Section 15-202 - Membership. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-202. Membership.
 

(a)  Composition; appointment of members.-  

(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)  Qualifications of members.- 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) this State's government; 

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

(iv) a political party; or 

(2) be a regulated lobbyist. 

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

(d)  Tenure; vacancies.-  

(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 Commission on October 1, 1995. 

(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)  Removal.-  

(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 reply to the charges. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 40A, § 2-102; 1995, ch. 533, § 2.]