held on Tuesday, May, 19, and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official ballot as a candidate for election to said office. (Signature of Candidate) Signed before me and filed this day of, 19. " City Clerk ARTICLE III. THE MAYOR Section 1. ELECTION, TERM, VACANCY. The mayor shall be a resident of the City of Leaksville-Spray and shall be elected by the qualified voters of the entire city at large. No candidate for the office of mayor shall be a candidate for membership on the city council. The mayor shall be elected for a term of two years which shall begin at 12:00 o'clock, noon, on the day following his election when he shall take the oath of office, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. In case of a vacancy in the office of mayor, the members of the council shall choose from their own number his successor for the unexpired term. Sec. 2. POWERS AND DUTIES. The mayor shall be the recognized head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes; by the courts for the serving of legal process; and by the Governor for purposes of martial law. The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and shall not vote on any question before the council except in case of a tie vote deadlocking a decision by the council, in which case the mayor shall cast the tie-breaking vote. As the acknowledged leader of the corporate community and as presiding officer of the council, the mayor shall exercise the leadership inherent in his office in the formulation of policies and the initiation of programs for the benefit of the people, and shall have no regular administrative duties. Page 8 S.L House Bill 293

9 Sec. 3. MAYOR PRO TEMPORE. In the event of absence or disability of the mayor, the member of the council appointed mayor pro tempore shall act as mayor during such absence or disability and shall have the same authority, exercise all powers, and perform such duties as are authorized or prescribed for the mayor. ARTICLE IV. THE COUNCIL Section 1. ELECTION, TERM, VACANCY. The city council shall consist of five members, one from each ward of the city. Each councilman shall be a resident of the ward he represents, but he shall be elected by all the qualified voters of the entire city at large. The members of the council shall be elected for a term of two years, which shall begin at 12:00 o'clock, noon, on the day following their election when they shall take the oath of office, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Any seat on the city council which becomes vacant shall be filled by appointment of a qualified voter from the ward said vacant seat represents, to be selected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the council. Sec. 2. POWERS AND DUTIES. All the legislative powers of the city shall be exercised by the council. Every member of the council shall have the right to vote on any question coming before it. A majority shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of all members present shall be necessary to adopt any motion, resolution or ordinance. The council shall from time to time establish rules for its proceedings. Regular and special meetings shall be held at a time and place fixed by ordinance. All legislative sessions shall be open to the public, and every matter put to a vote shall be duly recorded. A full and accurate journal of the proceedings shall be kept, and shall be open to the inspection of any qualified voter of the city. At its first meeting following an election, the council shall appoint one member to serve as mayor pro tempore. The council shall appoint a city manager to serve at the will of the council and his duties shall be as prescribed in this charter. The council shall also appoint a clerk-treasurer and a city attorney to serve at the will of the council and whose duties may be prescribed by ordinance. The compensation of the mayor, manager, clerk-treasurer and attorney may be fixed by the council at any time. The compensation of the councilmen may be fixed by the council by an ordinance to become effective in the next succeeding term of office. The council shall have authority to determine policies, enact ordinances and resolutions, establish programs for the benefit of the people, and shall have no regular administrative duties. ARTICLE V. THE MANAGER Section 1. APPOINTMENT. The city manager shall be appointed by the council solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to his actual experience in or his knowledge of accepted practice in respect to the duties of his office. At the time of his appointment he need not be a resident of the city, but during his tenure of office he shall reside within the city. Sec. 2. POWERS AND DUTIES. The city manager shall be the executive officer and head of the administrative branch of the city government. He shall be House Bill 293 S.L Page 9

10 responsible to the city council for the proper administration of all affairs of the city, and to that end, he shall: A. See that within the city the laws of the State and the ordinances, resolutions, and regulations of the council are faithfully executed; B. Attend all meetings of the council and recommend for adoption such measures as he shall deem expedient; C. Make reports to the council from time to time upon the affairs of the city; D. Prepare the budget annually and submit it to the council and be responsible for its administration after adoption; E. Appoint and remove such city officers and employees as the council shall determine are necessary for the proper administration of the city: Provided, he shall appoint and remove department heads subject to the approval of the council. ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS Section 1. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS. All claims or demands against the City of Leaksville-Spray arising in tort shall be presented to the city council or to the city manager, in writing, signed by the claimant, his attorney or lawful agent, within ninety (90) days after said claim or demand is due or the cause of action accrues; no suit or action thereon shall be brought within ten (10) days or after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the time said claim is so presented, and, unless the claim is so presented within ninety (90) days after the cause of action accrued and unless suit is brought within twelve (12) months thereafter, any action thereon shall be barred. Sec. 3. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed. Sec. 4. This Act shall become effective upon its ratification. In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 20th day of March, Page 10 S.L House Bill 293