Maryland Financial Institutions Section 13-1104

      (a)      The Authority consists of:

            (1)      The Secretary of Housing and Community Development;

            (2)      The Secretary of Business and Economic Development;

            (3)      The Secretary of Higher Education;

            (4)      The Secretary of Transportation;

            (5)      The Secretary of Natural Resources;

            (6)      The Secretary of the Department of Planning;

            (7)      The State Historic Preservation Officer; and

            (8)      Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate:

                  (i)      Two of whom shall be elected officials or representatives of local jurisdictions;

                  (ii)      Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the President of the Maryland Senate;

                  (iii)      Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;

                  (iv)      One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Greenways Commission;

                  (v)      One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Tourism Development Board;

                  (vi)      One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in historic preservation; and

                  (vii)      One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in heritage tourism.

      (b)      Of the elected officials or representatives from local jurisdictions, the Governor shall appoint:

            (1)      One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Association of Counties; and

            (2)      One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Municipal League.

      (c)      The members appointed to the Authority shall represent the gender, racial, and geographic makeup of the State.

      (d)      A member of the Authority may not also be a member of the board of directors or any other type of governing or oversight body of an organization qualifying for State funds as a recognized or certified heritage area.

      (e)      A cabinet member of the Authority may designate a representative to act in the absence of the cabinet member.

      (f)      (1)      Except for State officials, the term of a member of the Authority is 4 years.

            (2)      The terms of members appointed by the Governor are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on October 1, 1996.

            (3)      At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

            (4)      A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

            (5)      At the end of the term of a member or on the resignation or removal of a member, the Governor shall appoint a member to the Authority with the advice and consent of the Senate.

      (g)      The Secretary of Planning shall serve as chair of the Authority.

      (h)      The Governor may remove a member that a Governor appointed for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.