reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
CA Water Code § 23463 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6 - COOPERATION|CHAPTER 3 - Cooperation With Other Districts|ARTICLE 2 - Cooperation with County Water Districts|Section 23463.

23463.  Contracts made pursuant to this article shall be liberally construed to effectuate them according to their true intent.(Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 372.)
CA Water Code § 23464 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6 - COOPERATION|CHAPTER 3 - Cooperation With Other Districts|ARTICLE 2 - Cooperation with County Water Districts|Section 23464.

23464.  The execution of a contract between districts may be authorized by resolution of their respective boards.(Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 372.)
CA Water Code § 23465 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6 - COOPERATION|CHAPTER 3 - Cooperation With Other Districts|ARTICLE 2 - Cooperation with County Water Districts|Section 23465.

23465.  Any and all such contracts executed prior to September 13, 1941, by and between such districts and all acts of boards of directors and other officers of such districts leading up to and including the execution of such contract or contracts, are hereby legalized, ratified, confirmed and declared valid to all intents and purposes, and the power of such districts to execute, carry out, perform and observe such contracts and every provision thereof is hereby ratified, confirmed and declared valid and such contracts are hereby declared to be in all respects the legal and binding obligations of, against and in favor of each of such contracting districts.(Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 372.)
CA Water Code § 23500 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23500.

23500.  Contiguous land may be formed into a distribution district for the purpose of contracting with the United States, pursuant to the federal reclamation laws, for the construction of a distribution system separate from or supplemental to the works of the district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23501 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23501.

23501.  As used in this part, “federal reclamation law” shall mean the Federal Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stats. 388), and all acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23502 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23502.

23502.  The formation of a distribution district may be proposed and the petition therefor shall be signed by two-thirds or more in number of the holders of title to the land in the proposed distribution district appearing on the last equalized assessment roll of the district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23503 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23503.

23503.  A petition for the formation of a distribution district shall contain all of the following:(a) Statement of the plans of the proposed distribution system.(b) Description of the land in the proposed distribution district.(c) Names of the owners of all land within the proposed distribution district with their last known addresses.(d) Description of the land owned in the proposed distribution district by each owner, which shall be according to the next preceding equalized assessment book of the district.(e) Signatures of the petitioners.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23504 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23504.

23504.  The petition, all proceedings in reference to it, the distribution district, and the land in it shall be designated by a number.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23505 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23505.

23505.  The petition may consist of any number of separate instruments, which shall be duplicates except as to signatures.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23506 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23506.

23506.  A petition to form a distribution district shall be filed with the secretary in the office of the district and may be inspected by all persons interested.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23510 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 2 - Plans and Estimate of Assessment|Section 23510.

23510.  Upon receipt of a petition to form a distribution district the board shall cause a survey to be made of the proposed distribution system.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23511 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 2 - Plans and Estimate of Assessment|Section 23511.

23511.  If the survey shows that the distribution system is feasible, the board shall cause to be prepared the following:(a) An estimate of the cost of the proposed distribution system.(b) A statement of the estimated rate of ad valorem tax which probably will be necessary to meet the distribution district’s obligation to the United States under the proposed contract or contracts.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23512 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 2 - Plans and Estimate of Assessment|Section 23512.

23512.  The estimate of cost and the statement of the estimated rate of ad valorem tax shall be filed with the secretary in the office of the district and may be inspected by all persons interested.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23520 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 3 - Hearing on Formation|Section 23520.

23520.  After the filing of the formation petition and the estimate of cost and the statement of the estimated rate of ad valorem tax, the board shall give notice of a hearing on the petition.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23521 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 3 - Hearing on Formation|Section 23521.

23521.  Notice of the hearing shall be given by all of the following:(a) Posting a notice in three public places within the proposed distribution district.(b) Publication of the notice once a week for two weeks in a newspaper published in the office county.(c) Mailing a copy of the notice to the last known address of all of the owners of land in the proposed distribution district to the addresses appearing on the last equalized assessment roll of the district.The notices shall be posted and mailed not less than twenty days prior to the date set for the hearing.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23522 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 3 - Hearing on Formation|Section 23522.

23522.  At the hearing the board shall hear any objections coming before it to any of the following:(a) The petition.(b) The formation of the distribution district.(c) The land to be included within the distribution district.(d) The proposed distribution system.(e) The estimate of cost.(f) The estimate of the ad valorem tax.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23523 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 3 - Hearing on Formation|Section 23523.

23523.  At the hearing the board shall make any changes in reference to matters set forth in Section 23522 as it considers proper. The board may exclude any part of the land described in the petition from the proposed distribution district and may include additional land.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23524 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 3 - Hearing on Formation|Section 23524.

23524.  If any additional land is included within the proposed irrigation district, the hearing shall be continued and the owners of the added land given personal notice of not less than twenty days of the addition of the land to the distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23530 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 4 - Formation and Assessment|Section 23530.

23530.  Regardless of any findings made by the board if more than one-third in number of the owners of title to land within a proposed distribution district object at the hearing to its formation or to the levy of the proposed ad valorem tax, the board shall deny the petition, and no further proceeding shall be had on it.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23531 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 4 - Formation and Assessment|Section 23531.

23531.  If at the hearing the board finds that it would not be for the best interest of the district to form the distribution district the board shall order the proceedings dismissed without prejudice to their renewal.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23532 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 4 - Formation and Assessment|Section 23532.

23532.  If the board finds that it would be for the best interests of the district and the proposed distribution district to form the distribution district, it shall make and enter in its minutes a final order:(a) Approving the petition.(b) Forming the distribution district.(c) Providing that an ad valorem assessment shall be levied each year in the same manner as district assessments to meet the obligations of the contract with the United States under the federal reclamation laws.(d) Describing the land in the distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23533 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 4 - Formation and Assessment|Section 23533.

23533.  Assessments levied for the purpose of meeting obligations accruing under a contract with the United States pursuant to the reclamation laws shall be payable in the same manner and at the same time as district assessments, and such distribution district assessments shall be made in the number and amount sufficient to meet the obligations accruing under such contract.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23534 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 4 - Formation and Assessment|Section 23534.

23534.  The secretary shall cause a certified copy of the order creating the distribution district to be recorded in the office of the county recorder in each county in which any land of the distribution district is situated.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23535 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 4 - Formation and Assessment|Section 23535.

23535.  All lands of the distribution district shall remain jointly liable for all obligations accruing to the United States under any contract between the distribution district and the United States pursuant to the federal reclamation laws.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23540 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 1 - Inclusion of Land|Section 23540.

23540.  If at any time it is desired to include additional land in a distribution district, a petition for inclusion signed by the owners of the land to be included and by two-thirds in number of the holders of title to the land in the distribution district may be filed with the board.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23541 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 1 - Inclusion of Land|Section 23541.

23541.  The inclusion petition shall describe the land in the distribution district as enlarged by the proposed inclusions and give the names and addresses of the owners of the additional land in substantially the same manner as in the original petition for forming a distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23542 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 1 - Inclusion of Land|Section 23542.

23542.  The same proceedings shall be had on the distribution district inclusion petition as upon the original petition for the formation of a distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23545 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 2 - Exclusion of Land|Section 23545.

23545.  At any time before a district has incurred any indebtedness or obligation, or after all indebtedness and obligations have been discharged, two-thirds or more in number of the holders of title to an area of land in the distribution district, as appears on the last equalized assessment roll, desiring to be excluded therefrom may by verified petition filed with the board of the district, request that the area be excluded from the distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1951, Ch. 145.)
CA Water Code § 23546 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 2 - Exclusion of Land|Section 23546.

23546.  The secretary of the district, upon the filing of the petition, shall examine it and if, in his opinion, the petition has been signed by the requisite number of landowners, he shall set it for hearing at the first regular meeting of the board of the district held after the expiration of 30 days after the filing of the petition.(Added by Stats. 1951, Ch. 145.)
CA Water Code § 23547 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 2 - Exclusion of Land|Section 23547.

23547.  The secretary of the board shall cause notice of the time and place of hearing to be posted for a period of two weeks next preceding the hearing (a) in three public places in the area requested to be excluded, and (b) in three public places in the area of the distribution district which has not been requested to be excluded, and to be published once a week for two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which any portion of the distribution district is located.(Added by Stats. 1951, Ch. 145.)
CA Water Code § 23548 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 2 - Exclusion of Land|Section 23548.

23548.  At the time and place of the hearing, anyone interested in the petition for exclusion may appear before the board of the district and urge or oppose its approval. After the hearing, if the board of the district determines that it is for the best interests of the distribution district that the land requested to be excluded, or any portion thereof, should be excluded, the board of the district shall make an order excluding the land, or portion thereof, and cause it to be recorded in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the excluded land is located.(Added by Stats. 1951, Ch. 145.)
CA Water Code § 23549 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 2 - Inclusion and Exclusion of Land|ARTICLE 2 - Exclusion of Land|Section 23549.

23549.  All expenses incurred in connection with a petition to exclude lands from a distribution district shall be paid by the petitioners.(Added by Stats. 1951, Ch. 145.)
CA Water Code § 23550 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 1 - Distribution District Management|Section 23550.

23550.  In a district containing a distribution district the board and all of the officers of the district each respectively has all of the rights, powers, and privileges as to the distribution district, its land, and the proceedings in relation to the distribution district that each respectively has for the district of which the distribution district is a part, including the right of the district to acquire, own, hold, and dispose of property, and to contract in the name of the distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23551 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 1 - Distribution District Management|Section 23551.

23551.  The board may also hold or dispose of property used or acquired in connection with the distribution district in the name of the directors and their successors in office as trustees for the distribution district.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23552 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 1 - Distribution District Management|Section 23552.

23552.  The board of the district may in lieu in whole or in part of levying ad valorem assessments for repayment of construction costs under a contract with the United States pursuant to the federal reclamation laws, fix and collect charges for the use of water or for any other service furnished by means of the distribution system in the same manner and with the same effect as charges are made and collected by districts for the use of water or for services.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23553 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 1 - Distribution District Management|Section 23553.

23553.  The board of the district may provide for any maintenance and operation of the distribution system of a distribution district that may be required by the provisions of the contract between the distribution district and the United States under the federal reclamation laws, from funds of the irrigation district in lieu of levying further distribution district assessments for such purposes.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23560 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 2 - Distribution District Warrants|Section 23560.

23560.  A district may issue distribution district warrants signed by its president and secretary from receipts of distribution district assessments and charges in such amounts and to the United States or such persons as may be required to carry out the provisions of a contract between a distribution district and the United States, executed under the federal reclamation laws.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23570 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 3 - Actions and Proceedings|Section 23570.

23570.  All acts, proceedings, conclusions, and findings of fact, including the levy of assessments or charges, by a board of a district concerning a distribution district therein shall be conclusive except in an action or proceeding instituted within six months after the acts, proceedings, conclusions, or findings were had or made.(Added by Stats. 1949, Ch. 169.)
CA Water Code § 23571 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 6.5 - DISTRIBUTION DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 3 - Functioning of Distribution Districts|ARTICLE 3 - Actions and Proceedings|Section 23571.

23571.  An action to determine the validity of an assessment may be brought pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 860) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.(Amended by Stats. 1961, Ch. 1540.)
CA Water Code § 23600 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 7 - IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23600.

23600.  Land which need not be contiguous may be formed into an improvement district for one or more of the following:(a) Irrigation or domestic water service by a system of pumps or conduits or both.(b) Drainage or flood control.(c) Acquisition of existing works incidental to a water distribution system separate from or supplemental to the works of the district.(d) Change or improvement of the water distribution system of the district.(e) Maintenance of irrigation works of the district and works for water supply or drainage or both in or for the improvement district.(f) Control of weeds in or along conduits.(Amended by Stats. 1947, Ch. 536.)
CA Water Code § 23601 (2021)
2021 California Code|Water Code - WAT|DIVISION 11 - IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|PART 7 - IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS IN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS|CHAPTER 1 - Formation|ARTICLE 1 - Petition for Formation|Section 23601.

23601.  As used in connection with improvement districts:(a) “Improvement” includes acquisition of existing works, construction of new works, and change of existing works and excludes operation, maintenance, and weed control.(b) “Construction” includes change of existing works.(c) Both “operation” and “maintenance” include weed control.(Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 372.)