2013 Maryland Code
STATE GOVERNMENT
§ 2-10A-14 - Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government.

(a) Committee established. -- There is a Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government.

(b) Composition. --

(1) The Committee consists of 12 members.

(2) Of the 12 members:

(i) 6 shall be members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(ii) 6 shall be members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(c) Cochairs. -- From among the membership of the Committee, the President of the Senate shall appoint a Senator to serve as the Senate Chair of the Committee, and the Speaker of the House shall appoint a Delegate to serve as the House Chair of the Committee.

(d) Staff. -- The Department of Legislative Services shall provide staff assistance to the Committee.

(e) Purpose. -- The purposes of the Committee are to:

(1) provide continuing legislative oversight regarding transparency and open government; and

(2) make recommendations regarding initiatives that will increase citizen access to government resources, publications, and actions.

(f) Meetings. -- The Committee shall hold:

(1) an organizational meeting promptly after the appointment of its members; and

(2) any other meetings that the Committee considers necessary to carry out its duties efficiently.

(g) Powers. -- The Committee may:

(1) hold a hearing on any matter relating to the functions of the Committee; and

(2) consider a vote on a bill or resolution referred to it by the President or the Speaker.

(h) Duties. -- The Committee shall:

(1) identify areas in which the State can improve its technology and Web sites to increase transparency and citizen engagement;

(2) make recommendations regarding State transparency goals and policies;

(3) consult with State entities that foster transparency, including the Governor's StateStat office:

(i) when developing State transparency goals and policies; and

(ii) to identify methods of coordinating transparency policies across State government;

(4) review State laws, programs, services, and policies and make recommendations to align them with State transparency policies and goals;

(5) determine whether there are interdepartmental gaps, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies in the implementation or attainment of State transparency policies and goals;

(6) identify laws, programs, services, or budgetary priorities that need to be adopted to ensure and promote transparency and open government in the State;

(7) survey transparency initiatives in other states that have proven effective at saving public funds and resources and assess whether those policies should be modified and adopted for use by the State;

(8) serve as an informational resource and liaison for advocates and citizens with ideas and suggestions for tools and practical implementation of initiatives that will increase transparency;

(9) review and make recommendations regarding actions suggested by advocates and citizens to increase citizen access to government resources, publications, and actions;

(10) recommend methods of increasing public awareness of government resources, publications, and Web sites; and

(11) perform any other activity that is required to fulfill the purposes of the Committee.

(i) Annual report. --

(1) Subject to § 2-1246 of this title, the Committee shall submit a report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 each year.

(2) The report shall include:

(i) a description of the work of the Committee; and

(ii) any recommendations of the Committee.