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2022 Maryland Statutes
General Provisions
Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law
Subtitle 2 - State Ethics Commission
Section 5-202 - Membership

Universal Citation:
MD. General Provisions Code § 5-202 (2022)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

    (a)    (1)    The Ethics Commission consists of five members.

        (2)    The Governor shall appoint:

            (i)    with the advice and consent of the Senate, three members, at least one of whom shall be a member of the principal political party of which the Governor is not a member;

            (ii)    one member nominated by the President of the Senate; and

            (iii)    one member nominated by the Speaker of the House.

        (3)    The Governor may reject a nominee of the President or of the Speaker only for cause.

        (4)    If the Governor rejects a nominee under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the appropriate presiding officer shall nominate another individual.

        (5)    A vacancy shall be filled in a manner consistent with this subsection.

    (b)    A member of the Ethics Commission may not:

        (1)    hold elected or appointed office in, be an employee of, or be a candidate for office in:

            (i)    the federal government;

            (ii)    the State government;

            (iii)    a municipal corporation, county, or multicounty agency of the State; or

            (iv)    a political party; or

        (2)    be a regulated lobbyist.

    (c)    Before taking office, each appointee to the Ethics Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

    (d)    (1)    The term of a member is 5 years.

        (2)    The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms in effect for members of the Ethics Commission on October 1, 2013.

        (3)    A member may serve no more than two consecutive 5–year terms.

        (4)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term.

        (5)    At the end of a term, a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

    (e)    (1)    The Governor may remove a member for:

            (i)    neglect of duty;

            (ii)    misconduct in office;

            (iii)    a disability that makes the member unable to discharge the powers and duties of office; or

            (iv)    a violation of this title.

        (2)    Before removing a member, the Governor shall give the member:

            (i)    written notice of the charges; and

            (ii)    an opportunity to answer the charges.

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