Maryland Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments Section 15-107

      (a)      The Council is an independent unit in the Executive Branch of State government that for administrative and budgetary purposes shall be placed under the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

      (b)      The Council is exempt from the provisions of:

            (1)      Division I of the State Personnel and Pensions Article;

            (2)      Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article except as otherwise provided in § 11-203(b) of that article; and

            (3)      Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article.

      (c)      (1)      The Council shall receive annual funding through an appropriation included as part of the budget of the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

            (2)      The Secretary of Agriculture shall include without revision the budget request of the Council that is provided to the Department of Budget and Management together with the budget request of the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

      (d)      The Maryland Department of Agriculture shall provide the Council with necessary staff and resources, including office space.

      (e)      Each unit in the Executive Branch of State government shall participate in the deliberations of the Council and work with the Council on matters relating to the unit.

      (f)      The Attorney General shall serve as legal advisor to the Council.