Maryland State Government Section 2-1605

      (a)      An investigating committee shall have the chairman and vice chairman who:

            (1)      are appointed by the resolution that establishes the investigating committee; or

            (2)      if the resolution does not appoint these officers, are elected by affirmative vote of a majority of all of the members of the investigating committee.

      (b)      The rules of an investigating committee shall provide for the selection of a presiding officer to act if the chairman and the vice chairman are absent or unable to act.

      (c)      (1)      At a hearing of an investigating committee, the presiding officer shall be:

                  (i)      the chairman of the investigating committee;

                  (ii)      if the chairman is absent or otherwise unable to preside, the vice chairman; or

                  (iii)      if the chairman and vice chairman are absent or otherwise unable to preside, the individual who is selected under the rules of the investigating committee.

            (2)      At a hearing, the presiding officer:

                  (i)      shall examine the witnesses or supervise the examination by any other member of the investigating committee or by staff who are authorized to examine witnesses; and

                  (ii)      may direct a witness to answer a relevant question or to provide a relevant book, document, or paper.